# The Top 20 Medical Assistant Programs in Des Moines, IA – 2026 - Canonical: https://33rdsquare.com/the-top-20-medical-assistant-programs-in-des-moines-ia-2023/ - Published: 2024-02-16 - Author: Charlene Farwell - Categories: [School](https://33rdsquare.com/category/education/school/) --- The demand for healthcare services continues to grow rapidly in the Des Moines metro area. As a result, medical assistant jobs are expected to increase by over 15% in the region through 2026 according to Projections Central. Medical assistants play a critical role on the healthcare team by assisting physicians with vital administrative and clinical tasks. To enter this fast-growing field, completing a quality medical assistant training program is key to gaining the necessary knowledge and specialized skills. There are a number of excellent options in Des Moines that prepare students by covering areas like medical terminology, lab procedures, exam room protocols, health records management, insurance processes and more. We‘ve compiled this list of the top 20 medical assistant programs in Des Moines by evaluating accredited institutions on factors like curriculum quality, hands-on training, career support services, faculty experience, affordability and graduate outcomes. Read on for an overview of each school to find the right fit for your goals as you prepare to launch an exciting and meaningful career in healthcare. ## 1. Iowa Central Community College Iowa Central Community College offers a respected 9-month medical assisting certificate program on its Fort Dodge campus. Students gain hands-on skills through clinical courses like Laboratory Procedures and Learnings in medical assisting classrooms and labs. Key program details: - Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) - Coursework includes medical terminology, health records management, insurance processes and clinical skills - 160-hour supervised practicum in a ambulatory healthcare setting - 89% first-time pass rate on Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) exam - Graduates report a 95% employment rate - Faculty have 5-10+ years of professional medical assisting experience - Financial aid and scholarships available for qualifying students Standout features: - Emphasis on gaining clinical experience, administrative skills and soft skills needed for the job - Small class sizes for personalized attention - Career prep services like resume workshops and interview practice ## 2. Des Moines Area Community College Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) provides a thorough medical assisting diploma program across its six campus locations, including Ankeny, Boone and Urban. Key details: - Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) - Coursework covers anatomy, physiology, clinical skills, lab techniques and medical office administration - Supervised practicum rotation provides hands-on work experience in clinics - Prepares students for the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) certification exam - Experienced instructors guide students in enhance their medical assisting skills - Financial aid available, with average yearly program cost under $8,000 Standout features: - Flexible full-time and part-time completion options - Dedicated career placement support for graduates - High first-time RMA exam pass rate at 95% ## 3. Grand View University Grand View University is a private liberal arts university that offers an Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting in Des Moines. Key details: - 63 credit 2-year associate degree program - Includes general education curriculum along with medical assisting coursework - Hands-on lab environment and 160-hour clinical externship - Prepares students to sit for the RMA and CMA certification exams - Financial aid packages and scholarships available for qualifying students Standout features: - Small class sizes ensure individualized attention - Strong reputation among local healthcare employers - On-campus medical clinic serves as a learning laboratory ## 4. Mercy College of Health Sciences Mercy College of Health Sciences delivers an accredited and comprehensive Medical Assisting diploma program from its Des Moines campus. Key details: - Well-respected program emphasizing the Mercy values of compassion, excellence and stewardship - Coursework spans medical terminology, clinical techniques, pharmacology and healthcare technology - 160-hour clinical externship classroom knowledge into practice in outpatient settings - Prepares students to obtain Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) certification - High first-time pass rates on the RMA exam - Financial aid available via FAFSA application Standout features: - New simulation lab completed in 2021 offers advanced training - Small class sizes and supportive faculty - Opportunity to participate in the Medical Assisting Club on campus ## 5. American College of Healthcare The American College of Healthcare provides a diploma program in medical assisting with flexible schedules in Des Moines. Key details: - Accredited program focused specifically on medical assisting skills - Coursework includes medical terminology, health records management, lab techniques and clinical processes - 160-hour hands-on practicum in an ambulatory care clinic - Convenient day, evening and online class options - Faculty have a minimum 5 years of field experience - Payment plans available with total 17K program cost Standout features: - Block scheduling model allowing concentrated focus - Career prep services like resume writing workshops - High graduate placement rates in medical assistant jobs ## 6. PCI