Need Clinical Hours for Med School? Here’s the Fastest & Most Affordable Way to Get Certified
- Elnaz Sarabchian
- Aug 5
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 7
If you're a pre-med student, you're likely juggling a demanding academic load, MCAT prep, extracurriculars, and the constant pressure to build a strong med school application.
And if you've already started looking into how to get clinical experience, you've probably realized it's not as easy (or affordable) as it sounds.
The solution? Become a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) — fully online, self-paced, and done in as little as 2–3 months through Clinical Skills Institute (CSI).

Why Clinical Experience Is No Longer Optional
Medical schools don’t just want strong GPA and MCAT scores anymore — they expect to see meaningful clinical hours. That means hands-on experience where you interact with patients, assist medical teams, and gain insight into the healthcare field.
However, shadowing physicians often isn’t enough — and getting a hospital job without a certification is tough.
That’s why more and more pre-meds are getting MA certified to:
✅ Gain direct patient care hours
✅ Work in clinics or urgent care centers
✅ Strengthen their medical school applications
✅ Learn the clinical workflow from the inside
The Fastest Path to Clinical Hours: Clinical Skills Institute
Clinical Skills Institute (CSI) offers a 100% online, self-paced Medical Assistant certification program designed to help pre-meds get certified and start gaining clinical hours fast.
Here’s what makes it ideal:
✅ 1. 100% Online & Flexible
You can study anytime, anywhere. Whether you’re in school, working, or prepping for the MCAT, the program adapts to your schedule.
✅ 2. Affordable Tuition – Just $810
No $5,000+ price tags. CSI offers the full program — including the NHA CCMA exam, practice tests, and externship support — for only $810 total. Payment plans start at just $150/month.
✅ 3. NHA Accredited
You’ll graduate with a nationally recognized certification from the National Healthcareer Association — accepted by clinics, hospitals, and urgent care centers across the U.S.
✅ 4. Externship Support Near Your Zip Code
Once you pass the program, CSI helps match you with a real externship opportunity near you.
✅ 5. Med School Mentorship Included
CSI provides optional Zoom mentorship with real physicians and surgery residents who offer guidance on:
Personal statements
AMCAS applications
Gap year planning
Research opportunities
What You'll Learn in the Program
As a Clinical Medical Assistant student, you’ll learn:
Medical terminology and anatomy
How to take vital signs
How to assist in clinical procedures
HIPAA and patient safety
Admin skills like EHR, scheduling, and insurance
NHA exam prep strategies
By the end, you’ll be ready to take the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam and gain meaningful clinical experience before med school.
How Long Does It Take?
Most students complete the program in 2–3 months, take the NHA exam, and begin their externship shortly after.
You can work through the course faster if you already have some knowledge (many pre-meds fly through anatomy and medical terminology sections).
Real Student Testimonial
“I finished the CSI MA program in 8 weeks while studying for the MCAT. They helped me land an externship at Mayo Clinic and I even got mentorship from a surgery resident. This program gave me real experience — and helped me stand out on my med school apps.”– A. Shah, Jacksonville, FL
Is It Right for You?
If you’re a pre-med student who wants:
✅ Real clinical hours
✅ A nationally recognized healthcare certification
✅ Flexible, affordable training
✅ Application support from actual doctors
✅ To strengthen your resume before med school
Then Clinical Skills Institute is the best next step.
👉 Ready to Get Certified?
You can enroll today and start building your medical career now — before you even get to med school.
🔗 Click here to enroll now 📞 Questions? Call us at 1-888-596-2131
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