Anatomy and Physiology

Anatomy and Physiology Course

If you're interested in furthering your education in the healthcare field, or are already a medical professional looking to refresh your skills, Penn Foster's regionally accredited Anatomy and Physiology Certificate Program can help you earn the skills needed to help advance your career.

  • Helps to prepare you for health care certification exams containing anatomy and physiology components. 
  • Curriculum can provide useful material for healthcare professionals preparing for licensing and certification exams. 
  • Can help improve prospects for promotions or entry-level employment to students with prior academic or work-related experience in healthcare, such as physical therapy aides.
  • 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
medical students and teacher in a lab.

What You Will Learn

  1. Basic concepts of the human body, including cells, tissues, and the muscular and skeletal systems.
  2. The complexities of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, as well as the properties of blood.
  3. What the principles of good nutrition are and how they are important to the urinary and reproductive systems.
  4. How to prevent the spread of infection, including causative microorganisms and the infectious process.
Full Program Goal & Outcomes

Career Outcomes


Penn Foster's online Anatomy and Physiology Certificate can help provide you with additional training and knowledge to further advance your healthcare career.

State Licensing Requirements

Licensing and/or certification requirements for jobs in certain fields are not the same in every state and may include educational, testing, and/or experiential requirements beyond those offered by your Penn Foster Program. You should contact the state professional licensing board or similar regulatory body in the state(s) where you plan to work to determine their requirements before enrolling in your 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.

Online Anatomy and Physiology Curriculum

  • 3 courses
  • 14.1 continuing education units (CEUs)
  • 5 exams
  • 4 submitted projects


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 in-depth anatomy and physiology curriculum helps to familiarize students with the different systems of the human body and their functions. Course lessons include:


  • Biochemistry, Cells, Tissues, and the Skeletal System
  • Muscles, Skin, the Nervous System, Senses, and the Endocrine System
  • Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems
  • Lymphatic, Immune, and Gastrointestinal Systems
  • Urinary and Reproductive Systems
  • Forensics, Geriatrics, and Wellness

Show Full Curriculum

Anatomy and Physiology Success Stories

Penn Foster can help you prepare for a career in the healthcare industry on your terms. Graduates have been able to start new careers, pursue new jobs, and earn promotions. Learn more about how Penn Foster helped them reach their goals.
View Student Success Stories
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Paige T.

Penn Foster Graduate, 2023

“[Penn Foster] is a great school. You can go at your own pace and can even speak with instructors when needed”."

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Anatomy and Physiology Program Tuition

Take the first steps toward a new career with our affordable online Anatomy and Physiology Certificate Program.

Pay in full

Cost of Program1

$399

  • Pay the full cost upfront
  • No monthly payments
  • All major credit and debit cards accepted
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California residents please click here for Required California Disclosures.

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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

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Our Proven Healthcare Learning Model

Empowering students to reach their professional goals

Flexible

  • Self-Paced
  • Online
  • Payment plans

Interactive

  • Digital Textbooks 
  • Virtual lab access
  • Expert Instructors

Connected

  • Student Services
  • Professional Partnerships
  • Student Community 

Supportive

  • Career Support
  • Academic Guidance
  • Counseling

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Anatomy and Physiology FAQs

What is the difference between anatomy and physiology?

While anatomy and physiology are related and thus usually taught together, there is a slight difference between the two. Anatomy is the study of the structures of the human body and physiology is the study of the function of these body parts and how they relate to one another.

How long does it take to learn anatomy and physiology?

Penn Foster's Anatomy and Physiology Certificate Program is completely self-paced, meaning you decide how long it takes to finish. In most cases, though, you’ll be able to finish within a year or less.

What careers are available with an anatomy and physiology certificate?

A background in anatomy and physiology can provide a sound foundation for a variety of healthcare careers. Many graduates can look forward to finding work with physical and massage therapists, assisting doctors and nurses in different healthcare settings, or working in laboratories.

Can you take anatomy and physiology online?

Yes! All of Penn Foster's programs are 100% online and self-paced, allowing you to study when and where it works best for you.