Harper College, a public community college in Palatine, offers one medical assisting credential that stacks into a degree:
- Medical Assistant Certificate (36 credits)
Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Est. Cost | Est. Duration | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant Certificate | ~$7,150 (in-district, est.) | ~1 year full time (est.); longer part time | 36 |
The estimate applies Harper’s 2026-27 in-district rate of $167.75 per credit hour (tuition plus universal fee), adds $40 per term in registration and activity fees for three terms, and adds about $1,000 for books, supplies, screenings, and the CMA exam. Duration assumes a full-time load across fall, spring, and summer.
Quick Facts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| School type | Public community college (District 512) |
| Campus | Palatine |
| Format | Hybrid: many courses asynchronous online; clinical procedures and externship in person |
| Programmatic accreditation | CAAHEP, on MAERB recommendation |
| Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission (HLC) |
| Exam eligibility | CMA (AAMA) |
| Schedule | Full time or part time |
| Exam pass rate | 88.89%, five-year average, 2020 to 2024 |
| Job placement | 72.41%, five-year average, 2020 to 2024 |
Medical Assistant Certificate
The certificate costs about $7,150 in-district and takes about one year full time. See the official program page.
Certificate Curriculum
Structure. All 36 credits require a C or better in BIO, HSC, and MOA courses:
- BIO 135 Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology: 4 credits
- ENG 101 Composition I and PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology: 3 credits each
- HSC 112 Medical Terminology: 2 credits
- MOA 100 Introduction to Medical Assisting; MOA 195 Principles of Health Insurance Billing; MOA 235 Health Care Office Procedures: 3 credits each
- MOA 145 Health Care Records Management: 2 credits; MOA 150 Math Applications in Health Care: 1 credit
- MOA 215 Clinical Procedures: 8 credits
- MOA 280 Medical Assistant Externship: 3 credits; MOA 291 CMA Exam Review: 1 credit
Distinctive elements. A dedicated CMA exam review course is built into the certificate. All credits apply to Harper’s Health Care Office Manager AAS.
You Should Know
- The certificate includes general education (English, psychology, anatomy), which raises its credit total but transfers into the AAS.
Certificate Externship
- MOA 280 carries 3 credits; a third-party listing reports 160 hours, the CAAHEP minimum
- An American Heart Association BLS for Health Care Provider card is required before the externship
- Students must meet the handbook’s technical standards and acknowledge occupational risks
Certificate Admissions
- Application to Harper College
- Orientation and planning session with the coordinator (recommended)
- Clinical health requirements before the externship
You Should Know
- Harper lists a vaccine requirement under its clinical health requirements. Review it before you register.
Tuition
Harper raised 2026-27 tuition by 3% to $145.75 per credit hour in-district. A $22 universal fee per credit hour brings the combined rate to $167.75. Each term also carries a $15 registration fee and a $25 activity fee.
| Residency | Tuition + Universal Fee per Credit | Certificate (36 credits) |
|---|---|---|
| In-district | $167.75 | $6,039 |
| Out-of-district (Illinois) | $432.00 | $15,552 |
| Out-of-state | $507.50 | $18,270 |
- Per-term registration and activity fees add about $120 over three terms.
- Course supply and materials fees vary by class and are not included.
Be aware that:
- Out-of-district tuition is about 2.5 times the in-district rate. Check whether your home district qualifies you for a CAREER chargeback.
Outcomes
| Year | Retention | Job Placement | Exam Passage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 100.00% | 86.67% | 83.33% |
| 2023 | 85.71% | 64.00% | 90.00% |
| 2022 | 82.76% | 61.54% | 87.50% |
| 2021 | 87.50% | 80.00% | 92.86% |
| 2020 | 81.25% | 66.67% | 100.00% |
| Five-year average | 87.12% | 72.41% | 88.89% |
Source: Harper College student achievement data. Exam pass rates have stayed between 83% and 100% every year. Job placement is the weaker figure, averaging 72%, though 2024 rose to nearly 87%.
Why Choose This Medical Assistant Program?
Harper fits a northwest suburban resident who needs online coursework and part-time pacing while still earning a CAAHEP credential.
Flexibility. Many courses run asynchronously online, so only clinical procedures and the externship require fixed in-person time.
Exam readiness. A built-in CMA review course and a five-year exam pass average near 89% point to solid exam preparation.
Degree path. Every certificate credit counts toward the Health Care Office Manager AAS.
Drawbacks. Job placement averaged 72% over five years, and the general education courses make the certificate longer than a pure skills program.
Accreditation
Harper College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The Medical Assistant certificate 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). Graduates are eligible for the CMA (AAMA) exam.