What is Ultimate Medical Academy Known For?
Ultimate Medical Academy is best known for being a flexible education option for people pursuing a profession in healthcare.
Offering both online and blended in-person classes on its Clearwater, FL campus, the school is an attractive option for those with demanding schedules or other commitments. It enrolls students nationally, offering a variety of associate’s degrees and diplomas in a wide range of healthcare-oriented areas. For in-person students, the school also offers employer partner programs, allowing students to gain valuable hands-on work experience while enrolled.
Many fields of study, such as those for medical, dental, and nursing assistants, also provide training laboratories and on-site externships, preparing students further for a career in the healthcare field.
Is it legit?
Yes – founded in 1994, Ultimate Medical Academy is a reputable non-profit healthcare education institution. as it is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), and licensed by the Commission for Independent Education (CIE), Florida Department of Education.
Additionally, its Clearwater campus programs are all accredited by Florida’s Boards of Dentistry and Nursing, valuable for in-person students.
Is it worth it?
With over 80,000 graduates, the school hosts a wide network of alumni with career placements all across the country. In addition to their degree programs, the school’s Student Services offer comprehensive career-readiness preparation, including resume writing, interview practice, and job search guidance.
The school also has a wide range of employer partners at various national healthcare corporations, offering priority consideration to graduates of programs including health information management, medical billing, medical coding, and more.
Ultimate Medical Academy Acceptance Rate
Ultimate Medical Academy has a 100% acceptance rate. The school’s entrance requirements are a high school diploma or GED equivalent and English proficiency, as well as a standard background check.
Cost Per Year
The school’s tuition is $475 per credit hour for its online programs, and $430 per credit hour for its Clearwater campus programs.
For students seeking an associate’s degree, the cost of attendance would be around $14,250 yearly for a two-year degree. Financial aid options, including Federal Pell grants, are available for qualifying students.
Ultimate Medical Academy vs Community College
The school has a major emphasis on career preparation and job placement for its alumni post-graduation. Its employer partners include national corporations as reputable as Walgreens for those in the medical billing, coding, and information systems programs. The school also has a Career Services department, specifically dedicated to offering assistance with resumes, interviews, and job searches catered to the healthcare industry – all benefits that would likely not be found at community colleges.
School Catalog
Ultimate Medical Academy’s course catalog can be found here.
https://portal.ultimatemedical.edu/public/uma/images/PDF/Catalog/UMA%20Catalog.pdf
School Hours
As the majority of classes are held online, the school offers considerable flexibility in its schedule, with day classes commencing as early as 9AM and night classes concluding at 9PM.
Student Services and Career Services departments are open from 9AM to 9PM Monday through Thursday, 9AM to 5PM Fridays and Saturdays, and 12PM to 5PM on Sundays, depending on the department.
Programs & Courses
Healthcare Management
Healthcare and Nursing
- Dental Assistant
- Clinical Medical Assistant
- Nursing Assistant
- Phlebotomy Technician
Campus Locations
Clearwater Campus 1255 Cleveland St, Clearwater, FL 33755
Financial Aid Services
The institution provides advisors to help prospects apply for aid. Enrollees learn about the many kinds of loans available and the differences between them. On UMA’s website, students can use a price calculator. This program lets applicants see their potential tuition costs.
Student Services
Ultimate Medical Academy offers tutoring which helps students succeed. For assistance completing homework and projects, attendees have access to a virtual library. The online collection contains full articles and other resources available from any computer.
Career Services
Ultimate Medical Academy guides graduates and attendees as they begin their career. On-campus support includes resume building, cover letter writing, and mock interviews. Upon request, staff will work to match a student with relevant job openings.
Veteran and Military Services
UMA has departments of veteran services and military admissions. Former and current service members receive many benefits. One of the advantages for these students is that the school accepts certain types of training for course credit. Active duty, National Guard, and reservists also get special tuition pricing.
Alumni Services
UMA alumni enjoy many benefits. The department hosts a job board where graduates can post open positions from their own workplace or related companies. The institution also gives alums the chance to mentor by sharing advice with new enrollees.
Reviews
Based on online reviews in Google, Ultimate Medical Academy (UMA) has a highly polarized reputation. A large number of students praise the school for its supportive staff and flexible online programs, while a smaller but significant group of graduates are deeply frustrated by what they describe as “empty promises” and a lack of effective career support.
Overall Score: 3.5/5 Stars
Common Praises
Exceptional Student Support: Many reviewers, particularly those who are older or managing other life commitments, highlight the incredible support from advisors, instructors, and student services. Staff are described as knowledgeable, encouraging, and helpful, creating an environment where students feel they are not “in this alone.”
Flexible Online Learning: The online format is a major strength, allowing students to balance school with work, family, and personal issues. One reviewer even mentions that UMA was able to accommodate their need for a balanced schedule while dealing with a life-threatening illness.
Positive Learning Experience: Students praise the curriculum for being easy to follow and the coursework as manageable. They also appreciate the provided resources, like a new laptop sent by the school.
Initial Career Services: Some graduates are pleased with the initial career support, mentioning help with mock interviews, resume building, and job searching before and immediately after graduation.
Common Criticisms
Disappointing Post-Graduation Support: This is the most significant point of contention. Multiple graduates report that the school’s promises of job placement are “empty” and that after graduating, they were largely on their own. They feel career services are “unhelpful and barely responsive.”
Low-Paying Job Placements: One graduate with a healthcare management degree felt they wasted their time and money when the school tried to place them in low-paying, entry-level jobs that did not require a degree.
Administrative and Communication Issues: While many praise communication, a few detailed reviews reveal serious administrative problems. One former student, a 4.0 GPA student, was delayed from graduating due to the externship department’s inability to find them a suitable site. Another graduate noted that email and phone call responses became inconsistent as they progressed through the program.
Pushy Enrollment Recruiters: One reviewer specifically mentions feeling pressured and “rushed” into enrolling by recruiters who were pushy and seemed to prioritize speed over the student’s personal readiness.
Lack of Live Interaction: A detailed review points out that the online format, while flexible, consists of pre-recorded lectures with minimal interaction, which may not be ideal for students who prefer more engagement and live classes.
Momentum
The momentum for Ultimate Medical Academy is negatively conflicted. While the school continues to receive highly enthusiastic reviews from its small base of successful and dedicated graduates, the high volume of recent, detailed, and severe 1-star reviews focused on financial aid failures, enrollment pressure, and administrative unresponsiveness indicates a systemic and unresolved crisis in the school’s non-instructional and administrative departments. The school’s consistent response—directing every serious complaint to the generic “UMA Cares” team—is cited frequently, but does not appear to be stemming the flow of negative experiences.