Trade Schools
If you’re a compassionate person who enjoys working with people, a career in the medical assisting field is worth exploring.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for medical assistants is projected to grow 16 percent from 2021 to 2031, resulting in approximately 123,000 new jobs per year over the decade.
As the large baby-boom generation ages, the demand for medical services will continue to grow and medical assistants will be needed to complete clinical and clerical duties in physicians’ offices and other primary care settings.
Before being ready to apply for your first medical assistant job, the first step is to complete a training program at a trade school or community college.
To help you choose the format and the program that best meets your needs, on this page we have compiled information about the best medical assistant schools in South Carolina.
1Palmetto School of Career Development
About the School
Palmetto School of Career Development prepares students for the workforce by equipping them with skills, experiences, and an education.
The school has three campuses: Charleston, Columbia, and Myrtle Beach.
Courses Offered
The Medical Administrative Assisting program available at Palmetto School of Career Development can be completed in eight weeks.
Medical Administrative Assistant students attend classes from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays.
The program covers topics such as:
- Medical terminology and acronyms
- Medical law and ethics
- OSHA, HIPAA, and basic infection control
- CPR Certification
- Processing insurance, billing, and coding
- Basic pharmacology
- Basic medical marketing
- Billing and collecting payments
- Generating health insurance and claim forms
- Medical practice management best practices
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 5841 Rivers Ave, Suite 112, Charleston, SC 29406
- Phone: (855) 432-2681
- Website: https://palmettoschool.com
2Professional Medical Training Center
About the School
Professional Medical Training Center offers specialized training to equip students with the skills needed to start a career in the fast-paced, rapidly changing healthcare environment.
The center is licensed by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education.
Courses Offered
The center’s catalog includes Clinical Medical Assistant and Medical Administrative Assistant programs.
The Clinical Medical Assistant program can be completed in six months and prepares students for National Certification through the National Health Career Association.
Tuition for this program is $4,799.
The Medical Administrative Assistant program can be completed in eight weeks.
After completing the 56 hours of training, students will receive a certificate of completion from the Professional Medical Training Center and a test schedule to take the certification exam offered by the National Health Career Association.
Tuition for this program is $899.
Additional costs include a $150 book, $70 for CPR, and a national exam fee.
Contact Information
- Address: 2229 S. Irby St. Florence, SC 29505
- Phone: 843-678-9135
- Website: https://www.pmtcflorence.com
3Fortis College
About the School
Fortis College in Columbia, South Carolina provides career education and training to South Carolina residents who would like to prepare for the nursing, medical, dental, healthcare, and skilled trades fields.
The college is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.
Courses Offered
The Medical Assistant program available in Columbia, South Carolina teaches students how to:
- Provide compassionate patient care
- Complete routine administrative tasks
- Adapt to a fast-paced work environment
This program includes 1,025 total clock hours, including recognized homework hours.
Medical Assistant students take the following classes:
- Introduction to Health Professions
- Medical Terminology
- Medical Anatomy & Physiology
- Clinical Procedures and Techniques
- Laboratory Procedures and Techniques
- Invasive Clinical Procedures
- Certification Review and Career Development
- Externship
- Medical Office Procedures
- Medical Records and Insurance
- Electronic Health Records
The total cost for the Medical Assistant program is $16,069 and includes tuition, enrollment fee, textbooks, ebooks, uniform, student kit, background check/drug test, credential examination, and computer fee.
Contact Information
- Address: 246 Stoneridge Drive, Suite 101, Columbia, SC 29210
- Phone: (803) 678-4800
- Website: https://www.fortis.edu/campuses/south-carolina/columbia.html
4Central Carolina Technical College
About the School
Central Carolina Technical College is a public, two-year institution that offers more than 50 programs of study.
Associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates are available at the college.
The programs include both traditional and online courses to accommodate different schedules and lifestyles.
South Carolina Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of College and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates.
