Certified Coding Specialist Preparation

Cupola atop a building on the Molloy University campus

Please note: most courses will be held online using Zoom at the same dates and times listed in the schedule of classes.

Click here for the schedule of classes. 

Skilled diagnostic coding is recognized as one of the top growth occupations for the future. This program is designed for those wishing to secure employment in hospitals, insurance companies, physicians' offices as well as private consulting firms.

The Certified Coding Specialist Program consists of the following ten (10) Required Courses:
MR-1500 - Medical Terminology
MR-1510 - Anatomy and Physiology
MR-2510 - ICD-10 CM and ICD-10 PCS Coding
MR-3500 CPT-HCPCS Coding
MR-4500 Advanced CPT Coding
MR-2300 - HIM Procedures and Clinical Documentation
MR-2520 Interpretation of Laboratory Results
MR-2525 Pharmacology for Medical Records Personnel
MR-6000 Medical Encoding
MR-8100 Coding Review Course

Become a Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) or (CCS-P) or a Certified Coding Associate (CCA) Prepare for Coding Certification

The American Health Information Management Association  (AHIMA) administers examinations to certify coders. The exams test ICD  and CPT coding skills beyond the entry level, therefore, coding experience is highly recommended.  The CCA/CCS affords professional recognition to the individual who possesses the credential. This recognition means that the individual has specialized skills that meet a national standard. This may assist an employer in making hiring, promotion, or compensation decisions.

For further information regarding the CCA, CCS or CCS-P exams please visit the AHIMA web site at https://www.ahima.org/certification-careers/certification-exams/

Join AHIMA

Enrollment in Molloy's Coding Specialist Preparation Certificate program, satisfies the educational requirements to qualify as a student member with AHIMA.  To be eligible for the discounted student membership rate an applicant cannot hold an AHIMA credential and must be currently enrolled in a formal certificate or degree granting program directly relevant to AHIMA's purpose.   Membership benefits include access to all of their resources (AHIMA Job Bank, free webinars, mentorship programs, career resources and access to the AHIMA HIM Body of KnowledgeTM (an electronic library of articles) as well as a discount on all products and services .

To apply for  student membership  with AHIMA, please contact their Customer Relations Team by calling 1.800.335.5535 or online at https://www.ahima.org/ahima-membership/membership-types-and-benefits/

Student(s) Testimonials: "Just thought you would like to know that I finished the review class on Thursday night, and took the CCA exam on Friday morning, and I PASSED!! I just want to say "Thank you!" to everyone at Molloy, it was a great experience and I plan to be back for another coding review when I'm ready to take the CCS exam. A year ago, I had only hoped that I would be able to do this, and now I did it!! I really feel like I can go out there and be a CODER!
Thanks again,
Wendy M. (student)
Coding Specialist Preparation Certificate Program

      Hello Professor Moses, 
"Shortly after completing your CCS program at Molloy, I was able to obtain       a  job offer as a CDI specialist. I gladly accepted and now have been working in CDI since last year.    Let me just that it was quite the learning curve that I underestimated! My director says that having taken the coding classes was a huge factor in offering me the position despite my lack of CDI experience. It's a little belated but thank you for running the CCS program at Molloy and allowing people like me an opportunity to learn about medical coding. Please continue to do what you do for the coding community."

Certificates and Certificate Requirements
A course certificate is awarded upon successful completion of each individual course. A larger program certificate, suitable for framing, is awarded at the completion of the Certified Coding Specialist program. The program certificate requires successful completion of 10 courses listed above.

Course certificates are usually mailed out automatically 1-2 weeks after course grades have been submitted. However, students should contact the Office of Continuing Education at 516.323.3550 or by e-mail at: conted@molloy.edu at the completion of the program to have a program certificate issued.

