Certified Professional Medical Coding Course

Prepare to become a certified professional medical coder and enter one of the fastest-growing and top-paying job markets with a self-paced or instructor-led certification prep course.

Register for this self-paced course by December 15 and take 20% off tuition.*

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Quick Details

Towson University’s Certified Professional Medical Coding Course prepares you for a rewarding career in the medical field. Learn the application of CPT® procedure codes, HCPCS Level II supply codes, and ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes—all of which medical providers use to submit claims to payers. Upon completion, you will be prepared to sit for the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) Certified Professional Coder (CPC®) exam.

Course Format: Students choose between either an instructor-led or self-paced course option.

  • The instructor-led option meets via Zoom on a set schedule with a cohort of students.
  • The self-paced option is completed independently with some instructor support.

Total Hours: 90 hours (instructor-led and self-paced) 

Tuition: $3,999

Materials: Tuition includes materials, books, AAPC student membership, CPC® exam, and human anatomy and medical terminology fundamentals courses.

Register for the instructor-led option at least 30 days in advance of the start date and receive a 5% discount on the price. WIOA and other tuition assistance programs are not eligible for this discount.

This course is WIOA approved and is on the Maryland Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL).

Upcoming instructor-led course dates

Dates Schedule Register
March 5–June 13, 2024 Tuesday & Thursday, 6–9:15 p.m. Register
November 12, 2024–March 13, 2025
Class will not be held November 26–28, and December 24–January 2
Tuesday & Thursday, 6–9 p.m. Register
April 8–July 17, 2025 Tuesday & Thursday, 6–9 p.m. Register

Self-paced course option

Dates Schedule Register
Open enrollment. Begin anytime. Set your own. Must be completed within six months of registration.

More about the Medical Coding course

Medical documents

Demand for medical coders is increasing

One of the most essential healthcare careers—medical coding—is expected to increase by 15% in the coming years.

Read More
graphic of hands typing on computer with medical symbols float on top of image

Meet our new instructor, Adrienne Blackstone

Adrienne is a dedicated and results-driven healthcare professional with 20+ years of experience in healthcare administration. 

Learn More
Illustration of a medical coder taking notes

Why choose a career in medical coding?

Learn about job benefits, responsibilities, and salary information in this infographic.

View infographic (PDF)

Course Overview & Technology Requirements

Medical coding is the process of identifying diagnoses, medical tests, treatments, and procedures found in clinical documentation and then copying this patient data into standardized codes to bill insurance payers for physician reimbursement.

The Certified Professional Coder (CPC) course a step to obtain your coding certification—This certification is known as the gold standard for physician-based medical coding. By passing the CPC exam and earning the right to append the CPC to your name, you will become a healthcare professional recognized for professional-fee medical coding.

This course integrates all elements of the coding process, including:    

  • Foundational knowledge of Medical Terminology and Anatomy
  • Comprehensive overview of ICD-10 coding applications with instruction on proper application of codes    
  • Comprehensive overview of CPT coding applications with instruction on proper application of codes    
  • Comprehensive introduction to HCPCS coding
  • Introduction to operative reports    
  • Boot camp review and administration of CPC®exam

Module 1. Business of Medicine

  • Medical Insurance
  • Legal and Ethical Issues
  • Medical Records

Module 2. Medical Terminology

  • Introduction to Medical Terminology
  • Dividing and Combining Medical Terms
  • Abbreviations, Symbols and Special Terms

Module 3. Anatomy Review

  • Anatomy: Landmarks and Divisions
  • Cell and Tissue Anatomy and Pathology

Module 4. Introduction to ICD-10-CM and its Guidelines

  • Introduction to ICD-10-CM and Coding for Infections
  • ICD-10-CM Coding from Blood to Metabolic Diseases
  • ICD-10-CM Coding from Mental Disorders to the Circulatory System
  • ICD-10-CM Coding from Digestive to Musculoskeletal
  • ICD-10-CM Coding from Genitourinary System to Complications of Pregnancy
  • ICD-10-CM Coding from Symptoms to Abnormal Findings
  • ICD-10-CM Coding from Morbidity to Health Factors

