20 Best Medical Terminology Courses to Take In 2025
These medical terminology courses offer an effective opportunity to develop essential healthcare communication skills with guidance from experienced experts. Below is a summary of each course, highlighting its key focus and benefits.
Best Medical Terminology Course Shortlist
Here's my shortlist of the best medical terminology courses I think are helpful:
- Medical Terminology Online Course (AAPC)
- Medical Terminology (Canadian Red Cross)
- Medical Terminology Specialization (Rice University)
- Online Medical Terminology Course (Des Moines University)
- Introduction to Medical Terminology (Apex Learning)
- Medical Terminology and the Human Body Fundamentals (MedCerts)
- Medical Terminology (University of San Diego)
- Clinical Terminology for International and U.S. Students (University of Pittsburgh)
- Introduction to Medical Terminology - Full Course (NEXPD)
- Medical Terminology for Health Care Professionals (University of Phoenix)
- Medical Terminology (Penn Foster)
- Medical Terminology: An Anatomy and Physiology Approach (UC San Diego)
- Medical Terminology Course (UNE)
- Online Medical Terminology (NHTI)
- DoaneX: Medical Terminology (Doane University)
- Medical Terminology (MAT)
- PHAR 1002: Medical Terminology (University of Minnesota)
- Ashworth College: Online Medical Terminology College Course (StraighterLine)
- Mastering Medical Terminology (Udemy)
- Medical Terminology Certificate Online Program (Advanced eClinical Training)
Find more details about each course below.
Overview of the Best Medical Terminology Course
Below are my detailed summaries of the best medical terminology courses that made it onto my shortlist.
1. Medical Terminology Online Course (AAPC)
This course provides a structured introduction to medical terminology through on-demand online learning. It uses a comprehensive syllabus to deliver essential healthcare language skills for non-clinical medical roles.
- Who It’s For: Individuals preparing for non-clinical medical professions or an AAPC certification exam
- Topics Covered:
- Structure of medical terms
- Anatomy and physiology terminology
- Medical abbreviations
- Word parts and their roles
- Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
- Exam Required? Yes
- Duration: 2 months
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: 40 hours (self-paced)
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price:
- Members: $395
- Non-members: $604.95
- Take The Course: AAPC
2. Medical Terminology (Canadian Red Cross)
This online course offers a self-directed approach to understanding the professional language of healthcare. It includes comprehensive course material divided into modules, covering medical terms and their application across human body systems.
- Who It’s For: Professionals in medical billing, coding, administration, emergency response, public safety, or related fields, as well as those seeking to understand healthcare terminology
- Topics Covered:
- Introduction to medical terminology
- Anatomy and physiology basics
- Medical abbreviations and word parts
- Human body systems terminology (integumentary, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, etc.)
- Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
- Exam Required? Yes
- Duration: 12 to 24 hours
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price: $280
- Take The Course: Canadian Red Cross
3. Medical Terminology Specialization (Rice University)
This specialization focuses on mastering medical terminology through practical activities and assessments. It covers essential terminology related to anatomy, diagnoses, and electronic health records across all major organ systems.
- Who It’s For: Individuals interested in developing medical language skills or preparing for medical studies
- Topics Covered:
- Medical prefixes, suffixes, and roots
- Abbreviations used in medical settings
- Anatomy and terminology for major organ systems
- Interpreting electronic health records
- Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
- Exam Required? No
- Duration: 1 month
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: 10 hours per week (learn at your own pace)
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price: Enroll for free
- Take The Course: Coursera
4. Online Medical Terminology Course (Des Moines University)
This course covers the foundational structure and formation of medical terminology. It focuses on understanding word origins and patterns to support recognizing and applying medical terms in various contexts. A final quiz is also included to evaluate learners' mastery of the material.
