Medical Assisting is a Diploma program offered by Midwest Technical Institute in Springfield, MO. The program takes 35 weeks / 765 clock hours (incl. 225 externship) to complete, with a total tuition of $17,173.
Program Overview
Goals for the Medical Assistant: "To prepare medical assistants who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession." To prepare them for entry level positions normally available in a medical facility such as physicians', chiropractors', or podiatrists' office and clinics.
To prepare the Medical Assisting student to sit for a Medical Assisting (CMA-AAMA) certification exam through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) or the National Medical Assistant (NCMA) Certification Exam through the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) at the end of the externship, as required for graduation; however, students are not required to pass the exam in order to graduate per MTI policy. Upon meeting graduation requirements of the Medical Assisting program, the student is entitled to a Medical Assisting Diploma.
The program provides the MA with entry-level theory and limited "hands-on" training in basic and routine clinical and office tasks. This will equip the MA with the competencies required to perform in either a clinical or office capacity. The graduate will be able to assist in EKGs, X-ray procedures, first aid, and phlebotomy, perform clinical procedures, prepare the patient for physical exams, and assist the physician with other exams. The MA may help the physician with minor surgical procedures and can sterilize and care for instruments, and may handle administrative office procedures such as keyboarding, billing, coding, scheduling, insurance claims, and computerized record keeping.
What Sets This Program Apart
All required competencies for Medical Assisting will be performed and graded as a pass or fail grade. A grade of 85% or above will be considered a passing grade. All competencies in each module must have a passing grade prior to moving on to the next module. The Medical Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB). As reported on the CAAHEP 2025 annual report form, the medical assisting program has a five-year (2020-2024) average job placement of 74.18% at Springfield, IL, 74.55% at East Peoria, IL, and 76.07% at Moline, IL.
Admission Requirements & Process
At Midwest Technical Institute (MTI), most classes start every 5 weeks, which means we’re here for you when you’re ready to get hands-on training to take off towards your new career! Our knowledgeable and passionate Admissions Team at MTI will help you understand the program and support structure available during your time on campus while guiding you through the admissions process.
General Requirements
- High School Diploma or EquivalentMTI requires all applicants to the school to provide proof of a high school diploma, recognized equivalency certificate, or documentation of home school completion. If the…
- Personal InterviewA personal interview with an authorized representative of the school.
- Health Affidavit/ScreeningCompleted Health Affidavit/Screening.
- Valid Photo IDValid driver’s license, state issued ID, or United States passport is required.
- Minimum AgeMust be 17 to enroll. Must be 18 upon graduation for Dental Assisting and Medical Assisting.
- Required ImmunizationsStudents must have the required immunizations. Prior to week 19 of program, proof must be submitted in the student’s file or the student may not be allowed to attend classes until…
- TB Skin TestStudents must provide proof of a 1-step TB test that will be valid through their contracted graduation date. The required TB screening will be determined by the clinical or…
- Hepatitis B VaccineStudents are offered 3 doses of Hepatitis B vaccine at any local Health Department. Students will need to get their first dose of Hepatitis B vaccine by the ninth week of class.…
- MMR VaccineStudents will need to provide proof of at least one MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine. If unable to provide proof of at least one vaccine, then the students will need to…
- Tetanus (Td)Students must provide proof of an updated, within the last ten years, tetanus. If unable to provide proof in the last ten years, the student will need to receive an updated dose…
- Criminal Background HistorySatisfactory criminal background history based on a signed background check affidavit.
- Illinois Healthcare Worker Background ActProspective students will be required to meet the standards of the Illinois Healthcare Worker Background Act.
- Externship Site RequirementsSome externship site locations may have additional requirements to attend.
Application Process
- 1Connect With an Admissions RepresentativeThe Admissions Team is always available to chat by phone. Our Appointment Coordinators will help schedule your Admissions interview and campus tour! You are also always welcome to walk-in to an MTI campus to meet an Admissions Representative during our business hours — no appointment required.
- 2Take Your Campus TourYou will explore the inside of MTI’s labs and classrooms, learn about the programs, and see the support structure in place to help students succeed.
