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Question for WGU grads please - sm

Posted: Jul 16, 2012

How many of you WGU graduates have passed the CCS? Thanks!

They have a 100% pass rate on the RHIA exam. - That trumps everything else

[ In Reply To ..]
WGU is not a coding program. It is an AHIMA-accredited informatics program leading to the RHIA. As in all RHIA programs, coding is taught, but all of health information administration is taught as well. They have a 100% pass rate on the exam, which covers coding and the rest of the domains. In addition, their grads have already passed a bunch of choice, high-demand computer exams, so they are well-prepared to get jobs. Informatics is the up and coming thing now since hospitals have to go electronic.

can the get jobs in coding? Yes. Without the CCS? Yes. Do some RHIAs eventually get the CCS? Yes but they will still get jobs without it. They are able to work for all the remote coding companies that require an RHIA. They also qualify for high-paying HIM jobs other than coding.

So, I don't know if they even take the CCS, but they do not need to.

I am in this program - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
We do not take the CCS exam. As the above poster said, we take the RHIA exam. This program doesn't cover much coding. It's more about technology and healthcare management. I really have no reason to take the CCS as I don't want to do coding. I want to be more on the informatics side, which is why a lot of people take this program.

I am in this program - sm - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
How is it going for you at WGU? Are you enjoying your studies? I am seriously considering going for the B.S. in Health Informatics.

I love it - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
I cant study and take exams at my own pace. I've completed three classes in six weeks, but I also work full-time. This program is very challenging, but I feel that I am really learning and I have so much support from WGU. I forgot to add that the this program requires you to take the CCA exam.

Exams - MTCODER

[ In Reply To ..]
I have 120 college credit hours from an accredited college. I was one course away from graduating 15 years ago when life happened. I have extensive education in health care and have just finished an AHIMA approved coding program and will be sitting for the CCS shortly.

That being said, I want to finish a degree but I work full time and have an army of youngish children. I have extensively researched WGU and am very familiar with the program. I am weak on the technical side but exceed their admission requirements.

With that background in mind, when you say the courses are difficult what exactly do you find most challenging about them? Are they a lot of busy work so far? Lord I hate busy work. I understand the WGU curriculum is writing intensive but that is okay with me as that is my strong suit.

What about exams? On exams that require a proctor are you paying out of pocket for that service? Do you find you require a proctor often?

I cannot get a straight answer from WGU but in your experience if a person comes in with a CCS (a higher level credential than CCA) would they still require the CCA?

Do you feel that WGU is really very flexible? If you needed to take say a week off in the middle of October would that be a problem? I appreciate your time!

To answer your questions - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
If you have the CCS, then you do not have to sit for the CCA. There is a lot of reading and writing in this program. The hardest part of this course are the tech exams. These exams have to be taken at a proctored authorized Vue testing center. You have to schedule this test and it is already included in your tuition. There are other exams that you take at home via your webcam and they watch you take your test to make sure you're not cheating. There are also performance assessments which are just basically regular tests. WGU is very flexible, and you can take off as much time as you need as long as you finish at least two classes in six months, which is easy to do. If you are weak on the technical side, I think this would be your biggest challenge. The tech exams are pretty intense.

Materials cost question... - ...Looking at WGU...

[ In Reply To ..]
I've been considering WGU Health Informatics Program for a while now. If you do not mind sharing, what additional costs besides the tuition have you incurred for materials? They say "most" are included but that leaves a lot of wiggle room. Thanks in advance.

Have you asked them? - Wondering what they said

[ In Reply To ..]
I know the website says most, but did you ask them? It depends on the program, but there should be an estimated cost somewhere. I think I saw it. Try looking at the financial disclosure pages where they have to tell you the costs.

If you have not spoken to them yet, you should. They will answer your questions. WGU is not a diploma mill or a for-profit. Their tuition is astoundingly reasonable, especially for such a high-demand degree program. People pay more than 30K for the old fashioned paper-record RHIA at other universities with ALL book costs on top of that.

I would not let that concern hold you back. They are not being deceptive about this at all. They have no need to.

WGU stands for??? - curious

[ In Reply To ..]
Which school is WGU? I looked on the AHIMA site, and was not sure. Will be looking for course like this soon after I finish my coding classes. Thanks so much.

Western Governors University - nm

[ In Reply To ..]
:)

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