- Who It’s For: Individuals needing medical terminology knowledge for academic or employment purposes
- Topics Covered:
- Word structure and pronunciation
- Urinary system terminology
- Reproductive system terminology
- Musculoskeletal system terminology
- Additional body system terms and definitions
- Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
- Exam Required? No
- Duration: 2 hours
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price:
- Free
- With certificate: $99
- Take The Course: Des Moines University
5. Introduction to Medical Terminology (Apex Learning)
This course introduces the foundational elements of medical terminology through concise and engaging content. It focuses on the structure and application of medical terms across organ systems and standard healthcare procedures. The course offers CPD accreditation and includes a final assessment to validate learning.
- Who It’s For: Individuals seeking foundational knowledge of medical terminology
- Topics Covered:
- Skeletal system terminology
- Medical vocabulary for eyes and ears
- Common medical equipment
- Laboratory tests terminology
- Medical acronyms and abbreviations
- Diagnostic and therapeutic procedure terms
- Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
- Exam Required? Yes
- Duration: 1.5 to 3 hours
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price: Free
- Take The Course: Alison
6. Medical Terminology and the Human Body Fundamentals (MedCerts)
This course teaches the medical language used to describe the human body, focusing on understanding medical terminology, body system functions, and directional terms. It provides the foundational knowledge to interpret medical records and comprehend healthcare documentation.
- Who It’s For: Individuals pursuing healthcare careers or seeking to improve communication with healthcare providers
- Topics Covered:
- Introduction to medical terminology
- Basics of anatomy, physiology, and pathology
- Cells as the foundation of life
- Overview of the human body
- Online, In-Person, or Both?: Online
- Exam Required?: No
- Duration: 10 hours
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price: Enroll for free
- Take The Course: Coursera
7. Medical Terminology (University of San Diego)
This course provides a comprehensive overview of medical terminology using the body systems method. This method focuses on constructing, identifying, and interpreting terms through root words, prefixes, and suffixes. It emphasizes using abbreviations, word components, and positional terms to classify medical language accurately.
- Who It’s For: Students and professionals needing medical terminology for education or work
- Topics Covered:
- Medical terms for body systems
- Word parts, including roots, prefixes, and suffixes
- Diagnostic and laboratory abbreviations
- Constructing and interpreting medical terms
- Singular and plural forms of medical terms
- Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
- Exam Required? No
- Duration: 6 months
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price: $399
- Take The Course: University of San Diego
8. Clinical Terminology for International and U.S. Students (University of Pittsburgh)
This course provides international and U.S. students with a focused study of clinical terminology in U.S. healthcare settings. It includes visual and auditory materials to enhance understanding of terms and abbreviations related to patient care.
- Who It’s For: Students, healthcare professionals, caregivers, and medical interpreters
- Topics Covered:
- Common clinical terms and abbreviations
- Vital signs terminology
- Medical device terminology
- English language application in clinical contexts
- Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
- Exam Required? No
- Duration: 33 hours
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price: Free (optional certificate available for a fee or with financial aid)
- Take The Course: Coursera
9. Introduction to Medical Terminology - Full Course (NEXPD)
This course teaches the roots, prefixes, and suffixes of medical terminology through the study of anatomy, physiology, and pathology of body systems. It emphasizes interpreting complex terms, documenting medical information, and understanding terminology related to diseases, treatments, and healthcare communication.
- Who It’s For: Non-clinical healthcare staff and those preparing for the NAATI Certified Specialist Health Interpreter Test
- Topics Covered:
- Basic anatomy and physiology of body systems
- Common diseases and disorders
- Assessment and treatment methods
- Commonly used medicines
- Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
- Exam Required? Yes
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price: $399
- Take The Course: NEXPD
10. Medical Terminology for Health Care Professionals (University of Phoenix)
This course immerses participants in the language of healthcare through interactive discussions and activities. It focuses on understanding and applying medical terminology in real-world contexts.