- 3Meet With the Financial Aid Team and Complete the FAFSAMTI’s Financial Aid Representatives are dedicated to helping prospective students understand the options available to help pay for school, including Federal Financial Aid, scholarships, grants and more. The Financial Aid Team can also assist you in filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and help you decipher the FAFSA results.FAFSA Code for Springfield, MO: 033683Fill Out the FAFSA
- 4Pay the Registration FeePayment of the registration fee, if applicable, must be paid by the first day of class unless otherwise authorized. Payment of the registration fee secures a student’s seat in a class. All other tuition and fees must be paid on the first day of class unless otherwise authorized.
- 5Complete the Two-Week Trial Enrollment PeriodAll students complete a two-week trial enrollment period before being admitted as regular students to the Medical Assisting program. During the trial period no tuition, lab supplies, or program fees will be assessed, and students must attend all scheduled classes, be on time, and maintain an average of 70% or better by the end of week 2.
- 6Start ClassTo be officially accepted as a regular student, a student must satisfy all remaining admissions requirements as stated in the institution’s catalog and complete the financial aid process and submit all of the required documentation.
Program Schedule
35 Weeks/765 Clock Hours which includes 225 Externship Hours / 135 Additional Outside Clock Hours / 26.5 Semester Credits. Springfield, IL: Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. East Peoria, IL and Moline, IL: Monday through Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. Module 6, the externship module (last 10 weeks), may require attendance during day time hours. The maximum number of students in a typical classroom is 35 and 20 in lab. Externship will always be taken last; all other modules can be taken in any order.
Cost of Attendance & Financial Aid
Each student will be provided the Hep B Vaccine, if needed, beginning in the first 10 weeks of class. Students will be asked to provide their own white shoes (clean, with no writing) as well as a watch with a second hand.
Method of Payment
- Option 1: To obtain a personal loan, or pay by cash or check (there is a fee for checks returned for any reason).
- Option 2: Apply for Financial Aid (Pell Grants, Stafford Loans, etc.)
- Option 3: Obtain outside scholarships and/or grants from state and/or local agencies
- Option 4: Pay with a credit card (we accept VISA, MasterCard, and Discover)
MTI does not charge interest on self-pay balances payable to the school.
For Students Using VA Benefits
Midwest Technical Institute will not take any of the four following actions toward any student using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post 9/11 G.I. Bill (Ch. 33) or Veteran Readiness and Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while their payment from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs is pending to the educational institution:
- Prevent enrollment;
- Assess a late penalty fee;
- Require they secure alternative or additional funding;
- Deny access to any resources (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution.
Total program tuition is $17,173 (tuition only; any fees billed separately).
Curriculum
- Fundamental of Medical Assisting with Communication (60 lecture / 40 supervised lab / 25 additional outside clock hours / 4 credits): A survey of medical assisting occupations and their education and certification requirements, furnishing the student with theory and practical applications of medical assisting basics, including clinical, office management, keyboarding, and medical terminology. Students will gain an introduction to Integrated Electronic Health Records and to the communication skills required of a Medical Assistant, including effective public speaking.
- Clinical Office Management & Emergency Preparedness (75 lecture / 25 supervised lab / 25 additional outside clock hours / 4 credits): Familiarizes the student with human anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology as it applies to specific body systems, covering functions and diseases including symptoms, diagnostic tests, treatments, and medications, with a focus on drugs used for specific systems. Includes assisting with the physical exam, use of EMR, HIPAA compliance, and hands-on instruction with Integrated Electronic Health Records. The clinical section focuses on assisting with eye, ear, nose, and throat; minor surgeries; emergency preparedness; the clinical lab; radiology and nutrition.
- Medical Insurance & Laboratory Processing (75 lecture / 25 supervised lab / 25 additional outside clock hours / 4 credits): Continues human anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology and drug study. Students will learn laboratory tasks routinely performed in the medical facility, collecting and handling specimens, microbiological principles, and hematology. Students will learn telephone techniques, medical records, and different types of medical insurance. The clinical section focuses on the reproductive system procedures as well as microbiology, urinalysis and hematology.
- Medical Coding & Phlebotomy (75 lecture / 25 supervised lab / 25 additional outside clock hours / 4 credits): Continues human anatomy, physiology, medical terminology and drug study. Students will complete instructional work and competencies regarding diagnosis and procedural coding, become proficient in 12-lead ECG hook-ups and troubleshooting, learn to recognize normal and abnormal ECGs and common major arrhythmias, perform pulmonary function testing, and become proficient in phlebotomy.
