Best institutions to study Medical Office Computer Specialist/Assistant
A program that prepares individuals to apply computer programming, troubleshooting, and information technology skills to the installation, maintenance, and upgrade of standard, customized, or proprietary medical software and associated hardware.
7 U.S. institutions graduated 75 Medical Office Computer Specialist/Assistant students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.0709, a specialization of Health and Medical Administrative Services (CIP 51.07), and leads most directly to the Computer User Support Specialists occupation (BLS SOC 15-1232).
About Medical Office Computer Specialist/Assistant programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply computer programming, troubleshooting, and information technology skills to the installation, maintenance, and upgrade of standard, customized, or proprietary medical software and associated hardware. Includes instruction in computer programming, systems analysis, networking, telecommunications, medical records and informatics software applications, information technology, systems administration, computer security, and applicable regulations and certifications or licenses.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Medical Office Computer Specialist/Assistant program prepares individuals to integrate computer technology within healthcare settings. This program focuses on equipping students with the skills necessary to manage and maintain medical software and hardware, ensuring efficient operations in medical offices and facilities. It is ideal for those interested in combining healthcare with technology.
Students will gain knowledge in computer programming, systems analysis, and medical records software applications. Coursework includes training in troubleshooting, information technology, and applicable regulations, enabling graduates to effectively support healthcare professionals in their technological needs.
Credentials awarded
What Medical Office Computer Specialist/Assistant graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years61 graduates / yr · 2 institutions81%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year8 graduates / yr · 2 institutions11%
- Associate's degree6 graduates / yr · 3 institutions8.0%
Graduates over time
Medical Office Computer Specialist/Assistant completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 486 |
| 2013 | 484 |
| 2014 | 347 |
| 2015 | 372 |
| 2016 | 417 |
| 2017 | 358 |
| 2018 | 290 |
| 2019 | 268 |
| 2020 | 243 |
| 2021 | 223 |
| 2022 | 118 |
| 2023 | 114 |
| 2024 | 117 |
| 2025 | 75 |
Top 7 institutions for Medical Office Computer Specialist/Assistant, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bayamon Community College Bayamon, PRPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 56 | 33% | — | $12,511 |
| 2 | Johnson County Community College Overland Park, KSPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 7 | 31% | — | — |
| 3 | Missouri State University - West Plains West Plains, MOPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 5 | 41% | — | — |
| 4 | Saint Paul College Saint Paul, MNPublicAssociate's | 3 | 40% | — | — |
| 5 | Cape Fear Community College Wilmington, NCPublicAssociate's | 2 | 34% | — | — |
| 6 | Normandale Community College Bloomington, MNPublicAssociate's | 1 | 27% | — | — |
| 7 | Fox Valley Technical College Appleton, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 65% | — | $34,534 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Health and Medical Administrative Services field (CIP 51.07) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 6 states & territories
Where Medical Office Computer Specialist/Assistant graduates come from. Each state links to all Health and Medical Administrative Services programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puerto Rico | 1 | 56 | Bayamon Community College56 / yr |
| Kansas | 1 | 7 | Johnson County Community College7 / yr |
| Missouri | 1 | 5 | Missouri State University - West Plains5 / yr |
| Minnesota | 2 | 4 | Saint Paul College3 / yr |
| North Carolina | 1 | 2 | Cape Fear Community College2 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 1 | 1 | Fox Valley Technical College1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 15-1232, Computer User Support Specialists, and its national outlook.
Graduates can pursue careers as Computer User Support Specialists, with an annual median wage of $60,340. Although the job outlook indicates a decline of 3.7%, there are still approximately 40,800 annual openings in this field. Typical education for these roles includes some college experience, though a degree is not always required.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.0709
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Computer User Support Specialistsprimary SOC 15-1232 | $61,860 | -3.7% Decline | ~40,800 | Some college, no degree |
Computer Programmers SOC 15-1251 | $100,390 | -6.0% Decline | ~5,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Medical Office Computer Specialist/Assistant programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Oversee the daily performance of computer systems.
- Set up equipment for employee use, performing or ensuring proper installation of cables, operating systems, or appropriate software.
