Medical Coding Diploma

Program Overview

Major ID: 330D

Program Start Dates: Fall, Spring, Summer-limited course offerings

Graduates of the Medical Coding Diploma program are proficient in coding medical diagnoses, procedures, services, and supplies, abstracting healthcare data elements, billing and reimbursement methodologies, clinical documentation improvement concepts, and other related processes. Medical coders perform duties while maintaining patient confidentiality and privacy, following regulatory guidelines to ensure accuracy and validity of coded data. Courses taken to meet requirements for the Medical Coding Diploma also prepare a student to continue into the Health Information Technology AAS degree program.

Applicants should possess exemplary reading comprehension skills, critical thinking abilities, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to master the complex intricacies of the medical language. Candidates considering this field should be comfortable reading and analyzing medical data for extended periods of time while abstracting information from patient health records into a healthcare computer system.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Medical Coding Diploma program may work in a wide variety of healthcare facilities such as doctor’s offices, surgery centers, specialty clinics, hospitals, insurance companies, government agencies, research foundations, long-term care facilities, dental offices, consulting firms, and rehabilitation centers. Current trends have shown a significant increase in telehealth or work-from-home options.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Job Outlook for Medical Record and Health Information Technology careers is projected to increase 16% between 2022 and 2032, which is much faster than average for all occupations (www.bls.gov).

Program Outcomes

1. Graduates will apply basic medical sciences in accordance to the profession.
2. Graduates will demonstrate use of office and coding based software applications.
3. Graduates will perform accurate medical coding in accordance with official guidelines for coding and reporting.
4. Graduates will model professional and ethical behavior consistent with the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) Code of Ethics. 

Part-time/Full-time Options

This program can be completed by using a combination of online, day, evening, and Saturday courses. Part-time and full-time options are available.

Program Faculty 

Jennifer Anglin
jennifer.anglin@saintpaul.edu

Kelly Dale
kelly.dale@saintpaul.edu