Medical coders perform essential work that supports the delivery of patient care and the healthcare industry’s process of revenue cycle management. The job market for medical coders is expected to grow by 11 percent through 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employers often require medical coders to possess a postsecondary credential.
Earn This Certificate for Less
For a limited time, Peirce is offering special, discounted tuition of $350 per credit for new students who enroll in an undergraduate certificate. This is more than 40% less than our regular undergraduate tuition. Tuition for the Medical Coding certificate is $7,770 (does not include fees or books).
The online Medical Coding certificate at Peirce College prepares you for employment as a medical coder, and to earn professional AHIMA and AAPC certifications. You will gain hands-on experience to become proficient with logic-based encoder software and the resources they provide, including ICD-10 diagnostic and procedure codebooks, CPT and HCPCS codebooks, reimbursement groupers and additional references. All courses are available entirely online.
Upon successful completion of the Medical Coding program, graduates will be able to:
Credits:
22
Format:
100% online & stackable
Transfer Credits:
Apply up to 12 transfer credits to this certificate
Time to Complete:
9 months; our test out options can shorten your timeline.
Tuition:
$7,700*
($350 per credit x 22 credits)
*Based on special, limited-time tuition for new students of $350 per credit (does not include fees or books). Our test-out options can further reduce costs.
The online Medical Coding certificate can be completed in nine months over the course of four sessions. Each session lasts approximately eight weeks. There are three start times for the program each year.
Courses in First Session: PRC 100 or PRC 101 Peirce Orientation HIT 100 Medical Terminology* SCI 240 Anatomy & Physiology 1* | Courses in Third Session: HIT 220 ICD-10-CM/PCS Coding HIT 225 CPT Coding
|
Courses in Second Session: SCI 250 Anatomy & Physiology 2* SCI 270 Pathophysiology* | Courses in Fourth Session: HIT 221 Advanced ICD-10-CM/PCS Coding HIT 226 Advanced CPT Coding |
*available as a test out option (cost is $200 each).
Graduates will be eligible to sit for the following certification exams:
Why Earn Professional Certification?
Earning AHIMA or AAPC certification will help you stand out from other job candidates, and Peirce College’s Exam Incentive Program reimburses the cost of the exam for successful, first-time test takers.
Salary Information
For course requirements and prerequisite information, refer to the individual course descriptions in the College Catalog.
| PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS: | Min. Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| PRC | PRC 100 or PRC 101* | 1 |
| SCI 240 | Anatomy & Physiology I | 3 |
| SCI 250 | Anatomy & Physiology II | 3 |
| SCI 270 | Pathophysiology | 3 |
| HIT 100 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| HIT 220 | ICD-10-CM Coding | 3 |
| HIT 225 | CPT/Outpatient Coding | 3 |
| HIT 221 or HIT 226 | Advanced ICD Coding & Virtual PPE or Advanced CPT Coding & Virtual PPE | 3 |
Stackable and Impactful
The 22 credits earned in the Medical Coding certificate program are stackable. Students can apply 19 credits earned from the Medical Coding certificate directly to our Health Information Technology degree. The remaining three credits not applied to the HIT program can be applied to the BS in Health Information Administration degree to fulfill an open elective. In addition, all 22 credits earned in the Medical Coding certificate can be applied to the BA in Liberal Studies degree.
The Health Programs Advisory Board is one of the primary mechanisms that drive the ongoing evaluation and development of Peirce College’s health programs and keep them relevant, current and in touch with the needs of employers. The board is comprised of healthcare industry professionals, program faculty, College administrators, the general public and alumni.
Our goal is to create a diversified forum that will address trends, developments, and issues affecting the healthcare community as a whole, and the healthcare industry in particular.
Current Health Programs Advisory Board members are employed in a variety of healthcare settings in organizations such as the New Jersey State Cancer Registry, Merakey, Lankenau Medical Center-Main Line Health and The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
The Health and Human Service Programs Student Association (HPSA) is composed of students enrolled in Peirce College’s health and human service programs. There is no membership fee to belong to HPSA. Students become members when they become a student in a health or human services program.
HPSA provides a vehicle for students to get to know each other, network, discuss areas of study, and provide support for each other. Faculty advisors for HPSA facilitate educational and social programs for students to participate. Information relating to careers in the healthcare industry, opportunities for scholarships, internships, part-time jobs, and academic requirements and policies are freely available through an electronic platform through the Canvas Learning Management System.
Earning a Certificate in Medical Coding from Peirce College is a great way to start your career in healthcare. Peirce graduates hold a variety of positions in health information management, administration and leadership at hospitals, healthcare systems, insurance companies and physician offices.
“Successful students in the Certificate of Medical Coding program manage their time effectively and are committed to developing proficiency as future coders. The program is rigorous by design, and our most successful students recognize the value of asking for support from their instructor and staff in the Walker Center for Academic Excellence.”
Stephanie A. Donovan, Ed.D., MBA, RHIA
Associate Provost, Academic Affairs
Contact an Admissions Representative for more information.
1608 Walnut Street, Suite 1900
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215.545.6400
