North Dakota is a land of abundant resources, excellent outdoor living, and exciting tourist attractions. The state has much to offer, including the potential for excellent growth in the medical assisting career field. Students in North Dakota may find it difficult to locate a local school that offers medical assistant training, but there are still some great options through online programs. Through these programs, you can earn everything from a certificate to an associate’s degree, all from the comfort of your own home.
Employment Environment
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports North Dakota as being in the lowest range for employment of medical assistants and in the lower middle range for medical assistant salary. Even so, there are great jobs available for medical assistants who have the proper training. Since many positions are likely to have a high level of competition, it is a good idea to become certified. Certification shows that you have all of the knowledge and skills needed for the profession and that you are dedicated to your career.
Career Outlook in North Dakota
The healthcare field is expected to grow rapidly over the next several years, creating many new medical assistant positions. If you have been thinking of becoming a medical assistant, this is an ideal time to start your training. Doing so will allow you to enter the field during this time of growth and will offer you job security for many years to come.
List of Medical Assistant Schools in North Dakota
Allied Health Institute
- Program Link: Medical Assisting program
- Description: Allied Health Institute allows you to earn your medical assisting diploma online, from the comfort of home and at any time that is convenient for you. Enrollment is open monthly and the program is conducted in a one-class-at-a-time format that allows students to study each topic in-depth without becoming overwhelmed by taking several classes at once. The program includes both administrative and clinical training and culminates with an externship in a healthcare facility close to the student’s home. Students who complete this program are eligible to take the CMA examination.
- Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
- Programs: diploma
- Average Program Length: 16 months
- Tuition: $11,600
- Clinical Experience: Externship
- Job Placement Rate: 74%
- Fun Fact: All class work at AHI is conducted online.
Pinnacle Career Institute
- Program Link: Medical Assistant program
- Description: Pinnacle Career Institute offers a medical assistant certificate training program that prepares students to perform every responsibility of the medical assistant profession. Students who choose this program take all class work online and get hands-on experience through an externship close to the student’s home. The school provides a quality education, full student support services, and everything an online student needs to succeed, including a webcam and a medical kit. Students who graduate from this program have the opportunity to take the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant examination through the NHA.
- Accreditation: Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS)
- Programs: certificate
- Average Program Length: one year
- Tuition: $18,950
- Clinical Experience: Externship
- Job Placement Rate: 81%
- Fun Fact: Students at PCI can participate in Medical Assistant Bootcamp to perfect skills in multiple areas before going to work.
Penn Foster College
- Program Link: Medical Assisting program
- Description: Penn Foster College offers a distance education program that allows students to earn an associate’s degree in medical assisting. The tuition for this program includes all books and materials. Students can pay the entire semester cost at Penn Foster for a discount, or may make convenient monthly payments throughout the program. In addition, Penn Foster sometimes runs specials such as giving the last semester free to qualifying students. If you need the ultimate in convenience and affordability, Penn Foster is worth checking into. Students who graduate from this program are eligible to take the RMA and CMA examinations.
- Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
- Programs: Associate’s Degree
- Average Program Length: two years
- Tuition: $1,365/semester
- Clinical Experience: Externship
- Job Placement Rate: not available
- Fun Fact: Students who choose Penn Foster can make small monthly tuition payments while in the program.
US Career Institute
- Program Link: Medical Assisting program
- Description: U.S. Career Institute offers a self-paced, 100% online medical assisting program that allows students to earn a certificate in administrative medical assisting. This program will prepare you to perform all of the front office tasks of a thriving medical facility including billing, coding, insurance billing, patient records, and more. The program can be completed in around four months and students can start any time they wish. Although USCI does not accept financial aid, they have low tuition rates and offer students the option of making small monthly payments.
- Accreditation: Distance Education Training Council (DETC)
- Programs: certificate
- Average Program Length: four months
- Tuition: $1,270
- Clinical Experience: none
- Job Placement Rate: not available
- Fun Fact: Students who complete this program can take the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant examination.
National American University
- Program Link: Medical Administrative Assistant program
- Description: National American University offers students an excellent way of entering the medical assisting field through its Associate of Applied Science in Medical Administrative Assisting. Students who choose this program complete all training online, allowing for a flexibility in scheduling that lets students earn a degree while still working a full-time job and taking care of other responsibilities.
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission North Central Association
- Programs: Associate of Applied Science
- Average Program Length: two years
- Tuition: $30,185
- Clinical Experience: none
- Job Placement Rate: not available
- Fun Fact: NAU helps students with a variety of student services, including career counseling and job placement.