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Medical Assistant Schools in Texas

If you live in the state of Texas and you are interested in a healthcare career, medical assisting is a quickly-growing profession that may suit your needs. You will perform numerous clinical and administrative tasks to assist doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers in private physicians’ offices, clinics and hospitals. On this page have compiled a list of the 25 best medical assistant schools in Texas along with salary and job outlook information to help you make the best possible career choices for your needs.

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Why Should You Select an ABHES or CAHEEP Accredited Medical Assisting Program in Texas?

When you are ready to select a medical assistant program in Texas, it is important to ensure that you select one that is accredited by either the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) or the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAHEEP). These organizations ensure the program meets or exceeds minimum standards of quality. With every passing year, Texas employers increasingly prefer individuals with degrees from accredited programs.


Following are the 25 Best Medical Assistant Programs in Texas for 2024

Concorde Career College

Location: Dallas, Grand Prairie, & San Antonio

Program Type: Diploma (9 months)

If you aspire to enter the medical field, what better than to start with a career as a medical assistant. One of the best medical assistant schools in Texas, Concorde Career College offers a fast-paced diploma that can be completed in a short duration of eight months. Extensive hands-on learning makes you proficient in skills such as scheduling patient appointments, preparing medical records, performing first aid and CPR, preparing patients for procedures and practicing infection control. The college is committed to student success and provides eligible students with scholarship and financial aid opportunities that make it affordable for them to pursue this career-ready program.



2) Vista College

Vista College

Location: Beaumont, College Station, El Paso, Killeen, Longview, & Lubbock

Program Type: Diploma, Diploma for Spanish Speakers, & Associate of Applied Science

In order to cater to the unique needs of its local student population that comprises almost 38% Hispanics, this medical assistant school in Texas offers a diploma, exclusively designed for Spanish speaking students. Of course, Vista College also offers a regular diploma and an associate degree program that take you through the administration and clinical functions of medical assisting. The curriculum of all three programs is designed to help you transition to the workplace, immediately after graduation. Some courses that you complete include an introduction to medical assisting, cardiopulmonary procedures, body control and balance procedures, nutrition & wellness and human life cycle procedures. All three programs end with a capstone and externship experience that effectively help hone professional skills.



McLennan Community College

Location: Waco

Program Type: Associate Degree (2 years)

McLennan Community College is one of the leading medical assistant schools in Texas known for its student-centric policies that help aspirants to reach their academic goals. The college offers a two-year associate degree program that aims at training students to successfully assist a physician in a healthcare setting by discharging administrative and clinical duties in an ethical, legal, safe and effective manner. Supervised clinical training during the two summer semesters at various health care facilities within the Waco area, form a vital part of the coursework as you gain the much-needed real-world experience. The curriculum of this program also prepares you to take the CMA exam administered by the AAMA. Upon graduation, some go on to work as entry-level medical assistants while others continue with their education to become, either a nurse or any other healthcare professional.



College of the Mainland

Location: Texas City

Program Type: Certificate & A.A.S.

State of the art equipment, dedicated faculty with real-world experience, internships at top-notch medical facilities, 100% employer satisfaction rate is what you can expect as a student at College of the Mainland. To set foot into the medical assisting field, you can either opt to complete the certificate or associate degree offered by the college. The certificate is a basic course which aims to prepare you for an entry-level job as an allied health professional that assists the physician or a practitioner. Ranked among the best medical assistant programs in Texas, you can pursue this course either full-time or part-time. On the other hand, the associate degree course will include everything you study in the certificate course plus some general electives, aimed at developing your overall knowledge and skills as an allied healthcare professional.



San Antonio College

Location: San Antonio

Program Type: Certificate Level II & A.A.S

To become a medical assistant in Texas, you can either complete a certificate or the associate degree offered by San Antonio College. Individualized instructions, state of art classrooms and simulation labs are the hallmark of medical assisting education at this college. While the certificate focuses on core topics such as medical laws and ethics, medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, administration of medications, medical insurance, and various administrative and clinical procedures, the associate degree, besides these courses also includes courses in English, general psychology and communication. No matter which program you choose, you will undergo a clinical externship session, where you gain valuable experience. Both these programs boast of a 100% graduate and employer satisfaction rate and prepare you for entry-level positions in the booming Texas healthcare industry.



