Trade Schools
Medical Assistants complete a variety of administrative and clinical tasks in offices of physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities.
Although duties usually vary depending on the specialty and the size of the practice, medical assistants are usually responsible for
- Recording patient history
- Taking vital signs
- Assisting physicians during patient examinations
- Scheduling appointments
- Preparing samples for laboratory tests
- Entering patient information into medical records
- And more
Before being ready to apply for your first medical assistant job, you have to complete a post-secondary program at a community college or trade school.
To help you choose the school and the program that best meets your needs, on this page we have compiled information about the top medical assistant schools in South Dakota.
1Western Dakota Technical College
About the School
Western Dakota Technical College is a technical college that serves the region of western South Dakota.
Students who attend classes at the college receive a personal, career-oriented education toward their new profession.
Western Dakota Technical College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Courses Offered
Western Dakota Technical College provides a Medical Assisting program.
This program is accredited by the South Dakota Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners.
The curriculum is designed to prepare students for careers in the medical profession.
The program is three semesters long.
Students learn a variety of administrative skills, including using computer applications, answering telephones, scheduling appointments, greeting patients, updating and filing patient medical records, coding and filling out insurance forms, scheduling appointments, billing, bookkeeping, and more.
The program also prepares students for the clinical duties included in a medical assistant’s job description, including taking medical histories, taking vital signs, assisting physicians during exams and procedures, collecting and preparing specimens for laboratory tests, performing basic laboratory tests, preparing and administering medications, taking electrocardiograms, and more.
Contact Information
- Address: 800 Mickelson Dr. Rapid City, SD 57703
- Phone: 605-718-2400
- Website: https://www.wdt.edu
2University of South Dakota
About the School
The University of South Dakota provides more than 200 majors and programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Dual credit programs are also available to a jump-start college education for high school students.
Courses Offered
The university’s catalog includes the following medicine, health, and wellness programs:
- Applied Health Sciences
- Health Minor
- Health Services Administration
- Healthcare Analytics
- Medical Laboratory Science
- Public Health
- And more
The curriculum and number of credits vary depending on the program and the credential it leads to.
The Applied Health Science program leads to an Associate of Science and is a flexible program designed to give students a foundation in healthcare.
The program also offers a seamless transition for students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree.
The curriculum includes classes such as:
- Human Anatomy and Integrated Physiology
- Basic Microbiology
- Human Development: Lifespan
- Chemistry Survey
- Healthcare Terminology in a Clinical Setting
- And many more
Resident students enrolled in pharmacy and allied health programs pay approximately $5,000 per semester.
Contact Information
- Address: 414 E. Clark Street, Vermillion, SD 57069
- Phone: 877-269-6837
- Website: https://www.usd.edu
3Southeast Technical College
About the School
Southeast Technical College offers more than 65 pathways that prepare students for employment in today’s most competitive fields.
The college provides career-focused programs that are developed in collaboration with industry leaders.
Southeast Technical College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Courses Offered
A variety of healthcare programs are available at the college, including a Medical Assistant Diploma Program that can be completed in one year.
This program offers 41 credits and prepares students for employment in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, and outpatient care centers.
The Medical Assistant curriculum includes courses on:
- Medical Assistant Communications Requirement
- Pathophysiology
- Medical Assisting
- Medical Laboratory Techniques
- Insurance/Billing/Coding
- And More
The Medical Assisting program at Southeast Technical College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
Part-time classes are also available in the evening.
Courses take place through fall, spring, and summer semesters, with a course load of 5-7 credits per semester.
Contact Information
- Address: 2320 N Career Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57107
- Phone: 605-367-7624
- Website: https://www.southeasttech.edu
4Mitchell Technical College
About the School
Mitchell Technical College provides 35 on-campus academic programs and four online programs that prepare students for employment in a variety of industries.
The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Courses Offered
The following health sciences programs are available at Mitchell Technical College:
- Medical Laboratory Technology
- Radiologic Technology
- Radiation Therapy
- Medical Office Professional
- Registered Nursing
- Licensed Practical Nursing
- Human Services Technician
- Medical Assistant
The two-year Medical Assistant program costs approximately $16,600.
Books and tools cost about $2,000.
The curriculum includes classes on:
- Medical Terminology
- Anatomy/Physiology
- Medical Law & Ethics
- Mathematical Reasoning
- Pathophysiology
- Pharmacology & Administration of Medicine
- Basic Life Support for Health Care
- Advanced Medical Office Procedures
- And many other topics
In total, this program requires 70.5 total credits to graduate.
This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
Contact Information
- Address: 1800 East Spruce Street, Mitchell, South Dakota 57301
- Phone: 800.684.1969
- Website: https://www.mitchelltech.edu
5Presentation College
About the School
Presentation College provides a variety of undergraduate and graduate degrees that prepare students for careers in high-demand industries.
The school has a state-of-the-art Avera Simulation Center designed to simulate trauma, critical care/intensive care, medical/surgical, pediatrics, and obstetrics/delivery hospital units to help students prepare hands-on for their future professions.
Presentation College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Courses Offered
The following undergraduate programs are available at the college:
- Nursing (BSN)
- Nursing (LPN-BSN)
- Nursing (RN-BSN)
- Radiologic Tech
- And more
Pre-professional courses are also available, including:
- Pre-Med
- Pre-Physical Therapy
- Pre-Physician Assistant
- And more
Students enrolled in the Pre-Physician Assistant program take courses such as:
- General Biology with Lab
- Anatomy and Physiology with Lab
- Microbiology
- Biochemistry
- General Psychology
- Statistics
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1500 North Main Street, Aberdeen, SD 57401
- Phone: 800.437.6060
- Website: https://www.presentation.edu
6Lake Area Technical College
About the School
Lake Area Technical College offers 31 academic programs that prepare students for careers in high-demand fields.
