Looking for a medical assistant program in San Diego with job placement assistance? These three schools offer strong support and practical training, each with a different structure, timeline, and cost.
Each program offers its own strengths, from affordability to extended instruction to academic growth. Explore each option in more detail to see which one matches your goals.
Browse Schools:
1. Center for Employment Training
Center for Employment Training offers an 8–9 month medical assistant program that includes 900 hours of hands-on instruction and job preparation support. Classes are held Monday through Friday with a choice of day (8:00 AM–3:00 PM) or evening (4:00 PM–9:00 PM) schedules.
Students complete coursework in anatomy, medical billing and coding, lab procedures, EKGs, pharmacology, and handling medical emergencies. Instruction also includes office skills like communication, filing, and scheduling. The program features a clinical externship where students apply their skills in a healthcare setting.
Job placement assistance is built into the program. CET provides help with resumes, interview skills, and job search support upon graduation. Students are also prepared for the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) exam.
The total cost of the program is $15,249, which includes books, scrubs, and training supplies. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. Class sizes typically range from 20–25 students. To enroll, applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent and meet basic health and safety requirements.
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Cost | $15,249 (includes books, scrubs, and training supplies) |
| Program Length | 8–9 months (900 hours) |
| Class Schedules | Day: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–3:00 PM; Evening: Mon–Fri 4:00 PM–9:00 PM |
| Address | 4153 Market Street, Suite C, San Diego, CA 92102 |
| Phone | (619) 527-4895 |
2. ATA College
ATA College offers an 8-month Medical Assistant diploma program with job placement assistance built into its career services. Students can choose to continue their education with a 14-month Associate of Applied Science (AAS) program if desired. The diploma program includes 760 clock hours, covering classroom instruction, lab practice, and a 160-hour externship.
Courses include anatomy, medical terminology, pharmacology, medical coding, clinical procedures, laboratory work, and career development. Instruction is delivered through both lecture and hands-on lab work. Morning and evening class schedules are available Monday through Friday, allowing for added flexibility.
Graduates receive support in resume writing, interview prep, and job placement through ATA’s dedicated career services team. The diploma program costs $16,090, and financial aid is available for those who qualify. Students are not required to commit to the AAS path from the beginning and can decide to extend after completing the diploma.
The AAS program adds general education courses, electrocardiography, phlebotomy, and certification prep, totaling 1,240 hours across 60 weeks. Both programs prepare students for various entry-level roles such as clinical medical assistant or EKG technician. Classes are held at ATA’s El Cajon campus with small class sizes to support individualized instruction.
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Cost | Diploma: $16,090; AAS: $23,490 |
| Program Length | Diploma: 8 months (760 hours); AAS: 14 months (1,240 hours) |
| Class Schedules | Day and Evening classes, Monday–Friday |
| Address | 1810 Gillespie Way #104, El Cajon, CA 92020 |
| Phone | (619) 596-2766 |
3. San Ysidro Health
The Medical Assistant Accelerated Program (MAAP) is a free 6-month training program offered through a partnership between San Ysidro Health, Southwestern College, and the San Diego Workforce Partnership. Classes run from January 7 to May 30, 2025, four days a week (Tuesday–Friday), 9:00 a.m. to 1:45 p.m., at Southwestern College’s Higher Education Center in National City.
The program includes 162 hours of supervised clinical rotations, scheduled to begin in July 2025 at San Ysidro Health sites throughout San Diego County. Participants must complete these hours and pass the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) exam.
MAAP covers all program-related costs, including textbooks, scrubs, exam prep, and fees. To qualify, applicants must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, attend a mandatory orientation on December 13, 2024, and clear a background check.
San Ysidro Health offers job placement assistance to graduates who successfully complete the training, clinical hours, and certification exam. This includes direct placement opportunities at San Ysidro Health locations.
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Cost | Free (includes scrubs, textbooks, exam prep, and exam fees) |
| Program Length | 6 months + clinical rotations |
| Class Schedules | Tuesday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 1:45 p.m. |
| Address | 880 National City Blvd, National City, CA 91950 |
| [email protected] |
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Our Thoughts
If job placement assistance is a top priority, all three of these medical assistant programs offer strong support—but they differ significantly in structure, cost, and format.
We recommend reaching out to each school directly to confirm current class schedules, externship timelines, and job placement expectations. This will help ensure the best fit based on your goals, availability, and preferred learning environment.