- Who It’s For: Non-clinical healthcare staff, medical interpreters and translators, medical receptionists, administrative assistants, medical billing and coding professionals, and health information technicians
- Topics Covered:
- Introduction to medical terminology
- Overview of body structure and function
- Terminology for body systems
- Diagnostic and procedural terms
- Pharmacological terminology
- Common abbreviations and symbols
- Medical records documentation
- Communication using medical terminology
- Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
- Exam Required? No
- Duration: 5 weeks
- Eligibility Requirements: No prerequisites
- Price: $1,364
- Take The Course: University of Phoenix
11. Medical Terminology (Penn Foster)
This course provides comprehensive instruction in medical terminology. It focuses on analyzing, categorizing, and distinguishing essential terms for healthcare professionals. The course covers a range of body systems and emphasizes accurate interpretation and pronunciation in medical contexts.
- Who It’s For: Individuals seeking a foundational understanding of medical terminology essential for careers in healthcare.
- Topics Covered:
- Introduction to allied health
- Medical terminology
- The fundamentals of medical terminology
- Diagnosis, intervention, and human body terms
- Musculoskeletal, circulatory, and respiratory systems terms
- Integumentary, nervous, and endocrine system terms
- Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
- Exam Required? No
- Duration: 1 to 3 months
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price:
- $399 (Pay in full)
- $469 ($50/month and start with $29 down)
- Take The Course: Penn Foster
12. Medical Terminology: An Anatomy and Physiology Approach (UC San Diego)
This course uses an anatomy and physiology systems approach to familiarize students with medical terminology in healthcare settings. It aims to enhance their ability to interpret medical charts and records, preparing them for productive roles in healthcare environments.
- Who It’s For: Individuals in healthcare fields who need to understand medical terminology in-depth, including its application in clinical practice and research.
- Topics Covered:
- Medical terminology using an anatomy and physiology approach
- Common terms in medical practice and research
- Application in healthcare settings
- Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
- Exam Required? No
- Duration: 4 weeks
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
- Eligibility Requirements:
- Textbook required: Medical Terminology: A Living Language 7th by Fremgen/Frucht ISBN / ASIN: 9780134701202
- Price: $345
- Take The Course: UC San Diego Extended Studies
13. Medical Terminology Course (UNE)
The Medical Terminology Course (Source)
This course provides a detailed exploration of medical terminology, focusing on the etymology, parts, formation rules, pronunciation, and usage of medical terms in healthcare contexts. It equips learners with essential skills to effectively understand and apply medical language in clinical and therapeutic settings.
- Who It’s For: Individuals pursuing healthcare careers who need a solid grasp of medical terminology for clear communication and practice
- Topics Covered:
- Introduction to medical terminology
- Prefixes, suffixes, and combining forms
- Formation rules and guidelines
- Application in clinical contexts
- Online, In-Person, or Both?: Online
- Exam Required?: Yes
- Duration: 16 weeks
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price: $1,350
- Take The Course: UNE Online
14. Online Medical Terminology (NHTI)
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to medical terminology, focusing on the language used to describe body systems, diagnoses, and treatments. It is designed to build a strong foundation for understanding medical terms and their applications in healthcare.
- Who It’s For: Students preparing for healthcare careers or certifications requiring medical terminology
- Topics Covered:
- Word roots, prefixes, and suffixes
- Body systems and their functions
- Diagnoses, procedures, and treatments
- Common medical abbreviations and acronyms
- Accuracy in spelling and pronunciation
- Online, In-Person, or Both?: Online
- Exam Required?: Yes
- Duration: 6 months
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: 60 hours
- Eligibility Requirements:
- Textbook required: Comprehensive Medical Terminology for Health Professions, 1st Edition
- Price: $915
- Take The Course: NHTI
15. DoaneX: Medical Terminology (Doane University)
DoaneX: Medical Terminology course (Source)
This course provides comprehensive instruction in medical terminology, focusing on prefixes, suffixes, stem words, and abbreviations essential for effective communication in the medical field. It emphasizes proficiency in accurately interpreting and using medical terms in various healthcare documents and contexts.
