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Career options 
Get training for a career as a health care office manager with this comprehensive, 60-credit-hour degree program. You’ll develop the skills necessary to manage day-to-day operations of a medical facility. Chicago and the northern Illinois region has a robust health care industry, and medical office managers are needed at the many hospitals, medical offices, clinics, extended care facilities, home health care agencies or various acute-care settings.
You’ll take a variety of courses designed to give you a thorough understanding of health care office management. Courses cover health care technology and informatics, medical terminology, health care records management, legal and ethical issues in health care, math applications in health care, principles of health insurance billing and health care office management. During the final semester of the program, you’ll also complete a medical office capstone project.
Program outcomes for graduates of the Health Care Office Manager Degree include:
This 60 credit-hour program is designed for individuals seeking a rewarding career in healthcare as a Health Care Office Manager. Develop the skills necessary to manage the day-to-day office operations of a medical facility. This degree prepares the student for employment in medical offices, clinics, extended care facilities, home health care agencies, or various departments within acute-care settings. For more information attend a Health Career Information Session or schedule an appointment with your academic advisor or program coordinator.
| Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
First Semester | Hours | |
| A grade of C or better is required in all BIO, HSC and MOA courses. | ||
| BIO 135 | Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology | 4 |
Description: Surveys the human body, with emphasis on basic physical and chemical concepts, anatomy, physiology and embryology. Designed to meet the needs of students in certain allied health career programs. Knowledge of high school biology assumed. (NOTE: Not science lab credit.) Lecture Hours: 4 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 4 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| ENG 101 | Composition I | 3 |
Description: Emphasizes the writing of expository prose. Introduction to the critical reading of nonfiction prose. IAI C1 900 Prerequisite: ENG 096 with a grade of P or other placement options. https://www.harpercollege.edu/testing/english-placement-grid.php ESL students need one of the following options: ESL 073 and ESL 074 with grades of B or better; ESL 073 with a grade of B or better and required writing placement test score; or ESL 074 with a grade of B or better and required reading placement test score. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| HSC 112 | Medical Terminology | 2 |
Description: Emphasizes the origin and the basic structure of medical words, including prefixes, suffixes, word roots, combining forms and plurals. Offers pronunciation, spelling, and definition of medical terms based on the body systems approach. Emphasis on rendering a professional vocabulary required for work in the health care field. Lecture Hours: 1 Lab Hours: 2 Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| MOA 100 | Introduction to Medical Assisting | 3 |
Description: Provides an introduction to the profession of medical assisting. Emphasizes communication, professionalism, pharmacology and introduction to medical specialties. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 0 Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| MOA 145 | Health Care Records Management | 2 |
Description: Introduces types of patient-care records prepared and maintained by health care personnel. Includes elements of records, record keeping, medical record confidentiality, privacy, security, administrative and clinical use of the electronic health record. and reimbursement, Electronic Medical Records (EMR) are utilized for the course. A basic knowledge of computers is necessary to complete this course. Prerequisite: Prior or concurrent enrollment in ENG 101 and HSC 112 with grades of C or better. Lecture Hours: 1 Lab Hours: 2 Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| Hours | 14 | |
Second Semester | ||
| A grade of C or better is required in all BIO, HSC and MOA courses. | ||
| BIO 136 | Introduction to Human Disease | 3 |
Description: Surveys the nature of human disease, with emphasis on the functional disturbances within the body systems. Designed to meet the needs of students in certain allied health career programs. Knowledge of high school biology assumed. (NOTE: Not science lab credit.) Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| HSC 225 | Language and Health | 3 |
Description: Provides an introduction to the study and application of concepts and theories from Linguistics and Health Communication. Focuses on practical applications of effective communication strategies across diverse patient populations by discussing case studies from different healthcare settings, and by analyzing actual provider-patient interactions to understand how specific language choices contribute to constructing meaning in health communication. Includes a strong focus on patients’ perspectives regarding language use and culture-specific characteristics surrounding illness and personal identity, patient advocacy, cooperation, and consent. (Also listed as LNG 225. Credit will be given for LNG 225 or HSC 225, but not both.) Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 0 Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| or LNG 299 | or Tesol Practicum | |
Description: Provides students with TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) classroom experience including critical observations of ESL classes and detailed activity planning/lesson development. In addition, scaffolded teaching experiences will offer students the opportunity to become familiar with the multiple steps of the language teaching process and the overall requirements of being a TESOL professional. Throughout the practicum, students will reflect on their own effectiveness as ESL teachers and present way to improve the quality of their instruction. NOTE: Students may not register for this course until all other coursework has been completed for the TESOL certificate. Lecture Hours: 0 Lab Hours: 5 Contact Hours: 5 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| MGT 111 | Introduction to Business Organization | 3 |
