Passaic County Community College · Paterson, New Jersey

Career Certificate in Medical Assistant at Passaic County Community College

CertificateOn campusCAAHEP-accreditedCMA (AAMA) eligible

What Should You Know About Career Certificate in Medical Assistant at Passaic County Community College?

Career Certificate in Medical Assistant is a medical assisting certificate at Passaic County Community College in Paterson, New Jersey, offered on campus. It takes three semesters full time (35 credits (585 classroom hours plus 180 practicum hours)). Externship: 180-hour supervised, unpaid internship in a medical office or clinic. Cost: about $7,175 (estimated). It is CAAHEP-accredited, so graduates are eligible for the CMA (AAMA) exam.

Cost
$7,175estimated: $205/credit × 35
Length
48 wkThree semesters full time
Credits
35
Externship
180 hours
  • Phlebotomy
  • Pharmacology
Prepares for
  • CMAAAMA
  • RMAAMT
  • CCMANHA

How Career Certificate in Medical Assistant Works

Credential
Certificate
Format
On campus
Length
Three semesters full time
Hours or credits
35 credits (585 classroom hours plus 180 practicum hours)
Externship
180-hour supervised, unpaid internship in a medical office or clinic
Also covers
phlebotomy; EHR; health insurance; pharmacology
Start dates
Fall; Spring; Summer (select courses)

Admission and Certification at Passaic County Community College

Admission requirements
Completely clear criminal background check; AHA BLS; health and malpractice insurance; physical, TB test, immunizations and drug testing
Certification
Students sit for a national certification exam (CCMA, CMA or RMA) in the capstone course Prepares for the CPT (Certified Phlebotomy Technician) certification
Outcomes the school publishes
Retention 92.86% and exam pass rate 91.67% (2024); cumulative 85.19% retention and 93.75% pass rateReported for 2024.

What Passaic County Community College's Medical Assisting Certificate Costs

Tuition (school's wording)
$205 per credit tuition for Passaic County residents, $287 out of county, $364 out of state, plus $24 per credit in activity and books-and-materials access fees2026-27. Source: pccc.edu, reviewed October 12, 2026.
Estimated cost
$7,175Estimated: $205/credit × 35, before fees. An estimate, not the school's own total.

Work out what the Passaic County Community College certificate costs you after aid

From pccc.edu, reviewed October 12, 2026. Check start dates, deadlines and current tuition with the school before you apply.

How Career Certificate in Medical Assistant Compares

  • Its estimated cost of $7,175 is below the median of $8,930 across 426 priced certificate programs on this site (176th lowest).
  • At 48 weeks it is longer than the 39-week median for certificate programs.
  • Its 180-hour externship compares with a median of 180 hours among certificate programs that state hours.
  • It is one of 185 CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited certificate programs on this site.

Is Career Certificate in Medical Assistant at Passaic County Community College Accredited?

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.

Besides core clinical and front-office skills, the program's course list covers phlebotomy and pharmacology.

How the CMA, RMA, CCMA and NCMA exams differ

Similar Medical Assistant Certificates Nearby

Certificate programs at local campuses: the same city first, then by how many state borders away, then closest in cost.

Career Certificate in Medical Assistant at Passaic County Community College: Common Questions

How Much Does Career Certificate in Medical Assistant at Passaic County Community College Cost?

$205 per credit tuition for Passaic County residents, $287 out of county, $364 out of state, plus $24 per credit in activity and books-and-materials access fees (2026-27). That works out to about $7,175 for the program, an estimate before fees.

How Long Is Career Certificate in Medical Assistant at Passaic County Community College?

Three semesters full time, 35 credits (585 classroom hours plus 180 practicum hours), according to the school's program page.

Is Career Certificate in Medical Assistant at Passaic County Community College Accredited?

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.

Which Certification Exams Does Career Certificate in Medical Assistant Prepare You For?

The program's page names the CMA (AAMA), RMA (AMT) and CCMA (NHA). Because it is accredited, graduates meet the AAMA's standard route to the CMA (AAMA).

Can You Take Career Certificate in Medical Assistant at Passaic County Community College Online?

No. It is taught on campus, with an in-person externship.

What Do You Need to Apply to Career Certificate in Medical Assistant?

Completely clear criminal background check; AHA BLS; health and malpractice insurance; physical, TB test, immunizations and drug testing.

Compare Programs Like This One

Sources

  1. pccc.edu: Career Certificate in Medical Assistant program page, reviewed October 12, 2026
  2. CAAHEP, accredited medical assisting programs, captured October 12, 2026

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