Which Schools Have Medical Assisting Programs in Washington DC?

The Washington, D.C., area offers students the opportunity to pursue a certificate or associate degree program in medical assisting. Read on to learn more about the schools that offer these programs.

What You Need to Know

Medical assisting programs are available at the certificate and associate degree levels at community colleges. Both types of programs usually help you prepare to take a medical assisting certification exam in Washington, D.C., although this location makes licensure and certification optional for these professionals. Both clinical and administrative duties are covered in certificate and associate degree programs, and both require an internship or practicum.

A medical assisting certificate program usually takes two to three semesters and may require that you already have CPR certification to enroll. In one of these programs, you'd study medical insurance, pharmacology, medical terminology, patient care and medications. An associate degree in medical assisting usually lasts two years and covers medical assisting topics along with general education. Read on to learn more about the medical assisting programs available in Washington, D.C.

Certificate Programs in Medical Assisting near Washington, D.C.

Anne Arundel Community College

Anne Arundel Community College (AACC), located approximately 30 miles outside of Washington, D.C., offers certificate and Associate of Applied Science programs in medical assisting, which can prepare you to work in a variety of healthcare facilities as a medical assistant, office manager or administrative assistant. The certificate program requires 30 credit hours consisting of core medical assisting coursework, such as pharmacology, medical terminology and medical insurance. You also complete 160 supervised hours of a practicum internship at a doctor's office or related facility.

• Program Name: Medical Assistant Certificate
• Program Length: 30 credits (3 semesters, full-time)
• Tuition and Fees:$4,670 per year for in-district students, $7,880 per year for in-state students, $12,740 per year for out-of-state students (2018-2019)
• Admission Requirements: At least 18 years old, current Basic Life Support CPR certification, background check, health exam, arithmetic placement test
• School Type: 2-year, public; 12,886 students (all undergraduate)

Frederick Community College

Frederick Community College (FCC) is located approximately 45 miles outside of Washington, D.C. FCC offers a certificate program in medical assisting that can prepare you to perform both clinical and administrative duties in a healthcare setting. It addresses diagnostic procedures, medications, medical software applications, patient care and patient education. In addition to an internship where you may gain hands-on experience, you can expect to take courses in medical terminology, medical coding, clinical skills and laboratory procedures. You qualify to take the national certification exam for medical assistants upon graduation.

• Program Name: Medical Assistant Certificate
• Program Length: 30 hours (roughly 2 semesters, full-time)
• Tuition and Fees:$3,578 per year for in-district students, $7,034 per year for in-state students, $9,314 per year for out-of-state students (2018-2019)
• School Type: 2-year, public; 6,000 students (all undergraduate)

Associate's Degree Programs in Medical Assisting near Washington, D.C.

Anne Arundel Community College

This 2-year course of study prepares you for entry-level administrative or clinical positions in hospitals, doctor's offices, clinics or ambulatory care centers. In addition to general education courses, some of the courses you can expect to take to complete your associate's degree include anatomy and physiology, human diseases, medical coding, clinical procedures and accounting. The practicum experience is also included in the curriculum.

• Program Name: Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting
• Program Length: 2 years (full-time)
• Tuition and Fees:$4,670 per year for in-district students, $7,880 per year for in-state students, $12,740 per year for out-of-state students (2018-2019)
• Admission Requirements: Minimum of 18 years of age, background check arithmetic placement test, current Basic Life Support CPR certification, health exam
• School Type: 2-year, public; 15,886 students (all undergraduate)

Frederick Community College

The associate's degree program includes the courses that make up the certificate curriculum, but you also complete general education courses. They cover math, social sciences, communications and science. An advanced medical assistant course covers medical transcription, which requires a prerequisite introductory keyboarding course.

• Program Name: Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assistant
• Program Length: 60-63 credit hours (roughly 5 semesters, full-time)
• Tuition and Fees:$3,578 per year for in-district students, $7,034 per year for in-state students, $9,314 per year for out-of-state students (2018-2019)
• School Type: 2-year, public; 6,000 students (all undergraduate)

Two public institutions, Anne Arundel Community College and Frederick Community College, offer students near Washington, D.C., a certificate or associate degree in medical assisting.