What Is It Known For?
Medical Career Academy in Meridian, Idaho, offers affordable healthcare education and training courses. While the school’s founding date isn’t readily available, it operates independently and isn’t part of a larger network of state community colleges.
The academy prides itself on small class sizes and hands-on learning in a well-equipped facility. Exact enrollment numbers aren’t mentioned, but the school prides itself on small class sizes and highly skilled instructors with extensive field experience.
Degrees & Certifications
Medical Career Academy offers a variety of healthcare-related programs to help students launch their careers in the medical field.
Here’s an overview of the available options:
- Phlebotomy Technician
- Medical Assistant
- Medical Billing & Coding
- Basic Intravenous (IV)Therapy
- Pharmacy Technician
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
- AHA Courses CPR, First Aid
In addition to these standard programs, the academy provides custom training classes for employers looking to enhance the skills of their current workforce.
Class Schedules
Medical Career Academy offers flexible class schedules, including morning, afternoon, and evening classes. Evening sessions usually run from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM on different days, with some courses available on Saturdays. Most programs combine structured in-class training, meeting twice a week for 3-4 hours, with online educational materials.
To gain practical experience, the academy integrates externships at local healthcare facilities into qualifying programs, allowing students to apply their skills in a real-world setting.
Is It Legit?
Yes. Medical Career Academy is officially recognized by the State of Idaho Board of Education. However, the board has not accredited or endorsed any of the academy’s courses. For this reason, credits from these courses may not qualify for transfer to public colleges and universities in the state.
Acceptance Rate
Information regarding the acceptance rate is not available. However, the school has certain enrollment requirements. For more details, it is recommended to contact them directly.
How Much Does Tuition Cost?
Tuition at MCA Idaho varies significantly. The Pharmacy Technician course costs $594, while the Medical Assistant course, the most expensive option, is priced at $6,995. Other offerings, such as the Emergency Medical Technician course and custom classes, do not have prices listed on the website.
For a more accurate estimate of your expenses, it’s best to contact the school directly since they don’t provide a net price calculator.
Programs & Courses
Healthcare
- EMT
- Medical Assistant
- Medical Billing and Coding
- Pharmacy Technician
- Phlebotomy
Campus Locations
Meridian 2082 South Eagle Rd, Meridian, ID 83642
Reviews
Overall Score: 3.7/5 Stars
Common Praises
Exceptional Instructors and Teaching Quality: Several instructors are repeatedly praised as “amazing,” “highly experienced,” “knowledgeable,” and “supportive.” Reviewers highlight that these teachers explain everything in detail, relate concepts to real-life experiences, and are willing to devote extra time to ensure students fully understand the material.
Effective NHA Exam Preparation: Instructors are noted for making sure students are “over prepared for every test” and providing the confidence needed to succeed. Graduates report successfully passing their NHA certification exams shortly after finishing the program.
Career Readiness Support: The school is praised for helping students with more than just the program material, specifically mentioning assistance with resume preparation and getting ready for job interviews.
Flexibility and Fast Track: For those seeking rapid entry into the medical field, the short, “fast paced” course lengths (e.g., 10-week EKG, 12-week Medical Assistant) are seen as a major advantage, making it a viable option for those with long-term commitments.
Common Criticisms
Overwhelming Focus on Money and Unprofessionalism: The most severe and repeated criticism is that the school is “all about money.” Reviewers describe an instructor as being “unprofessional,” “rude,” and “unorganized.” Complaints also include being met with “attitude” due to poor communication and a general lack of professionalism in initial inquiries (e.g., regarding CPR classes).
Administrative and Scheduling Issues: Several students were confused or misled about key aspects of the course. Issues include class sizes being much larger than promised (30 people instead of 16), classes being let out early, and general disorganization in tracking lessons or keeping regular office hours (“NEVER open”).
Program Length and Clinicals: Some students feel the very short program length (e.g., 12 weeks for Medical Assistant via Zoom) is insufficient to grasp the material and skills required, especially with clinical rotations being listed as “optional” rather than mandatory and integrated.
Testing Opportunities: One major complaint is that the school allegedly provides fewer chances to pass the final test compared to local hospital programs, suggesting a greater financial penalty for initial failure.
Momentum
The momentum is mixed and polarized. The most recent reviews (from the last few weeks) contain both enthusiastic five-star ratings praising specific instructors and detailed one-star reviews alleging unprofessional conduct and a focus on money. This indicates a deeply inconsistent experience that persists across the organization, where the success of the program heavily relies on the quality and dedication of individual teaching staff, while administrative consistency and customer service remain significant points of failure. The school’s public responses to positive reviews suggest an active attempt to engage and acknowledge praise.