Medical Assisting Career Pathway
Does your student want to work in healthcare but also want to enjoy both the “business” side and the “people” side of things? Would they enjoy doing a little of everything—from direct patient care to scheduling medical appointments? A career as a medical assistant might be a great fit!
Gain real-world skills through project-based learning.
For students in this pathway, Stride Career Prep offers a rigorous, project-based learning curriculum designed to hone students’ problem-solving, communication, critical thinking, and team collaboration skills. This curriculum is taught by experienced healthcare professionals and encompasses anatomy and physiology, nutrition, clinical procedures and examinations, laboratory procedures, medical records and billing, and so much more!
Get credentialed.
Our Medical Assisting Pathway is designed to give students the credentials necessary to embark on a career as a medical assistant right after graduation—without the hassle or expense of additional training or degrees. The tuition-free program includes exam prep for the NOCTI/AMCA Clinical Medical Assistant Certification (CMAC) exam and the NHA Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam, both highly regarded industry credentials.
We also encourage students to jumpstart the job search by helping them create a professional résumé, cover letter, and profile on Tallo, the leading professional networking platform for Gen Z. Plus, they connect virtually to working business professionals and entrepreneurs through Nepris.*
Our Programming Curriculum in Detail
All of our students take the core courses required for high school graduation in their state. The chart below shows the additional classes that Medical Assisting Pathway students take, and the industry-recognized certification exams they can prepare to take. You can see the rest of the curriculum by viewing the full course list.
Find a School Near You that Medical Assistant
Stride Career Prep programs with the Medical Assisting Pathway are available in our tuition-free K12-powered, fully accredited, public online schools in the following states:
ALABAMA
Alabama Destinations Career Academy
ARIZONA
CALIFORNIA
COLORADO
Destinations Career Academy of Colorado
MINNESOTA
Don’t see your state? Check out the tuition-based option here in Medical Assisting. There are also tuition-free options in related fields like the Medical Assisting!
Occupational Spotlight
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Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) work under the supervision of licensed practical or registered nurses. They listen to and record patients’ healthcare concerns and relay that information to nurses, take patients’ vital signs, and assist patients with daily living. They often work in long-term care facilities, developing deep relationships with their patients; others work in hospitals or medical office settings. Shift work is often required.
2020 Median Starting
Salary1
$37,732
Projected New Jobs, 2019-20292
119,500
Expected Percentage Growth in No. of Jobs, 2019-20292
8% (much faster than average)
Typical Entry-Level Education
High school diploma or GED; plus usually a Certified Nursing Assistant certification
Home Health Aide
Home health aides help people with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or cognitive impairment by assisting in their daily living activities.
2020 Median Starting
Salary1
$29,303
Projected New Jobs, 2019-20292
1,159,500
Expected Percentage Growth in No. of Jobs, 2019-20292
34% (much faster than average)
Typical Entry-Level Education
High school diploma or GED
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) provide basic medical care, such as taking a patient’s blood pressure or changing a patient’s bandages, under the direction of a registered nurse or doctor.
2020 Median Starting
Salary1
$54,084
Projected New Jobs, 2019-20292
65,700
Expected Percentage Growth in No. of Jobs, 2019-20292
9% (much faster than average)
Typical Entry-Level Education
High school diploma/GED plus 1 year of state-mandated training leading to licensure
Medical Assistant
Medical assistants perform clinical and administrative tasks in doctors’ offices, hospitals, and other healthcare settings. They may take patient histories, record vital signs, assist with patient examinations, schedule appointments, or perform other assigned duties.
2020 Median Starting
Salary1
$37,860
Projected New Jobs, 2019-20292
139,200
Expected Percentage Growth in No. of Jobs, 2019-20292
19% (much faster than average)
Typical Entry-Level Education
High school diploma or equivalent, plus medical assisting certification like NOCTI/AMCA CCMC or the NHA CCMA credential
Phlebotomist
Phlebotomists draw blood for tests, transfusions, research, or blood donations. They label and store specimens, enter patient information into databases, and maintain required medical instruments.
2020 Median Starting
Salary1
$37,587
Projected New Jobs, 2019-20292
22,800
Expected Percentage Growth in No. of Jobs, 2019-20292
17% (much faster than average)
Typical Entry-Level Education
High school diploma or GED, plus specialized certificate program (usually < 1 year)
Registered Nurse
Registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their families. They typically do patient intake, recording patients’ medical history and current symptoms; administer medications and treatments; perform diagnostic tests and analyze the results; and teach patients and their families how to manage their medical conditions and complete required treatment.
2020 Median Starting
Salary1
$72,874
Projected New Jobs, 2019-20292
221,900
Expected Percentage Growth in No. of Jobs, 2019-20292
7% (faster than average)
Typical Entry-Level Education
Bachelor’s or associate’s degree, plus licensure requirements
FAQs
Do you need a college degree to become a medical assistant?
No, you do not need a college degree to become a medical assistant. A high school diploma or GED, plus passing a medical assistant certification exam like the NHA Medical Assisting exam or the AMCA Clinical Medical Assistant Certification (CMAC) exam, is the most typical route. That’s why we provide test prep for these exams as part of our tuition-free program.
How can you prepare for a career as a medical assistant while still in high school? What classes should you take?
Students can prepare for a career as a medical assistant while still in high school by taking courses in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, and—if the high school offers this option—special classes in medical assisting. One of the best things to do while in high school, of course, is to work or volunteer in a hospital, nursing care facility, doctor’s office, or other medical setting.
We offer a Medical Assisting Pathway in which students take classes in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, plus three semesters of medical assisting. We also provide test prep for the NOCTI/AMCA Clinical Medical Assistant Certification (CMAC) exam or the NHA Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam.
What is the difference between a medical assistant and a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)?
The medical assistant is a healthcare team member supporting the work of medical and clinical staff. They mainly work in medical offices, clinics, and other outpatient settings. Their role encompasses both front and back office functions as well as patient care duties. Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) provide support services to Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses and are focused on patient care. Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) typically work in hospitals, home care, and long-term care settings, such as nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities. Coursework for medical assisting includes the “business side” of healthcare, as well as learning how to provide some patient care, while nursing assisting courses delves deeper into patient care.
Learn more about course offerings in the other Stride Career Prep career fields.
1Burning Glass Labor Insights, accessed October 16, 2020. Data is median salary for job postings with that job title, with typical minimum education requirements for that job title (as shown in chart on this page) and 0-2 years of experience, from October 1, 2019, to September 20, 2020.
2Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook. Website last modified date: Wednesday, September 1, 2020.
*Opportunities vary by school; please visit your school page or check with your school counselor.
**Stride Career Prep is a program for grades 9–12. At some schools, career exploration is offered in middle school.
†Many Microsoft®️ Office certificates can be earned after completing one course. Other certificates require more classes to be better prepared, and students who participate in the program for at least two years will have further preparation for certification testing.
