Get started debt free in a career in healthcare! Erie partners with the National Institute of Medical Assistant Advancement (NIMAA) to train individuals interested in pursuing a career as a Medical Assistant (MA).
In only 8 months you could be prepared for a rewarding career in community health.
The tuition cost will be fully covered by Erie Family Health Centers for students who agree to work for Erie for a minimum of 2,500 paid hours upon graduation.
Applications are open March 18, 2026 the FALL 2026 cohort.
- Early Admissions: Apply before April 22
- Final Deadline: Apply by May 27
Questions?
Call NIMAA at 720-710-9050, email their admissions team at admissions@nimaa.edu.
You may also reach out to Erie at nimaa@eriefamilyhealth.org.
- 8 month long part-time program, including flexible online learning and hands-on in-clinic experience.
- Clinical experience begins right away, students must spend at least 240 hours in clinic.
- Erie’s SPRING COHORT (which starts every year in March) trains out ofthe following locations:
- Erie Evanston/Skokie located in Evanston
- Erie HealthReach Waukegan located in Waukegan
- Erie Foster Avenue Health Center, located in Chicago
- Erie’s FALL COHORT (which starts every year in September) trains out of the following Chicago Erie locations:
- Erie Division Street
- Erie Helping Hands
- As it is a part-time program, many students keep a part-time outside job.
- NIMAA’s graduation rate is 89%.
Students must
- be 18 years of age or older by completion of the program.
- show proof of a high school diploma, GED or equivalent.
- have valid proof of identification.
the Spring 2026 Cohort fees are:
- Program fees: $760
- Tuition fees: $7,502*
*Tuition is fully covered by Erie Family Health Centers for students who agree to work for Erie for a minimum of 2,500 paid hours upon graduation. Loan details available upon application.
The National Institute for Medical Assistant Advancement (NIMAA) is a nonprofit education institute that trains Medical Assistants to work effectively in today’s high-performing primary care settings. Students gain hands-on learning in leading primary care clinics, including Erie Family Health Centers.
Erie Family Health Centers currently trains more than 200 healthcare students and professionals each year, making it a leader in clinical education. Erie is a nationally-recognized community health center with a respected 68-year history of providing high-quality, comprehensive health care to all members of the family. Erie now serves more than 95,000 patients at 13 state-of-the art health centers across Chicago and the northern suburbs.
Program FAQs
The program is 29-weeks long and requires a commitment of approximately 30 hours/week. Each student’s weekly schedule varies based on their assigned clinical time and online content can be completed on their own schedule.
There will be no application fee for spring 2026 and $760 of book, material and exam fees ($540 due at the beginning of the program, $220 due by approximately the midpoint of the program).
See the NIMAA tuition and fee page for more information. If accepted into the Erie program, Erie can pay the $7,502 tuition payment directly to NIMAA on the students behalf in the form of an interest-free loan. All other fees are the student’s responsibility to pay directly to NIMAA by the dates indicated.
Yes, you may can apply, but a high school diploma or GED certificate must be completed prior to the program start date.
Erie Family Health Centers’ MA Externship Sites
Fall cohorts start in September and train at...
Erie Division Street Health Center
2418 W. Division
Chicago, IL 60622
Erie Foster Avenue Health Center
5215 N. California
Chicago, IL 60625
Spring cohorts start in March and train at...
Erie Evanston/Skokie
Health Center
1285 Hartrey
Evanston, IL 60202
Erie HealthReach Waukegan
Health Center
2323 Grand
Waukegan, IL 60085
Erie MA Training Program Coordinator:
Victoria Fernandez - NIMAA@eriefamilyhealth.org
Call (312) 666-3494 to schedule an appointment.
For our suburban locations call (847) 666-3494
Erie Family Health Centers received back-to-back 2024 and 2025 USA Today Top Workplaces Awards, Top Workplaces Purpose and Values Awards, and the Healthcare Industry Award. These awards recognize that our shared belief in Erie's mission and values drives everything we do.