Medical Coding Specialist, Certificate
Certificate—41 credit hours
Curriculum Code 1431
This program prepares students to become medical coding specialists and gain a working knowledge of diagnosis and procedure coding systems. Medical coders classify diagnoses and procedures into numerical format to be used for reimbursement, data quality and medical research. Coders develop a broad base of knowledge to enable the application of coding theory using medical terminology, disease process, surgical procedures, and pharmacology principles. Graduates may seek employment as coders, insurance billers, and reimbursement specialists. After completion of the certificate, students may choose to continue their education and earn the A.A.S. in Health Information Technology. All coding certificate courses are applicable toward the A.A.S. degree.
Graduation Requirements:
- Students must earn a minimum grade of "C" in each required career course (theory and clinical)
- Any career course over four years old must be repeated
- Students must complete program within four years of receiving credit in MRT-111 (formal beginning of Coding Specialist program)
- MRT-110 and BIO-115 (or BIO-180 and BIO-181) must have been passed with a minimum grade of "C" within the last five years
Required General Education Courses
5 credit hours minimum as follows:
| BIO-115 | Anatomy and Physiology | 5 |
| OR- | | |
| BIO-180 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 |
| AND- | | |
| BIO-181 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 |
Required Career Courses
36 credit hours as follows:
Suggested Schedule
Semester 1 (11 credit hours)
Semester 2 (10 credit hours)
| MRT-111 | Health Information Management | 3 |
| MRT-125 | Pathophysiology and Pharmacology | 3 |
| MRT-131 | CPT/HCPCS Level II | 4 |
Semester 3 (9 credit hours)
Semester 4 (7 credit hours)
Semester 5 (4 credit hours)
| MRT-113 | Coding Professional Practice | 4 |