Medical Assisting

The Associate of Science in Medical Assisting provides graduates with both clinical and administrative skills. The goal of the program is to prepare competent entry-level medical assistants in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains. The practical and comprehensive coursework will include anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, pharmacology, administering injections, performing EKGs, and venipuncture.

In addition to the principal course of study, students in the program will receive a background in computers and may participate in an externship placement that will further provide practical work experience. Graduates of the Medical Assisting program are eligible to take the CCMA (Certified Clinical Medical Assistant) exam administered by National Healthcareer Association (NHA), RMA (Registered Medical Assistant) exam, administered by the American Medical Technologists (AMT), CMA (Certified Medical Assistant) exam, administered by AAMA (American Association of Medical Assistants) or CMAC (Clinical Medical Assistant Certification) exam, administered by AMCA (American Medical Certification Association).

Through American National University's 100% online Medical Assisting associate degree program, you will participate in clinical laboratory classes using our at-home lab kits to apply the knowledge you have learned in the classroom and build real-world skills today's employers are looking for. You will also participate in a mandatory externship, which offers further opportunities to apply learned skills and competencies.

Program outcomes. Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Display professionalism by displaying a professional manner and image; demonstrating initiative and responsibility; working as a member of the health care team; prioritizing and performing multiple tasks; adapting to change; promoting credentials associated with medical assisting; enhancing skills through continuing education; treating all patients with compassion and empathy; utilizing psychological theories; and promoting the practice through positive public relations.
• Exhibit communication skills by recognizing and respecting cultural diversity; adapting communications to an individual's ability to understand; using professional telephone techniques; and using medical terminology appropriately.
• Apply legal concepts by performing with legal and ethical boundaries; maintaining confidentiality, preparing and maintaining medical records; and documenting accurately and appropriately.
• Provide instruction for individuals according to their needs; explain office policies and procedures; teach methods of health promotion and disease prevention; and locating community resources for dissemination of information.
• Perform operational office functions by performing an inventory supplies and equipment; perform routine maintenance of administrative and clinical equipment; and applying computer techniques to support office operations.
• Perform administrative procedures utilizing basic administrative medical assisting function; scheduling, coordinating and monitoring appointments; obtaining reimbursement through accurate claims submissions; and manage accounts receivable.
• Perform clinical fundamental principles by applying principles of aseptic technique and infection control; complying with quality assurance practices; perform diagnostic testing by collecting and processing specimens as well as testing specimens in the CLIA waived category.
• Incorporate critical thinking skills with patient assessment and care; obtaining patient history and vital signs; prepare and administer medications and immunizations; recognize and respond to emergencies; and coordinate patient care information with other health care providers.
• Identify structure and function, organization, systems, directional terms, major organs, genetic concepts, and pathology related to body systems; categorize medication classifications; demonstrate knowledge of math computations, using measurement systems, conversions of the systems, and identify abbreviations and symbols used with the systems in calculations.

Your learning experience.

• Working within an office environment. You will learn administrative skills, like scheduling and coordinating appointments for patients in inpatient or outpatient settings, or utilizing technology to access electronic health records, sensitive patient information, and handling accounts receivable.
• Medical procedures training to cover areas such as taking patients' vital signs, collecting laboratory specimens, performing routine tests such as electrocardiography (EKG), and administering therapeutic injections and vaccinations.
• How to communicate with not only their fellow medical professionals, but how to speak with patients with sensitivity to culture and diversity.
• A clinical externship of 160 hours of real-world work experience to include caring for patients one-on-one, performing medical procedures, gathering patient information, and helping healthcare facilities stay organized. (Exact externship locations are based on site availability, not distance. Students often have to commute or travel to sites outside of their local area.)

All-inclusive tuition. ANU tuition includes all fees (application, course, technology, graduation, etc.), textbooks, and lab equipment (where applicable).

Refresher privilege. As part of our commitment to keeping graduates' skills and training up to date, the University allows its graduates to return at any time to retake courses in their respective fields, subject to availability. No tuition fees will be charged for this benefit; graduates will be responsible for any additional costs associated with books, equipment, or third-party testing fees.

To be admitted to any undergraduate (i.e., associate or baccalaureate) program at the University, applicants must show a completed high school (or equivalent level) education, met through a completed high school education, a completed home school education program at the high school level, or an earned GED or other state-authorized high school equivalency examination. Applicants may also qualify with an official transcript showing any degree earned at the associate level or higher, or at least 60 semester credits (90 quarter credits) that count toward a baccalaureate degree. All undergraduate students must complete placement evaluations in English and mathematics before beginning classes (students entering a healthcare program also complete a science placement evaluation).

Applicants must affirm in writing that they can lift at least 50 pounds and have reasonable vision and hearing, have no communicable diseases known to the student, and understand that a failed drug screen or criminal conviction may affect externship placement or future employment. Medical Assisting students must complete all required immunizations and tuberculosis screening as directed by externship sites and bear responsibility for all related costs.

