Medical assistant programs in Jacksonville include public college certificates, private diplomas, associate degrees and Job Corps training for eligible young adults. Compare campus classes, required externship hours and the national certification exam each program prepares you to take.
Public college lengthFSCJ: 900 hours; 8 months days or 12 months nights
Florida requirementsPhysician supervision; national certification is separate
Published private tuitionFortis: $16,686 tuition in its 2026-2027 catalog
No-cost optionJob Corps for applicants who meet age and other eligibility rules
Compare medical assistant training around Jacksonville
These campuses offer in-person or hybrid training, with clinical hours arranged separately. The check line names the school's authorization or institutional accreditation and labels programs without CAAHEP or ABHES programmatic accreditation.
Day start April 12, 2027; application due January 8, 2027. College states: "accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges". Checked October 27, 2026.
Night start February 8, 2027; application due December 4, 2026. College states: "accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges". Checked October 27, 2026.
Next advertised start: November 2, 2026. Catalog includes 230 externship hours. CIE license 87: License By Means of Accreditation; this listing uses institutional authorization. Checked October 27, 2026.
University states: "accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges". The program page identifies CAAHEP accreditation for Daytona Beach only, not Jacksonville. Checked October 27, 2026.
Rolling enrollment. CIE license 10300: Annual. School states: "The institution is not accredited." Lists CCMA, CMAA and CPT exam eligibility and arranges externship sites. Checked October 27, 2026.
Accepts students through rolling enrollment. CIE license 10300: Annual. School states: "The institution is not accredited." Publishes CCMA, CMAA and CPT exam eligibility. Checked October 27, 2026.
Next start: November 7, 2026. Includes an 80-hour externship and NHA CCMA preparation. CIE identifies this campus as license 13449, Provisional; the school's footer gives a different number. Use the linked CIE campus record. Checked October 27, 2026.
Federal Job Corps route for applicants meeting income, age and other requirements, generally ages 16-24. Center states: "The program is fully funded by the federal government." Admission sets the arrival date. Checked October 27, 2026.
Next advertised start: November 2, 2026. Includes a 180-hour unpaid externship. Final-quarter students are eligible for NHA's CCMA exam. CIE license 2090: Annual. ABHES directory I-225-09 lists institutional accreditation. Checked October 27, 2026.
Keiser's Jacksonville associate degree includes medical assisting coursework, general education and supervised clinical externships in its published curriculum.
Aspatria's associate program covers patient care, diagnostic testing and medical office work through remote instruction, campus labs and an externship.
Jacksonville Job Corps offers clinical medical assistant training with additional phlebotomy and electrocardiogram credentials for students who meet its admission requirements.
Florida does not require a separate medical assistant license. Its medical assistant statute describes work under a physician's direct supervision and sets rules for using the certified designation; ask local employers which national credential they accept.
Requirements vary by provider. Aspatria requires applicants to be at least 17, provide high school graduation records or a GED, and score at least 70% on its admission exam.
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Plan for clinical placement
Check whether an evening class still requires daytime clinical work. Fortis's catalog requires a 180-hour unpaid externship and says externships are unavailable evenings or weekends.
The BLS survey guidance explains that employment counts jobs and excludes self-employed workers. Median pay places half of workers above that wage and half below it. Use the figures to weigh tuition against your household budget, then ask employers about starting pay, weekly hours and certification requirements.
Medical assistant tuition and funding options
Fortis's 2026-2027 catalog publishes $16,686 in medical assisting tuition and $18,572 in total charges. Jacksonville Medical Assistant School lists $3,650 when paid in full, with a $300 fee added to its payment plans. Concorde's catalog, effective December 3, 2025, lists $19,875 tuition and $20,848 total. Request an itemized bill for supplies and testing.
FSCJ's aid guidance explains FAFSA-based aid and Pell Grants for eligible students. Confirm that your specific program qualifies. Eligible veterans can check VA benefits for approved non-college programs. CareerSource Northeast Florida, the local American Job Center network, screens applicants for WIOA training assistance; provider approval and available funding matter. Job Corps provides a separate no-cost route for eligible applicants.
Florida's medical assistant law places the role under a physician's direct supervision and responsibility, without a separate medical assistant licensing requirement. It does set rules for the certified designation. A school diploma and national certification are different credentials, so ask which exam your course supports and which credential prospective employers accept.
How long do Jacksonville medical assistant programs take?
The calendar depends on the credential and class schedule. Aspatria's diploma lists approximately 11 months and 1,080 clock hours. Its associate program lists about 16.5 months. Keiser's associate degree lists approximately 16 months full-time. Compare required externships and general education coursework when you compare those timelines.
Can I study medical assisting in the evening?
Yes. Aspatria publishes day and night classes Monday through Friday, with hybrid lectures and campus labs. Clinical placement may follow a different schedule, including weekends. Before you commit, request the complete lab and externship calendar and decide how those hours will fit your work, transportation and family responsibilities.
Is every local program CAAHEP accredited?
No. The CAAHEP directory does not list these Jacksonville medical assistant programs. Keiser identifies CAAHEP accreditation for Daytona Beach only. Fortis's ABHES accreditation covers the institution. Aspatria states that its institution is not accredited. A CIE license is authorization to operate, so check the exact exam pathway before choosing a course.
Is no-cost medical assistant training available?
Jacksonville Job Corps lists Clinical Medical Assistant training. Its FAQ says training is free to students and generally serves low-income applicants ages 16-24 who meet other admission rules. An admissions representative reviews eligibility and arranges a start date after acceptance. Ask about the current availability of this specific trade before making plans.