Module 5. Intro to CPT, Surgery Guidelines, HCPCS Level II, and Modifiers

  • Surgical Coding, Part 1
  • Surgical Coding, Part 2
  • Radiology, Pathology, Anesthesia and Medicine
  • Integrating Diagnostic and Procedural Codes
  • The Basics of HCPCS Coding

Module 6. Intro to Surgery, Global Period, How to read an Operative report

  • Evaluation and Management Coding, Part I
  • Evaluation and Management Coding, Part II
  • Evaluation and Management Coding, Part III

Module 7. Integumentary System

  • Elements of the integumentary system
  • Metabolic functions
  • CPT Codes Integumentary

Module 8. Musculoskeletal System

  • Elements of the Musculoskeletal system
  • Metabolic functions
  • CPT Codes Musculoskeletal system

Module 9. Respiratory, Hemic and Lymphatic Systems; Mediastinum and Diaphragm

  • Elements of the integumentary system
  • Metabolic functions
  • CPT Codes Respiratory, Hemic and Lymphatic Systems

Module 10. Cardiovascular

  • Elements of the Cardiovascular system
  • Metabolic functions
  • CPT Codes Cardiovascular

Module 11. Digestive System

  • Elements of the digestive system
  • Metabolic functions
  • CPT Codes Digestive

Module 12. Eye and Ear Surgery Systems    

  • Elements of the Ear and Eye system
  • Metabolic functions
  • CPT Codes Ear and Eye

Module 13. Endocrine and Nervous

  • Elements of the Endocrine and Nervous system
  • Metabolic functions
  • CPT Codes Endocrine and Nervous

Module 14. Urinary and Male GU System

  • Elements of the Urinary and Male GU System
  • Metabolic functions
  • CPT Codes Urinary and Male GU System

Module 15. Female GU System and Maternity

  • Elements of the Female GU System and Maternity
  • Metabolic functions
  • CPT Codes Female GU System and Maternity

Module 16. Radiology

  • Elements of the Radiology
  • Metabolic functions
  • CPT Codes Radiology

Module 17. Anesthesia    

  • Elements of the Anesthesia        
  • Metabolic functions
  • CPT Codes Anesthesia

Module 18. Pathology and Laboratory

  • Elements of the Pathology and Laboratory system
  • Metabolic functions
  • CPT Codes Pathology and Laboratory

Download Course Outline (PDF)

It’s important you know anatomy and medical terminology to be a successful coder. To ensure your success, Medical Terminology and Anatomy and Physiology fundamentals courses are included in course tuition. These courses are self-paced and must be completed within the first six weeks of starting our program.

If you enroll in the instuctor-led program, these fundamental courses will be reviewed during the first five weeks of the course start date.

This course includes two exam vouchers for AAPC's Certified Professional Coder (CPC®) Certification.

Instructor-led students: The AAPC CPC exam is offered onsite at Towson University within 4-6 weeks after the course ends. The Student Success Program Manager will work with students to get them enrolled in the exam by the exam registration deadline per AAPC requirements.  

Self-paced students: Students should request exam vouchers within six months of completing this course. Voucher request should be made via email to Trudy Munroe, the Student Success Program Manager, at . Students will schedule and take the CPC exam on their schedule.

Learn more about the Certified Professional Coder (CPC®) Certification exam.

Self-paced: Susan Gochoco, CPC,CCVTC,CCP,CEMC,CPC-I provides up to six hours of coaching time for students enrolled in the self-paced option of this course.

Hardware Requirements

  • This course can be taken on either a PC or Mac.
  • Webcams are strongly recommended.

Software Requirements

  • PC: Windows XP or later.
  • Mac: OS X Snow Leopard 10.6 or later.
  • Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
  • Microsoft Word (not included in enrollment).
  • Windows Media Player.
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader. Download the Acrobat Reader.
  • Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other

  • Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.