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Can Andrews' Coding Course be completed in less than 12 months? - CuriousCat

Posted: Jan 24, 2011

I've been looking at both Andrews and Career Step for online coding classes. One thing that I've noticed (other than the cost differences) is that the Career Step course can be completed in as little as 4 months. It seems the Andrews course takes a minimum of 12 months. Is it possible to complete it in less time or is that frowned upon? If I had the extra money and time, I would probably be leaning toward Andrews (particularly since I already completed their MT course years ago and was quite satisfied).

That depends.... - Raine59

[ In Reply To ..]
How many hours a day/week do you have to devote to the course?

Course completion - Anonymous

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I did the Career Step course. I am working 40 hours a week and study 2 hours every day. I am giving myself a full year to finish the course, do a thorough review and prepare for the final exam, then study for the CPC. My opinion is that the only way you'd finish Career Step in 4 months is if you were a full-time student, it is a 640-hour course and not easy. As Raine said, it depends on how much time you have to devote to study for either course. I think Andrews expects you to have a study schedule, Career Step does not. If I had it to do over again I probably would not have chosen Career Step, simply because everything is on-line and I think I would have enjoyed more instructor feedback. However, it is quite a comprehensive program. Good luck whatever you decide.

It's probably similar to trying to do the Andrews MT course in less than 12 months - Can be done but not likely

[ In Reply To ..]
As far as I know there is no rule that keeps you from working faster, but the material is challenging enough that you're probably going to want to spend some time on it.

Keep in mind though that you don't have to wait until you finish to start looking for jobs where you can use your coding. You won't have your CCS or CPC-A yet, of course, but I have talked to students who got jobs in coding-related positions and then built from there. I don't know how hard that would be to find. That probably depends on where you live and what's available in your area.

Yes - Anonymous

[ In Reply To ..]
I am trying to find a coding-related job while I continue to study and before I become certified. I have had one interview so far at the facility where I currently work as an MT. That one didn't work out but I'm hoping something will in the future.

It will be much easier when you can say that you are in a coding program - because they know you are serious

[ In Reply To ..]
If they know you are serious about getting a coding education and they need coders, some are much more likely to hire you.

You also need to let them know that you plan to become certified as soon as you finish your coding course.

Agree - CuriousCat

[ In Reply To ..]
I have seen at least 3 doctor's office coding/billing positions that did not require certification, but did state that you needed to be working toward it and accomplish it within a year of starting the position. The two hospital coder positions I've seen both required certification, but they were also Level III positions.

Andrews' - CuriousCat

[ In Reply To ..]
Well, I know it took me much longer than 12 months to finish the Andrews' MT Course. I would have all day to devote to my studies this time, however, as I am no longer working and my kids are both in school now. Plus, since I've already taken their MT course, I have to wonder if there won't be some repetition in the beginning as far as medical terminology and anatomy lessons. That would obviously go faster since I've already completed that once and worked for a number of years as an MT.

The difference in completion time estimates between Career Step and Andrews had me wondering if Andrews was more thorough and had more in depth material. It's not that I'm trying to rush through, it's just that I'm kind of excited to see the new career opportunities.

I think I know the answer to the question in your - last paragraph

[ In Reply To ..]
I read one student talking about starting a job fairly soon after enrolling in the Andrews course, starting a new job while she continued in the more advanced sections of the course preparing for certification. I don't know anything about the specific school you are comparing, but I believe the education you get early in the course is probably equal to some complete courses, probably the ones that say you can finish in a short period of time. The difference is, you're learning it at a very deep level and, more importantly, not stopping there. You can actually code at that point, but you are far from being ready for certification. You can probably apply for some jobs at that point though.

Applying for jobs - Anonymous

[ In Reply To ..]
Anyone, regardless of the course they're enrolled in, can apply for jobs at any time they choose. I'm not in Andrews but still studying and have applied for jobs and have already had some interviews. I was able to code fairly early in my program as well, but employers expect very high accuracy rates, it's difficult to achieve that without a lot of practice or actual work experience.

Additional note about Andrews - Anonymous

[ In Reply To ..]
I wanted to add that in my area, employers aren't impressed with the Andrews School, in fact most of them have never heard of it. They are looking for people who have receieved training through AHIMA or AAPC programs.

The ones I've seen are impressed by certified coders, period - nm

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

Same here - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
It's the same here. The vast majority of employers don't know about various schools. Half have never heard of AAPC and most of those who have have never heard of AHIMA. Either way, what they are about it the credential. If you have the credential, they couldn't care one way or the other.

It might be that a brand-new grad without a credential may run into the "what school" issue, but I don't think they will ever encounter it again. Employers just look for that credential.

There are a lot of coders who were trained on the job or who self-trained. They never went to school at all. Others kind of worked in the field and then did a bootcamp course. Nobody cares if you have the credential.

The purpose of the school is to provide what you need to pass the test. Period. Pass the test and nobody cares how you learned what you know.

The only exception is in some -- but not all -- hospitals, where AHIMA folks like to support their organization by looking for AHIMA grads. Of course, most of the time they still won't hire them without the credential because they know how likely it is that the person still can't code. There aren't that many jobs in that arena, anyway--most of them are in outpatient.

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