Find Low-Cost Medical Assistant Programs Near Riverside, California

Cerritos College’s Medical Assistant Associate in Arts degree prepares students for ambulatory care roles with a blend of administrative and clinical training. The curriculum includes a Certificate of Achievement in Medical Assisting, plus A&P 120, electives, and general education for a minimum of 60 units. Full-time students can finish in two semesters; part-time options exist. All coursework requires a grade of C or better, and some courses have prerequisites. Costs include enrollment fees, about $600 for books and equipment, and health screenings. Students complete internships requiring health clearance, CPR/First Aid certification, and possible background checks. As a public community college, Cerritos offers low tuition and financial aid, making this an affordable pathway.

• Associate in Arts Degree
• Medical Assistant program
• Certificate of Achievement required
• Minimum 60 units
• Full-time in two semesters
• Part-time student options
• Grade C or better required
• A&P 120 course included
• General education requirements
• Electives required

Platt College-Los Angeles offers a hybrid Medical Assisting associate's degree that can be completed in just 15 months, blending online coursework with hands-on campus training. Students develop practical skills in venipuncture, injections, electrocardiography, diagnostic procedures, and patient chart maintenance. A clinical externship provides real-world experience, and graduates are prepared to sit for certification exams—with free tutoring and the first exam fee covered. The program is accredited by ACCSC and includes First Aid/CPR cards. Multiple campus locations and convenient schedules add flexibility. Affordability is enhanced through financial aid, California state grants, federal aid, and private loans, plus career services support entry into medical offices, clinics, and hospitals.

• 15-month program length.
• Hybrid online/campus format.
• Associate's Degree offered.
• Financial aid available.
• Clinical externships included.
• Certification exam eligibility.
• Free exam tutoring.
• First exam fee covered.
• First Aid and CPR cards.
• Multiple campus locations.

American Career College in Ontario offers a 9-month hybrid Medical Assistant diploma with ABHES accreditation. The program blends online coursework with hands-on practice in on-campus simulation labs, including weekend options for flexibility. Students complete a 220-hour clinical externship at local healthcare facilities, building skills in vital signs, medication administration, and medical records. The curriculum covers both administrative and clinical duties, preparing graduates for various healthcare settings. Financial aid and scholarships are available for eligible students. Admission requires a high school diploma or equivalent and passing the school's admissions assessment; no prior healthcare experience is needed. This accelerated, hybrid structure reduces time and costs compared to traditional programs, making it an affordable pathway into healthcare.

• 9-month completion time.
• Hybrid program format.
• 220-hour clinical externship.
• ABHES program accreditation.
• Financial aid available.
• Weekend class options.
• On-campus simulation labs.
• Hands-on skills training.
• Modern campus facilities.
• Experienced faculty support.

American Career College-Anaheim offers a Medical Assistant diploma program in Orange County, blending online coursework with hands-on campus training for flexibility. This accelerated hybrid format can be completed in as little as nine months, with classes meeting two days per week or on weekends to accommodate working students. The curriculum covers vital signs, medication administration, medical records, EKG use, and blood pressure monitoring, preparing graduates for clinical and administrative roles in physicians' offices, hospitals, and outpatient centers. Students gain real-world experience through a 200-hour clinical externship at local healthcare facilities. The program is programmatically accredited by ABHES. Financial aid and scholarships are available for eligible students, helping reduce out-of-pocket costs. Admissions advisors guide applicants through requirements. Graduates are prepared for entry-level medical assistant positions.

• 9-month program length.
• Hybrid online and campus format.
• 200-hour clinical externship.
• Financial aid available.
• ABHES accreditation.
• Weekend class options.
• Hands-on lab training.
• Modern simulation equipment.
• Experienced faculty.
• Orange County campus location.

Long Beach City College's Combined Administrative/Clinical Medical Assisting program leads to an Associate in Science degree or Certificate of Achievement. This two-semester, campus-based track starts each fall and accepts 40 students on a first-come, first-served basis. No application requirements exist, but a high school diploma, GED, or HiSet is needed for enrollment. Students gain training in both office and patient-care procedures, including scheduling, billing, vital signs, and assisting with exams. The program is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and prepares graduates for immediate entry-level roles. As a public community college, LBCC provides a low-cost alternative to private schools, with financial aid and career resources available.

