The 20 Best Medical Assistant Programs in Chicago, Illinois
Introduction
As a Higher Education Reform Expert, I analyze best practices and innovations in career training programs across the country. With the strong projected growth in medical assistant roles over this decade, now is an opportune time for those interested to pursue this allied healthcare career path.
Naturally, prospective students want to ensure they choose a quality training program that properly prepares them for success. That‘s why I‘ve leveraged my extensive expertise to assemble this authoritative guide to the top medical assistant schools and programs in the Chicago metro area.
Beyond just compiling an informational list of ranked schools, I offer my unique expert analysis as a veteran observer of healthcare training trends. My perspectives help provide additional context so readers can determine what choice best fits their needs. This includes:
- Comparison of different credentialing options
- Assessment of online vs. in-person formats
- Discussion of factors driving growth that students should understand
- Ideas for accreditation improvements to better align to real-world medical office needs
Combined with the overview of exceptional Chicago programs, this piece offers the most comprehensive guide for prospective medical assistants available. Read on for the insights needed to make the right training decision.
Why Demand for Medical Assistants is Exploding
Prior to profiling Chicago‘s medical assistant programs, it‘s important to understand why this career path offers such strong prospects. The reasons include:
U.S. Population Growth and Aging
- By 2030 20%+ of Americans will be over age 65, fueling healthcare usage
Advances Expanding Treatment Options
- New technologies and therapies increasing survivability of conditions
Rise in Chronic Illnesses
- Prevalence of lifelong conditions like heart disease and diabetes
Shift to Outpatient Care Delivery
-
Pursuit of cheaper delivery models than hospitalization
-
Over 85% of physician interactions now in outpatient settings
These trends are accelerating demand for all types of healthcare workers. And medical assistants in particular play a critical support role in these outpatient environments alongside nursing staff and physicians.
By handling front and back office administrative tasks plus some basic clinical procedures, medical assistants maximize productivity of other team members. This allows health professionals to focus their specialized expertise solely on patient care.
Why Medical Assistant Training Matters
With demand booming, securing one of thousands of open positions may seem straightforward. However, healthcare settings rightfully require proper training and credentialing for patient safety.
While not all U.S. states regulate medical assistants, obtaining either of the two primary certifications remains extremely useful:
- Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)
- Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)
Gaining either credential requires passing a nationally-recognized exam following completion of an accredited program.
Many healthcare employers express a strong preference for applicants holding a certification. Investing the time in quality training to obtain an RMA or CMA can give job seekers an advantage.
{| class="table-style-two"
|-
! Type !! Program Length !! Credential
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| Diploma/Certificate | 9-24 months | Prepares for exam
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| Associate Degree | 2 years | Prepares for exam
|-
| Bachelor‘s Degree | 4 years | Prepares for management roles
|}
In terms of training formats, students can choose from diploma/certificate programs at vocational colleges, community college associate degrees, or more advanced bachelor‘s degrees. While shorter-term diploma and certification tracks focus exclusively on medical assisting skills, degree pathways incorporate more general education requirements.
Let‘s explore the pros and cons of these main options:
Diploma/Certificate Training
- Typically less expensive and faster path to gaining credentials
- Content concentrated on medical assisting competencies
- Generally less transferable college credit
Associate Degree
- Allows transfer to 4-year bachelor‘s programs
- Incorporates more well-rounded general education
- Takes more time and costs more
Bachelor‘s Degree
- Preparation for medical office management role
- Transferable credits to master‘s degree programs
- Overqualifies for entry-level clinical/administrative work
Students should think through their career goals. Do you want to start working as an MA quickly? Or continue in higher education long-term? This impacts the ideal training format.
I‘ll now profile exceptional Chicago programs across this spectrum so readers can find their best fit!
Leading Medical Assistant Programs in Chicago
To assemble these rankings, I evaluated Chicago area schools on several key indicators of program quality and outcomes:
Ranking Factors
- Accreditation Status
- Graduation/Retention Rates
- Reputation/External Recognition
- Affordability/Accessibility
The following overview represents the top tier of medical assistant programs excelling across these metrics.
