The Best Medical Assistant Programs in Alabama

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Updated February 14, 2023

Alabama needs qualified medical assistants. Find out more about medical assistant programs in Alabama and why program accreditation is important.
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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.

At a Glance: The Top Alabama Medical Assistant Programs

  1. Northeast Alabama Community College
  2. H Councill Trenholm State Community College
  3. Chattahoochee Valley Community College

Featured Online Medical Assistant Programs

How Do Medical Assistant Programs Work?

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.

Applying to a Medical Assistant Program in Alabama

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.

  • Admission Materials

    Submit an online application and supplemental materials, such as your high school or previous college transcripts.

  • GPA Requirement

    Minimum 2.0 GPA

  • Other Requirement

    Minimum ACT or SAT scores as noted by the school

Why Is Medical Assistant Program Accreditation Important?

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.

Learn More About the Best Alabama Medical Assistant Programs and Schools

See our methodology to learn more about how we create our rankings.

#1 The Best Medical Assistant Programs in Alabama

Northeast Alabama Community College

  • Rainsville, AL
  • 2 years
  • Campus

From its main campus in Rainsville, Northeast Alabama Community College offers one of the state's best nursing programs. The medical assisting program develops a specialized set of skills and knowledge to help graduates prepare for careers in healthcare. Students benefit from the personalized instructor attention that the school's 18-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio allows.

Experienced trainers help medical assistant candidates gain a mastery of both theoretical and practical aspects of healthcare. Lab exercises and simulated procedures further help participants build skills. Hands-on experience also comes through practicum activities, which help students develop skills needed in healthcare facilities.

Learners can receive support in obtaining their degrees from support services like academic advising, financial aid counseling, and career coaching. The institution also makes academic tutoring services in subjects such as writing and math available to degree-seekers.

Northeast Alabama Community College at a Glance:

Type of School: Public

Total Programs: 42

Average Amount of Financial Aid Awarded: $6,003

Average Tuition After Aid: $3,137

Average Alumni Earnings After Six Years: $26,200

Average Tuition
In-state
$3,930
Out-of-state
$7,860
Retention Rate
70%
Admission Rate
Not provided
Students Enrolled
2,981
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
61% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

#2 The Best Medical Assistant Programs in Alabama

H Councill Trenholm State Community College

  • Montgomery, AL
  • 2 years
  • Campus

Nursing degree-seekers should consider H Councill Trenholm State Community College in Montgomery, Alabama. The AAS in medical assisting technology program prepares its graduates for work in the healthcare field by developing specialized knowledge and skills. Learners have assurance of close faculty attention due to the school's 15-to-1 student-teacher ratio.

The training that medical assisting technology candidates receive focuses on both theoretical and practical approaches to issues in healthcare. Participants also have opportunities to develop their skills through laboratory work and procedure simulations. Students also build meaningful skills for healthcare facilities by participating in practicums that focus on hands-on experience.

Access to support services like academic advising, career coaching, and financial aid counseling help many enrollees in completing their programs. The institution also provides opportunities for tutoring in science, math, writing, and other subjects.

H Councill Trenholm State Community College at a Glance:

Type of School: Public

Total Programs: 44

Average Amount of Financial Aid Awarded: $5,264

Average Tuition After Aid: $7,850

Average Alumni Earnings After Six Years: $24,400

Average Tuition
In-state
$3,930
Out-of-state
$7,860
Retention Rate
54%
Admission Rate
Not provided
Students Enrolled
2,042
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
30% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

#3 The Best Medical Assistant Programs in Alabama

Chattahoochee Valley Community College

  • Phenix City, AL
  • 2 years
  • Campus

Chattahoochee Valley Community College in Phenix City, Alabama, hosts a fantastic medical assistant program. Completing the AAS in medical assisting program helps graduates build skills and knowledge that are integral to the healthcare field. The school features a 15-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio, ensuring that learners receive personalized attention from instructors.

Expert trainers help medical assisting candidates gain a strong understanding of theoretical and practical issues in healthcare. Participants develop their skills through specialized simulations and lab activities. Degree-seekers can gain further hands-on, transferable experience through practicum activities.

Learners benefit further from access to a number of school-provided support programs like academic advising, financial aid counseling, and career coaching. The institution also provides opportunities for tutoring in science, math, writing, and other subjects.

Chattahoochee Valley Community College at a Glance:

Type of School: Public

Total Programs: 30

Average Amount of Financial Aid Awarded: $6,363

Average Tuition After Aid: $975

Average Alumni Earnings After Six Years: $26,000

Average Tuition
In-state
$3,930
Out-of-state
$7,860
Retention Rate
50%
Admission Rate
Not provided
Students Enrolled
1,592
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
30% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Frequently Asked Questions About Alabama Medical Assistant Programs

How do I become a medical assistant in Alabama?

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.

How long does it take to become a medical assistant in Alabama?

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.

What is a medical assistant salary in Alabama?

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.

Do medical assistants have to be certified in Alabama?

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.


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