What Is It Known For?
Bay Area Medical Academy (BAMA) builds healthcare careers through partnerships with local employers. Simonida Cvejic started this private for-profit school in 2004 to address the growing need for skilled healthcare workers while running a business that matched her professional standards.
The academy operates two campuses, one in San Francisco and another in San Jose, with an annual enrollment of 159 undergraduate students. Classes emphasize hands-on learning, and instructors provide extra coaching plus additional lab time for students who need more support.
Degrees & Certifications
Bay Area Medical Academy (BAMA) offers several focused programs:
- Medical Assisting with Phlebotomy
- Medical Assistant Refresher Course
- Phlebotomy Technician
- CPR
How long you take depends on the type of course you pursue. Make sure to look at the school’s website for more information.
Class Schedules
Programs follow a hybrid model that combines daily online lectures with weekly in-person lab sessions. You can attend morning or evening classes based on your schedule. The school includes externships at Bay Area medical facilities as part of their training approach, giving you real clinical experience before you graduate.
Is It a Good School?
Yes. Bay Area Medical Academy is a legitimate institution. The school is accredited by the Middle States Association.
Acceptance Rate
The academy maintains an open admission policy with a 100% acceptance rate for qualified applicants.
How Much Does Tuition Cost?
Programs at Bay Area Medical Academy vary by cost:
- Medical Assistant Training: $16,850
- Medical Assistant With Phlebotomy: $13,220
- Pharmacy Technician: $10,500
- Phlebotomy Technician Training: $3,200
- CPR: $88
- Medical Assistant Refresher Course: Determined individually
Please note that these amounts cover tuition only and may not include books, supplies, or lab fees. Contact the school directly for complete cost information since their online net price calculator currently has technical problems.
Programs & Courses
Healthcare
- Medical Assisting With Phlebotomy
- Phlebotomy Technician
- CPR Course
Campus Locations
San Francisco 530 Bush St. Suite 201 San Francisco, CA 94108
San Jose 31 N. 2nd St. Suite 100 San Jose, CA 95113
Reviews
Based on Google reviews provided, Bay Area Medical Academy (BAMA) has a mixed reputation, with a rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars.
The feedback is highly polarized. Reviews frequently praise the quality of instruction and training, but a significant number of recent reviews highlight severe issues with the administration and externship process. The owner is active in responding to reviews, particularly the critical ones, though some students feel these responses are dismissive.
Overall Score: 4.1/5 stars
Common Praises
Quality of Instruction: Many students praise the instructors for being knowledgeable, patient, and encouraging. The hands-on training for programs like Phlebotomy is described as thorough and engaging.
Effective Training: Reviewers feel that the programs, particularly Phlebotomy, provide the necessary skills to pass licensing exams and prepare for a career. One reviewer even credited the school with helping them prepare for work in a hospital setting.
Supportive Environment: Some students report feeling a sense of community and finding support from both instructors and classmates.
Responsive Owner: The school owner actively responds to many reviews, both positive and negative, which shows an effort to engage with student feedback.
Common Criticisms
Severely Dysfunctional Administration: This is the most prevalent and recent criticism. Students describe the administrative staff as “beyond unprofessional,” with frequent complaints about unreturned calls and emails. Reviewers report being left on hold for long periods, being redirected between staff members, and feeling completely unsupported.
Externship and Certification Delays: A major point of frustration is the long wait time for externship placements, with one student reporting a year-long process to get their license. This is often tied to the lack of communication from staff responsible for these placements. Students also complain about delays in receiving their final certificates after completing the program.
Financial Mismanagement and Misinformation: Several reviews accuse the school of being “all they want is money” and misleading students. One student was “gravely misled” about the length of the program, and another claimed to have been promised a scholarship only to end up with student loans due to an administrative error.
Unhelpful Staff: Staff members are singled out for being unhelpful, with specific individuals being named for not responding to emails or calls.
Momentum
The momentum for BAMA is mixed but trending negatively. While older reviews are generally positive and express gratitude, recent comments (from the last year or so) have a much more critical tone, focusing heavily on administrative dysfunction. The contrast between the quality of the in-class experience and the frustrating post-class administrative process is a consistent theme. The owner’s responses, while frequent, do not seem to fully alleviate the students’ frustrations.