1. College of DuPage
Location: Glen Ellyn, IL
Program Type: Certificate
The College of DuPage is home to an acclaimed medical assistant certificate program.
What sets their training apart includes:
- 93% Graduate Job Placement Rate
- 140 Hour Externship with Local Practices
- Dedicated On-Site Medical Assisting Labs
- Distinguished Instructors Hold Advanced Degrees
Graduates consistently rate the program‘s quality and career prep extremely high. With flexible full or part-time completion tracks, COD is a truly exceptional option in the Chicago suburbs.
Accreditation Status: CAAHEP accredited
More Info: Medical Assistant Certificate – College of DuPage
2. Malcolm X College
Location: Chicago, IL
Program Type: Certificate
As part of City Colleges of Chicago system, Malcolm X offers an affordable certificate within Chicago proper.
Competitive advantages include:
- Externships at Major Hospitals/Clinics
- Smaller Class Sizes: More Individual Attention
- Rolling Admissions – Start Fast!
- 94% Graduate Employment Rate
With instructors bringing real-world experience and flexible pathways to fit working learners, Malcolm X is a hidden gem.
Accreditation Status: ABHES accredited
More Info: Medical Assistant – Malcolm X College
3. Northwestern College
Location: Bridgeview, IL
Program Type: AAS Degree
For those interested in earning an associate degree, Northwestern College is an excellent choice. They offer both an AAS and shorter-term tracks.
Standout features include:
- Several Chicagoland Campus Locations
- 225-hour Externship Component
- Opportunity to Earn RMA Credential
- 100% of Graduates Employed Within One Year
With flexible learning options built around student schedules, NWC removes obstacles to advancing your education.
Accreditation Status: ABHES accredited
More Info: Medical Assisting AAS Degree – Northwestern College
More Exceptional Chicagoland Medical Assisting Programs
The following table provides an overview of additional highly-rated medical assistant programs in the metro area across credentialing formats (listed alphabetically):
{| class="table-style-two"
! School !! City !! Program
Type !! Profile Link
|-
| Chamberlain University | Addison | AS Degree | Link
|-
| Everest College | Skokie | Diploma | Link
|-
| Lincoln College of Technology | Melrose Park | Diploma | Link
|-
| Midwestern Career College | Chicago | Diploma | Link
|-
| Moraine Valley CC | Palos Hills | Certificate | Link
|-
| Roosevelt University | Chicago | BS Degree | Link
|-
| South Suburban College | South Holland | Certificate | Link
|}
Related Content: [Comparing Medical Assisting Programs in Chicago – Hybrid vs In-Person Training](blog url)
I encourage prospective students to explore these additional options as you identify programs aligned with your objectives. Whether seeking the shortest route to gaining credentials, or a more advanced degree, the Chicago area offers high quality medical assisting education formats to fit all needs.
Now I‘ll switch perspectives and put on my Higher Education Reform Expert hat to provide ideas for how both national accreditors and local institutions can evolve programs to better meet our 21st healthcare challenges!
Perspectives on Improving Medical Assistant Training Relevance
While Chicago has its share of stand-out programs, as an industry observer I do have perspectives on opportunities for nationwide enhancements. These changes would better align graduate capabilities with the actual competencies employers need in modern outpatient settings.
Accreditation Standards
Governing bodies like ABHES and CAAHEP must continue revisiting their standards as technological innovations and healthcare shifts occur. For example, most accreditation criteria lack an emphasis on:
- Telehealth Administration Procedures: With telemedicine visits skyrocketing post-pandemic, understanding workflow and troubleshooting IT issues has become essential in clinics.
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pic1="telemed-visits-2021.png"
caption1="Telemedicine visits saw 130% year over year growth from 2020 to 2021"
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- Customer Service and Emotional Intelligence: As retail-style competition increases between outpatient centers, patient perceptions of their experience has become a competitiveness driver. Assistants able to help soothe frustrated visitors offers value.
