Medical Assisting is an Associate Degree program (Hybrid) offered by Centura College in Chesapeake, VA. The program takes 65 weeks (15 months) to complete, with a total tuition of $34,800.
Program Overview
The Medical Assisting program leads to an Associate of Occupational Science (AOS) degree and prepares students for entry-level employment in the medical support field — working in physicians' offices, office and hospital laboratories, urgent care centers, and other health care facilities.
The associate degree builds on the full medical assistant skill set and adds coursework in medical billing and coding, insurance essentials, electronic health records, customer service, computer applications, and general education — producing a graduate ready for both the clinical and business sides of a medical practice.
The program spans 65 weeks (15 months) and 60 credit hours at the Chesapeake campus, with a portion of coursework offered online.
What sets this Program apart
The AOS in Medical Assisting is Centura's most complete medical-support credential.
- Clinical training plus the business skills a practice needs — billing and coding, insurance, and electronic health records.
- A degree-level credential (AOS) that supports career advancement and further education.
- Hybrid delivery at the Chesapeake campus, with 12–16 credits offered online for flexibility.
- A Clinical Capstone and externship that build real-world experience before graduation.
Admission Requirements and Process
Personalized plans for each student. The Admissions Department will assist with completing the application process: get connected with one of our Admissions Reps who will help you complete your application, then meet with a financial advisor and create your personalized plan.
General Requirements
- Application and $25 FeeApplicants must submit an Application for Admissions and a $25 application fee in order to be considered for admission. The application fee is waived for veterans with proof of…
- Age RequirementApplicants must be beyond the age of compulsory high school attendance and have an approved cosigner if under the age of 18.
- High School Diploma or GEDApplicants must provide acceptable proof of graduation from high school, a General Education Diploma, or equivalent. If the applicant provides an international/foreign transcript,…
- Government-Issued Photo IDApplicants must submit a government issued photo ID, such as a copy of a state issued driver’s license, state issued identification card, or passport.
- Online Course Readiness AssessmentPrior to being accepted into a program that includes a distance education component, the student will be required to complete the Online Course Readiness Assessment (OCRA). A…
Application Process
- 1Review General RequirementsReview the general requirements: a $25 application fee, and applicants must be beyond the age of compulsory high school attendance and have an approved cosigner if under the age of 18.
- 2Interview With AdmissionsAll applicants must complete an interview with an Admissions Representative. If the applicant is under the age of 18, a parent or guardian should be present.
- 3Complete Your ApplicationGet connected with one of our Admissions Reps who will help you complete your Application for Admission along with the $25 application fee (waived for veterans with proof of service).
- 4Meet a Financial Aid Advisor and Complete the FAFSAOnce the application and application fee have been submitted, the Admissions Representative will schedule a preliminary appointment with a Financial Aid Advisor. Your advisor will help you develop a financial plan, discuss financial aid qualifications and obtain any necessary applications.FAFSA Code for Chesapeake Campus: 016538Fill Out the FAFSA
- 5Online Course Readiness AssessmentComplete the Online Course Readiness Assessment (OCRA), required prior to acceptance into a program that includes a distance education component. A passing score is 16 correct answers out of 20 (80% or higher).
- 6Acceptance and Enrollment AgreementApplicants who have met all admissions criteria will be recommended for acceptance. An applicant’s signed Student Enrollment Agreement does not constitute a contract until it has been approved by the Campus Executive Director or designee. The applicant will be notified of the admission decision in writing.
Program Schedule
Centura's academic year is built from 5-week blocks: a term is three consecutive 5-week blocks (15 weeks), with one course taken per block. The Medical Assisting (AOS) degree runs 65 weeks (15 months) and 60 credit hours.
This is a hybrid program at the Chesapeake campus, with 12–16 credits offered online. Distance-education readiness is confirmed through Centura's Online Course Readiness Assessment.
Our start dates are as follows:
- January 20, 2026
- February 23, 2026
- March 30, 2026
- May 11, 2026
- June 15, 2026
- July 20, 2026
- August 24, 2026
- September 28, 2026
- November 2, 2026
- December 7, 2026
- December 07th, 2026
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
Cost of Attendance
Tuition for the Medical Assisting (AOS) degree is $34,800 ($580 per credit × 60 credits). Tuition does not include textbooks, supplies, or uniforms. Additional fees include a $25 application fee (waived for veterans), a $125 administrative fee, and a one-time $12 library fee; program materials vary by program and are itemized on the Enrollment Agreement. Courses delivered by distance education carry a $25-per-credit technology fee.
Financial Aid
Centura College is approved by the U.S. Department of Education to participate in federal Title IV student aid programs. Aid available to those who qualify includes:
- Federal Pell Grant and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
- Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, and Parent PLUS Loans
- VA education benefits (GI Bill®), the Yellow Ribbon Program, and Military Tuition Assistance
- Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding through the Hampton Roads Workforce Council, and Vocational Rehabilitation
- The Centura Scholarship Match Program (dollar-for-dollar match up to 10% of tuition, books, and fees against qualifying outside scholarships)
- Institutional payment plans
Curriculum
The Medical Assisting (AOS) degree comprises 60 credit hours, including a core of medical, business, and general-education coursework:
The required courses below are from Centura College's published catalog.
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
Career Outcomes
The Medical Assisting (AOS) degree prepares graduates for entry-level roles across health care, with the added business skills to grow into coordinator and office-management positions. Graduates pursue roles such as:
- Clinical Medical Assistant
- Administrative Medical Assistant
- Medical Office Coordinator
- Medical Billing & Coding / EHR Assistant
- Patient Services Representative
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects roughly 12% growth in medical assisting demand from 2024 to 2034, with about 112,300 openings annually nationwide. The degree also supports transfer and further study for graduates who later pursue advancement.
What to expect as a Centura College student
As a Centura College student, you will combine hands-on lab training with online coursework — practicing clinical skills on campus while building the billing, insurance, and records knowledge a modern practice depends on — and complete an externship under experienced instructors.
Centura welcomes veterans and active-duty military (GI Bill®, Yellow Ribbon, and Military Tuition Assistance), and a financial aid team helps you build a plan before you start. Programs are short and start often, with new cohorts beginning roughly every month.
Location
Why Accreditation Is Important
Attending an accredited institution means your education has met rigorous, independently reviewed quality standards designed to protect students.
This program: All Centura College campuses are institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). Graduates of the Medical Assisting (AOS) degree are eligible to sit for national medical assistant certification exams.
- A reliable indicator of educational quality
- Eligible for federal Title IV financial aid
- Recognized by employers nationwide
- A degree that supports advancement and further study
Accreditations
Student Demographics
These are demographics for all students at the Chesapeake Campus (IPEDS, 2024).