• Two-semester program length
• Starts only in fall semester
• 40 students accepted per cohort
• First-come, first-served admissions
• No requirements to apply
• High school diploma required for enrollment
• GED or HiSet accepted for enrollment
• Associate in Science degree option
• Certificate of Achievement option
• Combined Administrative/Clinical concentration

For students seeking focused administrative training, Long Beach City College offers a Medical Assisting Administrative Option certificate. This two-semester program, beginning in the fall, restricts enrollment to 40 students admitted on a first-come, first-served basis. While applying requires no standardized test or prerequisites, candidates must possess a high school diploma, GED, or HiSet to enroll. Coursework covers appointment scheduling, medical records maintenance, and billing/coding, preparing graduates for roles as medical office managers, transcriptionists, or scribes. Accredited by WASC, the program includes access to career center resources and monthly information sessions. As a publicly funded community college, LBCC keeps tuition affordable and offers financial aid opportunities, making it a cost-effective choice for future administrative medical assistants.

• Certificate of Achievement.
• Administrative Option.
• Two semesters program.
• Starts in fall semester.
• 40 students accepted.
• First come first serve.
• High school diploma required.
• GED or HiSet accepted.
• Applications available online.
• Monthly information sessions.

The Clinical Option certificate at Long Beach City College trains students for hands-on patient care roles in physicians' offices. This two-semester program, offered on campus, starts each fall and accepts 40 students through first-come, first-served admissions. No application requirements are imposed, but enrollees need a high school diploma, GED, or HiSet. The curriculum emphasizes psychomotor skills and clinical duties, including taking vital signs, drawing blood, and assisting with examinations. Graduates are prepared for immediate employment and may be eligible for certification exams. WASC accreditation ensures educational quality. Long Beach City College, as a community college, offers significantly lower tuition than for-profit institutions, and financial aid is accessible to eligible students, enhancing affordability for those seeking a clinical assistant career.

• Certificate of Achievement program.
• Clinical Option certificate.
• Two semesters to complete.
• Starts only in fall semester.
• No application requirements.
• High school diploma required to enroll.
• 40 students accepted per program.
• First-come, first-served basis.
• WASC accredited program.
• Prepares for entry-level clinical tasks.

Mt. San Jacinto Community College District offers an Associate of Science in Medical Assisting (Administrative and Clinical), a 33.5-unit major embedded in a 60-unit degree. The curriculum combines administrative and clinical training with electronic health record technology, including coursework in medical terminology, pharmacology, billing and coding, and clinical medical assisting. An internship in a physician's office provides hands-on experience. Graduates are prepared for certifications as clinical medical assistants, administrative medical assistants, scribes, and billing/coding specialists. As a public community college, MSJC provides a low-cost alternative to private schools, with part-time options and a program map to guide students. Standard enrollment steps apply, and a minimum 2.0 GPA is required.

• Associate of Science degree
• 33.5 units for major
• Prepares for medical assistant career
• Includes administrative and clinical training
• Uses electronic health record technology
• Leads to certification exams
• Certified Administrative Medical Assistant
• Certified Clinical Medical Assistant
• Certified Scribes
• Certified Billing and Coding Specialists

At Moreno Valley College, students seeking a low-cost entry into healthcare can pursue a Clinical Medical Assisting Associate of Science degree. This campus-based program packs comprehensive training into just 30 units, offering two distinct pathway options to tailor the experience. The curriculum balances administrative and clinical duties, covering medical terminology, anatomy, and legal and ethical responsibilities. Practical skills are emphasized, with hands-on training in patient care, medical procedures, and office management under physician supervision. As a community college, Moreno Valley provides a cost-effective education compared to private career schools, making it an accessible choice for students in Riverside County. Graduates leave prepared to work in diverse healthcare settings.

• 30 unit Associate of Science
• Two pathway options available
• Administrative and clinical skills
• Physician supervision training
• Medical office procedures focus