- Who It’s For: Individuals aiming to gain proficiency in medical terminology, particularly those pursuing careers in healthcare
- Topics Covered:
- Introduction to medical terminology
- Prefixes, suffixes, and root words
- Application in healthcare contexts
- Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
- Exam Required? No
- Duration: 8 weeks
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: 5-10 hours per week (self-paced)
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price:
- Free
- With certificate: $119
- Take The Course: edX
16. Medical Terminology (MAT)
This course explores prefixes, suffixes, root words, and medical abbreviations critical for understanding and using medical terminology. It includes techniques for breaking down and pronouncing complex terms and provides an overview of human body systems, their conditions, and related diseases.
- Who It’s For: Individuals in healthcare administration and medical reception roles who need to interpret and apply medical terminology accurately in their daily tasks.
- Topics Covered:
- Structure and components of medical terms
- Medical terminology for body systems
- Common abbreviations and acronyms
- Application of terminology in healthcare settings
- Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
- Exam Required? Yes
- Duration:
- Full-time: 2-4 weeks
- Part-time: 4-8 weeks
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
- Eligibility Requirements:
- Basic computer and literacy skills recommended
- Price: $295
- Take The Course: MAT
17. PHAR 1002: Medical Terminology (University of Minnesota)
This course provides a detailed exploration of medical terminology, emphasizing the structure and use of terms across body systems and medical practices. Students gain the skills to analyze and articulate medical terms using word elements.
- Who It’s For: Undergraduate students interested in healthcare or related fields
- Topics Covered:
- Word roots, prefixes, and suffixes
- Terminology for body systems
- Medical abbreviations and acronyms
- Diagnostic and procedural terminology
- Online, In-Person, or Both?: Online
- Exam Required?: No
- Duration: 10 weeks
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price:
- $582 per credit ( Resident)
- $1,396 per credit (Non-resident)
- Take The Course: University of Minnesota
18. Ashworth College: Online Medical Terminology College Course (StraighterLine)
This course provides an in-depth medical terminology study, focusing on analyzing word parts, interpreting terms related to body systems and treatments, and understanding medical abbreviations. It emphasizes accurate usage, spelling, and pronunciation to ensure effective communication in healthcare contexts.
- Who It’s For: Individuals seeking foundational knowledge in medical terminology for healthcare settings
- Topics Covered:
- Learning terminology, word roots, and combining forms
- Integumentary system terminology
- Musculoskeletal system terminology
- Endocrine system terminology
- Common medical abbreviations and acronyms
- Terminology for diagnostic and treatment procedures
- Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
- Exam Required? Yes
- Duration: 10 hours per week
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price: $79
- Take The Course: StraighterLine
19. Mastering Medical Terminology (Udemy)
This course provides a structured approach to understanding medical terminology, starting with prefixes, suffixes, and condition modifiers. It covers anatomical terms, surgical procedures, infectious disease terminology, and practical exercises to build proficiency in interpreting and using medical language.
- Who It’s For: Medical students, healthcare professionals, medical coders, transcriptionists, pre-medical and pre-nursing students, and health science or allied health students
- Topics Covered:
- Prefixes, suffixes, and root words in medical terms
- Anatomical terminology
- Medical conditions and procedures
- Surgical terms
- Infectious diseases terminology
- Terminology related to the musculoskeletal system
- Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
- Exam Required? No
- Duration: 3 hours and 46 minutes
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price: $19.99
- Take The Course: Udemy
20. Medical Terminology Certificate Online Program (Advanced eClinical Training)
This certificate program focuses on medical terminology, teaching the meaning and use of root words, prefixes, and suffixes. It includes practical exercises to analyze, spell, and pronounce medical terms while understanding abbreviations and terminology related to body systems.
- Who It’s For: Pre-health students aiming to enhance their medical terminology proficiency
- Topics Covered:
- Concepts, suffixes, and prefixes
- Body structure
- Disease and treatment
- Thirteen body systems
- Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
- Exam Required? Yes
- Duration: 4 weeks
- How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
- Eligibility Requirements: None
- Price: $600
- Take The Course: Advanced eClinical Training
Join For More Insights
To stay updated on the latest trends, best practices, and solutions related to your medical practice, subscribe to The Medical Practice newsletter.