Health Information Management (HIM) Coding Specialist Certificate
Program Goals and Outcomes
The Coding Specialist Certificate equips students with foundational coding skills for proficiency in both inpatient and outpatient coding systems, as well as reimbursement methodologies. Certificate earners gain the entry-level skills needed for workforce readiness, while also enhancing their qualifications for potential promotions or salary incentives.
Upon completion, the graduate will be prepared to:
- Demonstrate proficiency in inpatient and outpatient coding systems.
- Apply reimbursement methodologies in real-world healthcare settings.
- Navigate and implement compliance with healthcare regulations and guidelines.
- Utilize industry-standard coding software to enhance productivity and accuracy.
- Prepare for workforce readiness in entry-level health information management roles.
To earn the Coding Specialist Certificate, students must complete the following required courses:
- HIM 1013 – Medical Terminology
- HIM 1023 – Introduction to Health Information Management
- HIM 2013 – ICD Coding Systems
- HIM 2023 – CPT Coding Systems
- HIM 2033 – Reimbursement Methodologies
- HIM 2043 – Compliance and Regulations in Health Information
For more information, contact:
Julie A. Hoisington – Director, Health Information Management, Health Sciences Division
Email: [email protected]
Students must apply to the college and submit all transcripts to Admissions. You will not need to attach copies of transcripts with your application. Applicants who are using credits from out-of-state will need to have a degree audit completed. Contact [email protected] or 405-733-7308 to confirm that all transcripts are on file, or to inquire about having a degree audit conducted for out-of-state credits to be used for this program.
Students are strongly encouraged to speak with a Health Sciences advisor every semester to help stay on track and be prepared to apply.
Health Information Management – AAS Degree OR Coding Specialist Certificate Application 2025
All courses of the Coding Specialist Certificate program that are successfully completed with a grade of C or higher will transfer to the two-year Health Information Management program.
Students who wish to continue their education should explore Baccalaureate programs in Health Information Management and complete the necessary steps to become a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA).
Visit AHIMA for more information about additional certifications.
Certified Coding Specialists (CCS) are experts in classifying medical data from patient records, primarily in hospital settings. They assign numeric codes to diagnoses and procedures using the ICD-10-CM and CPT coding systems. CCS professionals also have knowledge of medical terminology, disease processes, and pharmacology.
Hospitals and medical providers use coded data for insurance reimbursement and reporting to government programs like Medicare and Medicaid. Researchers and public health officials also rely on this data for monitoring and intervention analysis. Accurate coding is crucial for revenue and health outcome tracking, making the CCS credential a mark of expertise in data quality and integrity. The certification exam tests advanced coding proficiency, not entry-level skills.
If you have experience coding inpatient or hospital-related outpatient records, obtaining CCS certification is increasingly seen as an industry standard.