Medical coding certificate

Ready to take the next step to an in-demand career?

• Program application (PDF)

You must have: 

• A 2.5 GPA. 

• A “B” or better in intro to anatomy BIO101 or high school biology within five years. 

According to various sections of the Ohio Law and Regulations for Certification and Licensure Boards, persons convicted of any felony or a misdemeanor may not be able to be accepted into a health program at Stark State College, may not be able to take the licensure or certification examinations, may be refused acceptance of placement by the clinical/practicum sites, or may have restrictions placed on their ability to practice. For more information, contact the dean of student services and the applicable licensure/certification board.

Take a look at the projected cost of the program, which includes tuition and fees. Please keep in mind these costs are before any financial aid may be applied.

A medical coder is a professional with a unique blend of clinical knowledge and information management skills who: 

• Reviews medical records and assigns codes based on diagnoses and procedures for reimbursement and research purposes. 

• Understands and applies coding guidelines and reimbursement methodologies. 

• Applies laws and regulations relative to maintenance, disclosure, confidentiality and retention of health information. 
• Uses computer applications to manage health information.

Working conditions are usually flexible, primarily day shift with no weekends or holidays. The actual coding environment includes sitting for long periods of time, reviewing medical records (paper or electronic), using a computer all day and working independently. Productivity and quality standards are required; therefore, this position may be stressful. 

Health information technician/medical coders are one of the fastest growing occupations in the country today. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical records and health information technicians is expected to grow much faster than average for all occupations through 2026 because of rapid growth in the number of medical tests, treatments and procedures that will be increasingly scrutinized by health insurance companies, regulators, courts and consumers. 

• After meeting the prerequisites, you must complete a health and public services rolling admission application form to apply to the program. The program is a one-year certificate program with the health information management (HIM) courses held during the morning and evening hours.  

• The program has two tracks. Day track runs 10 a.m.-12:50 p.m. Night track runs 5:30-8:20 p.m. When you’re accepted, you must sign up for the morning or evening sections of the HIM courses. A new group of students starts the program every fall semester.  

• Some students choose to reduce their workload by taking general study courses or health sciences prior to formal program entry. These options are important considerations for those whose work or whose family responsibilities might otherwise prevent them from pursuing an education. General study courses and health science courses are available during the day and night.  

• Currently, the program starts with a new group of students in the fall and continues through to the following August. The summer schedule is extremely concentrated and accelerated with classes starting in June.  

• You may also receive credit for classes based on work experience and may test out of a class (up to 12 credit hours) by taking a proficiency test. 

The Virtual Professional Practice Experience starts after the completion of the 8-week summer session. It lasts for two weeks, is completely online and is synchronous. Since medical coding is a remote profession, this experience ensures that you’re prepared for a future career as a medical coder. 

Following completion, you’re prepared to take a national certification examination. The American Health Information Management Association and/or American Academy of Professional Coders offer certification examinations. The examinations are comprehensive, covering all aspects of health information, coding, reimbursement, science and other subjects addressed in the curriculum.  

There are numerous certification examinations (CCA, CCS, CPC, CCS-P, etc.) available based on individual and/or employer requirements. The program strongly recommends that you take the CCA exam, as this exam is intended for entry-level candidates with minimal coding experience or graduates of coding certificate or training programs. The CCA should be viewed as the starting point as you start a new career as a coder. The more advanced CCS and/or CCS-P exams demonstrate mastery level coding skills, obtained by work experience that the CCA would strive for to advance their coding career. 

Yes, lifelong learning and keeping skills up to date are important in this field. Each certification may require different continuing education requirements. For example, if you’re a CCA and need to maintain certification, you must complete 20 CEUs in a two-year period.

The medical coding certificate program is approved by the Ohio Department of Higher Education. Developed in 2002, it uses the same courses in the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)-accredited health information technology program.

Yes. However, it’s on a space-available basis. You must complete a health and public services rolling admission application form to the HIM program before the end of the spring semester of the coding certificate program. Admission will be based on seat availability and is first-come, first-served.  

Courses needed to complete the associate degree are offered only during the day, and you must follow the curriculum as designed to complete the associate degree in one year. 

Make an appointment to discuss the curriculum, program requirements and the schedule of courses. Contact Gina Schoolcraft at gschoolcraft@starkstate.edu or 330-494-6170 ext. 4963. 

Also visit these websites for additional information: 

• American Health Information Management Association 

• American Academy of Professional Coders 

• Ohio Health Information Management Association