Become a Certified Medical Assistant in Less Than 6 Months

When you complete the program, you'll earn a Certificate of Completion from SMU Continuing and Professional Education.

The Medical Assistant curriculum is regularly reviewed and updated to reflect current healthcare industry standards, helping you build the clinical and administrative skills employers value while preparing for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam.

SMU Continuing and Professional Education partners with Preppy to offer flexible, online career training programs designed to prepare students with practical skills for in-demand careers.

Through this partnership, students can complete their training online and at their own pace, with Preppy providing the learning platform and student support throughout the program. Upon successful completion, students earn a Certificate of Completion and digital badge from SMU Continuing and Professional Education. The digital badge can be shared on LinkedIn, in an email signature, or elsewhere online to showcase your completed training.

SMU Continuing and Professional Education is part of Southern Methodist University (SMU), a regionally accredited private university accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Yes! SMU Continuing and Professional Education's Medical Assistant program is built for busy adults. Whether you're working full-time, caring for your family, or balancing other responsibilities, you can complete your coursework on a schedule that works for you.

Because the program is self-paced, you can study when it's most convenient and move through the material at your own pace. While many students complete the program in 3–6 months, you'll have up to 12 months to finish your training.

This flexibility makes it easier to prepare for the CCMA exam and a new healthcare career — without putting the rest of your life on hold.

Yes, your voucher for the CCMA exam is included with tuition at no additional cost.

That means that, should you choose to pursue the CCMA certification, you won't have to pay extra for the exam needed to earn your credential — you can focus on completing your training and preparing for certification.

Virtual clinical simulations are immersive, interactive learning experiences that let you practice essential medical assisting skills in a realistic healthcare environment before entering clinical training. Rather than simply watching demonstrations or reading about procedures, you'll actively complete clinical tasks while building the knowledge and confidence needed for patient care.

Throughout the simulations, you'll practice skills such as taking vital signs, infection control, venipuncture, medication administration, patient preparation, specimen collection, clinical documentation, and other common medical office procedures. You'll receive performance feedback as you progress and can repeat simulations as many times as needed to build confidence and master each skill.

You can get started as soon as you're ready. There are no application deadlines or semester start dates to wait for.

Once you enroll, you'll receive access to your online coursework so you can begin learning on your own schedule. Because the program is self-paced, you can start when it makes sense for you and progress at a pace that fits your life. While many students complete their training in 3–6 months, you'll have up to 12 months to finish the program.

SMU Continuing and Professional Education offers a flexible way to prepare for a medical assistant career without putting your life on hold.

The online Medical Assistant program combines the credibility of a regionally accredited university with the flexibility of self-paced learning. You'll develop the clinical and administrative skills employers are looking for, prepare for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam, get career and externship placement support, and earn a Certificate of Completion from SMU Continuing and Professional Education — all on a timeline that works for you.

Yes! SMU Continuing and Professional Education's Medical Assistant program is designed to help you build the knowledge and practical skills needed to prepare for the CCMA exam — even if you're just starting your healthcare journey.

• Beginner-friendly: No prior experience required

• Career-focused: Learn the clinical and administrative skills Medical Assistants use every day

• Step by step: Build your knowledge and confidence through guided online coursework

• Practice along the way: Reinforce your learning with quizzes, assessments, and hands-on learning opportunities

• Certification preparation: Complete a curriculum designed to prepare you for the CCMA certification exam

Our goal is to help you feel confident, prepared for certification, and ready to begin your career as a medical assistant.

You'll have support throughout your learning journey.

From your first lesson to your job search, we're here to help you succeed.

Learner Support: Get help with course content, assignments, and navigating the online learning platform whenever you need it.

Career Support: Receive guidance on resumes, interviews, and job readiness as you prepare to pursue opportunities in healthcare.

All required digital course materials are included with your tuition at no additional cost.

You'll have access to the online lessons, learning resources, quizzes, and other materials needed to complete your program. There are no required textbooks to purchase, so you can get started right away without worrying about unexpected costs.