Houston Community College

Location: Houston

Program Type: Certificate Level 2, Allied Health – Medical Assistant Track – AAS, & Medical Scribe Certificate Level 1

Houston Community College, counted among the top medical assistant schools in Texas offers students employable training with its certificate and associate degree programs. With some courses being offered in a hybrid mode, the college provides for considerable flexibility in terms of scheduling. Regardless of the option, you choose, both the programs end with a capstone that provides for practical professional experience. Additionally, there is also a six-month certificate program that trains you to become a medical scribe. The medical scribe certificate focuses on medical information management by means of charting and allows you to embark on a healthcare career rather quickly. All three programs prepare you to take the respective national certification exams.



Amarillo College

Location: Amarillo

Program Type: Certificate & Associate Degree

Counted among the top medical assistant schools in Texas, Amarillo College offers a certificate and an associate degree to allied healthcare aspirants. Both the programs are comprehensive and cover both, the front office and back-office responsibilities. The curriculum incorporates liberal arts components into medical assisting courses to enhance communication and critical thinking skills. To earn your degree, the college requires securing a minimum grade “C” in all courses. Although the skills you gain with the certificate are sufficient for a career as a medical assistant, the associate degree is ideal if you plan to further your education by transferring to a four-year college in the future.



Western Technical College

Location: El Paso

Program Type: Certificate

Western Technical College’s medical assistant training in Texas can be a boon for those who seek maximum flexibility in their academic scheduling. The college offers a certificate program with day and late evening scheduling options, in addition to 20 percent of the coursework being delivered online. Within a short period of eight months, the college prepares you for not only the medical assistant certification exam but also to take certification exams for a phlebotomy technician and an EKG technician. This is possible as the curriculum is extensive, covering the front and back-office functions, EKG monitoring, phlebotomy, and hemodialysis.



South Texas College

Location: McAllen

Program Type: Certificate & Associate of Applied Science

Are you searching for medical assistant schools in TX to enter a career that is not only fulfilling but also serves as the first step towards an advanced healthcare career, such as nursing or physician assistant? Depending on your career goals, you can opt from South Texas College’s Certificate or Associate of Applied Science in medical assisting. Both programs train you to become a multi-skilled medical assistant who can perform clinical and clerical functions at a physician’s office. Classes can be taken in the day or late evenings, either on-campus or in the hybrid format. This flexibility helps you choose a convenient schedule to suit your life, more so if you are currently working. Additionally, the college also offers a 16-credit medical office specialist certificate that is ideal if you are not cut-out for direct patient care responsibilities.



Laredo Community College

Location: Laredo

Program Type: Basic Certificate, Clinical Certificate, Certificate & Associate of Applied Science

Laredo Community College trains students to become competent entry-level medical assistants. The college offers a basic certificate, a clinical certificate, a certificate in coding and an associate degree program. If you are interested in learning basic entry-level medical assisting skills, then you can choose to take the basic certificate course that takes only one semester to complete. This basic training that does not include experiential learning, teaches you clinical and administrative duties, interpersonal communication and medical laws & ethics. On the other hand, the clinical certificate and the AAS degree programs are rigorous and mainly focus on the back-office functions. Also, with the AAS degree, you can complete an optional enhanced coding certificate after finishing your AAS coursework. If you are inclined towards coding and billing, you can choose the exclusive certificate of coding program that spans across two-semesters & a summer session and emphasizes on advanced coding and reimbursement methodologies.



Northeast Texas Community College

Location: Mount Pleasant

Program Type: Associate of Applied Science (24 Months)

To address the health needs of Texas’s rapidly expanding allied health care sector, Northeast Texas Community College is offering a 24-month associate degree in medical assisting. This program stresses on the development of three important areas – theoretical knowledge, clinical skills, and professional attitude to ensure you are well equipped to succeed in this career. The program has earned the distinction of being in the top 22% programs in the nation for students passing the national certification exam on the very first attempt. The goal of this program is to prepare multi-skilled assistants who can efficiently perform both administrative and clinical duties in a variety of health care settings.



Southwest University

Location: El Paso

Program Type: Certificate (9 Months) & A.A.S Degree (12 Months)

Southwest University provides aspiring medical assistants a conducive learning environment and professional tools required to succeed in the ever-challenging field of health care. This medical assisting college, through its certificate and associate degree, lays a firm foundation in the administrative and clinical duties carried at a physician’s office. While the certificate can be completed in nine months of full-time study, the associate degree takes slightly longer and can be done in twelve months, which is still faster than most other associate degree programs that usually take two years to complete. Both programs train you in areas of phlebotomy, electrocardiography, non-invasive clinical procedures, medical billing, medical billing, medical coding, and bookkeeping. Additionally, the associate degree also includes liberal arts courses that enhance communication and decision-making skills.



