The short answer is yes, Ivy Tech Community College offers excellent Medical Assistant programs designed to get you into the healthcare field quickly and effectively. If you’re considering this rewarding career path, you’ve come to the right place. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the Ivy Tech medical assistant program, from choosing between a certificate and a degree to understanding admissions, costs, and your future career as a CMA.
Ivy Tech Medical Assistant Program Options: Certificate vs. AAS
Choosing your educational path is a huge first step. Ivy Tech offers two main options for its medical assisting students, each tailored to different career goals and timelines. Understanding the difference between a certificate and an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree is key to making the right choice for your life.
The Medical Assisting Certificate
Think of the certificate as the fast track to your new career. This option focuses almost exclusively on the core skills you need to become a competent, job-ready medical assistant. It’s designed for students who want to enter the workforce as quickly as possible without the commitment of a full two-year degree. You’ll dive straight into administrative and clinical coursework, getting hands-on experience from your very first semester.
The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Medical Assisting
The AAS degree provides the same core medical assisting training as the certificate but builds upon it with general education courses like English, psychology, and communications. This broader education can make you a more well-rounded candidate and, more importantly, creates a seamless pathway to a bachelor’s degree later on if you decide to advance your career into management, nursing, or another healthcare field.
Pro Tip: Ask yourself this question: “Do I want to start working immediately, or do I want to build a foundation for future education?” If your goal is a fast entry into the workforce, the certificate is perfect. If you see this as the first step in a long-term educational journey, the AAS degree is a wise investment.
To make the decision even clearer, let’s compare them side-by-side.
| Feature | Medical Assisting Certificate | Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | Typically 3-4 semesters (about 1 year) | Typically 5-6 semesters (about 2 years) |
| Core Focus | 100% on Medical Assisting skills (admin and clinical) | Medical Assisting skills + general education courses |
| Credits to Complete | Fewer credits (around 30-45) | More credits (around 60-75) |
| Foundation for B.A.? | No, credits may not transfer easily | Yes, designed to transfer to bachelor’s degree programs |
| Winner/Best For | Students seeking the quickest path to employment as a CMA. | Students wanting a comprehensive degree or future educational options. |
Admissions Requirements: A Step-by-Step Breakdown
Let’s be honest, applying to a program can feel overwhelming. But at Ivy Tech, the process is straightforward. The Ivy Tech medical assisting program has selective admission, meaning you first apply to the college and then complete a separate application for the program itself. Here’s what you’ll need.
Prerequisites You’ll Need
Before you can even think about submitting your program application, you need to have a few things in order.
- A high school diploma or GED/High School Equivalency
- Completion of Ivy Tech’s placement assessment (or qualifying SAT/ACT scores)
- A minimum cumulative GPA, often a 2.0 or higher
- Completion of any required prerequisite courses with a “C” or better (like English or math, depending on your test scores)
Once you have these covered, you’re ready to start the official process.
The Application Process in Action
This is your official to-do list. Follow these steps, and you’ll be on your way.
- Apply to Ivy Tech Community College: If you’re not already a student, your first step is to complete the general application for the college. This makes you an Ivy Tech student.
- Attend a Health Sciences Information Session: This is often mandatory. These sessions give you a detailed look at the program, expectations, and deadlines. It’s your chance to ask questions.
- Complete the Program Application: This is the selective part. You’ll submit your official transcripts and any other required documents by the program’s deadline. Pay close attention to these deadlines, as they are strict!
- Submit Health & Immunization Records: Before starting your clinical externship, you must prove you’re healthy and vaccinated. This includes TB tests, flu shots, and other standard healthcare requirements.
Application Checklist:
– [ ] Apply to Ivy Tech
– [ ] Take placement test (or submit scores)
– [ ] Meet with an advisor
– [ ] Attend mandatory info session
– [ ] Complete and submit the MA program application
– [ ] Submit health and immunization records
– [ ] Complete a criminal background check and drug screen (often required)
Common Mistake: Waiting until the last minute to gather your transcripts or complete health requirements. Start these steps early, as processing can take weeks. Don’t miss a deadline because of a preventable delay!
Inside the Curriculum: What You’ll Learn
This is where the magic happens. Your time in the Ivy Tech MA program is a carefully balanced mix of classroom learning, lab simulations, and real-world practice. You won’t just read about medical assisting; you will do it.
Mastering Administrative Skills
As a CMA, you’re the face of the medical office. You’ll learn how to keep everything running smoothly, including patient scheduling, managing medical records (EHRs), handling billing and coding basics, and communicating professionally with patients. It’s the organizational backbone of a successful clinic.
Developing Clinical Competency
This is the hands-on, patient-facing part of your job that many find most rewarding. In the campus labs, you will practice and perfect essential clinical skills under the guidance of experienced instructors.
Imagine this: You’re in a simulated lab room. You’re confidently performing an EKG on a manikin, your instructor shows you how to place the leads perfectly. Next, you move to the phlebotomy station and successfully draw blood from an artificial arm. These are the skills you’ll be performing every day in your career. You’ll master injections, specimen collection, vital signs, and assisting with minor procedures.
