The Best Medical Assistant Programs in Alabama

Do you want to join the fast-growing field of medical assisting? Medical assistants in Alabama start working after earning a certificate or an associate degree at a two-year college. Others can begin with no formal education. That said, without technical training from an accredited school, your responsibilities — and your ability to obtain certification —can be limited.

Explore more about the best medical assistant programs in Alabama, including admission requirements and expected salaries for graduates.

We use a data-driven methodology to rank the best medical assistant programs in Alabama, making it easier for you to find a program that works for you. Our methodology is based on metrics that we believe matter most to students, including academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings.

Aspiring nurses enroll in medical assistant programs in Alabama to gain valuable theoretical and hands-on training in labs and simulations. Both online and on-campus associate degrees and certificatescover medical terminology, clinical specialties, theory, law and ethics, and medical assistant pharmacology.

Practicum experiences let you further develop professional skills and knowledge of clinical procedures, while also forming relationships with coworkers and superiors at healthcare sites.

Certificate programs take roughly 4-12 months to complete, or 2-3 semesters, and associate degrees require 18-24 months to complete, or four semesters of studies.

The first step to a career as a medical assistant involves completing an online application. Though, each school has its own requirements. While specifics vary by program, applicants need at least a high school diploma or a GED certificate to enter a medical assistant program in Alabama.

What is accreditation? It is important to look for an accredited vocational school or community college to earn a certificate or associate degree in medical assisting. Accredited schools have higher standards for curriculum and educational outcomes, with outside accrediting bodies routinely reviewing program offerings.

All medical assistant programs listed on this page hold accreditation. Accredited degrees prove to future employers that your education adequately equipped you for the job.

If you want to pursue a higher degree, you need to graduate from an accredited school to transfer your credits. This also matters when you qualify for medical certifications.

While Alabama employers may not require a formal education to become a medical assistant, it helps to show hiring managers that you have the administrative and medical assisting skills to perform your job.

It takes 1-2 years to complete a medical assistant program in Alabama. The exact length depends on if you earn a certificate, which averages one year, or an associate degree that takes two years to complete with full-time study. Part-time learners will need more time to complete their program.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assistants make a mean annual salary of $31,390, or $14.38 an hour, in Alabama. Nationwide, medical assistants make the most working in agencies and brokerages, merchant wholesalers, outpatient care centers, and insurance carriers. Annual mean salaries in those fields range from $52,970-$44,390.

No. In fact, medical assistants in Alabama do not need any formal education to begin working. However, certification helps you stand out to hiring managers. To become certified, you may need to graduate from a program accredited by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

Popular credentials include the certified medical assistant, the registered medical assistant, and certified clinical medical assistant certifications.