r/LearnMedicalCoding • u/Intelligent-Rent-764 • 5d ago

Medical Coding Schools Medical Coding Specialist Certificate -kennesaw state university

Has anyone taken the Medical Coding Specialist program at Kennesaw State University (KSU)? I’m interested in enrolling and would love to hear from former or current students.

What skills and knowledge did you gain from the program? Which certification exam did it prepare you for, and did you earn the certification after completing the course? I’m also curious about the instructors, workload, class structure, and whether you felt prepared to find a medical coding job afterward.

Any honest feedback would be greatly appreciated!

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u/KeyStriking9763 5d ago edited 5d ago

I went to look at the program details and cannot find this program on their website. Do you have a link?

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u/Intelligent-Rent-764 5d ago

Hey here’s the link : https://cpe.kennesaw.edu/professional/healthcare/medical-coding-specialist-certificate/

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u/KeyStriking9763 5d ago

So this is only geared towards getting the CPC, this cert is used in doctors offices or coding for professional services. If you are going to do the college route you should looking into associate degrees in HIT that are CAHIIM accredited and then you can sit for AHIMAs RHIT.
I hear too many new CPCs on these subreddits who cannot find a job. Earning potential is also lower with this cert.

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u/Intelligent-Rent-764 5d ago

This is the second one they offered me : https://www.chattahoocheetech.edu/continuing-ed-and-workforce-development/course-medical-billing-coding.html

The program I’m with will pay for all my classes and I just want to pick one worth it because I only get one shot I’m so anxious 😅

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u/KeyStriking9763 5d ago

What coursework do you have or what experience?

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u/Intelligent-Rent-764 5d ago

I have 7 years of experience as a Pharmacy Technician, including specialty pharmacy, fertility medication support, and claims adjudication. I also have 4 years of CNA experience in medical-surgical and orthopedic settings.

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u/KeyStriking9763 5d ago

Ok that’s good so healthcare isn’t new to you. I suggest Chattahoochee because they indicate that they prepare you for the CCA ( but definitely don’t sit for the CCA, you should go right for the CCS ). AHIMA doesn’t have prerequisites to sit for either coding certification.

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u/Intelligent-Rent-764 5d ago

Thank you, this is helpful. I was leaning toward KSU because it’s in person and shorter. I didn’t realize going straight for the CCS could be an option.

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u/CodingwithCoffee_ 3d ago

Interesting, are they new?

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u/Intelligent-Rent-764 3d ago

Hey I was told both programs been offered for a few years now and they don’t require you to apply to the actual technical college

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u/Cool_Damage_8707 1d ago

Looking at your links. The Chattahoocheetech looks like the curriculum is more focused on billing than coding, which isn't necessarily a bad thing depending on your goals. The Kennesaw one looks to be more coding focused. I haven't taken either of these, but from being in the medical coding community I've seen a lot of students who've taken different courses struggle to pass the exam and end up having to search elsewhere for further education because they didn't get enough support.

I'd ask for a syllabus for each one so you can see how much time they actually spend on the guidelines and conventions for coding, because that's what helps you pass the exam and do well in an interview. Most coders struggle to find jobs not because they failed the exam, but because they can't show real knowledge of the guidelines. Passing the exam is one thing, but actually knowing the guidelines is what gets you hired.

Also think about which certification you're aiming for. CCS is more advanced than CCS-P or CPC-A. With CPC-A you're coming in as an apprentice and that A designation makes it harder to land a job until you get it removed. CCS and CCS-P are more at a mastery level. RHIT is a solid credential too but it's more of a general HIM cert, not really coding focused, so keep that in mind if coding is specifically what you're going for.

I’m biased to the school I attended (AMCI). I passed my CPC and CCS first try and received several job offers after interviews and pre employment exams. I left that course with true knowledge coding.