Health Information Management - Medical Coding

Degree: Technical Certificate

Emphasis: Medical Coding

The Medical Coding Technical Certificate program prepares individuals to understand coding principles and guidelines, medical terminology, and regulatory changes for coding at entry-level competencies for coders in various healthcare settings.

Numerous career opportunities exist in hospitals, physician’s offices, clinics, nursing homes, home health agencies and other healthcare settings. Graduates are eligible to apply to take the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exam offered by the American Health Information Management Association.

Gainful Employment Disclosure: ws.edu/financial-aid/consumer/gedt/GedtMDCD/Gedt.html

The AAS in Health Information Management, Medical Coding Technical Certificate, and Medical Insurance Specialist Technical Certificate was developed in compliance with the Complete College Tennessee Act of 2010. Students who begin this program at Walters State Community College and transfer to another Tennessee public community college are guaranteed that their credits will transfer and will be credited toward completion of the AAS degree in Health Information Management, Medical Coding Technical Certificate, and Medical Insurance Specialist Technical Certificate at the receiving institution.

This program is designed for the student who does not intend to transfer to a baccalaureate degree program.

Admission, Retention and Graduation Requirements

1. All students admitted into the Medical Coding Technical Certificate program will meet the same criteria as established for any technical certificate program offered by Walters State Community College. Primary among these criteria is graduation from high school or a passing score on the GED assessment.
2. Indicate Medical Coding as the desired major on the WSCC application form.
3. Each student enrolled in the Medical Coding Certificate program will be monitored, advised and counseled. Student’s grades will be evaluated at the end of each semester by the director of the coding program. A student must maintain the following standards or be dismissed from the program: (a) a grade of “C” or better in each course; (b) complete designated prerequisite/corequisite courses.
4. Program graduation requirements include the successful completion of the courses listed below with a minimum grade of “C” in each course.