Medical assisting is one of the fastest-growing occupations in California. The demand is expected to increase by 24.5% (24,900 jobs total) from 2018 to 2028. This is due to the rising number of clinics and medical offices that require the skills of a competent medical assistant (MA).
With hourly wages ranging from $19 to $28 an hour, and with salaries reaching as much as $56,480, medical assisting is a promising career for high school graduates or those with GEDs. It also provides the necessary clinical experience, eventually serving as a stepping stone for other higher-paying health careers.
Be a medical assistant in a year (or less) with these California-based MA programs. Or review the programs in your local neighborhood with San Diego Medical Assistant Programs, Los Angeles Medical Assistant Programs, and San Francisco/Bay Area Medical Assistant Programs.
Associate Degree Programs
AS programs in Medical Assisting provide aspiring MAs with additional courses in subjects like Math, Social Science, and English. They usually take longer (under two years), but may pave the way towards the completion of a bachelor’s degree.
Cabrillo College
Location: Aptos, California
Modality: Hybrid
Coursework Units: 34
Clinical Externship Hours: 180
Resident Tuition: $1,564 plus other fees
Non-resident Tuition: $13,736 plus other fees
Program Overview: Cabrillo’s full-time, intensive MA program runs for three semesters. Students are required to take the same classes and complete the program as a cohort. Graduates are awarded the MA Certificate of Achievement; they also have the option to complete an Associate of Science degree. Upon finishing the course, they may opt to take the certification exam offered by the California Certifying Board for Medical Assistants or American Medical Technologists.
Cosumnes River College
Location: Sacramento, California
Modality: On-campus
Coursework Units: 40.5-60.5
Clinical Externship Hours: 180
Tuition: $1,863 to $2,783 plus other fees
Program Overview: CRC offers Associates and Certification programs for budding MAs. For the latter, options for Administrative Medical Assisting and Medical insurance Billing tracks are available. Completion of any of the programs makes one eligible for the CMA (AAMA) certification exam. Scholarship amounts ranging from $400-$500 await qualified students.
Orange Coast College
Location: Costa Mesa, California
Modality: On-campus
Coursework Units: 31.5
Clinical Externship Hours: 160
Tuition: $3,000
Program Overview: OCC offers a certificate and AS degree for its Medical Assisting program. Through this, students can earn the competencies needed to become skilled clinical or administrative assistants in clinics, medical offices, and other similar institutions. The program may be completed in two semesters; after which, students may sit in for the CCMA exam.
Platt College
Location: Various locations
Modality: On-campus
Coursework Units: n/a
Clinical Externship Hours: 120-160
Tuition: $415 per unit
Program Overview: Ventura College’s MA program is available in the Alhambra, Anaheim, Ontario, and Riverside campuses. Regardless of the location, students are given convenient class schedules, career assistance, and financial aid. They are also awarded First Aid and CPR cards, which come in handy for potential employment. Upon completion of the program, graduates may be eligible to take the MA certification exam.
San Jose City College
Location: San Jose, California
Modality: On-campus
Coursework Units: 60
Clinical Externship Hours: n/a
Tuition: $2,760 plus other fees
Program Overview: Designed to train clinical and administrative medical assistants, SJCC’s degree and certificate MA programs are open to part-time and full-time students. Classes start every summer, spring, and fall. Graduates are eligible to sit in for the National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) or the National Certified Medical Office Assistant (NCMOA) exams. They are also qualified to take the California Certified Medical Assistant Exam (CCMA).
Santa Ana College
Location: Santa Ana, California
Modality: On-campus
Coursework Units: 15-60
Clinical Externship Hours: n/a
Tuition: $705 – $2,830 plus other fees
Program Overview: Santa Ana College offers degree and certificate pathways for aspiring MAs. Regardless of the track, students are expected to learn essential topics, including medical terminology, data entry, electronic health records, clinical procedures, and laboratory procedures. The degree option may be completed in six months to a year.
Ventura College
Location: Ventura, California
Modality: On-campus
Coursework Units: 18-60
Clinical Internship Hours: n/a
Resident Tuition: $828 to $2,760
Non-resident Tuition: $7,146 to $23,820
Program Overview: Ventura’s cohesive MA program is designed to help students hone the front-office and back-office skills needed for medical offices and clinics. Associate in Science and Certificate of Achievement tracks are available with specializations in administrative and multi-skilled medical assisting. Upon finishing the program, students may take the examination offered by the California Certifying Board for Medical Assistants.
