4 MyCAA Approved Programs to Consider
What is the MyCAA Program?
The Military Spouse Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) Scholarship program is available to spouses of active-duty military members to obtain certifications, diplomas, or associate degrees. MyCAA approved programs enable military spouses to continue their education to learn in-demand career skills that will move with them and allow them to work from anywhere.
Offered through the United States Department of Defense, the MyCAA program provides funding for education up to $4,000 per individual for spouses that meet the eligibility requirements.
Why Consider Enrolling in a MyCAA Approved Program
In addition to the financial support benefits available, some MyCAA approved programs have a flexible schedule, online options, and coursework that can be completed in one year or less. Some schools with MyCAA approved programs may also offer career resources. The skills an individual learns for a specific career are portable and can be carried to a job anywhere.
Explore MyCAA Approved Programs at Blackstone Career Institute
Blackstone Career Institute (BCI), a Military Friendly® School, offers accredited, online, MyCAA approved training programs to become a dental office assistant, legal assistant/paralegal, medical office assistant, or pharmacy technician.
Dental Office Assistant Program
Blackstone’s MyCAA approved Dental Office Assistant Program prepares students for the administrative aspects of working at a dental office practice and supporting dentists. Coursework includes topics on scheduling appointments, managing billing and dental insurance claims, organizing and updating patient files, and ordering and maintaining office and dental supplies. BCI’s program also covers professional development, dental terminology, medicolegal ethics, and HIPPA and OSHA guidelines.
Students who graduate from Blackstone’s MyCAA approved Dental Office Assistant Program qualify to sit for the National Entry Level Dental Assistant (NELDA) certification exam given by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). This can be done after acquiring a CPR, BLS or ACLS certificate from a DANB-accepted provider. The course is required to include CPR and a hands-on skills exam.
Dental assistants are in demand. The Occupational Outlook Handbook notes that this job area is expected to grow six percent between 2024-2034. The median annual salary in 2024 was $47,300, but salaries vary based on factors like location and job setting.
Legal Assistant/Paralegal Program
Paralegals assist lawyers by providing clerical support, performing legal research, and maintaining and organizing client files. The online, MyCAA approved Legal Assistant/Paralegal Program at BCI is flexible and can usually be completed in four months to one year. Coursework prepares students to work in entry-level jobs at law firms, banks, courts, and government organizations. The program includes training in legal terminology, various types of law, the legal research process, and suggestions for finding a job.
In addition, graduates qualify to sit for the Certified Paralegal (CP®) Exam given by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA).
The 2024 median salary for legal assistants and paralegals, according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, was $61,010 annually. However, some individuals in this career earned as much as $98,990.
Medical Office Assistant Program
Blackstone’s MyCAA approved Medical Office Assistant Program is flexible and can usually be completed online in four months to one year. BCI’s program prepares students to carry out the responsibilities of a medical office assistant including ongoing communication with patients, greeting patients, scheduling appointments, and keeping patient records and accounts up to date. The curriculum also includes learning medical terminology, the right way to register patients, the difference between a medical report and healthcare record, and searching for a job as a medical office assistant.
In addition, BCI’s Medical Office Assistant Program qualifies graduates to sit for the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) exam given by the National Healthcareer Association.
Medical assistants play a critical role in helping a medical office run smoothly by being part of the healthcare team.
According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, a 12 percent increase in medical assistant jobs is expected between 2024 and 2034. The annual median salary for a medical office assistant in 2024 was $44,200. Salaries can fluctuate depending on factors such as the location and type of workplace. Medical assistants can work at a physician’s office, outpatient clinic, hospital, or other setting.
Pharmacy Technician Program
BCI’s flexible, online Pharmacy Technician Program is a MyCAA approved program that can be completed within four to 12 months on average. Student coursework includes a range of topics that cover anatomical and pharmaceutical terminology, medication inventory management, insurance billing, pharmacy calculations, drug classifications, and more.
BCI has partnerships with Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy, allowing students a real-world experience in their chosen career. BCI’s 160-hour externship along with the aligned curriculum is designed to prepare students to successfully pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination® (PTCE®), directed by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board® (PTCB®), to gain national recognition as a CPhT (Certified Pharmacy Technician).
According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, the projected outlook for pharmacy technician jobs is estimated to be six percent from 2024-2034 with around 49,000 annual job openings available. The annual median salary for a pharmacy technician in 2024 was $43,460.
Consider BCI for Your Next Career Step as a Military Spouse
If you are the spouse of an active-duty United States military member and want to pursue your education to help you find employment wherever you are located, check out the MyCAA approved programs available to military spouses at BCI.
BCI is an accredited institution and offers the above MyCAA approved programs to advance your career. Check out BCI’s Getting Started Guide for additional information on the MyCAA Scholarship program and how to get started as a student.
Written by Jo Gambosi
