Online Medical Assistant Programs in Nebraska: See Top Schools

Looking at Nebraska’s Online Medical Assistant Programs

If you’re thinking about working in Nebraska as a healthcare professional and are looking for solid earnings and big opportunities for growth, then you’ll want to consider becoming a medical assistant, one of today’s fastest-growing allied health careers. Medical assistants play a key role in providing quality care to patients by assisting physicians and other healthcare professionals both in the exam room and at the front counter.

This guide will introduce you to your best online program options. You’ll also find plenty of useful information and advice below on how to select the right program for you, get your certification, and what it’s like working as a medical assistant. We’ve also included detailed information and data on earnings and job opportunities.

Let’s get you started on your way to a great healthcare career through one of today’s best online medical assistant programs in Nebraska.

FAQs for Nebraska Medical Assistant Students

Most students have several questions before choosing to enroll in medical assistant programs in Nebraska: How long will I be in school? How much will it cost? Will I be able to complete the entire program online? Below, we’ve included the top questions for medical assistant students (and their answers.)

How long is medical assistant school?

Completion times for online medical assistant programs in the U.S. vary substantially, with some graduating students in just six weeks. You won’t find any six-week options available in Nebraska, but you will find considerable completion time differences depending on the type of program you choose. For example, the minimum completion times for two credit-based diploma programs spotlighted above (Southeast Community College and Mercy College of Health Sciences) are both three terms (around one year) of full-time study. In contrast, the non-credit MA program at Union Adventist University can be completed in 28 weeks.

Can a medical assistant program be entirely online?

If you’ve read this far, then you know that fully online MA programs do exist. You also know that at least one online medical assistant programs in Nebraska (Union Adventist University) is available 100% online. There are also a number of programs that feature 100% online didactic coursework along with hands-on clinical practice requirements typically attended at healthcare facilities in the student’s local area. So, while the answer to the question is “yes,” it is up to you to confirm all course requirements and understand how all content is delivered for any Nebraska online MA program you consider.

How can I check if a program is accredited?

It’s important to ensure proper accreditation of online medical assistant programs, so you can be sure it meets academic quality standards. It’s also key because most medical assistant professional certification exams require applicants to have graduated from a properly-accredited program.

You can check accreditation status on the school’s or program’s website. If you can’t find it there, contact the program directly. You can also check a program’s current accreditation status on the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs websites. Additionally, confirm the institutional accreditation of the school offering the MA program in which you’re interested.

How much does a medical assistant program cost in Nebraska?

Affordability is a major benefit to online MA programs, but what you’ll pay for your education will depend on the specific program and the form it takes. The three programs spotlighted above will provide you with a good idea of program costs, which range from around $3,600 for Mercy College’s program to just under $6,000 for Southeast Community College’s program.

On the upside, most of these programs include books, materials, and/or certification exams in the total program costs. However, you’ll incur additional expenses for transportation, uniforms and equipment if your program includes in-person clinical requirements.

What types of hands-on experience will I gain in an online Nebraska medical assistant program?

Many of Nebraska’s medical assistant programs include a clinical externship or practicum, so students can apply what they’ve learned in the virtual classroom to real-world settings like hospitals, clinics, or physician offices. During these clinical experiences, you’ll assist with patient exams, taking vitals, administering medication, and office operations like scheduling and billing. These experiences are often a graduation requirement for accredited programs and are vital for learning confidence and competence in patient care. Online students may be allowed to complete these in-person requirements at a partner medical facility close to their area of residence.

Certifications and Continuing Education: Nebraska’s Options

In Nebraska, there is no law or requirement for medical assistants to obtain certification or licensure. That being said, many employers do prefer—or require—certification as a marker of a medical assistant’s competency, so getting certified is a good career move.

Two of the most widely recognized medical assistant certifications are the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) and the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) offered by American Medical Technologists.

Much like there are no official certification requirements, there are no continuing education requirements for medical assistants in Nebraska. However, if you do become certified, there are ongoing education requirements for national certification. For example, the AAMA requires CMAs to undergo recertification every 60 months, either by passing the exam or by earning continuing education credits.

You can find continuing education through state-based professional organizations, like the Nebraska Society of Medical Assistants.

Salary & Career Outlook for Medical Assistants in Nebraska