West Los Angeles College
Location: Culver City, California
Modality: On-campus
Coursework Units: 22-60.5
Clinical Externship Hours: 200
Tuition: $4,705.50
Program Overview: WLAC’s part-time MA program runs for a year. Classes meet every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Upon completion of the course, students may sit in for the California Certifying Board Examination for Medical Assistants (CCBMA). Doing so gives students the opportunity to become Administrative Medical Assistants, Clinical Medical Assistants, or both. Recent graduates of the WLAC MA program have been hired by St. John’s Child and the LA Department of Health Services.
Diploma Programs
MA diploma programs typically run for under a year. They are usually more comprehensive than certificate programs, and often cover related subjects beyond core MA topics.
American College of Healthcare & Technology
Location: Riverside, California
Modality: Hybrid
Coursework Hours: 720
Clinical Externship Hours: 160
Tuition: $10,793
Program Overview: ACHT’s 9-month Medical Assisting diploma program, which is available in the Riverside, Santa Ana, and Huntington Park campuses, is offered every month. The course is designed to help students build up front-office skills, such as office management and coding, as well as back-office skills, such as medication administration and assisting with procedures.
Central Coast College
Location: Salinas, California
Modality: On-campus
Coursework Hours: 755
Clinical Externship Hours: 175
Tuition: $14,674
Program Overview: CCC’s flexible 46-week program covers the intensive training needed to master medical terminologies, basic anatomy concepts, diagnostic procedures, and so much more. Each training session lasts 3-4 hours, and students have the option to take morning, afternoon, and evening classes. After gaining the Certificate of Completion, graduates may work as MAs, Health Information Technicians, Medical Secretaries, or Infomation Clerks.
Concorde Career College-North Hollywood
Location: Los Angeles, California
Modality: Hybrid
Coursework Units: 26
Clinical Externship Hours: 230
Tuition: $18,907
Program Overview: In as short as nine months, students at Concorde Career College in North Hollywood may get their MA diploma and be eligible for the certification exams. The curriculum explores key concepts, such as data management, office procedures, diagnostic test preparations, vital signs, and CPR. The program covers 26 hours of coursework, as well as 240 lab hours and 230 externship hours.
Southern California Health Institute
Location: North Hollywood, California
Modality: Hybrid/Online
Coursework Hours: 900
Clinical Externship Hours: 150
Tuition: $14,500
Program Overview: SOCHI’s comprehensive medical assistant program is designed to help students gain the necessary competencies for working in clinics or medical offices. While most courses are offered online, students need to attend two in-person classes a week. Hands-on training, meanwhile, is offered in the skills laboratory and physician’s offices (externships). The entire diploma program may be completed in as short as nine months.
Sutter County Career Training Center
Location: Yuba City, California
Modality: Hybrid
Coursework Hours: 900
Clinical Externship Duration: Six weeks
Tuition: $14,500
Program Overview: SSCTC offers a well-rounded career education that teaches aspiring MAs how to handle electronic health records, medical bills, procedures, and emergencies. Students are taught by experienced faculty members, and upon graduation and certification, the school’s career services team can assist them with their job search.
Unitek College
Location: Various locations
Modality: Hybrid
Coursework Units: 28
Clinical Externship Hours: 160
Tuition: $14,377
Program Overview: The curriculum includes a blend of online lectures, lab exercises, and externship hours. Through these, students can learn essential skills required for assisting several procedures. While the program is usually completed in a year, Unitek College students may get their MA diploma in as little as nine months. After doing so, they may be eligible to sit in for the following: National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) credential and the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) credential.
Certificate Programs
Considered the fastest way towards working as a MA, certificate programs last for a few weeks and months. They focus on building core MA skills and are usually cheaper in cost.
Angeles College
Location: Los Angeles, California
Modality: On-campus
Coursework Hours: 900
Clinical Externship Hours: 288
Tuition: $13,500
Program Overview: Designed to train skilled medical assistants, Angeles College’s MA program covers 372 hours of theory, 240 hours of lab work, and 288 externship hours. Lectures are held from Mondays to Thursdays, from 9 am to 3:30 pm or 5 pm to 11:30 pm. Externships, which can help students hone their administrative and clinical skills, are done from Monday to Friday.
Bay Area Medical Academy
Location: San Francisco, California
Modality: Hybrid
Coursework Hours: 900
Clinical Externship Hours: 200
Tuition: $16,726 (no-cost training available for qualified residents of East Bay, San Francisco, and South Bay)
Program Overview: Offered in their San Francisco and San Jose campuses, BAMA’s 3-in-1 program provides its students with certifications in Medical Assisting, Phlebotomy Tech, and EKG Tech. Coursework is delivered through daily online lectures, which cover topics in anatomy, medical terminology, and medication administration to name a few. The program also comes with structured assignments and weekly in-person laboratory experiences.