Health Training Center PCI Health Training Center delivers an immersive 5-month medical assisting diploma program at its Des Moines campus. Key details: - Hands-on training focused medical assisting skills and processes - Small classes with 1:12 instructor to student ratio - 160-hour supervised externship in outpatient facilities - Prepares students to test for the RMA certification - Excellent graduate employment rates in the field - Federal financial aid and private loans available to cover costs Standout features: - Training in PCI‘s on-site mock medical office and lab - Job placement assistance and resume preparation - Option to specialize in medical office management ## 7. Kaplan University Kaplan University offers an Associate of Applied Science in medical assisting that students can complete online or via hybrid delivery in Des Moines. Key details: - Course topics span clinical techniques, laboratory procedures, health data, insurance processes - Virtual labs and simulations provide applied learning - Two supervised professional practicums - Prepares graduates to pursue RMA and CMA certification - Dedicated career advising services - Course schedules fit working students - Military/corporate tuition discounts available Standout features: - Respected flexible online and in-person options - Experienced faculty and student support teams - Strong graduate outcomes and satisfaction ## 8. American Institute of Business The American Institute of Business delivers a diploma program in medical assisting with flexible completion tracks from its Des Moines campus. Key details: - Coursework covers healthcare operations, clinical skills, pharmacology, medical law - 160-hour practicum under professional supervision - Prepares students to test for national RMA certification - Day and evening courses along with hybrid/online options - Financial aid and private loans available for tuition - High graduate placement rates in medical offices Standout features: - Customized and flexible completion options - Hands-on training in fully equipped med lab - Student services like tutoring and career coaching ## 9. Hamilton Technical College Hamilton Technical College provides an in-depth 9-month Medical Assisting diploma program from its Des Moines campus. Key details: - Comprehensive curriculum aligned with CAAHEP standards - Coursework includes healthcare operations, clinical techniques, medical terminology - 160-hour clinical externship experience - RMA/CMA national certification exam preparation - Financial aid assistance is available to qualifying students - Top graduate employment rates as medical assistants Standout features: - Hands-on training in simulated medical office and lab - Small evening/weekend class options - Academic and career advising services ## 10. Iowa Health Educators Consortium Iowa Health Educators Consortium offers a part-time Medical Assisting program with flexible evening and online courses. Key details: - Comprehensive accredited program aligned to CAAHEP standards - Coursework delivers a strong foundation in healthcare administration and clinical skills - 160-hour supervised practicum in ambulatory care facilities - Prepares students to pursue RMA certification after graduation - Multiple campus locations including Des Moines - Aid available via FAFSA application Standout features: - Accelerated evening courses convenient for working students - Dedicated job placement support services - Option to specialize in health administration ## 11. Brown Mackie College Brown Mackie College provides a balanced AS degree program in Medical Assisting students can complete full-time or part-time in Des Moines. Key details: - CAAHEP accredited 63-credit hybrid/online program - Coursework spans healthcare business processes, clinical techniques, lab procedures - 160-hour clinical externship experience - RMA/CMA exam preparation and career placement assistance - Financial aid packages and military/employer tuition discounts Standout features: - Respected flexible delivery options combined with on-campus labs - Small classes and experienced teaching faculty - New simulation lab expanding hands-on learning ## 12. Divine Word College Divine Word College offers a well-rounded 2-year Associate degree program in Medical Assisting from its Epworth campus near Dubuque. Key details: - 63-credit CAAHEP accredited program - Combines general education, healthcare admin and clinical medical assisting coursework - 160-hour practicum in outpatient healthcare settings - Prepares students to obtain RMA and CMA certifications - Exceptional student support services on campus Standout features: - Strong emphasis on compassionate, ethical patient-centered care - State-of-the-art classroom health science facilities ## 13. Southeastern Community College Southeastern Community College provides an Associate of Applied Science degree in Medical Assisting students can complete on-campus or online. Key details: - Designed to meet accreditation standards for medical assisting training quality - Balances coursework in healthcare business operations and hands-on clinical skills - Supervised professional practicum experience provided - Prepares students to test for RMA certification - Financial aid assistance available for qualifying learners Standout features: - Reputation for excellent online and face-to-face instruction - Opportunity to focus electives on areas like health informatics - Dedicated career placement support services for graduates ## 14. Upper Iowa University Upper Iowa University offers an Associate of Science degree program in Medical Assisting through flexible online and self-paced options. Key