Important Facts About Medical Assistant Careers
| Median Salary (2018) | $33,610 |
| Job Outlook (2016-2026) | 29% (Much faster than average) |
| Entry-level Education | Postsecondary non-degree award |
| Similar Occupations | Dental assistants, pharmacy technicians, and nursing assistants |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Verifying a School's Accreditation Status
Most institutions have information on their websites disclosing their accrediting agency, but you'll need to independently verify the legitimacy of the agency and confirm that the agency accredits your school.
To confirm that an accrediting agency is legitimate, you can consult the U.S. Department of Education's website. Many online degree programs are accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC), which is listed as a legitimate accrediting agency by the Department of Education. To determine if the accrediting agency has approved the school, go to the accreditation organization's website to confirm that your school is listed there.
Verifying a Program's Accreditation Status
Two organizations that accredit medical assisting degree programs are the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). To take the certified medical assistant (CMA) certification exam, you must have graduated from a medical assisting training program that is accredited by one of these agencies.
You can find lists of accredited medical assisting degree programs at the CAAHEP and ABHES websites. Since some programs are accredited by only one of these organizations, check both websites in order to determine whether or not your program is accredited.