California Career Institute
Location: Anaheim, California
Modality: Hybrid-Online
Coursework Hours: 800
Clinical Externship Hours: 160
Resident Tuition: $1,564 plus other fees
Non-resident Tuition: $13,736 plus other fees
Program Overview: The program is taught to small class sizes through a mix of online lectures and hands-on clinical training. Externships are hosted at various locations in order to ensure adequate and diverse learning. Job assistance is also offered after graduation. With its flexible schedules and financial aid offers, CCI’s MA program students may finish the course in under 10 months.
California State University-Long Beach
Location: Long Beach, California
Modality: Hybrid and Online
Coursework Units: 14
Clinical Externship Hours: 140
Tuition: $2,889
Program Overview: Offered in hybrid and online modalities, CSU-LB’s self-paced MA program is perfect for students who wish to become MAs. The curriculum is designed to help students learn basic skills, such as vital signs and ECG taking. The course also teaches the essentials of pharmacology, medication administration, and phlebotomy. All applicants need to undergo a thorough background check and drug screening prior to admission.
California State University-Pomona College of Professional and Global Education
Location: Pomona, California
Modality: Online
Coursework Hours: 160-674
Clinical Externship Hours: 160 (minimum)
Tuition: $1,895 – $3,995
Program Overview: Cal State-Pomona offers various MA tracks, such as Clinical Medical Assisting (entry-level and experienced) and Administrative Medical Assisting (entry-level and experienced). Additional specializations in medical terminology, electronic health records, and medical billing/coding are also incorporated in some programs. Depending on the track, the program may take 6-12 months to complete. All courses come with vouchers.
California State University-San Bernardino
Location: San Bernardino, California
Modality: Online
Coursework Hours: 160-674
Clinical Externship Hours: n/a
Tuition: $1,995 – $4,095
Program Overview: CSU-SB offers a variety of MA programs, all available online. There are courses for those who want to become clinical or medical MAs, as there are programs for experienced MAs. There’s also an option to gain certification in medical billing and coding. Depending on the curriculum, students may receive their MA certification in 6-12 months. Discount vouchers are included in all MA programs.
Career Accelerated Learning-Regional
Location: Fairfield, California
Modality: Hybrid
Coursework Hours: 160
Clinical Externship Hours: 160
Tuition: $2,995
Program Overview: Offered in various locations in California, CAL-Regional’s hybrid MA program consists of online or instructor-led lectures and laboratory practicals. Designed for working students, classes last for eight weeks and are available during the day, night, and weekends. The tuition also covers the certification exam offered by the American Medical Certification Association.
Downey Adult School
Location: Downey, California
Modality: On-campus
Coursework Hours: 660
Clinical Externship Hours: 160
Tuition: $4,499 (includes books)
Program Overview: Downey offers day and adult classes for applicants who wish to become medical assistants. The program teaches basic concepts and skills, including vital signs taking, administering injections, and assisting minor surgeries. Upon finishing the course, students may be eligible to take the National and State Board of Medical Assistant Certification.
Medical Career College of Northern California
Location: Roseville, California
Modality: Hybrid and On-campus
Coursework Hours: 628
Clinical Externship Hours: 160
Tuition: $19,476
Program Overview: MCC’s MA program is offered in two modalities, both of which require students to undergo quizzes, assignments, and lab procedures. In order to showcase the proficiency of taught skills, students also need to pass the midterm and final examinations. The externship program, meanwhile, is designed to help students learn front-office and back-office procedures through real-life immersions. Financial aid is offered to qualified applicants.
Merced College
Location: Merced, California
Modality: Hybrid and On-campus
Coursework Hours: 540
Clinical Externship Hours: 180
Tuition: $2,795 – $3,995 (free tuition available)
Program Overview: Merced’s MA program prepares students for the profession by teaching administrative procedures and the usage of electronic health records. It also equips students with essential clinical skills, such as that of vital signs taking, medication administration, and laboratory procedure preparation. Upon completing the course, the student may take any of the following exams: Clinical Medical Assistant Certification (CCMA), the Medical Administrative Assistant Certification (CMAA), the Electronic Health Records Specialist Certification (CEHRS), and the California Certified Medical Assistant Exam (CCMA).
