San Diego offers some of the top medical assistant training opportunities in California. With a growing healthcare sector and retiring population, demand for medical assistants continues to rise across the metro area. These hands-on healthcare professionals work alongside physicians and nurses to provide vital patient care and keep medical offices running efficiently.
Medical assisting is one of fastest-growing careers in the country, with a projected 23% growth in jobs in San Diego County through 2026, according to Projections Central. Expanding medical practices and new healthcare facilities being built to serve the area‘s aging communities will continue to drive job opportunities for certified medical assistants over the next decade.
Medical assistants earn a median annual salary of $36,260 nationwide, while those based in California tend to make significantly more at $42,460 per year on average. With just one to two years of postsecondary training required, medical assisting offers an accessible path to a rewarding allied healthcare career.
We analyzed dozens of medical assistant schools and training programs to come up with this list of the top providers in the greater San Diego metro area. For each school profiled below, we highlight admissions requirements, program details, training format and more.
Admissions Overview: Medical Assistant Programs in San Diego
While admissions policies vary by training provider, most medical assistant programs share the following standard requirements:
High School Completion – Students typically need a high school diploma or equivalent to qualify for enrollment. Some schools may accept applicants who passed the GED.
Entrance Exam – Programs often require scoring decently on a standardized test such as the TABE during the admissions process. The Wonderlic SLE is another common assessment tool used.
Immunizations – Updated shot records ensuring students have all necessary vaccinations for a clinical healthcare environment. Annual flu shot may be mandatory.
Drug Screening – Students must pass an initial drug test before starting their medical assistant training, especially for programs with externship components.
Background Check – Most providers will conduct criminal history checks and require a clean record prior to enrollment. Some misdemeanors may be allowed on a case-by-case basis.
When researching schools, be sure to connect with admissions advisors to learn all eligibility and entry requirements for their medical assisting program.
Medical Assistant Program Formats: Hybrid, Online & Campus-Based
Students looking to train as a medical assistant in San Diego can choose from flexible online courses, traditional on-campus programs and blended hybrid options.
On-Campus Programs take place during weekdays at a college or vocational school over 9-12 months typically. This format is the most immersive option with face-to-face instruction and hands-on labs.
Online Medical Assistant Programs allow self-paced learning from home via video lectures and remote assignments. Some online schools arrange for local clinical externships. Total course length ranges from 4 months to over a year depending on intensity.
Hybrid Medical Assistant Training combines online coursework with required in-person labs/clinical rotations at campus facilities. Hybrid format balances flexibility with hands-on learning. Programs run for 6-12 months on average.
All types of medical assistant programs cover the same key areas, building both clinical care abilities and clerical/administrative competencies required in the role. Some schools offer part-time schedules or accelerated tracks as well.
Typical Medical Assistant Curriculum Overview
While curriculums may vary between medical assistant schools in San Diego, most cover the following core topics:
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Medical Terminology – Learning common terms and vocabulary used in patient documentation and healthcare environments. Also covers anatomy, physiology and pathology foundations.
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Clinical Skills – Gaining hands-on abilities like taking patient histories, vital signs assessment, drawing blood, administering medication, ECGs, wound care and assisting with procedures.
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Lab Techniques – Practicing use of microscopes, centrifuges and other lab tools. Safety protocols for handling specimens.
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Administrative/Clerical Skills – Training in areas like medical coding and insurance billing, electronic health records management, scheduling appointments and office procedures.
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Soft Skills – Developing good communications, empathy, problem-solving, teamwork and other interpersonal abilities that translate to patient-facing medical work.
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Externship/Internship Training – Gaining on-the-job experience applying all the above skills in an actual clinical environment under supervision of working medical assistant preceptors. Typically 120-200 hours minimum.
Some medical assistant programs also cover specialized topics like nutrition, alternative medicine terminology and basic pharmacology as well depending on the school.
