Medical Coding - Major #4627

Certificate of Achievement Program Map
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The program map below represents an efficient and effective course taking sequence for this program. Individual circumstances might require some changes to this path. It is always recommended that you meet with your pathway counselor to develop a personalized educational plan.


The medical coding certificate program prepares students for a position as a coder in a hospital, physician office, clinic, long-term care facility, and other healthcare settings. Coders review patient health information, analyze and extract data, and ensure appropriate codes are assigned for internal and external data reporting, billing, research, and regulatory compliance. Students must earn a grade of "C" or higher in all major courses.

Course Substitutions:

  1. Biology 20 or Biology 21A may be substituted for Biology 5, Biology 55, or Health 5.

Increased Student Success:

  1.  Students are recommended to meet with a Health & STEM Pathway Counselor to develop a Student Education Plan (SEP).
  2. This major has several prerequisite courses that must be taken in a specific order. Certain courses are only offered once a year.

Upon completion of the program, students will:
  1. 1. Evaluate the content of patient health records and assign diagnostic and procedure codes following regulatory guidelines.
  2. 2. Integrate technology and applications within the scope of practice for a medical coding professional for HIM functions such as electronic health record, encoding, abstracting, billing, and revenue management.
Effective Term: 2024 Fall Semester

Term 1

12-13 units

AHLTH 12
Pharmacology

3 units
Effective Term: 2024 Fall Semester
This course is designed to analyze pharmacology as it relates to the healthcare profession and patient care. The topics of study include drug sources, legislation relating to drugs, drug reference and classification, and drug actions and administration. The clinical application is to master mathematical concepts needed to calculate a patient's medication dosage correctly. (A, CSU)
Course Details:
  1. Advisory: HIT 10

HIT 1
Introduction to Health Information Management

3 units
Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
This course is an introduction to Health Information Technology. Topics include health care delivery systems, hospital organization, the medical record, the processes of health information management, accreditation, licensure, and regulatory requirements. The professional application is to comprehend the role of the health information management professional. (A, CSU)
Course Details:
    (
  1. Advisory: CIT 15
    2. AND
  2. Advisory: ENGL C1000
    3. )

HIT 10
Medical Terminology

3 units
Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
This course will cover medical vocabulary with a concentration on prefixes, suffixes, and word roots. Word dissection and definitions will be highlighted as applied to the body system, including the terminology used in examinations, diagnoses, and procedures. (A, CSU)
Course Details:
  1. Advisory: ENGL C1000

HLTH 5, BIOL 5, or BIOL 55

3-4 units

Select one of the following:

BIOL 5
Human Biology

4 units
Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
An overview of the cellular, molecular, genetic, and systems basis of life with an emphasis on the human body. For allied health majors. Fulfills prerequisites for Biology 20, 21A, and 31. (A, CSU, UC, Cal-GETC)
Course Details:
    (
  1. Advisory: ENGL C1000
    2. AND
  2. Advisory: MATH 201
    3. )

BIOL 55
Introduction to the Biology of Humans

3 units
Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
An introductory human biology class without a laboratory. Designed for students planning to enter medical coding or HIT programs. Not an acceptable prerequisite for Biology 20 or Biology 21A. (A, CSU, UC, Cal-GETC)
Course Details:
  1. Advisory: ENGL C1000

HLTH 5
Structures and Function

3 units
Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
This course is an introductory study of principles, concepts, and interactions of human anatomy and physiology specifically related to physical activity and directed towards physical educators, health information technician, and medical assisting. The emphasis on the following systems: metabolic (bioenergetics), respiratory, cardiovascular, neuromuscular, and skeletal. (A, CSU, UC)
Course Details:

    Term 2

    9 units

    HIT 4
    Disease Process

    3 units
    Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
    This course covers general principles of pathophysiology. Topics include systematic study of symptoms, signs, etiology, course, complications, prognosis and prevention of human diseases. (A, CSU)
    Course Details:
      (
    1. Prerequisite: HIT 10
      2. AND (
    2. Prerequisite: BIOL 5
      3. OR
    3. Prerequisite: BIOL 55
      4. OR
    4. Prerequisite: HLTH 5
      5. ))
    5. Advisory: ENGL C1000

    HIT 5
    ICD Coding: Diagnoses

    3 units
    Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
    This course will cover medical coding of diagnoses using the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). Topics will include an overview of nomenclatures and classification systems with subtopics of coding rules, principles, and guidelines. State and federal regulations impacting coding will be covered along with an introduction to coding software applications. (A, CSU)
    Course Details:
      (
    1. Prerequisite: HIT 1
      2. AND
    2. Prerequisite: HIT 10
      3. )
    3. Corequisite: HIT 4
    4. Advisory: ENGL C1000

    HIT 11
    CPT Coding

    3 units
    Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
    This course covers Common Procedural Terminology (CPT) coding; Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS), and Ambulatory Payment Classifications (APCs) with emphasis on application of coding conventions and guidelines. Students will take an applied approach to billing processes and reimbursement issues and use of manual and electronic coding systems. (A, CSU)
    Course Details:
      (
    1. Prerequisite: HIT 1
      2. AND
    2. Prerequisite: HIT 10
      3. )
    3. Advisory: ENGL C1000

    Term 3

    6 units

    HIT 6
    ICD Coding: Procedures

    3 units
    Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
    This course will review medical coding of procedures using the International Classification of Diseases - Procedure Coding System. Topics will include coding rules, principles, guidelines, and regulations impacting coding. (A, CSU)
    Course Details:
    1. Corequisite: HIT 5
    2. Advisory: ENGL C1000

    HIT 15
    Medical Coding Directed Practice

    1 unit
    Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
    This course will include supervised practice of diagnostic and procedure coding where students demonstrate their knowledge of regulatory compliance, revenue cycle, and reimbursement methodologies. Students will practice with AHIMA Virtual Lab encoding and revenue cycle applications. (A, CSU)
    Course Details:
    1. Prerequisite: HIT 5
    2. Advisory: ENGL C1000

    HIT 16
    Healthcare Reimbursement

    2 units
    Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
    This course will explore the functions and history of healthcare payment systems, including insurance plans, government healthcare programs, and managed care. Topics covered will be fraud and abuse compliance, along with revenue cycle management. (A, CSU)
    Course Details:
    1. Prerequisite: HIT 1
    2. Advisory: ENGL C1000
    Total: 27-28 units