This program prepares students for the rapidly expanding field of ICD-9-CM and CPT coding, and focuses on developing an understanding of the language of medicine and the ability to apply it to professional coding standards. Instruction concentrates on the areas of anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, disease conditions, pharmacology, laboratory medicine, medical finance, and coding. Clinical coders require the ability to read documentation in the patient chart, abstract the diagnoses, and correlate procedures to diagnoses. The Diploma programs range from 30 to 72 semester credits and focus primarily on technical courses. The two-year diploma includes a minimum of 11 semester credits of general education as well as the required technical credits.