Program Details
Program Details
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Career Studies Certificate
Southwest Virginia Community College
This program is included in: G3
Program Details
Career Studies Certificate in Medical Coding
Career Studies CertificateCareer Studies Certificate in Medical Coding
Southwest Virginia Community College
This program is included in: G3
The Career Studies Certificate in Medical Coding is designed to prepare individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary for employment as a medical coder. This objective is fulfilled through study and application by coding medical records using a variety of nomenclatures and classification systems.
Outcomes
•Accurately assign ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes to patients in various settings. •Interpret clinical data and justify coding decisions. •Accurately follow guidelines for correct sequencing of code sets. •Follow guidelines for optimization in inpatient and outpatient coding. •Accurately complete case studies derived from actual doctor’s records.
Program Overview & Guidance

Delivery Mode
In-Person
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Delivery Mode
Online
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Delivery Mode
Hybrid
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Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
---|---|
Considerations for Selecting Degree | This program is designed for the student who desires to obtain training in International Classification of Diseases Clinical Modification (ICD), medical coding, and insurance billing. Upon completion of the program, the student may seek an entry-level position in hospitals, doctors' offices, and more. |
Considerations When Selecting Courses |
HIT 253 and HIT 254 should be taken concurrently.
|
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
Doing More With Your Degree | |
Program Successes & Highlights | This program, including the medical coding classes themselves, can be completed online. |
Program Credit Requirements

Please look above to see if a Transfer Guide is available for this program. lf you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college.
The table below provides the requirements to complete this program if you are not following a Transfer Guide. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You can find schools where you can take courses that will transfer and apply to this degree using the Where Can I Find An Equivalent Course feature in the Transfer Tools menu.
The table below provides the requirements to complete this program if you are not following a Transfer Guide. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You can find schools where you can take courses that will transfer and apply to this degree using the Where Can I Find An Equivalent Course feature in the Transfer Tools menu.
The program map provided below is an estimate based on courses identified as a result of reviewing your portfolio
and the requirements for the selected program.
A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
Requirements
Required Credits
Career Studies Certificate in Medical Coding
29
Career Studies Certificate in Medical Coding
29
GPA Requirement-221-152-02
29
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
Residency Requirement 221-152-02
7
Transfer credits will be evaluated, and as applicable, up to 18 credits may be applied to this program.
BIO 145/141/142 Requirement
4
Earn 4 credits: Complete the following
Earn 4 credits: Use the following rules
Complete the following
Use the following rules
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
OR
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
OR
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
AND
Complete courses from the following Course list:
ENG 101/111 Requirement
3
Earn 3 credits: Complete the following
Earn 3 credits: Use the following rules
Complete the following
Use the following rules
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
OR
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
AND
Complete courses from the following Course list:
HIT 253 Requirement
4
Complete courses from the following Course:
AND
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
HIT 254 Requirement
3
Complete courses from the following Course:
AND
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
HIM 150 Requirement
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
HIM 231 Requirement
3
Complete courses from the following Course:
AND
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
HLT 143 Requirement
3
Earn 3 credits: Complete the following
Earn 3 credits: Use the following rules
Complete the following
Use the following rules
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
OR
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
AND
Complete courses from the following Course list:
HLT 144 Requirement
3
Earn 3 credits: Complete the following
Earn 3 credits: Use the following rules
Complete the following
Use the following rules
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
OR
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
AND
Complete courses from the following Course list:
ITE 152 Requirement
3
Earn 3 credits: Complete the following
Earn 3 credits: Use the following rules
Complete the following
Use the following rules
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
OR
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
OR
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
OR
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
OR
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
OR
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
AND
Complete courses from the following Course list:
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
---|---|
Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | No |
Credit for Prior Learning | |
Did You Know That... |
|
College Level Information

Number of Transfer Students
747
Percent of Accepted Transfer Students
100%, AV GPA 3.07
College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
---|---|
Is This College Right For Me? | Annual HC 3120, Transfer in per semester 97, Av Class size 12, Limited Foundation Owned Housing |
Transfer Student Catalog Year | Summer, Fall , Spring is a catalog year |
First Year Student Catalog Year | Summer, Fall , Spring is a catalog year |
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

This section displays degrees most closely related to this program
and to which you may be able to transfer. So, you can use this list to find the
next degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to
visit that program page.
Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Health Information Management | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | Online |
Mountain Empire Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Health Information Management | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Northern Virginia Community College | Health Information Management, A.A.S. | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Science - Health Information Management | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | Online |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
---|---|---|---|
29-9021.00 | Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | Apply knowledge of healthcare and information systems to assist in the design, development, and continued modification and analysis of computerized healthcare systems. Abstract, collect, and analyze treatment and followup information of patients. May educate staff and assist in problem solving to promote the implementation of the healthcare information system. May design, develop, test, and implement databases with complete history, diagnosis, treatment, and health status to help monitor diseases. | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations |
29-2072.00 | Medical Records Specialists | Compile, process, and maintain medical records of hospital and clinic patients in a manner consistent with medical, administrative, ethical, legal, and regulatory requirements of the healthcare system. Classify medical and healthcare concepts, including diagnosis, procedures, medical services, and equipment, into the healthcare industry's numerical coding system. Includes medical coders. | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations |
Cost To Complete
