Technical Diploma
School of Health Sciences / Health Sciences Career Cluster

Downtown Milwaukee Campus
Program Code: 31-530-2

For Information: 414-297-6263
Downtown Milwaukee Campus, 414-297-MATC
Classes are taught at the Downtown Milwaukee Campus Health Education Center (HEC), 1311 North Sixth Street
 

Overview — Learn coding systems to prepare for entry-level employment as a medical coding specialist in a variety of healthcare settings.

Students learn to assign diagnosis and procedure codes using two different coding systems. These codes are taken from patient records and physician documentation. The codes are used for billing and reimbursement purposes, as well as data collection and medical research.

Career Pathway —  You can earn the Healthcare Customer Service certificate on your way to completing this program. After earning this technical diploma, you can apply your credits toward completing the Health Information Technology associate degree. Contact an MATC advisor for information.

Career Outlook — Graduates of this program can become certified through the American Health Information Management Association and the American Academy of Professional Coders. Medical coding specialists work in hospitals, clinics and physicians' offices.

View gainful employment data about this program

Program Learning Outcomes — Employers will expect graduates to:

• Classify medical data from patient records
• Review patients' records and assign numeric codes for each diagnosis and procedure
• Have expertise in the various coding systems
• Be an integral member of the healthcare team
• Demonstrate professionalism in a healthcare setting
• Communicate effectively
• Work with detailed data quickly and accurately

Admission Requirements  — This program admits students through a petition selection process. 
Learn more about the petition process

The following are also required for admission:

• A high school diploma or GED
• One year of high school chemistry
• Demonstration of proficiency in basic skills through a course placement assessment

B- or higher required in NATSCI-189 or NATSCI-177 or NATSCI-201 & 202

C or higher required in HEALTH-101

Related Programs
Healthcare Customer Service
Health Information Technology
Medical Administrative Specialist

Start Date: August/January

Curriculum effective 2017-18. 

Current MATC students should consult their Academic Program Plan for specific curriculum requirements. 

( ) = Semester Order for Full-Time Students.

‡ Prerequisite required.

^ Counts toward earning the Healthcare Customer Service certificate.

Program curriculum requirements are subject to change.

For class times and locations or to register online, visit INFOnline.

Current MATC students should consult their Academic Program Plan for specific curriculum requirements.

Page updated October 2017.