The College of Health Care Professions

Location: Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston Northwest, Houston Southwest, McAllen, Northwest San Antonio, & South San Antonio

Program Type: On-Campus Certificate Program (Morning 35 Weeks & Day/Evening 54 Weeks) & Blended Certificate

Program (36 Weeks)

If you are a high school graduate looking for a medical assisting college near you, then The College of Health Care Professions that offers a high-quality certificate program at several locations in the state can be considered. This program is offered face-to-face as well as through a blend of online and on-campus classes. The curriculum is designed to teach you vital entry-level skills in clinical and administrative functions. Regardless of the format you choose, you will have to complete courses in anatomy & physiology, medical terminology, administration of medication, EKGs, phlebotomy techniques, administrative duties, and minor medical procedures. To earn your certificate, you must complete the entire coursework, including an externship course with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.



Pima Medical Institute

Location: El Paso & Houston

Program Type: Certificate (9 Months)

Pima Medical Institute offers a nine-month certificate program that focuses on the clinical functions of medical assisting. The college stands out for its quality of faculty who bring in their years of work experience to the classroom. Having experienced instructors with real-world experience can help students better understand the challenges this job poses. The curriculum aims to make you adept in functions such as taking vital signs, administering medication and injections, drawing blood, preparing patients for procedures, assisting with procedures, taking EKG, and sterilizing equipment. An integral important part of the program is the clinical externship, during which you will work in a healthcare setting and gain hands-on experience by assisting the physician.



15) Remington College

Remington College

Location: Dallas, Fort Worth, Greenspoint, & Webster

Program Type: Diplomas (Medical Assisting, Medical Assisting with X-Ray Tech (Limited Scope)),

Associate Degrees (Medical Assisting, Medical Assisting with X-Ray Tech (Limited Scope))

Remington College offers medical assisting training in TX through its certificate and associate degree program. Students are taught clinical and administrative skills that prepare them for a broad set of responsibilities at a physician’s office. Both programs are offered in on-campus, online and hybrid formats. Additionally, if you have an interest in radiology, you can instead opt to complete a certificate or associate degree in medical assisting that focuses on X-ray technology, which teaches you medical laboratory procedures, radiology basics, radiographic imaging protocols, and radiographic positioning. All these four programs include an in-field externship and prepare you for national certification exams.



San Jacinto Community College

Location: Houston

Program Type: Certificate of Technology

San Jacinto Community College’s medical assistant program in Houston trains you to become an entry-level healthcare professional who can efficiently perform both, administrative and clinical procedures at a physician’s office. The coursework is a combination of didactic classes, lab learning and 240 hours of experiential learning at healthcare settings across the region. Post-graduation you will also be able to sit for the CMA and RMA certification exams that help you become certified and enhance your employment opportunities in this ever-expanding field. The college boasts of a 100% placement rate, having most of its graduates take up jobs at the office of a physician, podiatrist, chiropractor, ophthalmologist or other health practitioner.



Panola College

Location: Carthage

Program Type: Certificate & Associate of Applied Science

You can become a multi-skilled medical assistant in either two or four semesters, depending on whether you pursue Panola College’s certificate or associate degree program. While both programs include clinical and administrative medical assisting courses, the associate degree also integrates liberal arts education that helps enhance critical thinking and communication skills. Additionally, to hone practical skills in a clinical setting, both programs require you to complete a practicum at a local hospital or clinic. To earn your medical assistant degree, you must secure a minimum grade “C” in all courses, some of which include administrative procedures, communication, clinical duties, and medical law & ethics.