For the convenience of its students, the University operates on a quarter-based schedule with year-round classes. Students may begin their programs at any of the starting dates during the year.

Full-time undergraduate students enroll in at least 12 credit hours per 10-week term. This typically includes three different 4-credit courses offered across either 5-week or 10-week sessions.

The University courses use both synchronous (live) and asynchronous (on-demand) interactions. Courses are delivered online (delivered through Canvas with scheduled Global Learn™ sessions) and through hybrid instruction (combining online coursework with required in-person residencies).

Students attend a live session at specific times and days each week through video conferencing. Many classes offer scheduling options to meet different circumstances, such as frequency of meetings, daytime meetings, evenings, and weekends.

Upcoming start dates: November 15, 2026; January 3, 2027; February 7, 2027; March 21, 2027; April 25, 2027; June 6, 2027; July 11, 2027; August 22, 2027; September 26, 2027; November 7, 2027; December 12, 2027.

Tuition. Tuition is $321 per quarter credit hour; for the 96 credit hours this program requires, total program tuition is $30,816. Tuition is charged on a per-credit-hour basis and billed each academic term. All textbooks are included in the student's tuition.

All-inclusive pricing. ANU tuition includes all fees (application, course, technology, graduation, etc.), textbooks, and lab equipment (where applicable). The University's all-inclusive pricing provides the equipment needed to complete all coursework; some items are loaned and must be returned within 15 days after graduation or withdrawal.

Fees applicable to all students. Transcript fee $10 (first copy free); returned check/declined credit card fee $25; transaction chargeback 10% + $15; diploma reprint $50; duplicate ID $10; experiential learning evaluation $50 per course; challenge exams $50 per exam. Fees are non-refundable after 5 calendar days from enrollment.

Estimated annual cost of attendance (three terms). Tuition: review program cost. Food and Housing $9,344 (living with parent/guardian) or $9,312 (not living with parent/guardian); Transportation $2,864; Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment $936; Personal Expenses $2,752 or $4,816.

Payment. All students must pay tuition in full before the term begins, unless they are enrolled in a program with limited seats. Students using federal aid or loans must have all forms completed and payment schedules finalized before the term starts; students using employer, Veterans Education Benefits, or other third-party tuition assistance must have an approved contract on file for delayed payment.

Federal aid. Students seeking to participate in federal and/or most state financial aid programs must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); ANU's school code is 003726. Federally funded aid available to eligible students includes the Federal Pell Grant, the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), William D. Ford Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, and Federal Work-Study.

Military and veterans. American National University is approved by the State Approving Agency for the education and training of eligible veterans and their dependents. Military education benefits include the Montgomery GI Bill®, the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, the Yellow Ribbon Program and Military Tuition Assistance; ANU's Blue Ribbon Grant provides up to 35% of the total amount paid toward direct educational costs (up to $18,000) after military education benefits are exhausted.

Institutional grants. ANU institutional aid includes the Business Partnership Grant, President's Grant, Private Loan Supplemental Grant, Refer a Friend Grant ($750), Workforce Development Grant, University Transfer Grant and ANU Legacy Merit Scholarship, each subject to its eligibility terms and available funding.

Net price calculator. Estimate your yearly cost with ANU's net price calculator: https://an.edu/admissions/financial-assistance/net-price-va/

Where could your degree take you?

• Medical Assistant
• Certified Medical Assistant
• Patient Care Technician

Certifications and licensure.

• CPR - American Red Cross (part of MED202)
• Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) - NHA
• Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) - NHA
• Certified EKG Technician (CET) - NHA
• Eligible for RMA (AMT), CMA (AAMA) or CMAC (AMCA)

Student outcomes.

• DEAC Student Achievement Disclosure (published 6/16/2026), 2025 graduation rates: Associate of Science in Medical Assisting: 14% graduation rate for the 11/1/21-10/31/22 start cohort (23 graduates; median 2.1 years to complete).
• Annual Report Outcomes (program page): the five-year average for the exam passage rate for the years 2020-2024 is 68%.

High Tech, High Touch. Our eLearning environment utilizes advanced technology for a highly interactive experience. We offer much more than simply an "online degree", but rather a holistic educational experience combining multiple modes of course delivery with comprehensive financial aid, student services, library resources, and career services support.

Global Meet. Access to education and career counseling services from anywhere is a key component of our Global eUniversity: admission counseling, student services, financial aid planning, career counseling and academic advising through live video, live chat, phone, email, web portal, or in person at one of our learning sites.

Global Teach. We provide educational services at the university level anywhere you are located: through e-books, virtual labs, online research libraries and databases.

Global Learn. eLearning takes the distance out of "distance learning" by providing the environment we're famous for through online delivery combining Canvas LMS (learning management system) with Global Learn Video Conferencing. For certain healthcare programs, such as our medical assisting and pharmacy technician programs, each student is provided with a lab kit, with which they complete assignments while under the watchful eyes of their instructors.