Institute of Technology
Location: Various locations
Modality: Hybrid
Coursework Hours: n/a
Clinical Externship Hours: 160
Tuition: $16,712
Program Overview: The curriculum is designed to help students develop clinical and administrative skills, such as medication administration, claims processing, and facility management, to name a few. Offered in the Clovis, Modesto, and Redding campuses, the hybrid MA program utilizes a combination of online and face-to-face learning. Externships may be completed at any medical office, hospital, or clinic.
Kaiser Permanente School of Allied Health Sciences
Location: Richmond, California
Modality: Hybrid
Coursework Units: n/a
Clinical Experience Hours: 320
Tuition: $6,300
Program Overview: Kaiser’s Medical Assisting Certificate Program runs on a 3-day schedule, with two days being reserved for remote lectures and one ground class. The four-quarter program lasts for approximately 12 months, and includes a 320-hour clinical training at Kaiser Permanente facilities.
Pasadena City College
Location: Pasadena, California
Modality: On-campus
Coursework Units: 34
Clinical Externship Hours: 162
Tuition: $4,000
Program Overview: PCC’s MA program is open to full-time students, who can take their classes during the day; and part-time students, who can attend their classes during evenings. On top of coursework, students will need to undergo laboratory classes and an unpaid externship in physician’s offices. The course, which is offered every spring and fall, may be completed in 12 months.
Saddleback College
Location: Mission Viejo, California
Modality: On-campus
Coursework Units: 27-42
Clinical Externship Hours: 160
Tuition: $1,391 to $2,104
Program Overview: Saddleback’s MA course prepares students for employment in clinics and physician’s offices. The program is designed to help aspiring MAs learn the basics of office procedures, health records, surgical procedures, and electrocardiography. Students may choose to specialize in clinical medical assisting, administrative medical assisting, and comprehensive medical assisting (back and front office). The program may be completed in 3-4 semesters.
San Francisco State University
Location: San Francisco, California
Modality: Online-Hybrid and on-campus
Coursework Hours: 160
Clinical Externship Hours: 160
Tuition: $2,599
Program Overview: SFSU’s MA program is open to students who wish to complete their program at their own pace (online-hybrid) or with the guided assistance of instructors (in-person). Regardless of the track, students are taught the basics of medical office responsibilities, exam/treatment preparation, patient care, and venipunctures, to name a few. The programs may be completed in 4-6 months.
San Joaquin Valley College
Location: Visalia, California
Modality: Online and on-campus
Coursework Units: 68
Clinical Externship Hours: 200
Tuition: $15900
Program Overview: Available online and in 14 campus locations throughout California, SJVC’s MA program provides hands-on training in drawing blood, maintaining records, and preparing patients for exams, to name a few. The course can be completed in about nine months. It may also be used as a stepping stone for an Associates Degree in Clinical & Medical Assisting, which spans about 15 months.
Santa Rosa Junior College
Location: Santa Rosa, California
Modality: On-campus
Coursework Units: 40
Clinical Externship Hours: 240
Tuition: $1,840 plus other fees
Program Overview: SRJC’s MA certificate program provides comprehensive clinical and administrative training through immersive lectures and hands-on training. The entire program may be completed in a year (three semesters), after which, graduates may sit in for the CCBMA state certification exam. Units earned from the program may be applied towards an Associates degree.
Shasta College
Location: Redding, California
Modality: Hybrid
Coursework Units: 24
Clinical Externship Hours: 162
Tuition: $2,091.90 – $4,091.90
Program Overview: Shasta College’s MA Certificate program provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary for the profession. The program’s core coursework teaches the basics of taking vital signs, blood draws, and ECG, to name a few. Students can further build their skills through the 4-week externship, which, together with the lectures, may be completed in two semesters.
Sierra College
Location: Rocklin, California
Modality: On-campus
Coursework Units: 25.5
Clinical Externship Hours: 160
Tuition: $1,173 plus other fees
Program Overview: Sierra College’s Clinical Medical Assistant Program spans three semesters’ worth of classes. The training covers basic administrative work, including scheduling appointments, maintaining records, and filling out insurance forms. It also covers clinical procedures, such as taking vital signs, drawing blood, and assisting the physician during examinations.
University of California-Los Angeles Extension
Location: Los Angeles, California
Modality: On-campus
Coursework Units: 68
Clinical Internship Hours: 200
Tuition: $23,000 (may be reduced with scholarships or donor support)
Program Overview: The program, offered by UCLA Health and UCLA Extension, combines theory and practice to help prepare students who wish to work as MAs. Courses are taught by physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers, who have helped previous students garner a 100% average passing rate for the MA certification exam. Scholarship/donor support of up to $21,000 awaits qualified applicants.