You’ve decided on a career as a certified medical assistant, but are uncertain which educational path is better in the long run – a certificate or an associate degree. Each has its benefits and drawbacks, but one may be more to your advantage depending on your lifestyle needs and future career goals.
Typically, certificate programs take about 1 year to complete, whereas an associate degree takes two years. Also, some programs may not qualify you for medical assistant certification. Make sure that the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) accredits the type of program you sign up for. Otherwise you may be disappointed to find out that you are ineligible to take the medical assistant certification exam.
So before enrolling in any medical assistant training program, be sure to consider the benefits and drawbacks of each to see which one is best for you.
Certificate Programs
Certificate programs generally take 12 months or less to complete and are often very fast-paced. They focus solely on the knowledge and training required to become a medical assistant and don’t require liberal arts courses. Because they take considerably less time to complete than an associate degree program, certificate programs are also less expensive.
Completion of this type of program will award you with a certificate in medical assisting, signifying that you have fulfilled the requirements necessary for graduation.
Benefits:
- You’ll be able to enter the job market sooner, since the training program is much shorter that an associate degree program.
- Your course work will only focus on medical assistant training, no need to take extra general academic courses.
- Tuition costs are less expensive than those for an associate degree program.
Drawbacks:
- Certificate programs are not recognized as college credits and will not transfer if you decide to continue your education through a 2 or 4-year college or university.
- If you decide to pursue a higher academic degree, you may need to repeat some of the course work.
- Lower earning potential.
With a certificate, you will be qualified to schedule appointments, code and file insurance forms, update patient records and set up hospital admissions and lab services. As far as clinical job duties are concerned, you’ll be able to take and record patient vitals and collect specimens.
Associate Degree Programs
Associate degree programs are much more in-depth than certificate programs. General liberal arts courses will be required in addition to administrative and clinical course work. Associate degree programs take two years of full-time study to complete and are also more expensive than certificate programs.
Benefits:
- You may be able to transfer your credits to a bachelor’s degree program should you decide to further your education.
- Greater employment opportunities. You’ll receive a more, well-rounded education, giving you a competitive edge in the job market.
- Higher earning potential.
Drawbacks:
- High tuition costs. An associate degree program can run you several thousand dollars in program, externship and graduation fees.
With an associate degree, you will be qualified to perform the same duties as those who have earned a certificate, but you will also be able to draw blood, remove stitches, authorize prescription refills and prepare and administer medications under the supervision of a physician. Depending on which state you are working in, medical assistants may also be qualified to give injections or take x-rays after passing an exam.
Factors to Consider
When it comes to making a decision whether to earn a certificate or an associate degree, you should take into consideration the following factors:
- How much can you financially afford for tuition?
- How much time can you commit toward the training program?
- Look at the medical assistant job market; what types of candidates are more in demand? If the job listings are not specific, call some of the medical facilities in your area or the area where you plan to work and ask what are the minimum qualifications that employers require from potential job candidates.
- What are your future career aspirations? Do you plan to further your medical studies by going back to school within five years?
- Are you only ‘testing the waters’ to see if a career in health care is right for you?
Honestly answer the above questions before you commit to any medical assistant training program. Take the time to thoroughly compare and assess the benefits and drawbacks of earning either a certificate or an associate degree. Doing so will help you decide which educational path is the best route to achieving your medical assistant career aspirations.