Medical Coding Certificate

School: Health Sciences and Wellness
Academic Dept:
HEGIS: 5213.00

Important Note about Program Requirements

The requirements listed below are for students entering into this program from Fall 2025 to Summer 2026. Students who entered the program during a prior semester will find their specific requirements listed in the Catalog under which they entered. Archived Catalogs are accessible through the dropdown menu above.

Program Description

The fully-online Medical Coding Certificate program at SUNY Westchester Community College prepares students to excel in coding for healthcare settings. Through courses in ICD-10 and CPT-4/HCPCS coding systems, health information management, and healthcare reimbursement, students gain the technical and legal knowledge necessary for roles in medical coding. This certificate is approved by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) since 2019, providing assurance that graduates meet industry standards and are ready for certification exams. With practical training, including a Professional Practice Experience, graduates are well-equipped to enter the workforce or continue their education in health information technology. The program’s credits can also be applied toward the Health Information Technology A.A.S. degree, enhancing long-term career growth and earning potential.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, a student will demonstrate an understanding of:

Demonstrate an understanding of healthcare billing and reimbursement.
Demonstrate competency in utilization of ICD-10 procedural grouping and diagnostic coding.
Demonstrate competency in utilization of CPT4/HCPCS coding for hospitals and physician offices.
Demonstrate competency in applying legal and ethical concepts to medical coding and billing.
Demonstrate competency in documentation improvement through ethical physician queries.
Explain the role of electronic health records and their use, framework, function, clinical terminology, meaningful use, access, HIPAA, security, integrity, storage of data, and destruction

Accreditation

Professional Organization:

American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), Professional Certificate Approval Program (PCAP)
233 N. Michigan Ave., 21st Floor
Chicago, IL 60601-5809
(312)-233-1149

Status: Continued Professional Certificate Approval Program (PCAP) granted March 2024.

Next Full Review: Annual attestation submitted each fall.

Program Notes

No additional notes for this program.

Program Requirements

Required Courses - 35 credits

Program Map

The program map is a recommended semester-by-semester schedule of courses based on degree requirements and serve as a general guideline to help students complete their program in two years. Although designed for full-time enrollment, these are easily adaptable for part-time study. For additional, individualized guidance, students should review Degree Works and consult an Academic Counselor or Faculty Advisor to ensure they are on track to complete their program.

Semester 1 (Summer 1)

Course	Credits
ENG 101 - Writing and Research	3
HCTAL 101 - Medical Terminology	3
HIT 110 - Health Sciences 1	3
Semester Total Credits	9

Semester 2 (Fall)

Course	Credits
BTECH 230 - Integrated Office Applications	3
HIT 130 - Health Sciences 2	3
HIT 120 - Introduction to Health Information Management	3
HIT 210 - Medical Coding/ICD-10	3
Semester Total Credits	12

Semester 3 (Spring)

Course	Credits
HIT 230 - Advanced ICD - 10	3
HIT 140 - Health Care Reimbursement	3
HIT 150 - Advanced Health Information	3
HIT 220 - Medical Coding/CPT 4	3
Semester Total Credits	12

Semester 4 (Summer 2)

Course	Credits
HIT 250 - Professional Practice Experience 1: Coding	2
Semester Total Credits	2

Westchester Community College, State University of New York