Medical Coding, Technical Certificate of Credit

Overview

Offered at the Augusta campus

Entrance Dates:	Summer
Length of Program:	Three Terms
Credit Hours Required for Graduation:	24

Program Description: The Medical Coding technical certificate of credit program provides a sequence of courses that prepares students with appropriate general core, anatomy and physiology, human diseases, medical procedural, and physicians procedural coding skills. Learning opportunities develop academic, technical, and professional knowledge and skills required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. The program emphasizes a combination of didactic and laboratory instruction necessary for successful employment. High school graduation or GED is required for admission to this program.

Program Objectives: The mission of the Medical Coding program is to provide enhanced training for persons who have successfully completed a medical program or are currently working in the medical field. Upon completion of this program, students are encouraged to attempt an entry-level coding certification exam. Medical Coding students may work in positions in medical coding departments in hospitals, clinics, and medical offices.

Employment Opportunities: The current need and an anticipated rise in the number of medical coders needed in local hospitals, clinics, and medical/surgical offices have had a positive impact on entry-level salaries in the Augusta Technical College service area.

Credentialing (Required for employment):  Satisfactory completion of all program courses entitles students to sit for the AAPC’s Certified Professional Coder (CPC) – AAPC examination.

Curriculum Outline

General Core Courses, 3 credits

ENGL 1010

FUNDAMENTALS OF ENGLISH I

3

Occupational Courses, 21 credits

ALHS 1011	STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF THE HUMAN BODY	5
ALHS 1090	MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY FOR ALLIED HEALTH SCIENCES	2
BUSN 1440	DOCUMENT PRODUCTION	4
MAST 1120	HUMAN DISEASES	3
MAST 1510	MEDICAL BILLING AND CODING I	2
MAST 1520	MEDICAL BILLING AND CODING II	3
MAST 1530	MEDICAL PROCEDURAL CODING	2

Notes:

• Students in the health field have a special responsibility regarding grades in their programs. To be eligible for graduation, students must make a minimum passing grade of “C” in all courses.
• A student who does not earn a grade of a “C” or higher in any two courses will be suspended from the program for one year. After the third unsuccessful attempt of any course, the student will not be allowed to re-enter the Medical Coding program.
• Prerequisites required by medical coding students for MAST 1120 are ENGL 1010, ALHS 1011, and ALHS 1090.
• The prerequisite for BUSN 1440-Document Production is the ability to key (type) at least 25 words per minute (WPM) on 3-minute timing with no more than 3 errors. If you cannot type at this speed, you will need to take BUSN 1100 to attain this speed prior to enrolling in BUSN 1440. As BUSN 1100 is not a required course in the program, you may be required to pay out of pocket for this class. You will need to take BUSN 1100 prior to entering the second term of the program to remain in sequence with your cohort and to complete the program in three terms.
• Conviction of a felony or gross misdemeanor may prohibit employment in field and may make a student ineligible to take licensing/certification exam(s) required for the profession. A background check and/or drug screen may be required by some agencies before a student attends a clinical practicum. For more information, contact the appropriate program advisor.
• Student activities associated with the curriculum, especially while students are completing his or her clinical rotations, will be educational in nature. Students will not be receiving monetary remuneration during this educational experience, nor will he or she be substituted for hired staff personnel within the clinical institution in the capacity of a medical coder.
• ALHS prefix courses must not be older than five years to be used as a prerequisite for MAST prefix courses.

Guided Pathway

You may click on any course below to view the course description and prerequisite information.

Students who do not follow the Course Sequence listed below may not be able to complete the program in the number of semesters shown.

Augusta Evening Program

PROGRAM NAME: Medical Coding

AWARD: Technical Certificate of Credit

CAMPUS: Augusta Evening Program

Year 1 Summer Semester

ENGL 1010	FUNDAMENTALS OF ENGLISH I	3
ALHS 1011	STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF THE HUMAN BODY	5
ALHS 1090	MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY FOR ALLIED HEALTH SCIENCES	2

Year 1 Fall Semester

BUSN 1440	DOCUMENT PRODUCTION	4
MAST 1120	HUMAN DISEASES	3
MAST 1510	MEDICAL BILLING AND CODING I	2

Year 1 Spring Semester

MAST 1520	MEDICAL BILLING AND CODING II	3
MAST 1530	MEDICAL PROCEDURAL CODING	2