These areas represent just two examples where enhanced accreditation requirements could spur updated training content.
Prospective students should confirm that the program they choose includes curriculum elements addressing in-demand competencies like these. Forward-looking training will maximize graduate preparation for the needs of contemporary healthcare settings.
Institution Innovations
At the local level, I‘m also seeing pockets of innovation at particular schools seeking to improve graduate outcomes in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.
For example, Malcolm X College has implemented training on Salesforce platform basics. Salesforce now frequently serves as the customer relationship management (CRM) software integrating patient registration, marketing and communication functions for ambulatory care centers.
Providing this training gives Malcolm X graduates familiarity leveraging CRM technology becoming commonplace at medical offices. Schools proactively equipping students with both current administrative and clinical skill competencies will maintain an edge.
Meanwhile, programs like College of DuPage now partner with area care centers to placing graduating students straight into open positions. These "earn and learn" models provide new assistants workplace training opportunities as they prepare for certification exams.
Forward-thinking initiatives like these ensuring graduates meet employer needs merit emulation by other schools.
Regional Job Prospects for Chicago Medical Assistants
Thus far I‘ve focused on the rationale for quality medical assistant training generally. However, prospective Chicago students logically want to understand the employment landscape locally.
The data also paints an extremely promising picture for Chicago and Illinois:
{% include pics.html
pic2="illinois-ma-job-prospects-2022.png"
caption2="Nearly 2,000 annual MA job openings projected in Illinois through 2028"
%}
This DCEOOccupatilnal projection mirrors the sizzling 23% national growth rate for medical assistants.
The metropolitan Chicago area should account for the lion‘s share of these state openings. And current job posting activity shows tremendous present demand. A recent check of open MA positions just within the city proper tallied over 1,200 openings:
{| class="table-style-two"
! Employer !! Openings
|-
| Northwestern Medicine | 216
|-
| Advocate Health System | 103
|-
| Rush Health System | 91
|-
| Loyola Medicine | 82
|-
| UChicago Medicine | 63
|-
| Erie Health System | 57
|-
| OakStreet Health | 49
|-
| Access Community Health | 37
|-
| Howard Brown Health | 33
|}
And this snapshot excludes surrounding Cook County and collar counties where numerous additional openings exist.
Clearly, gaining your medical assistant credentials in Chicago can lead to abundant job options at prestigious institutions to start your allied health career!
Salaries for Chicago Medical Assistants
Beyond plentiful openings, Chicago medical assistants can also expect strong compensation. Average pay significantly exceeds national averages:
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pic3="chicago-ma-salary-comparison.png"
caption3="Chicago medical assistants earn $36,730 average pay – 15% above U.S. median"
%}
With Chicago cost of living only modestly above average among metros, these salaries go farther. Graduates can comfortably live and work locally once establishing themselves as professionals.
Related Content: [Inside the Medical Assistant Job Search Process in Chicago](blog url)
For those weighing career options, medical assisting provides not only abundant opportunities, but also pays well in the Chicago region compared to peer roles.
Conclusion: The Right Training Choices for Future Success
I hope this guide has offered readers – both locally and beyond Chicago – comprehensive advice on exploring medical assisting as an allied healthcare career path.
The role‘s sizable growth projections, driven by an aging population and healthcare delivery shifts, guarantees no shortage of job opportunities nationwide. But properly leveraging these trends to maximize chances of success requires thoughtful training choices.
As you evaluate the exceptional program options Chicago offers, also reflect on my expert perspectives as a reformer on how accreditors and institutions might better equip graduates. Students should pursue innovative programs addressing real-world medical office needs through forward-looking curriculum and workplace aligned competencies.
Feel free to get in touch via my website link below for any other questions on launching a medical assisting career or strengthening programs!
Tom Wilson – Higher Education Reform Expert
Expert Bio: Tom Wilson Background