Health care support roles like medical assistants are growing in demand, and this guide details how a bachelor’s degree can open doors for roles like this. Employment of medical assistants is projected to grow by 12 percent over the next decade, which is much faster than the average for all other occupations.1
Whether you want to move from an entry-level clinical role into a career in healthcare management or if you want to start a new career that blends patient interaction with administrative work, earning your bachelor’s degree in medical assisting or a related field can help immensely. This guide breaks down the best accredited programs, online and on-campus options, and the career paths and salaries that come with them.
Key Takeaways
- A bachelor’s degree in medical assisting or allied health prepares students for both clinical and administrative roles in hospitals, clinics, and laboratories.
- Most entry-level medical assistants train through certificate or associate programs, while bachelor’s options often lead to leadership, management, or research positions.
- Accreditation from agencies such as CAAHEP, ABHES, CAHIIM, or NAACLS is crucial for certification eligibility and employer recognition.
- Online and degree-completion programs allow working professionals to advance their education affordably and flexibly.
- Graduates if these programs can qualify for national certifications like the CMA, RMA, CCMA, or RHIA, which enhance your job prospects and your potential earnings.
- With continued demand for healthcare support roles, medical assisting remains one of the most accessible and secure paths into the medical field.
What Is Medical Assisting?
Medical assisting blends clinical duties and administrative support in health settings. Medical assistants help physicians and nurses with daily tasks such as taking vital signs, recording patient histories, and managing appointments.
Most entry-level medical assistants train through postsecondary certificates or associate degrees rather than bachelor’s programs. Some of the common certifications include the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA [AAMA]), Registered Medical Assistant (RMA [AMT]), and Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA [NHA]). Because scope of duties differs by employer and state, medical assistants should verify whether local regulations restrict specific clinical tasks.
What Is a Medical Assisting Bachelor’s Degree?
A medical assisting bachelor’s degree is a four-year credential combining clinical and administrative health training. Students gain skills in patient care, office procedures, and healthcare technology to qualify for advanced roles in hospitals, clinics, or public-health organizations.
Accreditation ensures programs meet quality standards required for certification eligibility. CAAHEP / MAERB and ABHES accredit medical assisting programs; graduates qualify for CMA (AAMA) or RMA (AMT) exams. CAHIIM accredits Health Information Management (HIM) programs for RHIA eligibility, and NAACLS accredits Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) programs supporting ASCP certification. Employment of medical and health services managers is projected to grow 23 percent over the next decade.2
Medical Assisting Bachelor’s Degree Requirements
Admission to a medical assisting bachelor’s program normally requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Some schools also accept applicants who already hold an associate degree or professional license in an allied-health field.
Many bachelor’s options in allied health and HIM are degree-completion programs for working medical assistants or technicians who already have an AAS or state license, such as Northern Arizona University or East Tennessee State University. Applicants may also need to document recent clinical experience, immunizations, or background checks.
Certificate vs Associate vs Bachelor’s — Which Path Fits Your Goal?
| Program Type | Typical Length | Common Outcomes | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate in Medical Assisting | 9–12 months | Entry-level MA roles after passing CMA or RMA exam | Quick entry into clinical practice |
| Associate Degree in Medical Assisting | 18–24 months | Expanded clinical skills and transfer credits toward BS | Students seeking more academic depth |
| Bachelor’s Degree (Health Sciences, HIM, MLS) | ≈4 years or 2 years after AAS | Administrative leadership or specialized clinical roles | Working MAs or career changers pursuing advancement |
How Much Does a Medical Assisting Bachelor’s Degree Cost?
Tuition for a medical assisting bachelor’s degree varies widely between public, private, in-person, and online programs. Students should check institutional tuition calculators to estimate total costs, which can differ by residency status and learning format.
Actual tuition differs widely between public, private, and online programs. Prospective students should include technology fees, clinical supplies, and textbooks in their calculations and use each university’s cost estimator for accuracy.
