Medical Terminology

Certificate 1 month

Medical Terminology Courses

Medical terminology is essential in any healthcare position - from administrative jobs to direct patient care roles. Learn new skills or refresh your terminology knowledge with our flexible, online medical terminology course.

Nationally accredited through the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC).
Our online programs are flexible enough for you to finish them at a pace that works for you, based on how much time you can dedicate to your coursework each week.

Accredited

Online

Self Paced

Cost of Program

$399

$469 Save $70

$50/month, Start for as low as $29

Enroll Now Request Info

1-800-275-4410 (9AM - 9PM ET)

two medical terminologist reading computer tablets.

What You Will Learn

How to recognize word construction and meanings that are fundamental to commonly used medical language.
What terminology is used in diagnostics, including body structures.
How to distinguish the medical terms related to the musculoskeletal, circulatory, and respiratory systems.
How to distinguish the medical terms related to digestive, nervous, and reproductive systems, by their component parts.

Full Program Goal & Outcomes

Medical Terminology Certificate Outcomes

Developing an understanding of important medical terminology can be useful for anyone interested in a career in healthcare. Earning a certificate online can also help strengthen your resume when applying for jobs in the healthcare industry.

State Licensing Requirements

Licensing and/or certification requirements for jobs in this field are not the same in every state and may include educational, testing, and/or experiential requirements beyond those offered in the Penn Foster Program. Prospective students should contact the state professional licensing board or similar regulatory body in the state(s) where they plan to work to determine their requirements before enrolling in this program. See the State Licensing page for contact information for state licensing/regulatory boards and certain industry licensing information. Please review your state board requirements that are applicable to your field of study. State boards may impose a variety of different requirements.

Medical Terminology Course Curriculum

2 courses
16.3 Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
10 exams

Estimated completion time:

Fast track = 1 month
Average time = 3 months

With Penn Foster, you can learn at whatever pace works best for you. Some learners will be more comfortable moving faster, and dedicating more time, and the fast track estimate will apply to them. The average track will apply to most learners who can dedicate a few hours per week to completing their coursework. The estimated completion times are based on completion times for learners enrolled in this program from May 2021 - April 2022, excluding withdrawals.

Penn Foster’s online Medical Terminology courses cover fundamental topics such as word construction and meanings that characterize medical language, terms for pharmacology, oncology, radiology, and more. Your medical terminology classes include:

The Fundamentals of Medical Terminology
Diagnosis, Intervention, and Human Body Terms
Musculoskeletal, Circulatory, and Respiratory Systems Terms
Integumentary, Nervous, and Endocrine System Terms

Show Full Curriculum

Medical Terminology Success Stories

Penn Foster graduates have been able to strengthen their resume, refresh current skills, and learn new ones through our online Medical Terminology courses. Learn more about their experience with Penn Foster.

View Student Success Stories

Ebony F.

Penn Foster Graduate, 2023

“Penn Foster has allowed me to be in a classroom setting without being in one. I got the necessary education and help from the library and professor I needed to move forward in my career.”

Looking for healthcare training for your workers?

Penn Foster currently works with hundreds of leading employers to meet their unique organizational needs.

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Medical Terminology Certificate Tuition

Take the first steps toward advancing your career with our Medical Terminology Certificate Program. Simply choose from one of our customized payment plans below and get started today!

Option 1: Pay in full

Cost of Program¹

$399

$469 Save $70

Best price. Best value.
Pay the full cost today
No monthly payments

Enroll Now

Option 2: Monthly Auto Pay Plan

Cost of Program¹

$469

Pay $50 per month
Start for $29 down
All major credit and debit cards accepted

Enroll Now

Need more info or ready to enroll?

Looking for more information on transfer credits, military benefits, or our refund policy? Find this information and more about tuition and enrollment here.

Tuition & Payment Options

We're here to help. Call 1-800-275-4410 (9AM - 9PM ET)

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Our Proven Healthcare Learning Model

Empowering students to reach their professional goals

Flexible

Start any time
No exam due dates
Self-paced

Interactive

Digital study guides
Self-check quizzes
Practical exercises

Connected

24/7 access to online resources
Connect with students and alumni in our Penn Foster Group
Engaging online student community

Supportive

Expert faculty
Dedicated student services
Robust learning resources

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Medical Terminology Courses FAQs

What is medical terminology?

Medical terminology is the language commonly used in healthcare to precisely describe human anatomy, typical conditions, potential diagnoses, and more.

Why should I take medical terminology courses?

An understanding of medical terminology is important when working in the healthcare industry. If you're interested in starting a career in the field, whether it's in administration or working directly with patients, having foundational terminology knowledge can help you confidently take the next steps toward furthering your education.

How long does it take to complete medical terminology courses?

Penn Foster's online Medical Terminology Program is self-paced, so students can complete the course on the timeline that works for them.

How do I study medical terminology?

By learning medical terminology online through an organized course, you can build the study skills to go beyond just memorizing the words and what they mean. Through understanding the breakdown of prefixes and applying what you learn in terminology challenge games, you can prepare to better retain the information you learn in the long-term.

Disclaimers:

¹ Depending on where you live, you may be charged taxes in addition to the total cost of your program.

The completion of a certificate-level program does not typically qualify a student for employment. Completion of this program may assist students who have previous academic or work-related experience improve their chances for promotion or entry-level employment.