Online Certificate in Medical Coder
Medical coding professionals use industry-established codes and the latest healthcare technology to collect, organize, and report vital information such as diagnoses and treatment outcomes. Coding professionals also manage medical and financial records and work with hospitals and insurance companies to ensure patient claims are properly recorded and processed.
What is Medical Coding?
UC’s comprehensive program curriculum qualifies and prepares students for a variety of professional exams including Certified Professional Coder (CPC) and Certified Coding Associate (CCA). Medical coding graduates are also eligible for the Certificate-to-Degree Fast Track program which guarantees acceptance into UC’s 100% Online Health Information Systems (AAS HIS). The Certificate-to-Degree Fast Track program saves students a significant amount of time and money by guaranteeing all of their credits transfer from the certificate program into the Associates program.
Medical Coder Certificate Program Highlights
High Quality Education
- Prepares students to sit for CPC® and CCA® exams
- Exclusive access to career services and job opportunities
- Professional networking and mentorship with faculty and peers
A certificate in Medical Coding from UC Online opens up a lot of doors for future opportunities:
- As a Medical Coding graduate, you can transfer into UC’s 100% online Health Information Systems (HIS) program and earn your Associates in just one year!
- Graduates of our AAS HIS program can seamlessly transition into our 100% online Bachelor’s in Health Information Management program, which is designed for working professionals and offers flexible scheduling and generous financial aid packages.
- UC’s HIS students sit for the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) exam in their last semester. Graduates hit the ground running with their Associates Degree and RHIT credential!
- UC’s HIM graduates are qualified (and well-prepared) to sit for the Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) credential. The RHIT and RHIA credentials are well-respected and highly sought after in the healthcare industry.
- Our 100% online Cancer Registry Management Certificate Program is another great opportunity to increase your earnings and marketability in the healthcare industry. UC’s Cancer Registry program is one of very few online programs fully accredited by the National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA).
Flexibility
- 100% online – no campus visits required
- Flexible scheduling and six start dates to choose from
Support from Application through Graduation
At UC, you’ll have a full support team behind you:
Enrollment Services Advisor: Your partner through the application process, getting enrolled, and starting your program
Student Success Coordinator: Helping you prepare for classes and stay on track
Access to Resources: Access to university resources that will support you through your program including online learning expectations and resources, health and wellness resources, and academic support
The online Medical Coder Certificate can be customized to fit your schedule and pace. Part-time and Full-time options are available to all students. Program accepts students 3 time per year (Spring, Summer or Fall). Self-paced online orientation is required after acceptance in to the program.
Students that have transfer credit for three (3) credit hours of BIT 1013C with a C- or higher will be exempt from the Computer Skills Test. Students that have transfer credit for three (3) credit hours of HCMT 2015 will also be exempt from the Computer Skills Test and from retaking HCMT 2015.
Those that do not have transfer credit will take a Computer Skills Test during their online orientation to assess their knowledge of computer programs. Students that do not score an 80% or above on the Computer Skills Test are strongly encouraged to enroll in BIT 1013C (Introduction to Software Applications). Students that pass BIT 1013C will be more likely to succeed in HCMT 2015. BIT 1013C will give students a more comprehensive overview of computer programs that will be explored in more detail in HCMT 2015.
| Course | Title/Description | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| HCMT1019C | ICD Medical Coding III This course is a continuation of HCMT1018, and the coding of anatomical structures and body systems not covered in HCMT1018. The coding of basic diagnostic/procedural statements, case studies and redacted patient medical records will be performed. |
3 |
| HCMT1001 | Medical Terminology for the Health Professions This course is designed to introduce the student to medical terminology, including roots, prefixes,and suffixes, with emphasis on spelling, definition and pronunciation. The course consists of the basic rules for interpreting, constructing,and spelling medical terminology. The course includes common terminology, definitions and pronunciations for prefixes, suffixes, general body terms, and body system terminology. Each bodysystem lesson includes terms for anatomy, pathology, pharmacology, radiology, procedures, and tests. Emphasis is upon learning word roots, prefixes and suffixes and how they are combined toform medical words. |
3 |
| BIOL1015 | Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology Freshmen level course, 3 undergraduate credits. This course discusses the basic anatomy and physiology of the human body, basic current medical information on common clinical disorders encountered in the health field, the nomenclature used in describing anatomy, physiology, and disease of the human body, and the etymology of key terminology. This course is designed for students enrolled in programs of Emergency MedicalProfessions, Health Information Technology, Medical Assisting, and Human Services and Social Work. (Not for biology majors) |
3 |
| BIOL1015L | Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology Lab This laboratory course accompanies Introduction toAnatomy and Physiology (BIOL1015). Activities provide a deeper and practical understanding of the basic principles of human anatomy and physiology. Many of the activities utilize laboratory simulation software. Topics include histology, blood analysis, skeletal muscle physiology, nerve impulse physiology, respiratory mechanics, chemical and physical properties of digestion, cardiovascular dynamics and endocrine physiology. This course was designed for students enrolled in Health Information Systems, Medical Assisting, Multi-Skilled Health Technology, and Emergency Medical Technology (not for biology or nursing majors). Co-requisite: BIOL1015. |
1 |
| HCMT2000 | Foundations of Pharmacology This course will introduce students to the names and uses of the major classes of drugs. The purpose of this course is to develop a foundation for health professionals on how drugs work, potential interaction, and risks and benefits of Rx drugs. |