South Texas Vocational Technical Institute

Location: Brownsville, Corpus Christi, McAllen, & Weslaco

Program Type: Diploma (48 weeks)

While a medical assistant in Texas does not require any formal education, completing your training from South Texas Vocational Technical Institute will help you develop a broad professional skill-set and make you stand-out in the job market. The college offers a diploma in medical assisting that teaches you medical office management, billing and coding, measuring vital signs, laboratory procedures and oral and written communication skills. The coursework also includes a 200-hour externship at a clinical facility. The program is facilitated by experienced faculty who are committed to the success of students. Moreover, the college’s strong emphasis on hands-on learning complemented by career planning ensures you are well-prepared to make a smooth transition into the workplace



Cisco College

Location: Abilene

Program Type: Certificate & Associate of Applied Science Degree

Cisco College designs the curriculum of its medical assisting level II certificate and associate degree, emphasizing on the development of professional knowledge, skills, and behavior. While the certificate takes three semesters, the associate degree spans across four semesters as it also includes general education courses. Both programs take you through courses in infection control, administrative functions, clinical skills, phlebotomy, diagnostic coding, medical laws and ethics, and communications. To add valuable real-world experience, in the last semester, Cisco provides for 180 hours of practical learning at a nearby clinical facility. Upon graduation, you can explore opportunities as a medical assistant, clinic manager, emergency care staff or even as a phlebotomist, provided you earn the additional certification.



Northwest Educational Center

Location: Houston

Program Type: Certificate

Northwest Educational Center offers career-centric medical assisting training through its certificate program. In less than a year you can master administrative and clinical skills and kick start your career as an entry-level medical assistant. The curriculum includes courses in pharmacology, medical office procedures, medical billing & coding, patient record keeping and billing, administration of medications and injections and performing venipuncture. This medical assistant program in Texas also provides vital hands-on experience at a medical facility, thereby preparing you to work in a real-world setting. Upon completion of the program, you will be eligible to take the national certification exam and earn the credential of a certified medical assistant.



PCI Health Training Center

Location: Richardson & Dallas

Program Type: Certificate (In as little as 9 Months)

Graduating from PCI Health Training Center’s medical assisting certificate program lays a solid foundation for an entry-level healthcare career. The curriculum trains you in front and back-office skills, first aid, CPR, EKG, Urinalysis, autoclaving, microscopy, and keeping electronic help recrods. The college maintains strong connections with employers in the local area and this can prove to be fruitful when it comes to pairing you up with a clinical facility for an externship or for seeking a job. While most graduates immediately go on to work as entry-level medical assistants, some expand their careers by adding a specialization, either in medical office management, physical therapy aide, phlebotomy, clinical technical assistance or clinical assistance.



CyberTex Institute of Technology

Location: Austin & Killeen

Program Type: Certificate (37 Weeks)

CyberTex Institute of Technology prepares you to work as a competent medical assistant in a variety of work settings, including physician’s offices, hospitals, emergency care clinics, nursing homes, insurance companies, and the military. The coursework is comprehensive and comprises of clinical and administrative courses that include taking a patient’s exam, preparing lab specimens, taking and recording a patient’s history, managing a physician’s clinic front office and generally assisting a physician during medical procedures. Upon completion of this program, you will be eligible to take the certified medical assistant exam and the optional phlebotomy technician d EKG technician exams.



Southern Careers Institute

Location: Austin, Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Harlingen, Pharr, San Antonio – North, San Antonio – South, & Waco

Program Type: Certificate (36 weeks)

Southern Careers Institute’s medical assistant program does not require you to go to school for very long as you can complete your training and get started with your career in just 36 weeks. The program focuses on teaching you vital front and back-office functions that prepare you for certification as a medical assistant, phlebotomy technician, EKS technician, and EHR specialist. Program graduates are known to be in demand for their industry-ready skills as SCI’s faculty leaves no stone unturned in ensuring students acquire the necessary training to succeed in this career. Also, the college offers certificate programs in medical billing & coding and medical office specialist for those who are more inclined towards the administrative side of medical assisting.



Altierus Career College

Location: Houston

Program Type: Diploma (10 Months)

Altierus Career College’s medical assisting program is a blend of on-campus and online classes, therefore helping you strike a balance between academics and your life schedule. The ten-month diploma program covers a broad spectrum of courses that train you to work in diverse clinical settings, ranging from neurology & psychology to obstetrics & gynecology, urology & gastroenterology to cardiology, and from family practice to emergency medicine. You will also undergo simulated learning at the college’s state-the-art lab facility which is equipped with EKG machines, venous training arms, and ophthalmoscopes. Additionally, to gain real-world experience you will complete 200 hours of externship at a clinical facility.



Southwest Schools of Business and Technical Careers

Location: San Antonio & McAllen

Program Type: Certificate

Southwest Schools of Business and Technical Careers offers a certificate in medical assisting with flexible scheduling options. If you are currently working or have family responsibilities that keep you from going to school, then this medical assistant program in Texas has got you covered as it can be completed part-time by taking either, night or weekend classes. Alternatively, day students attend classes full-time and complete the program sooner. Although the coursework mainly focuses on the clinical aspects of this job, it also includes three classes in office procedures that take you through clerical duties. The curriculum also includes a five-week externship where you hone interpersonal communication and medical assisting skills at a local clinical site.


