For Prospective Medical Assistant (MA) Students
Program Dates: September 2026 - June 2027 (Class of 2027)
The Northwestern Medical Assistant program is a part-time, 10-month program that provides 9 months of part-time didactic instruction followed by a 1 month, 160-hour, full-time externship.
10-month program dates: September 8, 2026 - June 28, 2027
Hours: Monday through Thursday 8:00am – 1:00pm
On-site attendance required at the Chicago campus
Hours: Monday through Friday full time/daytime hours
Graduation: Thursday, July 15, 2027
Eligible Applicants
Application deadline: June 30, 2026
ACCUPLACER exam & Interviews: Monday, July 13 & Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Applicants notified of acceptance status: Friday, July 17, 2026
MANDATORY New Student Meeting: Monday, August 10, 2026, 9:30-11:30 am
*Program Tuition & Additional Costs
Information on tuition and additional costs are published by the Registrar's Office on this website. Program tuition, fees, and related expenses are subject to change. Additional costs are estimated and represent a good faith effort to disclose true costs of program attendance.
*For NM Employees: Part-time or full-time Northwestern Medicine employees, employed for a minimum of 6 months on date application is due and in good standing, may use the tuition reimbursement benefit to pay for tuition if accepted into the program. Employees enrolled in the NM Medical Assistant Training Program must maintain, at minimum, part-time employment status at the organization.
NM Clinical Schools & Programs Refund Policy
Students who confirm their enrollment by submitting a completed enrollment agreement and $250 tuition deposit may cancel the agreement within 3 business days of submission and receive a full $250 tuition deposit refund.
After 3 business days, students who withdraw prior to the start of classes will receive a refund of all monies paid minus a $100 processing fee.
If a student is owed a refund, all monies due will be refunded within 45 calendar days from the date of withdrawal.
Students enrolled in the program who withdraw/terminate enrollment after the start of classes will be refunded as follows:
# of weeks attended % of full program tuition refunded
1-2 weeks 50%
3 weeks 25%
4 weeks 0%
Students who are dismissed or suspended from the NMHC clinical programs will not be entitled to any refund.
General Requirements & Program Policies
The Northwestern Medical Assistant program is a part-time, 10-month program that provides 9 months of part-time didactic instruction followed by a 1 month, 160-hour, full-time externship.
10-month program dates: September 8, 2026 - June 28, 2027
- 9-month classroom/laboratory instruction (20 hours per week)
Hours: Monday through Thursday 8:00am – 1:00pm
On-site attendance required at the Chicago campus
- 1-month EXTERNSHIP (160 hours, 40 hour per week)
Hours: Monday through Friday full time/daytime hours
Graduation: Thursday, July 15, 2027
Eligible Applicants
- Full-time or part-time NM employee in good standing (employed at NM for a minimum of six months on date application is due) seeking Medical Assistant certification, with minimum of high school diploma, GED, or postsecondary coursework in a degree-granting program with a 2.0 GPA or above,
- Applicant with high school diploma, GED, or postsecondary coursework in a degree-granting program with a 2.0 GPA or above
- All applicants must pass the ACCUPLACER exam
Application deadline: June 30, 2026
ACCUPLACER exam & Interviews: Monday, July 13 & Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Applicants notified of acceptance status: Friday, July 17, 2026
MANDATORY New Student Meeting: Monday, August 10, 2026, 9:30-11:30 am
*Program Tuition & Additional Costs
Information on tuition and additional costs are published by the Registrar's Office on this website. Program tuition, fees, and related expenses are subject to change. Additional costs are estimated and represent a good faith effort to disclose true costs of program attendance.
- Tuition: $2,300
- Resource fee: $100
- Additional costs: $65 (includes application fee, liability insurance and program-specific supplies)
*For NM Employees: Part-time or full-time Northwestern Medicine employees, employed for a minimum of 6 months on date application is due and in good standing, may use the tuition reimbursement benefit to pay for tuition if accepted into the program. Employees enrolled in the NM Medical Assistant Training Program must maintain, at minimum, part-time employment status at the organization.
NM Clinical Schools & Programs Refund Policy
Students who confirm their enrollment by submitting a completed enrollment agreement and $250 tuition deposit may cancel the agreement within 3 business days of submission and receive a full $250 tuition deposit refund.
After 3 business days, students who withdraw prior to the start of classes will receive a refund of all monies paid minus a $100 processing fee.
If a student is owed a refund, all monies due will be refunded within 45 calendar days from the date of withdrawal.
Students enrolled in the program who withdraw/terminate enrollment after the start of classes will be refunded as follows:
# of weeks attended % of full program tuition refunded
1-2 weeks 50%
3 weeks 25%
4 weeks 0%
Students who are dismissed or suspended from the NMHC clinical programs will not be entitled to any refund.
General Requirements & Program Policies