Hybrid e-degrees are also available at the college and blend online and on-campus learning.
Adult education and dual credit programs are offered.
Dual credit is an opportunity for high school juniors and senior students to earn credits for both their high school diploma and a college degree.
Dual credit courses cost $48.33 per credit hour.
Courses Offered
A Medical Assisting program is available at the Lake Area Technical College and prepares students for work in a variety of healthcare settings where they are qualified to perform clinical and administrative duties.
This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
Graduates are eligible to sit for the national certification exam and, if passed, they earn the title of Certified Medical Assistant or Registered Medical Assistant.
Medical Assisting students are required to complete a 240-hour, non-paid, supervised externship in a medical facility.
The externship allows students to gain valuable experience working with other healthcare professionals while they develop and utilize their technical skills.
Contact Information
- Address: 1201 Arrow Ave. Watertown, SD 57201
- Phone: 605-882-5284
- Website: https://www.lakeareatech.edu
7University of Sioux Falls
About the School
The University of Sioux Falls provides a variety of degree and certificate programs.
The undergraduate direct cost at the university is $19,940 for full-time students.
Indirect costs include $1,000 for books and supplies, approximately $1,580 for transportation, $2,370 for personal expenses, and $80 for loan fees.
According to the university’s website, more than 500 scholarships are awarded to the University of Sioux Falls students each year.
The University of Sioux Falls is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Courses offered
Undergraduate and graduate programs are available in a variety of academic fields.
The university provides the following healthcare-related programs at associate and bachelor’s degree levels:
- Radiologic Technology- A.A. and B.S. programs
- Medical Laboratory Science- B.S.
- Nursing (Traditional)- B.S.N.
- Paramedic Technology- B.S.
Contact Information
- Address: 1101 W. 22nd St. Sioux Falls, SD 57105
- Phone: (605) 331-5000
- Website: https://www.usiouxfalls.edu
8University of South Dakota- Sioux Falls Campus
About the School
The University of South Dakota provides a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs.
The university has campuses in Vermillion and Sioux Falls.
The student-faculty ratio is 15:1
The university has a 247-acre campus in Vermillion.
Students who want to start a career in healthcare have access to the technology housed in the Sanford School of Medicine Sioux Falls Campus building.
Courses Offered
A Physician Assistant Studies program is available at the university.
This program prepares students with the classroom learning and real-world experience they need to succeed as physician assistants.
The following courses are included in this program:
- Human Gross Anatomy
- Introduction to Clinical Basic Sciences
- Clinical Medicine
- Professional Practice
- Medical Pharmacology
- Surgery Clinical Rotation
- Family Medicine Clinical Rotation
- Pediatric Clinical Rotation
- And many other topics
Contact Information
- Address: 4801 N. Career Ave Sioux Falls SD 57107
- Phone: 877-269-6837
- Website: https://www.usd.edu/About/Sioux-Falls-Campus-and-Community
9South Dakota State University
About the School
South Dakota State University offers nearly 200 programs in a variety of interest areas, including healthcare.
Courses Offered
The following health sciences & wellness programs are available at the university:
- Biotechnology
- Health Science Minor
- Human Biology
- Medical Laboratory Science
- Nursing (B.S.N.)
- Nursing (D.N.P.)
- Phlebotomy Certificate
- And more
The duration of the program and curriculum varies depending on the pathway and the credential it leads to.
The Phlebotomy Certificate prepares students for work in clinical laboratories, hospitals, community health centers, and a variety of other settings.
After completing this program, students are eligible for certification through the American Society for Clinical Pathology.
The following courses are among the Phlebotomy program requirements:
- Understanding Medical Laboratory Science
- Laboratory Methods
- Laboratory Methods Lab
- Elective Clinical Practice
- Phlebotomy Clinical Experience
Phlebotomy is one of the skills usually included in a medical assistant’s job description.
Contact Information
- Address: 1451 Stadium Rd, Brookings, SD 57007
- Phone: 800-952-3541
- Website: https://www.sdstate.edu
10University of North Dakota
About the School
The University of North Dakota provides a Physician Assistant Program that combines synchronous and asynchronous online coursework with classroom and clinical experiences.
The program leads to a Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree.
Courses Offered
The Physician Assistant program available at the University of North Dakota can be completed in 24 months.
Tuition is approximately 34,500 for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Students complete the coursework entirely from a distance but there are scheduled dates and times for online examinations, videoconference sessions, and/or phone conferences.
Classroom instruction is conducted on the UND campus for three separate occasions, each 4-5 weeks in length.
Afterward, students attend supervised clinical practice experiences.
The final semester consists of 14 weeks of specialty clerkship or a combination of primary care clinical rotations, a scholarly project, and two weeks on campus for testing, review, and additional instruction on office practice and management.
Contact Information
- Address: 1301 N Columbia Rd Stop 9037, Grand Forks, ND 58202-9037
- Phone: 701.777.2514
- Website: https://med.und.edu
Regional Salary in South Dakota
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City, SD | 180 | $35,380 | $17.01 | $42,710 | $29,630 |
| Sioux Falls, SD | 410 | $37,180 | $17.88 | $46,940 | $30,490 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have read our list of top medical assistants in South Dakota, the next step is to continue the research and apply for the program that best meets your needs.
In this process, you should take into account tuition costs, accreditation, program length, and all the other factors that are relevant to you.
This is an important step, so take your time and make an informed decision.