Our Ranking Methodology



FAQs Answered


How Many Schools in Texas are Currently Offering Medical Assisting Programs?

78



How Long are Medical Assistant Programs in Texas?

Program Type Program Length
Certificate 8 to 12 Months
Diploma 10 to 18 Months
Associate Degree Two Years



How Much Do Medical Assistant Programs in Texas Cost?

Program Type Program Cost
Certificate $2,050 – $23,510
Diploma $3,170 – $28,890
Associate Degree $7,930 – $35,610



What are the 5 Best Medical Assistant Programs in Texas?

1) Concorde Career College

2) Vista College

3) McLennan Community College

4) College of the Mainland

5) San Antonio College


Is Licensure or Certification for Medical Assistants Required to Work in Texas?

Registration/Licensure
Certification



Options for Medical Assistant Certification in Texas

Certification Exam Cost Apply
Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) $125 Click Here
Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) $120 Click Here
Clinical Certified Medical Assistant (CCMA) $155 Click Here
Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) $117 Click Here
National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) $90 Click Here

Though there are no certification requirements or minimum education guidelines for MAs in Texas but earning your CMA certification can greatly increase your employability and boost your salary. You can choose to become nationally certified as a CMA (Certified Medical Assistant) through the American Association of Medical Assistants. You must be a graduate of an accredited medical assistant program in TX in order to apply for the exam. Once certified, it is up to you to ensure you complete the continuing education requirements to maintain your credentials. Many employers


Medical Assistant Average Salary in Texas

The average medical assistant salary in TX is $31,580 a year. MAs who have little to no experience, who are not certified, or who have no other credentials may earn as little as $22,080 a year. However, once you have several years of experience and one of the credentials mentioned above, you can earn as much as $41,240 a year. MAs working in higher-populated cities such as Houston and those who work in specialty clinics tend to earn higher salaries, too.

TypeSalary RangeAverage Salary
Hourly$10.61 – $19.83$15.18
Monthly$1,840 – $3,440$2,630
Annual$22,080 – $41,240$31,580

(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2018)


Average MA Salary Comparison: Texas Vs National

Texas National Difference
Number%
$31,580$34,583-$3,003-9.51%

(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)


How Much More Do Certified Medical Assistants Make in Texas?

Average Salary Difference
CMA NON -CMA Number %
$32,930$31,580+1,350+4.27%
(Source: In-House Research)



Annual Job Openings for MAs in Texas

Experts expect that some 9,370 new and replacement openings will be available each year across the state of Texas. Most of these openings will occur in physicians’ offices, hospitals and outpatient care centers in Texas’ most populated cities.

NewReplacementProjected Annual Job Openings (New + Replacement)
2,0967,2749,370
(Source: Careeronestop.org)



Top 6 Cities to Work as a Medical Assistant in Texas

Rank City Current Employment Hourly Wage Monthly Salary Annual Salary Annual Salary Range
1 Dallas19,360$16.12$2,790$33,530$24,830 – $43,040
2 Houston13,260$15.58$2,700$32,400$22,980 – $41,490
3 San Antonio5,950$15.06$2,610$31,330$24,360 – $40,030
4 Austin4,480$16.23$2,810$33,760$24,540 – $46,140
5 El Paso1,700$12.23$2,120$25,430$19,350 – $33,600
6 Corpus Christi1,210$13.35$2,320$27,780$21,200 – $35,630
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)



10-Year Job Outlook in TX

The population of Texas continues to grow steadily, and thanks to new legislation, more of the state’s population has access to healthcare than ever before. As a direct result of this, experts anticipate that between the years of 2016 and 2026, some 20,960 new MAs will join the workforce. This represents an astonishing growth of 36% and solidifies your overall job security.

EmploymentGrowth
20162026Number%
58,57079,53020,960+ 36%
(Source: Careeronestop.org)



Important Medical Assisting Organizations in Texas

1. Texas Society of Medical Assistants

mytsma.org

The Texas Society of Medical Assistants exists to serve as advocates for the MAs across the state. The group protects their members’ rights to work and provides access to continuing education units to assist with recertification. MAs can also network with one another and receive valuable awards for providing excellent patient care across the state.


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