Course Schedules and Locations
Click here for the schedule of classes. The course location is listed in the section information for each course. Courses are typically offered throughout the year on day, evening and weekend schedules. The courses can be taken at either our Rockville Centre campus  or at our Suffolk Center  in East Farmingdale or through Zoom. You may begin your studies at any time. Please note: most courses will be held online using Zoom at the same dates and times listed in the schedule of classes.

The most up-to-date scheduling information can be found on the program webpage. We also email monthly reminders of the upcoming schedule if you provide us with an email address. 

Plan of Study
Regardless of the certificate title you pursue, the following four core courses are required in each program and it is suggested that you start your studies with Medical Terminology and/or Anatomy and Physiology:

MR-1500 - Medical Terminology   Textbook RequiredMR-1510 - Anatomy and Physiology (use text from Medical Terminology, see above)
MR-2510 - ICD-10 and ICD-10 PCS Coding  Textbook Required  Textbook Required  Textbook Required
MR-3500 - CPT-HCPCS Coding Textbook Required

Please note that a number of the courses do have prerequisites and that those prerequisites will be listed in the course descriptions.

You may proceed through the program at your own pace, taking as few or as many courses as you would like, as long as you have the necessary prerequisites. However, most students are typically taking about 2 courses at a time. At that rate students would be able to complete the requirements for the certificate in 9-12 months. There is no time limit to complete the certificate requirements.

Should you need assistance in selecting your  courses or if you should have any question regarding the program, please call 516-323-3557 or email Vanessa Formoso at: vformoso@molloy.edu.

Click here for the schedule of classes. The course location is listed in the section information for each course.

Free Career Seminar
Not sure if this career is right for you? Attend our free career seminar. This career seminar is led by experienced professionals who will offer real advice about career and academic paths and talk about both the satisfactions and challenges of their own chosen careers. The seminar is one and a half hours long, given in the evening and offered three times a year - every January, May and September. There is no charge for the seminar, which is held on our Rockville Centre campus. Click here for a current schedule of classes and to register.

Registration
Students should register for classes at least one week prior to the start of classes to insure enough time for you to get your confirmation and parking permit. However, you can register up until the day of class. Please note that some of our classes do close out and some of our classes do cancel, so you may be taking a chance of not getting into the course of your choice by waiting.

At Molloy, we believe that registration should not be the hardest part of taking a class. So we make it easy to register online anytime or by phone at 516.323.3550 during the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. on Saturdays when classes are starting. Please note that during July and August the office is closed on Friday and Saturday.
Confirmation of your registration and classroom assignments will be emailed to you upon receipt of your registration.

Tuition
Tuition varies for each course and the tuition rate can be found in the course listings in each section, in the course descriptions or in the schedule of classes. There are no course fees. Payment is due at time of registration; however, purchase orders will also be accepted if you register by mail or by fax. Some forms of financial assistance are available (see below). The total tuition for the entire Certified Coding Specialist Preparation certificate program is $3,535.

Financial Assistance
When planning to attend a continuing education course or program, an important consideration is the cost, which may include tuition, books and travel. With Molloy University, Division of Continuing Education and Professional Studies, various financial assistance options are available to help students afford tuition. Since most Continuing Education courses do not lead to a college degree, they are not eligible for the traditional forms of financial aid, such as TAP and Pell. . 

Course Challenge
If you wish to challenge the course Medical Terminology (MR-1500) and/or Anatomy and Physiology (MR-1510), based upon prior work experience and/or education, you may take a challenge/waiver exam. Call the Division of Continuing Education and Professional Development to schedule an appointment.

If you are already an RN or a Physician you are automatically waived from Medical Terminology (MR-1500) and Anatomy and Physiology (MR-1500). Attach a copy of your license to your registration form. Click here for a registration form.

Questions?
If you should have any questions regarding this program call the Office of Continuing Education at: 516-323-3550 or email: conted@molloy.edu.

Have questions regarding our schedules and/or registration status? Email the Division of Continuing Education and Professional Development at conted@molloy.edu or call 516.323.3550.