Medical Assisting Bachelor’s Degree Financing Options: How to Pay
Students commonly use financial aid, federal grants, loans, and scholarships, to finance a medical assisting bachelor’s degree. Most programs list financial-aid resources and eligibility requirements on their websites.
Some online completion programs, such as Western Governors University, charge flat-rate tuition per term, allowing students to finish more quickly and reduce overall cost. Applicants should submit the FAFSA to access federal grants and aid opportunities.
Best Medical Assisting Bachelor’s Degree Programs and Schools: Overview
This section compares accredited bachelor’s programs in medical assisting and allied health across institutions. Each school’s accreditation and focus area help determine whether it aligns with clinical or administrative career goals.
To help readers distinguish program focus areas, each school can be categorized as either pre-professional / clinical (for lab science, surgical assisting, biomedical science) or administrative / leadership (for health services or allied health management).
Best Colleges for Medical Assisting: Top Medical Assisting Bachelor’s Degree Programs
These on-campus bachelor’s programs offer pathways in surgical assisting, biomedicine, allied health, and lab science. Each institution provides specialized coursework and practicum experiences that prepare students for certification or graduate study.
At Bellin College, graduates can pursue National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting certification upon completion. The University of Texas at Austin Medical Laboratory Science BS includes a 12- to 16-month clinical rotation and qualifies students for MLS (ASCP) certification eligibility. For schools like Boston University or Cedarville University, the curricula serve as pre-professional tracks for graduate study rather than direct MA certification.
Best Online Medical Assisting Bachelor’s Degree Programs and Schools: Overview
These online bachelor’s options support working students via degree-completion and direct-entry models. Programs differ in focus, some emphasize Health Information Management, while others highlight Allied Health Leadership or Biomedical Science.
Most online bachelor’s options fall into two categories: completion programs, which require an AAS or license (e.g., ETSU, NAU, UWM), and direct-entry programs, open to students without prior training. Look for recognized accreditors such as CAHIIM for Health Information Management or NAACLS for Medical Laboratory Science.
Best Colleges for Medical Assisting: Top Online Medical Assisting Bachelor’s Degree Programs
These accredited online programs provide flexible and career-focused training for working professionals or students seeking advancement in healthcare.
Several of the listed programs carry specialized accreditations that strengthen career options. Herzing University’s BS in Health Information Management is CAHIIM-accredited, allowing graduates to sit for the RHIA exam. Maryville University’s BS in Healthcare Management emphasizes compliance and practice management skills for leadership roles, while East Tennessee State University’s BS in Allied Health Leadership serves as a completion pathway for licensed allied health professionals.
What’s the Average Medical Assisting Bachelor’s Degree Salary?
Although bachelor’s-level assistants earn in a similar range to standard medical assistants, advanced roles command higher wages. The median annual wage for medical assistants is currently $44,200, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.1 Those who move into management or specialized clinical roles can earn more as their education and certifications increase.
Top Medical Assisting Bachelor’s Degree Jobs and Salaries: Overview
Even within related roles, salary and outlook vary considerably based on specialization and credentials. Medical assistants are projected to grow 12 percent over the next decade, while medical and health services managers are projected to grow 23 percent during the same period.1-2 These trends show strong, sustained demand across multiple career pathways.
| Medical Assisting Bachelor’s Degree Jobs | Median Salary | Job Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| Surgical Technician | $62,450 | 5% |
| Medical and Health Services Manager | $117,960 | 23% |
| Medical Records Specialist | $50,250 | 7% |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographers | $89,340 | 13% |
| Medical Assistant | $44,200 | 12% |
| Pharmacy Technician | $43,460 | 6% |
| Phlebotomist | $43,660 | 6% |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,430 | 2% |
Best Medical Assisting Bachelor’s Degree Jobs Explained
This section breaks down key roles available to graduates with medical assisting or allied health bachelor’s degrees.
