This Program was developed in 1992 due to a regional shortage of certified medical coders.  The program’s core courses provide a career pathway to becoming a certified medical coder specifically geared toward Teaching Facility Rules, and the UCD Health System.  The courses also provide beneficial education for a variety of other related positions in the medical field.  The core courses are Medical Terminology, Anatomy & Physiology, Basic Coding, Intermediate Coding, Coding Internship and Preparation for the CCS-P Certification Examination.  Additional courses designed to improve students’ learning and intellectual engagement, as well as to enhance their writing and oral communication skills are also offered. The majority of the courses consist of 120 hours of instruction, both on-line and instructor-led. 

Successful completion of the following, in this sequence, is required:  Medical Terminology, Anatomy & Physiology, Basic CPT and ICD-9 Coding and then the Coding Internship.  Students wishing to further their understanding are also encouraged to enroll in Intermediate Coding.  After the practical experience gained in the Coding Internship the student may wish to enroll in the Preparation for the CCS-P Examination in preparation for earning national coding certification. 

If students have previously completed any of the above, a transcript may suffice. These courses may also be challenged.  The challenge exam schedule link can be found on the website.

The program also provides opportunities to earn CEU for those who have coding certification.