To learn more, visit: https://www.morainepark.edu/academics/programs/medical-coding-specialist/
Program Number: 31-530-2
Technical Diploma (1 year)
Campus: Online
This program is eligible for financial aid
Start your career in the health care industry—become a medical coding specialist in less than a year with an online diploma from Moraine Park Technical College.
About the Program
Medical coding specialists review medical documentation provided by health care providers and translate it into an alphanumeric classification system. Using universally recognized coding systems, the coding specialist then assigns and sequences diagnostic and procedural codes, which are used by insurance companies to process health care claims, as well as for statistics and medical research.
Graduates from Moraine Park's online Medical Coding Specialist program are eligible to take the national Clinical Coding Associate (CCA) certification examination through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). They may also take AHIMA’s national Clinical Coding Specialist (CCS) examination (two years of coding experience is recommended before taking the CCS examination).
What You’ll Learn
Graduates learn medical coding basics, including how to collect health data, use apps to collect and code data, apply coding and reimbursement systems and act professionally and ethically in the workplace.
The courses in this technical diploma transfer into the Health Information Technology associate of applied science degree.
Transfer Opportunities
Your academic journey can continue at a four-year college or university. Earn your associate degree at Moraine Park and then apply those credits toward a bachelor’s degree. Starting at MPTC makes completing a bachelor’s degree affordable, accessible and convenient. You can go anywhere as MPTC has transfer agreements with colleges and universities both in Wisconsin and throughout the country.
Visit the Transfer to a Four-Year College page for more information on credit transfer agreements between Moraine Park and four-year colleges, both public and private.
Additional Information
State Certification Disclosure: Moraine Park’s Medical Coding Specialist program prepares students to obtain the educational requirements necessary to sit for the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) examination offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). Visit the Accreditation page for more details about certification.
Certification Organization: American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)
Successful completion of 530-165 Intermediate Coding is the exit assessment graduation requirement for this program.
Admission Process
Standard Admissions steps details
Credit for Prior Learning
Transform the skills and abilities developed through previous experience into college credit through MPTC’s Credit for Prior Learning process.
- Transfer credit from other colleges/universities
- Earn college credit for your military training and experience
- Earn college credit via Advance Placement, CLEP, DANTES/DSST or MPTC Challenge Exams
- Earn college credit from previous/current work and life experiences
Visit MPTC’s Credit for Prior Learning page for more information.
Approximate Costs
Tuition
Occupational
- $149.50 per credit (resident)
- $224.25 per credit (out-of-state resident)
Associate of Arts/Associate of Science
- $188.90 per credit (resident)
- $283.35 per credit (out-of-state resident)
Online students are not charged out-of-state fees.
Student Fees
- $5.00 minimum per course Material Fee
- $13.45 per-credit Supplemental Fee for Undergraduate courses
- $4.50 per term mandatory Student Accident Insurance Fee
Please refer to Tuition & Fee Information for additional enrollment fee information.
Financial Aid
Financial Aid is available for associate degree and technical diploma programs (those that are 2 semesters in length and typically with 28 credits or more). Processing can take 4-5 weeks after a student's completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is received. Visit the Financial Aid page to learn more.
While attending Moraine Park during the 2024-25 school year, your estimated cost of attendance for one full year includes tuition of $4,462 (15 credits for fall and spring semester), fees of $338, food and housing of $3,008 (if living with parents, $9,147 if living on your own), books and supplies of $1,465, personal expenses of $3,608, and transportation of $4,017 for a total of $17,002. Your direct costs (those costs paid directly to the college) include tuition & fees. The indirect costs (costs not paid to the college) can vary from individual to individual and your own personal needs.
Pathways
Earn a technical diploma and associate degree along this pathway. Start with some courses for entry-level employment, and continue with additional courses for higher wages and job advancement.