- Med Finance, Med Law & Ethics, Dosages & Calculation (75 lecture / 25 supervised lab / 25 additional outside clock hours / 4 credits): The student will gain an understanding of the chronic and acutely ill mental health patient, common psychiatric disorders, prescription labels, pharmacology math, measurement systems and dosage calculations, and billing/finance procedures. The clinical portion focuses on assisting with the life specialties, physical therapy, and patient education, plus medical law, ethics and bioethics.
- Externship (225 clock hours externship / 5 credits): Required for all students and must be completed to be eligible for graduation. To qualify, a student must meet a 2.0 G.P.A., pass all competencies, and have an overall attendance of 90% in his or her medical courses. All work is performed under the direct supervision of licensed medical personnel at the site. Externs are not entitled to compensation.
- Externship Review Class (40 lecture / 10 additional outside clock hours / 1.5 credits): This course will focus on employment preparation, professionalism development and certification exam review.
The required courses below are from Midwest Technical Institute's published catalog.
Required Courses
| Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Fundamental of Medical Assisting with Communication | 4 |
| Clinical Office Management & Emergency Preparedness | 4 |
| Medical Insurance & Laboratory Processing | 4 |
| Medical Coding & Phlebotomy | 4 |
| Med Finance, Med Law & Ethics, Dosages & Calculation | 4 |
| Externship | 5 |
| Externship Review Class | 1.5 |
| Totals | 26.5 |
Career Outcomes
Career Placement
The respective Program Director at MTI can provide assistance to currently enrolled students and graduates. Services include job placement assistance and guidance to students and graduates as they seek employment. If the student/graduate is planning to work in another state, the student/graduate is advised that each state has its own requirements. MTI cannot and does not guarantee a student can or will be licensed or registered for employment in any specific state and cannot and does not guarantee a student will obtain employment or will obtain a minimum starting wage. No one at MTI is authorized by the school to make any such guarantees. Students attending and graduating from MTI are responsible themselves to prepare and submit employment applications to prospective employers.
As a vocational school, general development is appropriate to the level of education MTI provides. Each program teaches life skills such as resume writing, professionalism, interview skills, etc., which will prepare the students for successful employment. Students are assisted with life skills, career development, budget, and personal financial planning skills as needed.
What to Expect as a Student at Midwest Technical Institute
Student Services
As a vocational school, general development is appropriate to the level of education MTI provides. Students are assisted with life skills, career development, budget, and personal financial planning skills as needed.
Advising
Advice is available to students through academic and administrative personnel. The faculty and staff at MTI are professional men and women who are willing to devote the necessary time to students who seek individualized assistance. Each instructor is available to help a student resolve academic problems which may prohibit satisfactory progress. The respective Program Director may be consulted with any questions or concerns pertaining to a student's education.
Learning Resource Center
The Learning Resource Center facilities are available to students during regularly scheduled class hours under the supervision of an instructor. Books, periodicals, and reference material are to be used on school property only.
Housing
MTI will assist any student desiring to find housing while attending our school. Our student services department has a list of realtors and landlords.
Student Success Specialist (SSS)
The Student Success Specialist will have current listings for daycare listings, local housing, food banks, health and wellness, mental health resources, and transportation help.
Location
Accreditation & Approvals
All MTI/DTC campuses have achieved stand-alone ACCSC accreditation. Certificate of Accreditation issued through the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, 2101 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22201 (Springfield, East Peoria, Moline, IL).
Midwest Technical Institute is approved by the Division of Private Business and Vocational Schools, Illinois Board of Higher Education, 1 N. Old State Capitol Plaza, Suite 333, Springfield, IL 62701.
MTI's Medical Assisting Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB) at the Springfield, IL, East Peoria, IL, and Moline, IL campuses.
The school is also approved by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Professional Regulation, Springfield, IL. Springfield, IL and East Peoria, IL Campuses are members in good standing with Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities (APSCU) and American Welding Society (AWS). The Springfield, IL HVAC/R program is HVAC Excellence Accredited.
The CDL Refresher Training Course is not part of the institutional scope of accreditation through the ACCSC.