Coastal Alabama Community College, a public community college serving Baldwin County and southwest Alabama, offers two CAAHEP-accredited medical assisting programs at its Bay Minette campus:
- Medical Assistant Technology Certificate (44 credits)
- Medical Assistant Technology Associate in Applied Science (60 to 61 credits)
Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Est. Cost | Est. Duration | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant Technology Certificate | $10,705 (published) | 3 semesters (~1 year) | 44 |
| Medical Assistant Technology AAS | $13,969 (published) | 4 semesters | 60 to 61 |
Costs are Coastal Alabama’s published 2026-27 estimated totals for Alabama residents. They include tuition and fees, books, uniforms, lab fees, insurance, screenings, and the phlebotomy and CCMA exams. Durations are Coastal Alabama’s stated lengths.
Quick Facts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| School type | Public community college (Alabama Community College System) |
| Campus | Bay Minette |
| Format | Hybrid |
| Programmatic accreditation | CAAHEP, on MAERB recommendation |
| Institutional accreditation | SACSCOC |
| Exams included in cost | CCMA (NHA) review and exam, phlebotomy certification exam |
| Start term | Spring |
| Class size | 24 students |
| Exam pass rate and placement | 100% cumulative (2023 to 2024) |
Medical Assistant Technology Certificate
The certificate costs about $10,705 for Alabama residents and takes three semesters, starting in spring and running through summer and fall. See the official program page.
Certificate Curriculum
Structure. Three full-time semesters of 16, 16, and 12 credits.
- Spring: ORI 101, MAT 101 Medical Terminology, MAT 102 and 103 Medical Assisting Theory I and II, MAT 125 and 215 Laboratory Procedures I and II
- Summer: MTH 116, MAT 111 and 211 Clinical Procedures I and II, MAT 216 Pharmacology, MAT 239 Phlebotomy Preceptorship
- Fall: ENG 101, MAT 120 and 121 Medical Administrative Procedures I and II, MAT 228 Review Course, MAT 230 Medical Assistant Preceptorship
Distinctive elements. Students earn a phlebotomy short-term certificate along the way, after the first two semesters. The hybrid format cuts time on campus.
You Should Know
- BIO 201 and 202 can replace MAT 102 and 103, which helps students planning further study.
Certificate Practicum
- MAT 239 Phlebotomy Preceptorship (3 credits) in summer
- MAT 230 Medical Assistant Preceptorship (2 credits) in fall
- Hours are not published; CAAHEP requires at least 160 for the medical assistant preceptorship
Certificate Admissions
- Unconditional admission and a 2.0 cumulative GPA
- Transcripts from all schools, including high school, by the deadline
- Program application by the deadline
- Eligibility for ENG 101 and MTH 116 or higher
- Coastal’s essential eligibility criteria for nursing and allied health
You Should Know
- Applicants are ranked by points: up to 3 points per completed core course (A=3, B=2, C=1) and up to 3 points for a current CNA, EMT, or phlebotomy certification. Finishing general education courses before applying improves the odds.
- After provisional acceptance, students need a drug screen, background check, physical, immunizations, medical insurance, and AHA BLS certification.
Medical Assistant Technology AAS
The AAS costs about $13,969 for Alabama residents and takes four semesters. See the official catalog page.
AAS Curriculum
Structure. The AAS adds a fourth semester (16 to 17 credits) to the certificate:
- BIO 103 Principles of Biology I: 4 credits
- PSY 200 or PSY 210: 3 credits
- Humanities and fine arts elective: 3 credits
- SPH 107 or SPH 116: 3 credits
- MAT elective, such as BIO 220, CIS 146, or NAS 100: 3 to 4 credits
Distinctive elements. The extra semester adds an associate degree for about $3,300 more than the certificate.
AAS Practicum
- Same preceptorships as the certificate
AAS Admissions
- Same requirements and point system as the certificate
Tuition
Coastal Alabama charges $204 per credit hour, including fees, for Alabama residents in 2026-27.
| Item | Certificate | AAS |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition and fees (in-state) | $8,976 | $12,240 |
| Books (full program) | $700 | $700 |
| CCMA review course and exam | $268 | $268 |
| Uniforms and shoes | $250 | $250 |
| Lab fees | $213 | $213 |
| Drug screen, background check, health tracker | $150 | $150 |
| Phlebotomy certification exam | $134 | $134 |
| Liability insurance | $14 | $14 |
| Estimated total (published) | $10,705 | $13,969 |
- Out-of-state totals are $16,557 for the certificate and $21,949 for the AAS.
Be aware that:
- The totals exclude CPR certification ($50), immunizations and physical ($500), medical insurance (about $500), and an optional $25 graduation fee. These add about $1,000.
- Coastal’s published AAS tuition matches 60 credits; choosing a 4-credit elective adds $204.
Outcomes
| Measure | 2023 | 2024 | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retention | 50% | 53.85% | 53.33% |
| Job placement | 0% | 100% | 100% |
| Exam passage | 0% | 100% | 100% |
The cumulative figures cover only two cohorts, which suggests a young program. Every graduate who reported results passed the exam and found work, but only about half of admitted students finished.
Why Choose This Medical Assistant Program?
Coastal Alabama fits a Baldwin or Mobile County resident who wants a fast, low-cost public route to an accredited medical assisting credential.
Speed. The certificate takes three semesters, about one year, against roughly two years for the AAS-only programs at Wallace Community College and Trenholm State.
Cost. At $10,705 published, the certificate is the lowest all-in cost among Alabama community college programs profiled here.
Hybrid format. Part of the coursework is online.
Exams included. The cost covers both the CCMA and a phlebotomy exam.
Drawbacks. One spring start a year, a 24-seat cap, and retention near 53%.
Accreditation
Coastal Alabama Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Its Medical Assistant Technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) on the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB). Coastal does not publish its accreditation date. Graduates are eligible for the CMA (AAMA) exam, and the program cost includes the CCMA (NHA) exam.