Coolidge, Arizona

Central Arizona College Medical Assistant Programs

CertificateAssociate degreePublicCAAHEP-accredited

What Medical Assistant Programs Does Central Arizona College Offer?

Central Arizona College in Coolidge, Arizona offers 2 medical assisting programs (certificate and associate degree), taught on campus. Medical Assistant, Associate of Applied Science (AAS) is CAAHEP-accredited, so graduates are eligible for the CMA (AAMA) exam. The lowest-cost option, Medical Assistant Certificate, comes to about $3,330 (estimated).

2 Medical Assistant Programs at Central Arizona College

Central Arizona College's Programs Side by Side

ProgramCredentialFormatLengthExternshipCost
Medical Assistant Certificate, Central Arizona CollegeCertificateOn campus37 creditsIncluded$3,330estimated: $90/credit × 37
Medical Assistant, Associate of Applied Science (AAS), Central Arizona CollegeAssociate degreeOn campus60 creditsIncluded$5,400estimated: $90/credit × 60

Blank cells: the school's pages don't give that figure.

Medical Assistant Certificate: The Details

Hours or credits
37 credits
Externship
Medical Assistant Certificate Practicum (MDA174, 4 credits)
Also covers
pharmacology
Certification
Eligible for the RMA (AMT) exam
Admission
High school diploma or GED; program application with the Medical Assisting Program Director; Healthcare Provider CPR and First Aid before the practicum
Tuition (school's wording)
$90 per credit hour in-state for 100-200 level courses (2026-27)2026-27. Source: centralaz.edu, reviewed October 12, 2026.
Estimated cost
$3,330Estimated: $90/credit × 37, before fees.

Medical Assistant, Associate of Applied Science (AAS): The Details

Hours or credits
60 credits
Externship
Medical Assistant Degree Practicum (MDA175, 4 credits)
Also covers
pharmacology
Certification
Eligible for the CMA (AAMA) exam Eligible for the RMA (AMT) exam
Admission
High school diploma or GED; preprogram courses with a 2.5 GPA; RDG100 or equivalent; information session and meeting with the Program Director; Healthcare Provider CPR and First Aid before the practicum
Tuition (school's wording)
$90 per credit hour in-state for 100-200 level courses (2026-27)2026-27. Source: centralaz.edu, reviewed October 12, 2026.
Estimated cost
$5,400Estimated: $90/credit × 60, before fees.
Outcomes the school publishes
Five-year average 86% student retention and 75% job placement for the AAS program (2020-2024)Reported for 2020-2024.

From Central Arizona College's own program, admissions and tuition pages, reviewed October 12, 2026. Tuition changes each year; confirm fees with the school.

How Central Arizona College Compares

  • Medical Assistant Certificate costs an estimated $3,330, against a median of $8,930 across 426 priced certificate programs on this site.
  • Medical Assistant, Associate of Applied Science (AAS) costs an estimated $5,400, against a median of $12,661 across 137 priced associate degree programs on this site.

Medical assistants in Arizona earn a median of $45,940 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), against $45,690 nationally.

Work out what Central Arizona College's certificate costs you after aid

Is Central Arizona College's Medical Assistant Program Accredited?

Yes. Medical Assistant, Associate of Applied Science (AAS) is listed by CAAHEP (directory captured October 12, 2026). Accredited by CAAHEP on the recommendation of MAERB (CAAHEP directory, October 12, 2026), so graduates meet the standard education route for the CMA (AAMA) exam.

The accreditor's listing covers Medical Assistant, Associate of Applied Science (AAS); Medical Assistant Certificate is a different credential and isn't covered by it.

What CAAHEP or ABHES accreditation means for the CMA (AAMA)

Medical Assisting Awards at Central Arizona College

Award levelAwards, 2022-23
Certificates of one to two years3
Associate degrees4
Certificates under one year3

Federal completions data (IPEDS, CIP 51.0801) count 10 medical assisting awards conferred by Central Arizona College in 2022-23, 712th of 951 schools on this site. These are credentials awarded, not graduates or job outcomes.

More Medical Assistant Schools in Arizona

Central Arizona College Medical Assisting: Common Questions

Is Central Arizona College's Medical Assistant Program Accredited?

Yes. Medical Assistant, Associate of Applied Science (AAS) is listed by CAAHEP (directory captured October 12, 2026). Accredited by CAAHEP on the recommendation of MAERB (CAAHEP directory, October 12, 2026), so graduates meet the standard education route for the CMA (AAMA) exam.

How Much Does Central Arizona College's Medical Assistant Program Cost?

Medical Assistant Certificate: $90 per credit hour in-state for 100-200 level courses (2026-27), about $3,330 for the program (estimated). Medical Assistant, Associate of Applied Science (AAS): $90 per credit hour in-state for 100-200 level courses (2026-27), about $5,400 for the program (estimated).

Does Central Arizona College Include an Externship?

Yes. Medical Assistant Certificate: Medical Assistant Certificate Practicum (MDA174, 4 credits). Medical Assistant, Associate of Applied Science (AAS): Medical Assistant Degree Practicum (MDA175, 4 credits).

Which Certification Exams Does Central Arizona College Prepare You For?

Medical Assistant Certificate names the RMA (AMT). Medical Assistant, Associate of Applied Science (AAS) names the CMA (AAMA) and RMA (AMT).

What Do You Need to Apply to Central Arizona College?

Medical Assistant Certificate: High school diploma or GED; program application with the Medical Assisting Program Director; Healthcare Provider CPR and First Aid before the practicum. Medical Assistant, Associate of Applied Science (AAS): High school diploma or GED; preprogram courses with a 2.5 GPA; RDG100 or equivalent; information session and meeting with the Program Director; Healthcare Provider CPR and First Aid before the practicum.

Compare With Programs Like These

Sources

  1. centralaz.edu: Medical Assistant Certificate program page, reviewed October 12, 2026
  2. centralaz.edu: Medical Assistant, Associate of Applied Science (AAS) program page, reviewed October 12, 2026
  3. CAAHEP, accredited medical assisting programs, captured October 12, 2026
  4. U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS completions 2022-23, CIP 51.0801 (medical/clinical assistant)
  5. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025: Medical Assistants, Arizona

Every program on this site was checked on the school's own website in October 2026. Accreditation comes only from the CAAHEP and ABHES directories (captured October 12, 2026), never from a school's own wording, and school size from U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS) completions. Sponsored listings are labeled as ads and never change which programs we list or how we rank them. How we verify programs