Should I Attend Ultimate Medical Academy (UMA) or Ivy Tech Community College?
Should I Attend Ultimate Medical Academy (UMA) or Ivy Tech Community College?
Here is a detailed comparison of Ultimate Medical Academy (UMA) and Ivy Tech Community College, focusing specifically on their Dental Assistant programs:
1. Accreditation
UMA: Accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), a national accreditor focused on allied health.
Ivy Tech: Regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), which is generally considered a more prestigious form of accreditation, especially if students wish to transfer credits or pursue further education.
2. Program Type
UMA: Offers a diploma and associate degree in dental assisting. Some coursework is available online, though clinical externships are in person.
Ivy Tech: Offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Dental Assisting. The program is comprehensive and aligned with Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) standards.
3. Delivery Format
UMA: Primarily online with externship partnerships around the country. It caters well to working adults and remote learners.
Ivy Tech: Fully in-person at various Indiana campuses. Requires lab, clinical, and classroom participation on site.
4. Enrollment Size
UMA: Over 15,000 students nationwide across all healthcare programs. Dental assisting is one of many programs.
Ivy Tech: One of the largest community college systems in the U.S., serving over 160,000 students. Dental assisting programs are offered at select campuses and can be competitive to enter.
5. Program Length
UMA: Diploma can be completed in 10 months; associate degree in about 18–20 months.
Ivy Tech: Typically a 2-year associate program, with required clinical rotations and summer coursework.
6. Cost & Financial Aid
UMA: Higher tuition due to private status. Federal aid and scholarships are available, but it can be more expensive than public colleges.
Ivy Tech: As a public institution, it is very affordable—especially for Indiana residents. Financial aid, grants, and scholarship options make it cost-effective.
7. Job Placement & Licensure Readiness
UMA: Offers national job placement support, but students must verify that the program meets state requirements (especially for expanded functions certifications).
Ivy Tech: CODA-accredited, meaning graduates are eligible to sit for the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam and meet Indiana’s Expanded Functions Dental Assisting (EFDA) requirements.
Conclusion:
Choose Ivy Tech if you want a regionally accredited, CODA-recognized, and affordable in-person program with strong ties to local employers and excellent transfer options.
Choose UMA if you need flexibility, prefer online learning, or are seeking a diploma-focused route to enter the field quickly and remotely.
Dental assisting offers job security, steady income, and healthcare benefits—and it can be a great stepping stone to more advanced roles that do cross the $100K threshold.
Lastly, if you’re looking for a real, stable, and respected career—not just a quick way into the workforce—becoming a licensed dental assistant is the way to go. And when it comes to training, The New York School for Medical and Dental Assistants stands out as the premier institution in the state. It’s the smart choice for anyone ready to invest in a future in healthcare.
