Medical Transcriptionist Certificate

This concentrated 27 credit-hour certificate program is designed for the individual who is interested in expanding her/his previous health care and/or secretarial experience in order to become a medical transcriptionist. A medical transcriptionist is the health information specialist who transcribes patientsą records in a hospital, large health care practice, HMO or clinic. Transcribed records are used in follow-up treatment, by insurance companies to verify claims, to authenticate legal documents, and by medical research specialists in the development of new treatment and diagnostic methods.

The curriculum provides the training needed to understand the various types of dictation utilized. Medical transcriptionists must possess excellent keyboarding skills and the ability to memorize spellings and meanings of the health care language. A minimum keyboarding speed of 50 words per minute is recommended to enter the program; however, experienced medical transcriptionists frequently reach keyboarding speeds in excess of 80-100 words per minute; 60 words per minute is expected in order to progress through externship. The program may be taken part-time and some courses are available on an evening schedule. An orientation and planning session is recommended by the coordinator; detailed information will be sent upon request.


Professional Accreditation and Certification:
Graduates of the Medical Transcriptionist program are eligible to sit for the national certification examination offered by the American Association for Medical Transcription (AAMT). The medical transcriptionist who successfully completes the national examination is credentialed as a Certified Medical Transcriptionist (CMT). Students in the Medical Transcriptionist program are encouraged to join the local chapter of the AAMT.

BIO 135 Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology 4
BIO 136 Introduction to Human Diseases 3
HSC 100 Computer Usage in Health Services 1
HSC 105 Introduction to the Health Care Field 2
HSC 112 Medical Terminology 3
HSC 213 Health Care Law and Ethics (1) 3
MOA 145 Health Care Records Management (1) 2
MOA 240 Medical Transcription I (1) 3
MOA 242 Medical Transcription II (1) 3
MOA 260 Medical Transcriptionist Seminar and Externship (1) 3
NUR 120 Pharmacology (2) 2


  1. Students must satisfy prerequisites for each course selected.
  2. Prerequisite waived for Medical Transcriptionist students.