Electronic Medical Records Specialist is a Certificate program (100% Online) offered by U.S. Career Institute in Fort Collins, CO. The program takes 281 clock hours to complete, with a total tuition of $1,279.
Program Overview
U.S. Career Institute’s self-paced, online Electronic Medical Records Certificate will prepare you for certification (CEHRS), and a role as a EMR specialist in as little as 4 months.
The Electronic Medical Records Specialist Program provides students with a firm foundation in electronic record principles and practices, preparing them for entry-level positions in the field. Students begin with an introduction to the world of healthcare, and discover the terms relevant to health insurance today. The program offers a firm foundation in medical terminology. Students also explore various types of medical records and record management. The program ensures students have a good understanding of the process to release medical records and when consent is necessary. This program stresses the importance of healthcare law, as well as physician responsibilities. The basics of program and billing is also covered in the program. Students work with practice management software to obtain hands-on skills. Finally, students learn about reporting by examining the explanation of benefits, secondary claims, denials and aging. The program wraps up with a final quiz that will prepare students for their future careers.
What sets this Program apart
- 5-day money-back commitment
- DEAC Accredited
- 100% online, self-paced on phone or computer
- Complete in 4–6 months, part-time
- One-on-one career coaching & instructor support
- Start learning today - no waiting period
- A+ BBB Rating, 45 years in distance education, and 97% of students would recommend U.S. Career Institute to a friend.
- The DEAC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency.
Lead instructor/course expert. Cindy Bracy earned her Master of Public Health Informatics (MPH) degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Cindy holds a certification as a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA). She has over 15 years of experience as a medical coder and has worked as a practice management specialist before becoming an instructor for health information management.
Admission Requirements and Process
To qualify for enrollment in the program, an applicant must:
- Certify that she/he is a high school graduate, holds a state-approved Graduate Equivalency Diploma (GED) or its equivalent, or has completed college-level coursework; or otherwise demonstrate ability to perform postsecondary-level coursework (including test evidence).
- Submit a completed enrollment application with the required payment.
- Be at least 16 years of age.
U.S. Career Institute is an open enrollment school: as long as the applicant meets the admissions requirements for minimum education and age, they will be accepted into the school. Students must be able to read, write and speak English fluently. Students aged 16 and 17 may be admitted provided their parent or guardian signs the enrollment agreement; students under the age of 16 cannot be admitted. Applicants who do not meet the high school diploma or equivalent requirement are allowed to use test evidence to show they can benefit from the program: the first five grades the student receives serve as the basis for test evidence, and a “C” GPA meets the minimum education requirement. Most professional certification agencies have minimum age requirements (typically 18) to sit for a certification exam.
General Requirements
- Minimum ageYou must be at least 16 years old; students aged 16 and 17 need a parent or guardian to sign the enrollment agreement.
- High school diploma or GEDYou need a high school diploma or GED, or college-level coursework; otherwise you may use test evidence to show you can benefit from the program.
- EnglishYou must be able to read, write and speak English fluently.
- Basic informationThe enrollment form asks for your name, email, phone, date of birth and education level.
- Enrollment agreementYou must submit a completed enrollment application or agreement with the required payment.
Application Process
- 1Ask your questionsRequest information online or call U.S. Career Institute toll-free at 866-250-6851 to learn more.
- 2Provide basic informationThe form asks for your name, email, phone, date of birth and education level.
- 3Pay for your tuitionYou can pay in full or choose the monthly payment plan.
- 4Sign the enrollment agreement and disclosuresEnrollment takes about 5 minutes; the school accepts enrollments 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- 5Start your first lessonUpon enrollment, students have immediate access to their program online, with 12 months to complete it.
Program Schedule
The Electronic Medical Records Specialist program is 281 clock hours, delivered in 24 lessons with 24 quizzes. Students can complete it in 4-6 months, studying part-time. Classes are 100% online and self-paced, on your phone or computer, with no due dates or deadlines.
The program is designed for guided independent study through distance learning, and is self-paced. Each program is designed to be completed in 12 months or less; the student has 12 months after enrollment to complete the program, and a student who needs more time should follow the leave of absence procedure. The school accepts enrollments 24 hours per day, seven days per week, and upon enrollment students have immediate access to their program online. All quizzes are open book.
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
U.S. Career Institute is committed to making your EMR education affordable. Start a new career that you’ll love and find fulfilling without a mountain of debt!
- Option 1, pay in full: $979 (save $300); the application charge is waived.
- Option 2, monthly auto payments: $1,279 in total at $79 a month, with a first payment of $79, plus a one-time $29 application charge.
First payment includes $50 down payment and $29 application charge. Application charge is non-refundable.
5-day money-back commitment. After you receive your first lesson, you have 5 full days to decide if our program is the best route for you.
Funding. U.S. Career Institute participates in military education benefit programs and the MyCAA spouse support tuition program; specific questions regarding eligibility should be directed to the Veterans Administration by calling 1-888-GIBILL1. U.S. Career Institute also participates in various employer-paid and Vocational Rehabilitation programs. U.S. Career Institute does not participate in other financial aid programs.
All enrollments are assessed a one-time $29 application charge (2026 catalog price list). Students who wish to purchase textbooks or manuals may do so for an additional charge.