Description: Introduces the nature of business and the environment in which it operates. Forms of business ownership, introduction to operative and facilitating facets of business operation, management, marketing, accounting, statistics, business law, finance, investments, insurance and labor-management relations. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 0 Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| MGT 150 | Business Math 1 | 3 |
Description: Introduces arithmetic as a tool of business. Topics include fractions, decimals and percentages, computations of interest, bank discounts, depreciation, commissions, compound interest, payrolls and taxes and graph and chart design. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 0 Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| MOA 150 | Math Applications in Health Care | 1 |
Description: Develops skill necessary to calculate medication dosages and solutions using the metric system. A basic math ability, including decimals, fractions and percentages, is necessary to be successful in this course. Lecture Hours: 1 Lab Hours: 0 Contact Hours: 1 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| MOA 235 | Health Care Office Procedures | 3 |
Description: Offers development of skills in medical front office procedures used in a health care facility. Emphasizes patient relations in health care by using office simulations including computer programs with introduction to electronic medical records. Strong emphasis on cultural diversity issues and application in the health care field. Prerequisite: HSC 112 and MOA 145 with grades of C or better. Lecture Hours: 2 Lab Hours: 2 Contact Hours: 4 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| Hours | 16 | |
Third Semester | ||
| A grade of C or better is required in all MOA courses. | ||
| Elective(s) | 3 | |
| MGT 270 | Principles of Management | 3 |
Description: Presents the theory and major functions of management and describes the role of the manager. Major concepts in organization are developed along with an understanding of the decision-making process and consideration of the human factor in management. Prerequisite: MGT 111 or MGT 154 with a grade of C or better. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 0 Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| MOA 195 | Principles of Health Insurance Billing | 3 |
Description: Explores and compares major types of health insurance contracts and describes benefits and limitations. Provides practice in processing insurance claim forms (CMS-1500). Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) and International Classification of Diseases (ICD) coding techniques are introduced. Emphasis is on insurance rules and regulations, claim submission, reimbursement and collections. Prerequisite: BIO 135 and HSC 112 with grades of C or better. Lecture Hours: 2 Lab Hours: 2 Contact Hours: 4 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| MOA 245 | Health Care Office Management | 3 |
Description: Introduces the qualities of a health care office supervisor necessary to effectively manage the physician's office, clinic or other health care facility. Includes human relations skills, personnel recruitment, coordinating and supervising office personnel, office facilities, the office policy manual, records management, patient education and time management. Class focuses on teaching the student how to be a supervisor but also how to work with and interact with their own supervisor(s). Prerequisite: MOA 215 or MOA 235 with a grade of C or better. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 0 Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| SPE 101 | Fundamentals of Speech Communication | 3 |
Description: Theory and practice of oral communications. Development of poise, confidence and skill in speech organization and delivery. Emphasis on frequent speaking, development of standards of criticism and selection and organization of material. IAI C2 900 Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| Hours | 15 | |
Fourth Semester | ||
| A grade of C or better is required in all MOA courses. | ||
| AAS General Education elective(s) 2 | 3 | |
| Elective(s) | 6 | |
| MOA 299 | Medical Office Capstone | 3 |
Description: Applies and integrates skills from within Medical Office Administration courses within the AAS degree program. Discusses medical office management issues and methodologies and puts them into practice. Preparation of practice management file including policies and procedures and personnel files. Prerequisite: MGT 111, MGT 270, and MOA 235 with grades of C or better and prior or concurrent enrollment in MOA 245. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology + | 3 |
Description: Investigates human and animal behavior with an emphasis on the scientific nature of contemporary and classic psychological investigation. Emphasizes psychological theories, principles, and research applications. Introduces the divisions of the American Psychological Association. References biological processes, sensation, perception, learning, memory, thinking, emotional life, mental disorders, intelligence, aptitude, personality, development daily life and everyday problems. IAI S6 900 Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 0 Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
The mathematics requirement for this degree can be met with MGT150 (Business Math) or Math Competency. See Math Competency options for information. Students who use Math Competency to meet the mathematics requirement must complete an additional three credit-hour AAS General Education elective. See full list of AAS General Education Electives.
See full list of AAS General Education Electives.