2 |
| HCMT1017 | ICD Medical Coding I This course provides a comprehensive understanding and application of ICD-CM (International Classifications of Diseases - Clinical Modification). Official coding guidelines are used to accurately assign ICD-CM codes to diagnosis statements. Concepts related to accurate medical coding such as but not limited to sequencing, required medical documentation and provider queries. Medical documentation is reviewed for accuracy and completeness and assigned ICD-CM codes are evaluated for accuracy. Classification systems and registries are discussed and compared. Medical coder certifications are discussed as well as career opportunities and coding policies and procedures. |
3 |
| HCMT2012 | Health Information Ethics This course covers legislative and regulatory processes, legal terminology, and medical professional-related and medical practice-related ethical issues. Topics include confidentiality, privacy and security policies, procedures and monitoring; release of information policies and procedures; and medical ethical issues. This course consists of a discussion and case review ofcodes of ethics, patient's bill of rights, medicalmalpractice cases, and legal and ethical issues for health care workers. The course will exam the most controversial and important issues in modern medical ethics. |
3 |
| HCMT1018 | ICD Medical Coding II This course provides a comprehensive understanding and application of ICD-PCS (International Classifications of Diseases - Procedure Coding System). Official coding guidelines are used to accurately assign ICD-PCS codes to procedural statements. Medical documentation is reviewed for accuracy and completeness and assigned ICD-PCS codes are evaluated for accuracy. Diagnostic/procedural groupings are evaluated for accuracy. |
3 |
| HCMT2015C | Healthcare Applications This course covers electronic health information systems and their design, implementation, and application. Topics include voice recognition and imaging technology, information security and integrity, data storage and retrieval systems, data dictionaries, modeling, and warehousing to meet departmental needs. Planning, design, integration, testing, evaluation and support for organization-wide information systems will be explored. The principles of ergonomics and human factors in work process design will be reviewed. This course also covers communication and internet technologies as well as common software applications such as word processing, spreadsheet, database and graphics. |
3 |
| HCMT1010C | CPT Medical Coding A course that provides a comprehensive understanding of CPT (Current Procedural Terminology). This course focuses on the coding rules for the CPT coding systems and then applyingthe rules to code patient services. |
3 |
| HCMT2025C | Advanced Coding Applications Advanced medical coding using ICD and CPT coding principles, conventions, and updates as they applyto accurate coding of complex medical/surgical cases with emphasis on case studies. Government regulations and changes in health care reporting will be examined. Computerized encoders and groupers emphasized. Topics covered also include other clinical classification/nomenclature systemsin use such as SNOMED and DSM. |
3 |
The Medical Coder Certificate program is open to all students with a high school diploma/GED and the desire to succeed. The program accepts students six times a year. Generous financial aid packages are available for those that qualify including grants and scholarships.
Complete the online application and submit the application fee.
Standard Application Fees:
- $50.00 for domestic applicants to most degree programs
- $100.00 for international applicants to most degree programs
- Application fees for UC Online programs are waived through Summer 2026 for all applicants
- Fee waivers are automatically applied for applicants who:
- are currently serving in the US armed forces
- are veterans of the US armed forces
Applications are accepted continuously throughout the year. Our staff will review your application based on the following:
After submitting your application form, all applicants are required to have official transcripts sent directly to University of Cincinnati in order to be eligible for admissions review.
- First-Year and Transfer Applicants with Fewer Than 24 Completed Semester Hours at a Prior College:
- Order official transcripts from your high school and all prior colleges (if applicable) for delivery directly to University of Cincinnati.
- Transfer Applicants with 24+ Completed Semester Hours at a Prior College:
- Order official transcripts from all prior colleges for delivery directly to University of Cincinnati.
- You are exempt from the High School transcript requirement, this item will be removed from your application checklist once your college documents are received.
Please review the section below for guidance on how to submit your transcripts.
Online transcript request systems are the preferred method to deliver official transcripts electronically. To see if your transcript(s) can be ordered electronically, visit the links below and search for your previous school(s).
- Parchment
- Please select “University of Cincinnati – Main Campus” as the recipient of your transcript.
- National Student Clearinghouse
- Please have your transcript sent directly to admissions@uc.edu.
If you do not see your past school(s) listed on either site, please contact the school(s) directly to determine their ordering process.
If a physical copy must be sent, DO NOT request it be delivered to you. It must be sent directly from your prior school to the following address:
University of Cincinnati
Office of Admissions
PO Box 210091
Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0091
| Term | Application Deadline | Classes Start |
|---|---|---|
Summer 2026 | First Half Summer 2026 | Second Half Fall 2026 | First Half Fall 2026 | Second Half Spring 2027 | First Half Spring 2027 | Second Half |
March 15, 2026 April 1, 2026 July 15, 2026 November 15, 2026 August 1, 2026 December 15, 2026 |
May 11, 2026 June 25, 2026 August 24, 2026 January 11, 2027 October 13, 2026 March 1, 2027 |
The University of Cincinnati's online course fees differ depending on the program. On average, students will accrue fewer fees than students attending on-campus classes.
The one fee applied across all UC Online programs is the distance learning fee. Students living outside the state of Ohio must also pay an additional “non-resident” fee to enroll in courses at UC Online. This fee is lower than the out-of-state fee for traditional on-campus programs.
To view tuition information and program costs, visit the Online Program Fees page.
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