Certification for Medical Assistants
Although voluntary, earning an accredited medical assistant certification can give grads a major advantage in landing that first job after school. San Diego employers typically prefer hiring candidates who hold nationally-recognized CMA credentials.
There are two main paths to medical assistant certification:
1. CMA through AAMA
Considered the gold standard certification for medical assistants, the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential is offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
To qualify for CMA certification, candidates must graduate from an accredited MA diploma or degree program plus pass the rigorous CMA exam. Maintaining certification requires ongoing continuing education credits.
2. RMA through AMT
Offered through the American Medical Technologists (AMT) association, the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) is another popular medical assistant certification.
RMA eligibility allows for more educational pathways beyond formal medical assistant schooling, including years of documented on-the-job experience. Their RMA exam covers all the major skill and knowledge areas too.
Be sure to research the specific medical assistant certification requirements in California and talk to prospective schools about the credentials they prepare students for post-graduation.
Now let‘s explore some of the top-rated medical assistant programs available across San Diego County:
1. Platt College San Diego
Highlights:
Accredited by ACCET & ABHES
Multiple start dates per year
Externships arranged at clinics/hospitals
Career support with resume/interview prep
Admissions Requirements:
HS diploma or GED
Wonderlic SLE minimum score
Drug test & background check
Updated immunization records
Program Details:
Campus-based or hybrid options
42 weeks to complete
Clinical and administrative training
Externship and certification prep
Learn More or call (619) 265-0107 for enrollment information at Platt‘s San Diego campus.
2. UEI College
Highlights:
No waitlist – frequent start dates
Externships at various specialty clinics
CMA test prep assistance included
Job placement support for graduates
Admissions Requirements:
Proof of HS graduation/GED
Pass UEI admissions test
Clear criminal history background check
Immunizations & physical documentation
Program Details:
36 weeks to complete
Administrative, clinical, pre-externship modules
160-hour externship with employer partner
Hybrid online-on-campus format
Learn More about UEI‘s accredited medical assistant training program at any of their 10+ California campuses, including 3 locations in San Diego County.
3. Pima Medical Institute
Highlights:
Externships arranged at clinics, labs & hospitals
Small class sizes for personalized attention
Industry-experienced instructors
Career placement assistance services
Admissions Requirements:
High school diploma/GED or college credit
Pass entrance placement exams
Clear background check & drug test
Required immunization records
Program Details:
9 month diploma program
Blended on-campus and online courses
Hands-on practice labs
120-hour clinical externship
Learn more about Pima Medical Institute‘s medical assisting diploma program offered at both their San Marcos and Chula Vista campuses.
4. Southern California Regional Occupational Center
Highlights:
Tuition-free medical assistant training
Prepares for national CCMA certification
Externships at local clinics & hospitals
Open to high school students & adult learners
Admissions Requirements:
Proof of HS diploma/GED or senior year transcripts
Passing score on CASAS placement tests
Updated tetanus vaccination
Flu shot documentation
Program Details:
Afternoon/evening classes offered
35 weeks to complete
Administrative, clinical, externship training
Externship placement assistance
Learn more about SCROC‘s accredited tuition-free medical assistant program located north of San Diego in Torrance, CA.
5. American College of Healthcare
Highlights:
Externships at clinics, doctor‘s offices & hospitals
Practicum experiences start early
CMA prep workshop included
Job placement support
Admissions Requirements:
High school diploma/GED or equivalent
Passing scores on Wonderlic SLE
Drug screening and background check
Immunization and physical exam documentation
Program Details:
Clinical and administrative training
Prerequisite courses available
Blended on-campus and online
36 weeks to complete
Learn more about American College of Healthcare‘s medical assistant training program offered at both their North Park and Imperial Beach (South San Diego) campuses.
The remainder of this guide explores other top-rated medical assistant programs located throughout San Diego County, profiles specific schools in depth, shares expert insights on choosing the right training provider for you, offers financial aid tips and concludes with helpful FAQs.