This course meets the World Culture and Diversity graduation requirement.
| Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HED 200 | Health | 3 |
Description: Provides an in-depth look at the physical, psychological, emotional, social, spiritual and environmental factors which contribute to the overall quality of a person's life. An investigation of how our lifestyle compares with other people in the world and the role and impact of the World Health Organization is emphasized. Mental health, nutrition, fitness, communicable and non-communicable diseases, killer diseases, drugs, human sexuality, family living (marriage, divorce, parenting), middle and old age issues, and death and dying are some of the topics covered. Physical and psychological assessments are included in this class. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| HED 204 | Women's Health | 3 |
Description: Focuses on health issues as they pertain to women and the barriers unique to women in gaining a higher status. Includes physical, mental and spiritual aspects of health; women's anatomy and physiology; pregnancy, childbirth and infertility; violence against women; body image and eating disorders; and societal, historical and poliitcal influences of the global woman. Discusses the detection, treatment and illnesses in women. (formerly PED 271) Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 0 Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| HED 206 | Introduction to Community and Public Health | 3 |
Description: Focuses on the functions of community health organizations and the way they relate to individual health needs. Helps students to analyze and evaluate health promotion practices at the community level. Examines the historical and contemporary public health stories to begin to understand the contexts, systems, professions, tools and skills associated with the public health enterprise. Students will learn basic public health principles and will recognize an array of factors that shape both the health of individuals and populations. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 0 Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| HSC 104 | Health Care Technology and Informatics | 2 |
Description: Introduces student to informatics and the use of technology in health care delivery systems. This includes a review of hardware and software, and an in-depth look at hospital/health care-based user interfaces, data bases, telecommunications and networks, and healthcare-based information systems. Also includes research methods and patient education via computers. Lecture Hours: 1 Lab Hours: 2 Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| HSC 105 | Introduction to Health Care Today | 2 |
Description: Familiarizes student to the health care delivery system including an introduction to the organization, structure, function and issues related to the health care environment. Emphasis placed on the importance of effective communication skills for health care professionals, team building, professionalism and diversity in the health care center. Lecture Hours: 2 Lab Hours: 0 Contact Hours: 2 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| HSC 165 | Basic Pharmacology | 1 |
Description: Examines the mechanism of action of the major medication groups as they relate to the physiology and pathology of disease. Identifies examples in each major pharmacological category in order to understand pharmacological activity within each group. Addresses areas of drug action, clinical application, and adverse events for each medication discussed. Intended for students in allied health majors. Prerequisite: Prior or concurrent enrollment in BIO 135, BIO 260 or HSC 112 with a grade of C or better. Lecture Hours: 1 Lab Hours: 0 Contact Hours: 1 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| HSC 213 | Legal and Ethical Issues in Health Care | 2 |
Description: Introduces the legal and ethical issues that pertain to various health care delivery settings. Discusses how these issues impact the health care practitioner in a diverse culture. Practices and standards are discussed as they relate to professional behavior and ethical decision-making. Lecture Hours: 2 Lab Hours: 0 Contact Hours: 2 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| MOA 215 | Clinical Procedures | 8 |
Description: Offers basic and advanced clinical procedures in the physician's office or clinic. Includes diagnostic and laboratory testing procedures, principles of medications, and assisting the physician in specialty examinations and minor surgical procedures. Demonstration of clinical skills in outpatient care is emphasized, with maintenance of proper patient and technician protection guidelines. Includes a clinical rotation in a health care facility. (NOTE: The program's health requirements and American Heart Association Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certificate must be completed prior to placement in clinical rotation.) Prerequisite: MOA 145 with a grade of C or better. Lecture Hours: 4 Lab Hours: 8 Contact Hours: 12 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| MOA 265 | Medical Receptionist Externship | 3 |
Description: Provides 160 hours during the semester of supervised experience in a health care office/facility to enhance the student's administrative technical skills. NOTE: The program's health requirements must be completed prior to placement in an on-site externship. Prerequisite: MOA 235 with a grade of C or better. Lecture Hours: 1 Lab Hours: 10 Contact Hours: 11 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| MOA 280 | Medical Assistant Externship | 3 |
Description: Provides 160 hours of supervised experience in a health care facility to enhance the student's administrative and clinical skills. One-hour seminars throughout the semester are devoted to externship issues. NOTE: The program's health requirements and American Heart Association Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certificate must be completed prior to placement in an on-site externship. Prerequisite: MOA 215 and MOA 235 with grades of C or better. Lecture Hours: 1 Lab Hours: 10 Contact Hours: 21 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| MOA 291 | Certified Medical Assistant Exam Review | 1 |
Description: Prepares students with study skills and tips necessary to successfully pass the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam. Provides assistance and guidelines for submitting the CMA exam application, reviews content on the CMA exam, develops resume writing and interviewing skills. NOTE: This course is not offered in the fall. Prerequisite: Prior or concurrent enrollment in MOA 280 with a grade of C or better. (NOTE: The prerequisite is being waived for Fall 2020.) Lecture Hours: 1 Lab Hours: 0 Contact Hours: 1 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
Students interested in medical office administration may also be interested in:
For more information about the Health Care Office Manager program, attend a Attend an information session, contact Admission Outreach at 847.925.6700, or submit a request information form. You can also apply online.