What Is the Cost of a Medical Assistant Program?
Medical assistants work in a variety of healthcare settings. You’ll find medical assistants in hospitals, doctor’s offices, assisted-living facilities, and outpatient clinics. Before you can work as a medical assistant, you’ll need training in both clinical and administrative skills. Learn more about the medical assisting certificate program at Northwestern College, serving students in Oak Lawn, IL, and the greater Chicago area.
Northwestern College’s Medical Assisting Certificate Program
Medical assistant programs prepare students for entry-level roles in ambulatory care settings. At Northwestern College, we equip students with the knowledge and practical skills they need to work in a fast-paced healthcare environment. Coursework covers topics such as:
- Communication skills
- Medical terminology
- Anatomy and physiology
- Medical law and ethics
- Electronic medical records
- Clinical assisting
- Pharmacology
Students learn via classroom instruction and hands-on laboratory experience. Additionally, each student in the medical assisting certificate program must complete a 160-hour, four-credit externship. Northwestern College’s Externship Coordinator works to find externship placements that match students’ interests and goals.
The Cost of Our Medical Assistant Program
Tuition rates vary by program. For the 2022 – 2023 academic year, the tuition rate for the Medical assisting certificate program is $500 per credit hour. Enrolled students will have a $25 application fee added to their first quarter tuition bill. Additional fees may apply. Students can pay their tuition and fees via cash, check, credit card, money order, or cashier’s check.
Note: Tuition rates and fees are subject to change at any time. Additional information is available in the college catalogs.
Is Financial Aid Available?
Financial aid is available to students who qualify. One of the first steps for enrolled students at Northwestern College is a meeting with our financial aid office. During this meeting, our team provides tuition and financial aid information for your program of study. Types of financial assistance include:
- Federal grant programs, such as the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) or the Pell Grant
- Federal loans, including the Federal Direct Subsidized, Direct Unsubsidized, Direct Plus, and the Tuition Flex Program
- State programs
- Private scholarship opportunities
- Veterans’ programs, such as the GI Bill
All applicants are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid. Northwestern College also has a net price calculator to help students estimate their out-of-pocket tuition costs.
How Long Does it Take to Earn a Certificate?
Northwestern College’s academic calendar is on the quarter system, with each quarter lasting 11 weeks. The medical assisting certificate program consists of 48 credit hours, which includes a four-credit externship. Most students take four quarters to complete the medical assisting program.
Does Northwestern College Help With Job Placement?
Northwestern College has a dedicated career services office that helps students pursue employment in their fields of study. Our career services team can connect students to:
- Listings for medical assistant jobs
- Job and career fairs
- Resume templates
- Interview preparation tools
Graduates of Northwestern College’s medical assisting certificate program are eligible to take the American Medical Technologists Registered Medical Assistant Exam.
How Do I Apply?
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Prospective students can download and complete an Admissions Application and submit it via email.
To be eligible for admission, prospective students must:
- Hold a high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) equivalency diploma
- Complete a personal interview with a member of Northwestern College’s admissions team
- Pass a placement examination administered on campus
Transfer students will need to request transcripts from other institutions they have attended.
Get in Touch With Northwestern College
At Northwestern College, we’re committed to preparing students for rewarding careers in the healthcare industry. Offering certificate, associate degree, and bachelor’s degree programs, the college is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission. Northwestern College is in Oak Lawn, IL, and serves students in the greater Chicago area. To learn more about our medical assistant certificate and other career programs, request information today.