The Star of the Show: Your Clinical Externship
The final semester of your program is a supervised, unpaid externship at a local medical facility. This isn’t just an internship; it’s the bridge that connects your education to your career. You’ll work alongside real doctors, nurses, and experienced CMAs, applying everything you’ve learned in a fast-paced clinical environment. It’s where you build confidence, make professional connections, and often land your first job offer.
Clinical Pearl: During your externship, be a sponge. Ask questions, volunteer for tasks, and show up with a positive attitude every single day. Your preceptor’s impressions of you can directly lead to a job recommendation.
How Much Does It Cost? Tuition, Fees & Financial Aid
We know that cost is a major factor in your decision. One of the biggest advantages of Ivy Tech is its affordability compared to private or four-year institutions. The Ivy Tech medical assistant program cost varies based on your residency (in-state vs. out-of-state), the specific campus, and the number of credit hours you take.
Breaking Down the Expenses
Here’s a look at what you can expect to pay for:
- Tuition: Charged per credit hour. Ivy Tech has some of the lowest tuition rates in the state.
- Technology & Student Fees: These mandatory fees support campus resources.
- Lab Fees: The medical assisting program has specific lab fees to cover equipment and supplies you’ll use.
- Textbooks & Supplies: Budget for books, online access codes, and your own set of scrubs and a stethoscope.
- Certification Exam Fee: This is a crucial final expense, usually between $125-$250, paid to the certifying body (AAMA or AMT).
While the total cost is significantly lower than a private university, it’s still an investment. The good news? There’s a lot of help available.
Making It Affordable: Your Financial Aid Options
Never let the sticker price scare you away from applying for this life-changing program. Ivy Tech has a strong financial aid office dedicated to helping you.
- FAFSA: The first and most important step is completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This determines your eligibility for federal grants (like the Pell Grant, which is free money), loans, and work-study programs.
- Ivy Tech Scholarships: The foundation and the college itself offer dozens of scholarships specifically for health sciences students.
- Payment Plans: Ivy Tech offers manageable payment plans that let you spread your tuition costs over the semester.
Key Takeaway: File your FAFSA as early as possible! Many sources of aid are first-come, first-served. The earlier you apply, the better your chances of receiving grants and scholarships that you don’t have to pay back.
Where Can You Study? Campus Locations & Online Options
The medical assistant programs in Indiana offered by Ivy Tech are conveniently located across the state to serve as many students as possible. Major campuses offering the program include Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, South Bend, Evansville, and Lafayette, among others. You should always verify the current list of offered locations on the official Ivy Tech website, as availability can change.
What about online learning? You might wonder if the Ivy Tech medical assisting program is fully online. Due to the critical hands-on nature of clinical skills, the program is not 100% online. However, many campuses use a hybrid model, offering some of the administrative and theory-based coursework online. You will still be required to attend on-campus labs for your clinical skills training, and of course, your externship will be in person.
From Graduate to Certified CMA: Career Outlook
Graduating is the goal, but a great career is the dream. Here’s how Ivy Tech prepares you for success beyond the classroom. The demand for qualified CMAs in Indiana and across the country is strong. The healthcare industry is growing, and doctors’ offices, clinics, and hospitals need trained professionals to help provide quality patient care.
Research from organizations like the Bureau of Labor Statistics consistently projects faster-than-average growth for medical assistants. In Indiana, the average starting salary for a CMA is competitive, especially considering the short educational path required to get there. Your earning potential increases with experience, specialization, and certification.
Crucially, Ivy Tech’s curriculum is designed to prepare you for national certification exams. upon graduation, you’ll be eligible to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) or the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) exam through American Medical Technologists (AMT).
Your Top Questions, Answered
Does Ivy Tech’s program prepare me for the CMA exam? Yes. The program curriculum is specifically mapped to the exam content outlines for both the CMA (AAMA) and RMA (AMT) certifications. Your courses, labs, and externship all build the knowledge and skills you’ll be tested on.
What’s the difference between a CMA and an RMA? Both are national, respected certifications. The main difference is the certifying body. CMA is through the AAMA, and RMA is through the AMT. Employers values both credentials. Your instructors can help you decide which exam is the best fit for you.
How soon after graduating can I take the exam? You can usually apply for the certification exam in your final semester. You’ll be eligible to sit for the exam once you have officially graduated and your degree or certificate has been conferred.
Conclusion: Is Ivy Tech the Right Choice for Your CMA Journey?
Choosing the Ivy Tech medical assistant program means choosing an affordable, accredited, and respected path to a rewarding healthcare career. It offers two flexible tracks, a curriculum focused on real-world skills, and a direct line to national certification. With hands-on training and a mandatory externship, you won’t just learn—you’ll be prepared to confidently step into your new role as a Certified Medical Assistant.
Have questions about the Ivy Tech MA program or want to share your experience applying? Drop a comment below—let’s help each other out!
Want more CMA career and study tips delivered to your inbox? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for exclusive advice and resources!
Found this guide helpful? Share it with a friend or classmate who is also considering the Ivy Tech CMA program!