Medical Assistant Certificate

Certificate Highlights

• 10-Month Completion Time

The Medical Assistant Certificate is designed for completion in 10-months. Students progress through the certificate in cohorts based on their enrollment period and skill lab location.

• Flexible Learning Platform

The MA Certificate combines online coursework with in-person weekend skill labs. Students are first introduced to medical assistant concepts through online coursework, before practicing and applying those skills alongside certified medical assistant coordinators and faculty during skill labs. Students participate in 14 skill lab trainings (an average of three per semester).

• Real-World Practicum Experience

Students complete a required 160-hour practicum. During the practicum, students work alongside certified medical assistants- serving as preceptors- through our local healthcare partners. Students are required to complete 40 practicum hours per week over four consecutive weeks.

• National Certification Preparation

After completing the certificate, students are eligible to take one of three national certification exams. The certificate currently meets the requirements for NHA-CCMA, NCCT-NCMA, and AMCA-CCMA. National certification is important for recognizing MA skills and can be required for many MA positions. The certificate DOES NOT meet National Exam Credentialing Organization requirements for the AAMA.

• Incentives & Partnerships

Currently employed healthcare professionals and Providence Caregivers can receive tuition discounts and other benefits when applying. More information on tuition discounts for healthcare professionals is available on the Healthcare Professional Tuition Incentive page, while Providence Caregivers and their dependents can find more details through the HR Service Portal.

Certificate Curriculum

The Medical Assistant Certificate consists of five courses delivered over three semesters, with a total duration of 10 months. Students earn six credits in the first and second semesters, and four credits in the third semester, resulting in a total of 16 credits upon the certificate’s completion.

The certificate incorporates a combination of online didactic coursework and in-person skills training at up to three mandatory skill labs per semester. In total, students complete 14 required skill labs. During their final semester, students complete a 160-hour, 40-hour per-week practicum over four consecutive weeks.

Before registering for courses, students complete a mandatory online Moodle Orientation course, designed to familiarize students with the online learning platform. Successful completion of the Medical Assistant Certificate requires achieving a grade of 75% or higher in each course, as well as completing all skill labs and 160 hour practicum. Upon meeting these qualifications, students graduate with 16 college credits and become eligible to sit for national certification.

Learn more: Medical Assistant Certificate Curriculum (CourseLeaf)

Program Costs

The University of Providence is committed to affordability and providing pricing transparency for all School of Health Professions programs. Pricing transparency at UP includes:

• Accessible and up-to-date information on tuition costs, university fees, application and admission fees, deposit amounts, and additional program costs.
• Cost of attendance worksheets outlining specific tuition layouts by program and semester.
• Information about scholarship opportunities and tuition discounts for specific groups.
• Information about the financial aid process.

Visit our Tuition and Fees page to access the latest pricing information. Access the Medical Assistant Certificate Cost Breakdown sheet to view pricing information for this certificate program, including a cost breakdown by semester and associated program costs.

The Medical Assistant Certificate program is eligible for federal financial aid (FASFA). Visit our Financial Aid page to learn more about the financial aid process and to see if you’re eligible.

Careers In Medical Assisting

Graduates with a Medical Assistant Certificate and national certification can find employment as medical assistants in various healthcare settings such as physician offices, hospitals, outpatient centers, urban or rural clinics, and more. These professionals combine both clinical and administrative skills to provide optimal care to patients throughout their healthcare journey. Common clinical and administrative responsibilities for medical assistants include:

Clinical: Responsibilities include preparing patients for a medical exam, recording patient medical histories, assisting physicians during patient exams, explaining treatment procedures to patients, removing sutures, changing dressings, basic laboratory tests and blood draws.