Courses Offered
A Major in Medical Assisting Diploma in Applied Science is available at the school and includes 52 semester hours.
After completing the Medical Assisting program, graduates are eligible to take the Certification exam as RMA and/or CMA.
The Central Carolina Technical College Medical Assisting Diploma program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
Students take the following core courses:
- Medical Terminology
- Basic Anatomy and Physiology
- Introduction to Computers
- Clinical Computations
- Medical Assisting Introduction
- Medical Office Management
- Medical Assisting Pharmacology
- General Psychology
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 506 N. Guignard Drive, Sumter, SC 29150
- Phone: (803) 778-1961
- Website: https://www.cctech.edu
5Midlands Technical College
About the School
Midlands Technical College offers certificate and degree programs through its eight different schools of study.
Its school of Health Care offers career options in a variety of in-demand professions, including clinical care, emergency care, medical support, pharmacy, and veterinary assisting.
Courses Offered
A Medical Office Administrative Assistant and a Medical Assisting program are available at the college.
The Medical Assisting Certificate program offered at the Airport Campus is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
The Medical Office Administrative Assistant certificate is a 40-credit-hour program that prepares students for administrative support activities in larger medical practices, clinics, and hospitals.
This three-semester program begins in the fall at the Airport Campus.
The curriculum includes courses such as:
- Document Formatting
- Professional Development
- Medical Terminology
- Microcomputer Applications
- General Anatomy and Physiology
- Medical Information Processing
- Accounting Concepts
- Medical Document Production
- Office Communications
- And more
The Medical Office Administrative Assistant certificate program costs $7,520.
Contact Information
- Address: P.O. Box 2408, Columbia, SC 29202
- Phone: 803.738.8324
- Website: https://www.midlandstech.edu
6Professional Development & Training Services, LLC
About the School
Professional Development & Training Services, LLC is a post-secondary school in South Carolina that prepares caregivers prepared to provide care to aging patients.
The programs available at the school include theory and competency skills to help students provide care and healthcare services to residents in various healthcare settings.
Students prepare for careers as Nursing Assistants, Clinical Medical Assistants, Phlebotomy, and EKG technicians.
The school is located in Kershaw County and Lee County.
Courses Offered
A Clinical Medical Assistant program is available at the school and prepares individuals capable of performing clinical duties, such as asepsis and infection control, taking patient histories and vital signs, performing CPR and First Aid, preparing patients for procedures, assisting the physician with examinations and treatments, collecting specimens and more.
Tuition for this program is $4,550.
Additional fees bring the total cost for this program to $4,950.
Contact Information
- Address: 102 Standard Warehouse Road, Lugoff, SC 29078
- Phone: (803) 572-0780
- Website: https://pdtsllc.com
7Southeastern College
About the School
Southeastern College offers training programs that prepare students with the specialized skills and knowledge needed for today’s marketplace.
Courses Offered
The Medical Assisting program available at Southeastern College trains students to become multi-skilled professionals who assist physicians.
Students learn how to perform a variety of duties under the direction of physicians in all areas of medical practice.
They learn how to function in an administrative and clinical capacity in the medical office.
Applicants to this program need:
- A high school diploma or GED
- Pass an entrance exam
- Pass a background check and drug screening where applicable
The following degrees are available:
- Medical Assisting Associate in Applied Science Degree- a program offered in Charleston and Columbia
- Medical Assisting Associate of Science Degree- programs provided in Miami Lakes and West Palm Beach
The programs can be completed in 16 months by students who attend classes full-time and in 22 months by part-time students.
Contact Information
- Address: 2431 Aviation Avenue, Suite 703, North Charleston, SC 29406
- Phone: (888) 522-4909
- Website: https://www.sec.edu
8Capstone Career Development Center
About the School
Capstone Career Development Center trains individuals prepared for high-growth careers.
The center was founded in 2018 and aims to be responsive to the needs of students, employers, and the community.
Capstone Career Development Center is accredited by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education.