- Medical Assistant — Entry-level employment typically requires a postsecondary certificate or associate degree, and certification (CMA or RMA) is often preferred.
- Medical Records Specialist — A bachelor’s in Health Information Management from a CAHIIM-accredited program qualifies graduates for the RHIA certification exam.
- Surgical Technician — Requires completion of a CAAHEP-accredited surgical technology program and NBSTSA certification.
- Phlebotomist— Typically requires a certificate or associate degree and national certification.
Benefits of a Medical Assisting Bachelor’s Degree
A medical assisting bachelor’s degree unlocks access to supervisory, leadership, and specialized roles. Graduates enjoy a broader range of career options, higher earning potential, and greater job security compared to certificate-level professionals.
- Clinical Tracks: Surgical technologist, phlebotomy technician, EKG technician, and patient-care roles emphasize direct interaction with patients and hands-on medical procedures.
- Administrative Tracks: Health Information Management, medical office management, and practice administration focus on compliance, data, and leadership.
Identifying which direction fits your strengths helps narrow down which bachelor’s path (HIM, Allied Health, Biomedical Science, etc.) offers the best long-term growth.
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Should You Get a Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Assisting?
A bachelor’s degree in medical assisting is a smart choice for those targeting administrative, lab, or leadership tracks. It offers a pathway to advancement for current MAs, technicians, or healthcare professionals seeking higher roles.
If your goal is quick entry into clinical assisting, a certificate or associate degree may meet employer requirements faster. Before choosing, confirm your state or employer’s preferred certifications—most require graduation from a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited program to qualify for CMA (AAMA), RMA (AMT), or CCMA (NHA) exams.
Medical Assisting Bachelor’s Degree FAQ
This FAQ answers common questions about certification, value, and accreditation after a bachelor’s.
Can a medical assisting bachelor’s degree lead to certifications?
Yes. Graduates of CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited programs qualify for exams such as CMA (AAMA) and RMA (AMT).
Which are the best certifications for medical assisting jobs?
Popular credentials include CMA, RMA, CCMA, and Health Information Management certifications like RHIA. Certifications vary by role and employer.
Are medical assisting bachelor’s degrees worth it?
Yes. The degree broadens opportunities in both clinical and administrative areas.
Are there medical assisting master’s degrees?
Medical assisting-specific master’s programs are rare, but related graduate options, like an MHA or MS in HIM—can advance careers.
Certification Pathways After Graduation
Graduates of accredited programs can pursue CMA (AAMA), RMA (AMT), CCMA (NHA), or RHIA (AHIMA) credentials to enhance their qualifications.
Program Verification & Additions Integration
On-Campus Programs
- Bellin College — Bachelor of Science in Surgical Assisting (BSSA)
- Boston University — Bachelor of Science in Human Physiology
- Bryant & Stratton College — Bachelor of Science in Health Services Administration
- Cedarville University — Bachelor of Science in Allied Health
- Concordia University Wisconsin — Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science
- DePaul University — Bachelor of Science in Psychology
- University of Connecticut — Bachelor of Science in Allied Health Sciences
- University of South Carolina — Bachelor of Science in Cardiovascular Technology
- University of Tampa — Bachelor of Science in Allied Health
- University of Texas at Austin — Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science
Online Programs
- American National University — BS in Medical & Health Services Management
- Central Methodist University — BS in Health Sciences
- Drexel University — BS in Health Services Administration
- East Tennessee State University — BS in Allied Health Leadership (Online Completion)
- Herzing University — BS in Health Information Management
- Maryville University — BS in Healthcare Management
- National University — BS in Allied Health
- Northern Arizona University — BS in Health Sciences (Allied Health)
- University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee — BS in Biomedical Sciences: Health Sciences (Flexible Option)
- Widener University — BS in Allied Health
Sources
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/surgical-technologists.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-records-and-health-information-technicians.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/diagnostic-medical-sonographers.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacy-technicians.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/phlebotomists.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nursing-assistants.htm
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