Required Courses
| Name |
|---|
Career Outcomes
Upon graduation from our program, you will receive your U.S. Career Institute Certificate of Completion attesting to your accomplishment. U.S. Career Institute’s Electronic Medical Records Specialist program prepares you to sit for the CEHRS certification exam through the NHA. When security, completeness and accuracy of patient data are critical, certification gives employers confidence in your data management knowledge and skills. Included with our course, we cover the cost of your CEHRS exam fees – a $209 value!
The healthcare industry is growing! Our aging population means more medical services will be required and more Electronic Medical Records Specialists will be needed to create, schedule, organize, process, and manage insurance claims, hospital admissions, and the health information data that is associated with each and every patient. Join the many men and women working in the healthcare industry to keep their families, friends, and neighbors healthy and happy. No previous experience needed.
What to expect as a U.S. Career Institute student
Beginner-Friendly Lessons. Classes are designed for anyone to easily learn, and are broken up into digestible sections that build as you progress through our program. No due dates or deadlines.
Engaging Curriculum. Reading lessons, supplemental videos, interactive exercises, note taking, read-aloud and disability features, and open note multiple choice quizzes with no time limit.
Student support and coaching. Your tuition includes access to instructors via phone and email, student services, tutoring, resume and job interview support, and one-on-one career coaching (a $400 value).
Learning materials included. Your tuition includes e-books, study guides, supplemental videos, and interactive exercises. Hard copy books are also available for under $50. Everything is included - no hidden fees after enrollment.
Grading and graduation. To graduate, students must submit all quizzes, attain a final average of 70% or higher, have a signed enrollment agreement on file and have paid tuition in full; U.S. Career Institute then releases the Certificate of Completion. Students with a grade point average of 93 or higher are awarded a seat on the Dean’s List.
Graduate support. U.S. Career Institute provides continuing employment instruction and advice, including training in job-search techniques, résumé and letter writing, interviewing and presentation skills, available to all graduates whenever they request it. The school cannot promise or guarantee employment and does not provide job placement services.
Campus Location
Why Accreditation Is Important
U.S. Career Institute is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency. It is approved and regulated by the Colorado Department of Higher Education, Private Occupational School Board.
Curriculum
The Electronic Medical Records Specialist program totals 281 clock hours, taught in 4 instruction packs, listed below as the course outline.
U.S. Career Institute’s curriculum is developed specifically for the distance education learner by instructional designers who specialize in how to develop content for adults and well-qualified subject matter experts that include a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) to ensure quality content. In addition, USCI works with a program advisory council of non-USCI employees who work in the medical field to review content annually to ensure students receive content that is up-to-date, relevant, and accurate.
Graduates of this program will be trained in the theoretical instruction and practical skills that prepare students to gain entry-level EMR specialist positions in a variety of medical settings, such as physicians’ offices, ambulatory care centers and billing services. The coursework trains students to:
- Use medical terminology to communicate with other medical professionals.
- Understand the charting responsibilities, including auditing, releasing, retaining and destroying medical records.
- Adhere to compliance as it pertains to medical records and protecting the confidentiality of patient records.
- Assist in the coding and billing aspects by understanding the coding tools and the reimbursement process.
- Demonstrate the skills to create and work with patient records using practice management software.
Required Courses
| Name |
|---|
Frequently Asked Questions
Other Programs at Fort Collins Administrative Campus
U.S. Career Institute in Fort Collins, CO also offers these 33 programs at 2001 Lowe Street, Fort Collins, CO 80525.
- AccountingAssociate Degree · 61 semester credits / four semesters
- Accounting ServicesCertificate · 406 clock hours
- BookkeepingCertificate · 340 clock hours
- Business ManagementAssociate Degree · 60 semester credits / four semesters
- CaregiverCertificate · 93 clock hours
- Dental AssistantCertificate · 614 clock hours
- EKG TechnicianCertificate · 273 clock hours
- ElectricianCertificate · 180 clock hours
- Healthcare Office ManagerCertificate · 525 clock hours
- Health Information TechnologyAssociate Degree · 62 semester credits / four semesters
- Human ResourcesAssociate Degree · 62 semester credits / four semesters
- HVACR TechnicianCertificate · 225 clock hours
- Massage TherapyCertificate · 650 clock hours
- Medical Administrative AssistantCertificate · 392 clock hours
- Medical AssistantCertificate · 495 clock hours
- Medical AssistantAssociate Degree · 60 semester credits / four semesters
- Medical Billing SpecialistCertificate · 305 clock hours
- Medical Coding and Billing SpecialistCertificate · 772 clock hours
- Medical Coding SpecialistCertificate · 590 clock hours
- Medical SpecialtiesAssociate Degree · 61 semester credits / four semesters
- Medical Transcription and EditingCertificate · 925 clock hours
- Office AdministratorCertificate · 387 clock hours
- ParalegalCertificate · 420 clock hours
- Patient Care TechnicianCertificate · 306 clock hours
- Personal Fitness Trainer & Nutritional SpecialistCertificate · 428 clock hours
- Pharmacy TechnicianCertificate · 393 clock hours
- Phlebotomy TechnicianCertificate · 259 clock hours
- Physical Therapy AideCertificate · 403 clock hours
- PlumbingCertificate · 154 clock hours
- Social WorkAssociate Degree · 60 semester credits / four semesters
- Sterile Processing TechnicianCertificate · 410 clock hours
- Substance Abuse AssistantCertificate · 255 clock hours
- Veterinary AssistantCertificate · 360 clock hours