- Read technical manuals, confer with users, or conduct computer diagnostics to investigate and resolve problems or to provide technical assistance and support.
- Answer user inquiries regarding computer software or hardware operation to resolve problems.
- Install and perform minor repairs to hardware, software, or peripheral equipment, following design or installation specifications.
- Confer with staff, users, and management to establish requirements for new systems or modifications.
Tools and technology used
Other Health and Medical Administrative Services specializations
The 23 other 6-digit CIP codes under Health and Medical Administrative Services (CIP 51.07).
- Health/CIP 51.0701
Health Care Administration/ Management 28,580 graduates / yr704 institutions - Health Information/CIP 51.0707
Medical Records Technology/ Technician 12,261 graduates / yr314 institutions - Medical Insurance Specialist/CIP 51.0714
Medical Biller 11,432 graduates / yr160 institutions - Medical Insurance Coding Specialist/CIP 51.0713
Coder 10,263 graduates / yr355 institutions - Medical Administrative/CIP 51.0716
Executive Assistant and Medical Secretary 6,024 graduates / yr223 institutions - Medical Office Assistant/CIP 51.0710
Specialist 4,612 graduates / yr186 institutions - Hospital and Health Care Facilities Administration/CIP 51.0702
Management 3,432 graduates / yr63 institutions - Health and Medical Administrative ServicesCIP 51.07993,295 graduates / yr91 institutions
- Health Information/CIP 51.0706
Medical Records Administration/ Administrator 2,865 graduates / yr126 institutions - Medical Office Management/CIP 51.0705
Administration 2,627 graduates / yr115 institutions - Medical/CIP 51.0711
Health Management and Clinical Assistant/ Specialist 1,344 graduates / yr20 institutions - Medical Reception/CIP 51.0712
Receptionist 962 graduates / yr37 institutions - Clinical Research CoordinatorCIP 51.0719342 graduates / yr25 institutions
- Healthcare InnovationCIP 51.0722284 graduates / yr16 institutions
- Long Term Care Administration/CIP 51.0718
Management 148 graduates / yr23 institutions - Health Unit Coordinator/CIP 51.0703
Ward Clerk 109 graduates / yr11 institutions - Regulatory Science/CIP 51.0720
Affairs partial data95 graduates / yr7 institutions - Health Unit Manager/CIP 51.0704
Ward Supervisor partial data38 graduates / yr5 institutions - Medical Transcription/CIP 51.0708
Transcriptionist partial data30 graduates / yr9 institutions - Medical Staff Services Technology/CIP 51.0717
Technician partial data29 graduates / yr5 institutions - Disease Registry Data ManagementCIP 51.0721partial data28 graduates / yr5 institutions
- Health/CIP 51.0715
Medical Claims Examiner limited data11 graduates / yr1 institutions - Healthcare Information Privacy Assurance and SecurityCIP 51.0723limited data7 graduates / yr2 institutions
See all Health and Medical Administrative Services programs →
Common questions
What is the duration of the program?+
The program typically awards credentials that require at least 1 but less than 2 academic years.
What kind of skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, and technical troubleshooting.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Computer User Support Specialist or a Computer Programmer.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 3.7%, but there are still many annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Medical Office Computer Specialist/Assistant?+
Medical Office Computer Specialist/Assistant is CIP 51.0709 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Health and Medical Administrative Services (CIP 51.07). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to apply computer programming, troubleshooting, and information technology skills to the installation, maintenance, and upgrade of standard, customized, or proprietary medical software and associated hardware. Includes instruction in computer programming, systems analysis, networking, telecommunications, medical records and informatics software applications, information technology, systems administration, computer security, and applicable regulations and certifications or licenses.
How many institutions offer Medical Office Computer Specialist/Assistant programs?+
7 U.S. institutions reported Medical Office Computer Specialist/Assistant graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 6 states & territories, awarding 75 credentials in the year. That is 0.1% of all Health and Medical Administrative Services graduates.
How much do Medical Office Computer Specialist/Assistant graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Computer User Support Specialists occupation, which Medical Office Computer Specialist/Assistant most directly leads to, pays a median of $61,860 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Health and Medical Administrative Services field report median earnings of $34,534 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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