The Medical Office Certificate focuses on the clerical skills and specialized knowledge needed in a medical or dental office setting. Upon graduation, students will be prepared for entry-level positions as medical administrative assistants/receptionists or may move seamlessly into the Business Administration Career - Administrative Professional Option associate degree program.

Program Overview

What Will You Learn?

Certificate

You will learn how to communicate, understand coding systems and recordkeeping programs, and produce accurate medical transcriptions in a timely manner. You will understand the legal, ethical, and bioethical issues encountered in a medical office and deal with those issues in an informed, legal, and sensitive manner.

Cost

In-State Tuition: $223/credit

Out-of-State / International Tuition: $429/credit

Some programs have additional program fees

Timeline

2 Semesters

27 credits

Learn Online

This program may be completed 90% or more online.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED/HiSET.

Locations

  • This program may be completed at QCC Worcester (Main Campus).
  • This program may be completed face-to-face.

Connections

The following program(s) have connections that can be completed alongside or applied to this program:

Associate of Science

Business Administration Career - Administrative Professional Option

The Business Administration Career - Administrative Professional Option will prepare you for immediate entry into the workforce as administrative professionals in a business or medical setting. Prospective students may choose to specialize by completing either the Administrative Professional Certificate or the Medical Office Certificate first; all courses in the certificates apply to the associate degree program. Graduates of the Business Administration Career - Administrative Professional Option are highly-trained and workforce-ready.

Career Stats

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More Info
Course TitleCourse #Semester OfferedCreditsPrerequisites

Semester 1

  • Apply and get accepted to this program (Program Code: MSBB).
  • Register for and successfully complete all courses to graduate in two semesters.
  • If choosing BUS 298 (Semester 2), meet with Career Services to discuss the internship process and leads for internship placements.
  • If choosing BUS 298 (Semester 2), contact Career Services to complete all requirements of CPS 298 (required prior to registration for BUS 298). See www.QCC.edu/career-services.
  • Meet with Academic Advisor to discuss associate degree (Program Code: BBAP); or create an account on the QCC job board to search for internships, co-ops and jobs.
Introduction to Medical TerminologyALH 102F/S/SU3Placement into college level English
Medical Law and EthicsALH 106F/S3Placement into college level English
Keyboarding ApplicationsBSS 101F/S/SU3Placement into college level English
Introduction to Microcomputer ApplicationsCIS 111F/S/SU3 
Pre Cooperative Education SeminarCPS 298F/S0 
Composition IENG 101F/S/SU3Placement into college level English
  Total15 

Semester 2

  • Apply to associate degree (Program Code: BBAP); or if seeking employment, meet with Career Services for career readiness preparation and to learn more about QCC’s job board.
  • Submit an Intent to Graduate Form, located on The Q.
Medical/Dental Billing and InsuranceBSS 112F/S3ALH 102
Integrated Communications for BusinessBUS 201F/S/SU3CIS 111, Placement into college level English
Business Administration Capstone ORBUS 250F/S3CIS 111, Coreq: ACC 101 or CIS 212
Career Strategies & Internship ExperienceBUS 298CIS 111, CPS 298, Coreq: ACC 101 or CIS 212
Electronic Health RecordsCIS 212F/S3ALH 102, CIS 111
  Total12 
Total Credits Required:  27 

Program Goals:

The Medical Office Certificate focuses on the clerical skills and specialized knowledge needed in a medical or dental office setting. Upon graduation, students will be prepared for entry-level positions as medical administrative assistants/receptionists or may move seamlessly into the Business Administration Career - Administrative Professional Option associate degree program.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

  • Demonstrate keyboarding speed and accuracy, with a minimum touch keyboarding rate of 30-35 words per minute on a three-minute timed writing, with at least 90% accuracy.
  • Communicate clearly and effectively.
  • Understand the coding systems and recordkeeping programs used in medical facilities.
  • Learn how the various components of the patient billing system relate to the accounting system in a medical office.
  • Recognize the legal, ethical, and bioethical issues encountered in a medical office and deal with those issues in an informed, legal, and sensitive manner.
  • Produce accurate medical transcriptions in a timely manner, using appropriate medical terminology.
  • Understand records management, appointment scheduling, and business etiquette, and develop excellent customer service skills.
  • Complete a 150- to 225-hour structured learning experience in which students apply skills and knowledge learned in the classroom to a work experience.

Admissions Process:

Admissions inquiries should be directed to admissions@qcc.mass.edu. Prospective students may apply to the program of their choice by following the enrollment steps at www.QCC.edu/enrollment-steps.

Program Admissions Requirements:

Students should note that some first semester courses carry minimum prerequisites. Refer to the program grid.

  • High School Diploma or GED/HiSET.

CORI, SORI, Finger Printing & Drug Testing:

Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) and Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) checks are not required. Fingerprinting and drug testing are not required.

  • Prospective students should note that CORI/SORI checks, fingerprinting, and drug testing may be required by an internship host employer in order to complete BUS 298.

Additional Cost:

See the Program Fees page.

  • Students enrolled in BUS 298 may incur an additional expense for professional liability insurance.

Technical Performance Standards:

See the Technical Performance Standards page. (Note: Not all programs have technical performance standards).

Credit for Prior Learning:

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) allows students to use skills they already have towards a college degree or certificate. Work, life, volunteer and military experience may be translated into credit, allowing students to take fewer classes and earn their degree faster. CPL eliminates redundancies for students who have already earned credentials or mastered skills required for their program of study. Email experience@qcc.mass.edu for more information and eligibility.

Career Outlook:

Please consult the Massachusetts Career Information System at https://masscis.intocareers.org/ or the Occupational Outlook Handbook at www.bls.gov/ooh/ for specific occupational information. The CIP code for this program is 51.0716.

Transfer Articulations & Opportunities:

Prospective students may learn more about transfer articulation agreements at www.QCC.edu/agreements. More information regarding transfer opportunities is available at www.QCC.edu/transfer.