Administrative: Responsibilities include general office work, greeting patients, performing patient intakes, answering phones, scheduling patient appointments, updating patient medical records, submitting insurance claims, and arranging laboratory services.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), jobs for Medical Assistants will increase faster than the national workforce average over the next ten years. The industry is expected to add 105,900 jobs between 2021 and 2031. Salaries for Medical Assistants vary, with medical assistants making from $33,000 to $47,000 or more. Nationally, medical assistants make an average salary of $40,464. Individual salaries vary by job location, demand, certifications, employer, and experience.

Application & Admission Requirements

The University of Providence’s Medical Assistant Certificate accepts applications for fall and spring enrollment. Application deadlines are in August of each year for fall enrollment and December for spring enrollment. For updated information on undergraduate application requirements, deadlines, and to view program-specific requirements, please visit the University of Providence admissions page.

View the following application and admission requirements for the MA certificate below:

Certificate Application: Applicants must complete an online undergraduate application.

Official Transcripts: Applicants must submit their official high school transcript. Official transcripts must be sent directly to the Admissions Office from your high school. Include transcripts from any dual enrollment or other pre-college programs attended, and results of any AP tests.

Submit official transcript(s) from any university/college where undergraduate coursework was completed. Transcripts can be sent directly to the following address: University of Providence | Admissions | 1301 20th Street South | Great Falls, MT 59405, or may be submitted electronically directly from the institution.

Minimum GPA Requirements: Applicants applying to the MA certificate must have a minimum GPA of 2.75. If a minimum 2.75 GPA was not achieved in prior high school or college coursework, an additional admission essay and academic review will be required for admission into the program.

Verified Credentials: Applicants seeking admission into the Medical Assistant Certificate are required to obtain and pay for a criminal background check, drug screening, proof of immunization (including COVID-19), and Proof Of CPR Certification once accepted into the certificate. Verification of these documents is done through the University of Providence’s third-party vendor, Verified Credentials.

• Proof of Immunization includes:
  • Already documented immunizations.
  • Immunizations through your local employee health department
  • Immunizations using Verified Credentials
• Criminal background checks & drug screen results may determine eligibility.
• Failure to provide a background check or drug screen may determine eligibility.
• Those convicted of a crime while enrolled must notify the MA Program Director.

FOR PHS CAREGIVERS: Caregivers who have had a background check completed with Providence, and have NOT had a lapse in employment from the initial background check, DO NOT need to register for the background check on Verified Credentials.  Caregivers can request background check results via the HR Service Portal by following these instructions:

Request HR Help > General > Caregiver File Request > Specific Document

Caregivers are still required to register and pay for a drug screen and are required to still meet all other requirements through the Verified Credentials third-party service.

IMPORTANT: If required documentation is set to expire WITHIN the 10-month period of the MA certificate, students are responsible for securing and submitting updated documentation to Verified Credentials. Failure to do so may result in withdrawal from the MA certificate.

Healthcare Professionals Tuition Incentive

The University of Providence is committed to supporting the healthcare workforce by empowering current healthcare professionals to start, enhance or advance their career in healthcare. The Healthcare Professionals Tuition Incentive (HPTI) Program provides currently employed healthcare professionals with the opportunity to apply tuition discounts to in-demand programs offered through our School of Health Professions catalog.

Visit the Healthcare Professionals Tuition Incentive Program page to learn more.

Providence Health & Services Partnership

Our unique partnership with Providence Health allows eligible Providence Caregivers and their dependents to receive an exceptional education from an accredited, faith-based, university. Caregivers and their dependents who enroll at the University of Providence may receive many possible benefits, such as discounted tuition rates and preferred admission, as part of their education benefits. Visit the Providence Human Resources Service Portal to learn more about caregiver education benefits, the application process for our programs, and tuition discounts.

Start Your Career In Healthcare With A Medical Assistant Certificate At UP

Start your journey to becoming a certified medical assistant with a Medical Assistant Certificate from the University of Providence. Our dynamic certificate curriculum and qualified faculty will provide you with the support and quality education you need to succeed. Enroll today.

Find out more about the certificate by Requesting Information.