Aspiring medical secretaries can get relevant training through undergraduate certificate and associate's degree programs in medical office technology or medical office assisting.
Schools with Medical Office Programs
This list of colleges identifies some schools offering relevant programs for aspiring medical secretaries:
| College/University | Location | Institution Type | Degrees Offered | Undergraduate Tuition* (2015-2016) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Texas College | Killeen, TX | 2-year, Public | Certificate, Associate's | In-district $2,280; In-state $2,940; Out-of-state $6,420 |
| Des Moines Area Community College | Ankeny, IA | 2-year, Public | Diploma, Associate's | In-state $3,913; Out-of-state $7,825 |
| Fresno City College | Fresno, CA | 2-year, Public | Certificate, Associate's | In-state $1,194; Out-of-state $6,834 |
| Nassau Community College | Garden City, NY | 2-year, Public | Certificate, Associate's | In-state $4,854; Out-of-state $9,388 |
| Santa Monica College | Santa Monica, CA | 2-year, Public | Certificate | In-state $1,136; Out-of-state $8,078 |
| The Community College of Baltimore County | Baltimore, MD | 2-year, Public | Associate's | In-district $3,712; In-state $6,650; Out-of-state $9,718 |
| University of Rio Grande | Rio Grande, OH | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | Associate's | $23,860 |
Source: *National Center for Education Statistics
School Selection Criteria
Some other factors to consider when choosing a program:
- Students considering programs that include internships may want to find out where they take place in order to ensure they gain experience in the setting in which they hope to work, such as the office of an urban hospital or a small private practice.
- Prospective students who work full-time or have other scheduling commitments may want to look for a school that offers coursework in online or part-time formats.
- When considering certificate programs, it can be helpful to find out if it's possible to transfer credits to an associate's degree program.
- Prospective students who are interested in medical coding may want to find out if the school offers specialized coding training.
Certificate Programs
In certificate programs for medical secretaries, students gain basic office skills through courses in computer software use, business communications, professional ethics and administrative management. They also complete courses that are specific for work in healthcare offices, such as medical terminology, medical insurance and billing practices. Most of these programs take one year or less to complete.
Associate's Degree Programs
Associate's degree programs in medical office technology or medical office assisting provide students with the same overview of medical secretary work as certificate programs. However, they also include general education requirements. Some programs also require students to complete an internship in the field. In total, associate's degree programs take two years of full-time study to complete.
Aspiring medical secretaries can prepare for a career in the office of a healthcare facility by completing an undergraduate certificate or associate's degree program. When choosing between programs, it can be helpful to consider internship opportunities and scheduling options.