Courses Offered
The Clinical Medical Assistant program available at the center can be completed in 16 weeks.
Classes take place Monday and Wednesday evenings from 5:30-9:30 p.m.
Students take the following classes:
- Anatomy and Medical Terminology
- Infection Control
- Vital Signs
- Assisting with Surgical Procedures
- Medical Emergencies Training
- Pharmacology
- Administering Medications
- Neurology and Behavioral Health
- Cardiology
- Blood Collection and Analysis
- Direct Patient Care
- And more
After completing the course and successfully passing the National Healthcareer Association Clinical Medical Assistant exam, students will receive a certificate of completion, OSHA/Infection Control certification, HIPAA certification, Blood Borne Pathogens certification, and CPR.
The total cost for this program is $4,000.
Contact Information
- Address: 21 Orchard Park Dr. Ste H Greenville, SC 29615
- Phone: 877-755-2232
- Website: https://www.capstonecareerdevelopmentcenter.com
9Carmichael Medical Training
About the School
Carmichael Medical Training is a healthcare career college that specializes in providing certification-level education.
CMT provides a blended learning format that combines virtual courses and simulations with hands-on clinical skills demonstrations.
Courses Offered
Carmichael Medical Training offers a Medical Assistant program that prepares students who are cross-trained to work alongside physicians.
They learn how to perform administrative and clinical duties.
Medical Assistant students learn how to perform tasks such as:
- Taking medical histories
- Collecting and preparing lab specimens
- Updating patient medical records
- Scheduling appointments
- Transmitting prescription refills as directed
The total cost for this program is $5,000.
This price includes tuition, certification exam fee, BLS for healthcare providers, CPR certification, learning lab equipment & supplies, textbook/course materials, and criminal background check.
Programs are also available for Phlebotomy Technicians, CNA to CMA, CPR-BLS/ACLS/PALS
Contact Information
- Address: 1501 Belle Isle Ave, Suite 110, Mount Pleasant SC 29464
- Phone: (843) 532-2492
- Website: https://carmichaelmedical.training
10Miller-Motte College
About the School
Miller-Motte College has two campuses in South Carolina: Charleston and Conway.
The college is located a short drive from historic downtown Charleston and focuses on providing career-focused technical training for students who are looking to enter the workforce in only 1 to 18 months.
Miller-Motte College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.
Courses Offered
The Medical Clinical Assisting program available at Miller-Motte College is a hybrid track program that allows students to pursue a Medical Clinical Assisting diploma or certificate in an environment that combines online learning with hands-on in-person training.
The Medical Clinical Assisting diploma program can be completed in only 13 to 15 months.
Among many other topics, the curriculum includes courses on:
- Allied Health Orientation
- Pathology
- Pharmacology
- Medical Office Systems
- Medical Coding
- Medical Insurance Billing
- Practical Computer Applications
- Clinical Foundations
- Clinical Specialties
- Body Systems
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 8085 Rivers Ave E, Charleston, SC 29406
- Phone: (800) 705-9182
- Website: https://www.miller-motte.edu
Regional Salary in South Carolina
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | 1,950 | $38,430 | $18.48 | $47,310 | $30,420 |
| Columbia, SC | 1,870 | $35,260 | $16.95 | $43,510 | $28,620 |
| Florence, SC | 920 | $30,980 | $14.89 | $36,380 | $27,160 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC | 2,390 | $37,720 | $18.13 | $45,100 | $29,450 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, SC | 530 | $35,180 | $16.92 | $45,700 | $20,800 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC | 780 | $35,520 | $17.08 | $42,680 | $29,710 |
| Spartanburg, SC | 730 | $36,870 | $17.73 | $44,900 | $29,410 |
| Sumter, SC | 170 | $35,040 | $16.85 | $41,360 | $27,840 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have read our list of top medical assistant schools in South Carolina, the next step is to continue the research and choose the program that best fits your schedule, budget, and career expectation.
This is an important step, so take your time and make an informed decision.
