Program Information
This program prepares you to take the CPC exam to become a Certified Professional Coder Apprentice (CPC-A).* You will take classes in Medical Terminology, Health Information, and Legal and Ethical Issues in Healthcare, as well as Beginning and Advanced Medical Coding. Students successfully completing the program will be prepared to sit for the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) national certification exam. This industry seeks ethical, attentive, independent-working and detail-oriented students who are eager to meet the growing need for certified coders in the medical field.
*To become a certified coder, the applicant must have passed the national certification exam plus have two years of coding experience. The applicants who are successful in passing the certification examination, but have not met the required “two years of coding work experience” will be awarded the apprentice certification. After two years of validated work experience in medical coding, full certification is awarded and the apprentice designation is removed.
If a student has a strong professional background in medical terminology and has at least two years of prior coding experience in an approved medical office, he/she may take only BE 128 Coding Certification Test Preparation. Before enrolling in this course, the student must take a pre-test to verify prerequisite coding skills. The student would not be eligible for the certificate but would be prepared to sit for the national certification.
Butler Community College is committed to flexible pathways for our students’ success. Courses are offered in varying delivery formats; face-to-face, blended and online. When reviewing this pathway, please check the Class Schedule to identify which format the course is offered to make sure you are selecting the delivery modality that fits your needs.
SYMBOLS
Kansas State Wide Transfer course (T►)
Milestone Courses - Courses are considered essential for progress within a selected Pathway and are indicated by a diamond symbol (♦).
This course is offered online (O)
Completion Requirements
All students who have not taken the ACT or SAT within the last 3 years or have had no previous college English or math courses are required to take a placement test prior to enrolling in English or mathematics courses. To receive this degree or certificate, a student must:
1. Attain a minimum overall grade point average of 2.0 (C).
2. Complete at least one semester of internship.
3. Be prepared to purchase reference materials that would be used in a medical office.
4. Be prepared to pay a fee to take the national certification exam.
Contact Information
Lisa Schmidt
Co-Department Chair
316.322.3392
Office: BOE 216B
lschmidt7@butlercc.edu
Karen Waddell
Co-Department Chair
316.322.3176
Office: BOE 216A
kwaddell@butlercc.edu
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