Online Career Certificate Programs

Southwestern Community College's Adult & Continuing Education Department, in partnership with Gatlin Education Services (GES), offers online open enrollment programs designed to provide the skills necessary to acquire professional level positions for many in-demand occupations.

Our programs are designed by a team of professionals from each respective field, who work to provide the most effective web-based learning experience available today. Instructors are actively involved in your online learning experience. They respond to any questions or concerns, as well as encouraging and motivating you to succeed.

Each program includes a set of lessons and tests; student's grades are calculated using a combination of computer-graded tests and the instructor's evaluation of the student's work. We know you'll appreciate the quality as well as the convenience of anytime, anywhere learning!

Please note: Once the course is accessed either by requesting materials or viewing lessons, there are no refunds.

* Course costs are subject to change.

Click on any of the classes listed below to find out more about that program.

300 Hours of Training	Administrative Medical Specialist with Medical Billing and Coding The Administrative Medical Specialist with Medical Billing and Coding will give you the skills you need to find the job YOU are looking for as an Administrative Medical Specialist (AMS), Medical Billing Specialist, and/or Medical Coder. In addition to the extensive Medical Billing information, you will be taught every aspect of the Medical Receptionist/Front Desk position. This program also provides preparation for the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) national certification exam. Upon successful completion of the Administrative Medical Specialist with Medical Billing and Coding course, students will be prepared for an entry-level position doing medical billing or coding in a medical office setting and will be prepared to sit for the CCA national certification exam. Fee: $1,995*
80 Hours of Training	Advanced Coding for the Physician's Office Continuous changes in the medial billing and coding industry and HIPAA changes have created an incredible demand for those trained in coding. The Advanced Coding for the Physician's Office course is designed for students with previous coding experience, a basic coding education, or the GES Administrative Medical Specialist course. CPT, ICD-9-CM (Volumes I and II), and HCPCS Level II Coding will be covered along with information on the Correct Coding Initiative (CCI), compliance and reimbursement issues, E&M guidelines, and much more. This course prepares students for the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) certification exam offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). Fee: $1,395*
120 Hours of Training	Certified National Pharmaceutical Representative A (CNPR™) is a federally trademarked certification which can be obtained by acquiring the necessary knowledge in pharmacology, medical terminology, physiology, and regulations for selling pharmaceuticals. The CNPR Training Program was developed in response to a rising need for entry level pharmaceutical sales representatives who want to gain entry into the pharmaceutical industry but are lacking the required pharmacology and medical education. The CNPR™ examination is dedicated to increasing the professional level of NAPSR™ members and to developing meaningful and ethical standards fully accepted by its members and members of the pharmaceutical community. The goal of the training program is to develop knowledge in clinical pharmacology, physiology and medical terminology. This knowledge will greatly enhance an individual's understanding of the pharmaceutical industry and its selling process as well as increase the applicants hiring potential. Fee: $1,595*
240 Hours of Training	Medical Billing and Coding Students can learn medical billing and coding from the comfort of their own homes with this online, instructor-facilitated program. Upon successful completion of this course, students are prepared for an entry-level position doing medical billing and/or coding in a medical office setting and are prepared to sit for the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) national certification exam. All materials included. Fee: $1,595*
240 Hours of Training	Medical Transcription Certificate According to the 2002/2003 Occupational Outlook Handbook, Medical Transcription is among the ten fastest growing occupations in the U.S. This online program provides students with a working knowledge of medical terminology as well as proficiency in the transcription of medical reports. Medical Transcriptionists work with pharmacists, therapists, technicians, nurses, social workers, psychologists, chiropractors, medical doctors, and many others. All of these providers rely on legal documents created by the medical transcriptionist. Transcriber and all materials included. Fee: $1,595*
240 hours of Training	Pharmacy Technician This online program will provide learning experiences, coordinated with the texts and lab activities to enable students to obtain basic competency needed for employments as Pharmacy Technicians in either the hospital or retail setting. A technician is an individual who, under the supervision of a pharmacist, assists in the performance of activities of the pharmacy department not requiring the professional judgment of a pharmacist. The objective of the Pharmacy Technician Program is to provide graduates with the skills and knowledge that will enable them to qualify for entry-level positions in pharmacies as well as prepare for national certification. This self-paced, web-based program pairs students with an instructor for one-on-one assistance and includes a forty-hour externship. All materials included. Fee: $1,795*
240 hours of Training	Veterinary Assistant As a Veterinary Assistant you can work with animals and be a part of a professional veterinary staff. Students in the online Veterinary Assistant program will learn about the care of animals as well as how to recognize signs of illness and disease. The online program also covers interpersonal communication, interaction with clients and their animals, as well as assisting the veterinarian during examinations. Administrative duties, such as fee collection, banking, and accounts payable will be emphasized, and the student will learn basic information about pet insurance. Fee: $1795
80 hours of Training	Graphic Design This online program begins with the fundamentals of design and guides the student through the terms and processes they will use to turn their knowledge of design into a career. The student learns the rules of graphic design, as well as useful marketing strategies and information about art in the electronic age. Fee: $1,295*
320 hours of Training	HVAC Technician The HVAC Technician Certificate is a comprehensive HVACR training program for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration installers and technicians. The content presented throughout the program are learning objectives that have been identified by HVAC/R industry groups as key knowledge for a HVAC/R technician. This program follows the general consensus among industry leaders regarding the knowledge and skills needed by HVAC/R industry workers. The HVAC Core Technician Certificate program is offered in 8 course sections, with a subscription length of 120 days per course. Each course contains 12 modules. The modules cover specific HVACR concepts by incorporating a presentation that utilizes some or all of the following; text reading assignments, web site tours, applied exercises, inline quizzes, industry terminology definitions, video clips, animations, images, handouts and a 20 question module final exam. All courses include a mid term and a final exam. Fee: $2,895*
150 hours of Training	Webmaster This online program prepares students for a dynamic Internet based career as a Webmaster. Webmasters design, develop, and maintain web sites. This Webmaster program begins by teaching simple Web-page development and progresses by introducing new concepts by involving the student in active Web-page implementation using HTML and Dynamic HTML. Textbook is included. Fee: $1,595*

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To register for these online career certificate programs contact:

Kim Oaks
Business Coordinator
Phone: 800.247.4023
Email: oaks@swcciowa.edu