Medical Coding Specialist, Certificate of Achievement

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JJC Program Code: CO520

ICCB Program Code: CIOS 0065
CIP Code: 51.0713
SOC Code: 31-9092

JJC’s Medical Coding Specialist program prepares students for a career as a medical coder. Medical Coding Specialists’ code medical diagnoses and procedures using ICD-10-CM/PCS, CPT and HCPCS Level II codes. The coded information is used for insurance reimbursement purposes, for databases and registries, for population health statistics, medical research, and to maintain patients’ medical and treatment histories. Medical Coding Specialist graduates can work for hospitals, nursing homes, physicians’ offices, billing companies, insurance companies and ambulatory care centers.

Upon completion of the Medical Coding Specialist program, students will possess the skills necessary for entry-level coding positions within the healthcare industry. Medical Coding Specialist graduates are encouraged to sit for the national Certified Coding Associate (CCA) certification exam given by the American Health Information Management Association.

If you decide to continue your education and pursue the Health Information Management Technology A.A.S. degree at JJC, all courses completed with a final grade of “C or better” for the Medical Coding Specialist certificate will apply toward the A.A.S. degree.

Major Core Requirements: 30 Semester Hours

Students may substitute BIO 151, or the anatomy sequence: BIO 250 and BIO 251 for BIO 125.

Total Required Hours: 30 Semester Hours

Includes Online Courses

This program includes the option for distance education courses (online and/or hybrid).

Completion Guide

The following schedule is based on full-time enrollment. Students planning to transfer to a senior institution should check with that institution for specific transfer requirements.

Program Prerequisites: Students must achieve a C or better in all required courses before they are eligible for graduation.

First Semester

Second Semester

Third Semester

Graduation Requirements

Graduation Requirements

To be awarded an Associate degree at Joliet Junior College, each student must meet the following requirements:

1. Satisfy all admissions requirements.

2. Complete the courses required to earn the given degree. If the student is a transfer student with coursework taken elsewhere, he/she must complete a minimum of 60

credit hours of which 15 credit hours applicable to the degree are earned at JJC. Proficiency test, CLEP, and Advanced Placement does not meet this requirement.

3. Earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0.

4. Discharge all financial obligations to the College and have no restrictions.

5. File an application for graduation. An application should be filed at the time of registration for the student’s anticipated last semester.

6. Have all official transcripts from other college/universities on file in the Graduation Office by the graduation filing date for evaluation of credit. A delay in the process

may result in a later graduation date.

To be awarded a Certificate of Achievement, Certificate of Completion, or Occupational Certificate at JJC, each student must meet the following requirements:

1. Satisfy all admission requirements.

2. Complete the courses required to earn the chosen certificate. Complete a minimum of 1-8 credit hours (Occupational Certificate), 4-29 credit hours (Certificate of Completion) or 30-50 credit hours (Certificate of Achievement). If the student is a transfer student with coursework taken elsewhere, he/she must complete a minimum of 25% of the total required credit hours applicable to the certificate at JJC. Proficiency test, CLEP, and Advanced Placement do not meet this requirement.

3. Earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 in the area of concentration.

4. Discharge all financial obligations to the college and have no restrictions.

5. File an application for graduation. An application should be filed at the time of registration for the student’s anticipated last semester.

6. Have all official transcripts from other college/universities on file in the Graduation Office by the graduation filing date for evaluation of credit. A delay in the process

may result in a later graduation date.

Contact Information

Department Chairperson	Program Coordinator	Program Advisor
Name: Audrey Finkel	Name: Debra Gaskin	Name: Debra Gaskin
E-mail: afinkel@jjc.edu	E-mail: dgaskin@jjc.edu	E-mail: dgaskin@jjc.edu
Phone: 815-280-6741	Phone: 815-280-2625	Phone: 815-280-2625