Becoming a medical assistant is one of the fastest and most affordable ways to enter the healthcare field—but picking the wrong school can delay your goals or leave you with debt and frustration.
Memphis offers a wide range of medical assistant training programs, from low-cost certificate courses to full associate degree programs. However, not all schools offer the same value, support, or job outcomes. To help you make the best choice, we’ve outlined the top five mistakes students make when selecting a medical assistant school in Memphis—and how to avoid them.
1. Choosing a School That’s Not Accredited
This is one of the biggest (and most damaging) mistakes students make.
When a program isn’t accredited by a recognized agency—such as the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)—you risk graduating with a credential that employers or certification boards may not recognize.
In Memphis, many job listings require certification like CMA (Certified Medical Assistant) or RMA (Registered Medical Assistant), both of which usually require graduation from an accredited program.
How to Avoid It:
- Ask the admissions office: “Is your program accredited, and by which agency?”
- Cross-check the school’s accreditation with the U.S. Department of Education’s Database.
- Prioritize programs at institutions like Southwest Tennessee Community College, University of Memphis, or Concorde Career College, which clearly list their accreditations.
2. Not Asking What’s Included in the Tuition
At first glance, a low tuition number might seem like a great deal. But many schools leave out essential costs like textbooks, uniforms, lab fees, certification exam fees, or CPR/BLS training.
For example, a $2,500 tuition at one school might sound better than a $4,000 program—until you realize the cheaper program doesn’t include a clinical externship or exam voucher, meaning you’ll pay more out of pocket later.
How to Avoid It:
- Ask for a full cost breakdown. “Can you show me what’s included in the tuition and what extra fees I should expect?”
- Make a spreadsheet of each school’s true cost—including hidden fees, supplies, transportation, and certification costs.
- Choose programs that offer bundled pricing with externships and exam prep included, like the online option at Southwest Tennessee Community College.
3. Overlooking the Externship or Hands-On Training
Hands-on clinical experience is essential in a field like medical assisting. Yet some students get caught up in choosing the cheapest or fastest program without confirming whether it includes a supervised externship or in-person labs.
Without that practical experience, your resume may not stand out—and you may feel unprepared in your first job.
How to Avoid It:
- Confirm in writing whether the program includes a required externship and how many hours it covers.
- Ask where recent students have completed their externships and whether those sites are in Memphis.
- Programs like Health-Tech Institute of Memphis and Concorde Career College offer robust hands-on training with local clinics and hospitals.
4. Not Considering the Class Schedule and Format
Many students in Memphis are working adults, single parents, or career changers—and not all programs cater to that reality. Choosing a school with rigid schedules or far-away campuses can lead to burnout, missed classes, or even dropping out.
On the flip side, completely online programs may seem convenient, but if they lack local support or hands-on practice, you may not get the full training you need.
How to Avoid It:
- Make sure the class format fits your life. Ask if there are evening, weekend, or hybrid options.
- Don’t assume every online program is fully remote—some still require in-person labs or testing.
- Look for flexible programs like University of Memphis’s online certificate, which includes virtual coursework with one in-person skills lab.
5. Ignoring the School’s Job Placement Rate
Some schools are great at getting students enrolled—but not as great at helping them land a job.
Don’t wait until graduation to find out that your program offers little to no help with resume prep, interview coaching, or local job placement. This is especially important if you’re investing $15,000 or more into a program.
How to Avoid It:
- Ask: “What percentage of your graduates get hired within 6 months?” and “Do you offer job placement assistance?”
- Read alumni reviews on sites like Google, Indeed, or Reddit to get a sense of how supportive the career services team is.
- Schools like Concorde Career College and Health-Tech Institute often promote their employer partnerships and post-graduation support—take advantage of that.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Let These Mistakes Set You Back
The right medical assistant program in Memphis can open doors to steady employment, upward mobility, and even future careers in nursing or healthcare management. But rushing into the wrong school—or skipping your research—can cost you time, money, and peace of mind.
Take your time. Compare at least 3–5 programs, ask plenty of questions, and be honest about your schedule, budget, and long-term goals.
✅ Quick Checklist Before You Enroll:
- Is the program accredited?
- Is tuition all-inclusive?
- Does it offer hands-on training or an externship?
- Can I realistically attend all required classes?
- What is the job placement support like?