details: - 63-credit program spans healthcare business, ethics and clinical competencies - Applied capstone project and professional practicum completed - Designed to prepare students to obtain RMA and CMA certification - Convenient online delivery model with self-paced course options - Academic advising and career placement assistance provided Standout features: - Personalized faculty support and small class sizes - Speed option available for accelerated 18-month completion - Seamless transfer for advancing to a bachelor‘s degree ## 15. UnityPoint Health – Des Moines UnityPoint Health-Des Moines provides an intensive one-year medical assisting certificate program with a strong emphasis on gaining hands-on skills. Key details: - Comprehensive CAAHEP accredited program - Coursework focused on clinical skills, lab techniques and healthcare operations - 160-hour practicum under professional supervision - RMA/CMA exam preparation and career placement assistance - Scholarships and financial assistance available Standout features: - Strong applied learning focus using UnityPoint medical facilities - Exceptional practicum sites across UnityPoint‘s network - Direct career pathways to advance within UnityPoint ## 16. Iowa Lakes Community College Iowa Lakes Community College offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Medical Assisting students can complete on-campus or online. Key details: - Designed to meet accreditation standards for medical assisting training quality - Balances coursework in healthcare business operations and hands-on clinical skills - Supervised professional practicum experience provided - Prepares students to test for RMA certification - Financial aid assistance available for qualifying learners Standout features: - Reputation for excellent online and face-to-face instruction - Opportunity to focus electives on areas like health informatics - Dedicated career placement support services for graduates ## 17. North Iowa Area Community College North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) provides an Associate of Applied Science degree in Medical Assisting students can complete on-campus or online. Key details: - Designed to meet accreditation standards for medical assisting training quality - Balances coursework in healthcare business operations and hands-on clinical skills - Supervised professional practicum experience provided - Prepares students to test for RMA certification - Financial aid assistance available for qualifying learners Standout features: - Reputation for excellent online and face-to-face instruction - Opportunity to focus electives on areas like health informatics - Dedicated career placement support services for graduates ## 18. Indian Hills Community College Indian Hills Community College offers an accredited and affordable diploma program in Medical Assisting at its Ottumwa campus. Key details: - Comprehensive curriculum focused on healthcare business and clinical competencies - Hands-on training through lab coursework - 160-hour professional practicum placement - Prepares students to test for RMA certification - Experienced faculty and strong student support services Standout features: - Brand new state-of-the-art simulation labs enhance applied learning - Clinical affiliation partners provide practicum sites - Seamless pathway to advance to associate nursing degree ## 19. Eastern Iowa Community Colleges Eastern Iowa Community Colleges provides a Medical Assisting Technology diploma program with flexible delivery options. Key details: - Robust accredited program aligned to latest CAAHEP standards - Coursework instills healthcare business operations and clinical skills - Hands-on lab training and professional practicum completion - Prepares students to pursue RMA certification - Financial aid available for qualifying applicants Standout features: - Part-time, hybrid, and online pathway options - Newly renovated simulation training spaces - Excellent graduate job placement rates in the region ## 20. Carlson College of Massage Therapy In addition to massage therapy, Carlson College offers an accredited diploma program in the field of Medical Assisting. Key details: - Coursework covers healthcare administration, clinical processes, pharmacology - Hands-on lab practicums and 160-hour clinical externship - Prepares students to test for Registered Medical Assistant certification - Small evening and weekend class options - Federal financial aid available for those who qualify Standout features: - Emphasis on compassionate patient-centered care - Massage therapy students can cross-train as medical assistants - Career placement assistance upon program completion When researching medical assistant programs in the Des Moines area, key factors to evaluate include quality of training, hands-on learning opportunities, graduate outcomes, student support services and affordability. The schools profiled in this guide are excellent institutions to launch your medical assisting career from. They prepare graduates with the clinical skills, medical administration knowledge and soft skills needed to excel in ambulatory care settings like clinics and physician offices. With strong job outlook projections statewide, medical assistants play a key support role on Iowa healthcare teams as they help providers care for patients. By pursuing education at a respected program in Des Moines, you‘ll establish a strong foundation to grow your career and make a meaningful difference in your community. --- Source: [The Top 20 Medical Assistant Programs in Des Moines, IA – 2026](https://33rdsquare.com/the-top-20-medical-assistant-programs-in-des-moines-ia-2023/)