Online Medical Assistant Programs in New Jersey: Top Schools in NJ
Use EduMed’s guide to explore the best online medical assistant programs in New Jersey, and learn about admissions requirements, curriculum content, course delivery methods, medical assistant salaries, and much more. You’ll also find the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions by prospective medical assistant students.
The following professionals lent their expertise to this article:
HealthcarePre-NursingAdv Nursing EditorialSenior CareDementia Care
Medical AssistingHealth ScienceJump To Section
How the Programs Work
The process of becoming a medical assistant involves learning how to best provide patient care in a fast-paced clinical environment while supporting other health professionals. The curriculums of MA education programs combine administrative office training with skills for assisting in the direct treatment of patients, including the use of tests and medications.
Online medical assistant programs in New Jersey typically feature fully-online or hybrid (partially-online) formats with classes delivered either synchronously (requiring attendance at specifically-scheduled times via live stream) or asynchronously (pre-recorded to be viewed at any time.) Hybrid programs also include some in-person components such as campus-based classes and clinical internships attended at local medical practice facilities.
To provide you with a better idea of how online MA education works, here are spotlights of three current online medical assistant programs in New Jersey:
New Jersey City University — Training for the CCMA
The Online Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Certification Training program offered through New Jersey City University features one of the fastest and most convenient options for getting the MA education you need. The program is delivered 100% online and is self-paced, and students can begin their studies at any time.
Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to take the National Healthcareer Association’s Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) certification exam.
Tuition covers 12 months access to online course materials as well as a voucher to take the CCMA exam. After completing their online coursework, students may choose to complete an optional clinical immersion.
Duration: Self-paced (12 months access to course materials)
Mode: Online, with asynchronous classes
Cost: $3,295
Admissions Requirements: None. However, a high school diploma or equivalent is required to take the CCMA exam.
Curriculum:
- Medical terminology
- Human body systems
- Pathophysiology
- Pharmacology
- Medical office protocol and duties
- Financial practices
FIND PROGRAMS NEAR YOU:
AIMS Education College of Health Sciences — Certificate
Medical assistant students at the AIMS Education College of Health Sciences can expect to complete this online Medical Assistant Certificate program in just 10 months. Students attend lectures and complete didactic work online but must participate in labs and clinical training in-person on campus or at an affiliated clinical site.
In addition to foundational coursework in laboratory techniques, clinical and diagnostic procedures, pharmacology, and first aid, AIMS students are taught specialty skills for OB/GYN and pediatric practices.
Program graduates are eligible to take certification exams through the American Association of Medical Assistants, the NHA, and the American Medical Technologists.
Duration: 10 months
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $14,400 (includes tuition, books, and fees)
Admissions Requirements:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Passing score on Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam
Curriculum:
- Medical Terminology
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Ethics of Healthcare
- Patient Care Techniques
- Measure Vital Signs
- Pediatric and Ob/Gyn Assisting
- Would Care Practice
- Infection Control and Safety
- Perform Resting EKG/ECG
- Interpret EKG/ECG Results
- Venipuncture
- Dermal / Capillary Puncture
- Specimen Collection and Processing
- Medical Insurance
- Introduction to Imaging Technology
- CLIA Regulations and CLSI Standards
- OSHA Regulations
K&G Career Academy — Certificate
The fast-tracked Online Medical/Clinical Assistant Training course from the K&G Career Academy includes a mix of online and in-classroom learning, with some courses self-paced and others led by instructors. Internship and other hands-on training included.
General topics covered include:
- Medical terminology
- First aid
- Medicine preparation and administration
- Pharmacology
The course can be started at any time and includes preparation to take the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam. Support services include partnerships with local healthcare providers that can lead to employment opportunities.
Duration: 12 weeks
Mode: Hybrid (Online synchronous and asynchronous options, plus lab/clinical work on campus)
Cost: $2,891
Admissions Requirements:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- 18 years of age or older
Curriculum:
- Medical Terminology
- Overview of Anatomy
- First Aid Techniques
- Patient Preparation for Exams
- Medicine Preparation and Administration
- Procedures for the Front Office
- Medical Insurance 101
- Medical Treatments
- Pharmacology
- Skills in Communication
FAQs for NJ Medical Assistant Students
As you explore your MA education options, you’re bound to come up with several questions of your own about online content and delivery, program costs, etc. To help you out in this regard, below are the answers to five of the most frequently-asked questions by prospective New Jersey online medical assistant students.
What does an online medical assistant curriculum in New Jersey entail?
The focus of all online medical assistant programs in NJ, as with online MA programs everywhere, is to provide students with the foundational administrative and clinical knowledge and skills needed to assist physicians, nurses, and other healthcare team members in patient care. Common program topics include:
- Medical terminology
- Anatomy and physiology
- EKG monitoring
- Infection control
- Phlebotomy
- Medical office administration
- Billing and coding
- Communication
- Patient privacy laws
Most programs, including the three profiled above, also include a medical assisting internship or other in-person clinical component that allows students to gain hands-on experience with the practices learned in their coursework.
What are the admission requirements or prerequisites for New Jersey medical assistant programs?
Online medical assistant certification programs in New Jersey have few, if any, admission requirements beyond the submission of application materials and fees.
Some programs do require a high school diploma or equivalent, others do not. But it’s important to note that a high school diploma or equivalent is typically required to obtain professional medical assistant certification. More on certifications below.
Prerequisite coursework is also almost never required. In most cases, absolutely no prior medical experience is necessary for admission into an online MA program.
For more information on admissions requirements and process, check out Edumed’s Admissions Handbook.
How much should I expect to pay for my program?
Medical assistant program tuition can range from less than around $3,000 to nearly $20,000.
There are many factors that affect the overall cost of a medical assistant program, the most impactful being credential type (certification prep course, diploma, certificate, associate degree) and the particular school and program itself. Other factors that can affect the cost of an online program include delivery format, program length, and any additional specialized training completed.
You can also expect additional costs for such things as books and materials, as well as transportation costs for any in-person activities.
Expert Insight
From my experience, there are some online programs that offer a reduction of tuition cost during certain times of the year. For instance, during back-to-school months the program I attended would offer a discounted tuition cost. You can research various programs and see what kind of financial aid they may offer. If there is a discounted tuition cost during certain times of the year, that may be the best time to enroll.
What are the professional organizations or networking opportunities for New Jersey medical assistants?
The largest professional organization in the state for medical assistants is the New Jersey Society of Medical Assistants, a non-profit organization that opens membership to all credentialed medical assisting professionals as a way to enhance their professional practice. As part of its programming, NJSMA hosts an annual convention as well as remote continuing education events.
Another great organization to consider is the Medical Society of New Jersey Open to a broad range of healthcare professionals, the MSNJ hosts lectures and other events tied to healthcare issues of the day that also offer opportunities to network with other professionals in the medical field.
Expert Insight
Networking can even include within your own cohort of the program you are attending. Some of your peers may already be employed in the healthcare field and can give you insight and tips. I recall some of my peers gave me great insight about some potential employers in the area. This gave me some idea of where I should be applying after I completed the program.
Are scholarships or grants available for online medical assistant students in NJ?
Absolutely. Online MA students may be eligible for any of a number of financial aid resources to help pay for their educations. Common financial aid types include:
- Scholarships and grants
- Employer tuition reimbursement
- Tuition discounts
- Student loans
- Tuition installment payment plans
The best place to start your funding search is by contacting the financial aid offices at each of the schools you’re considering. Another great financial resource is the state government’s Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA), which details many general scholarship and grant opportunities.
Expert Insight
It is important you take the time to reach out to the program’s financial aid officers if applicable. I reached out to the financial aid office when I was applying to programs and they gave me suggestions of scholarships I was not aware of. Some options were listed on the program website but not all of them were. You do not want to miss your opportunity to apply for scholarships, so make sure to reach out to the financial aid office of the program you are attending.
New Jersey Medical Assistant Certification
There is no state licensure or certification of medical assistants employed in New Jersey. However, many employers themselves require or prefer MA job applicants to possess professional certification. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you only consider online medical assistant programs in New Jersey that provide eligibility to sit for the exams of one or more professional certifications.
Highly-regarded medical assistant professional certifications include:
- Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)
- Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)
- Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)
- Nationally Registered Certified Medical Assistant (NRCMA)
- Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)
After obtaining your certification, you’ll need to take care of license renewal on a regular basis. Renewal periods vary from certification to certification, but are often one to several years in length.
In most cases, certification renewal requires that you earn a given number of continuing education (CE) credits during each renewal period. Failure to renew in time typically results in having to retake the certification exam.
Salary & Career Potential for New Jersey Medical Assistants
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | $35,020 | $44,200 | $57,830 |
| New Jersey | $35,150 | $46,280 | $57,470 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $38,040 | $45,660 | $49,100 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $36,390 | $47,780 | $58,330 |
| Vineland, NJ | $35,290 | $44,940 | $51,760 |
Source: Medical Assistants, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2024, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann. Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | 19,830 | 23,370 | 3,540 | 17.90% | 3,100 |
| 1 – United States | 764,400 | 870,200 | 105,800 | 13.80% | 114,600 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
