Online Medical Terminology Course

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A fast, easy and fun way to learn medical words and meanings.

Free Medical Terminology Course

Who Should Take This Course?
Those interested in learning how to better understand common medical words and meanings but do not need a certificate of completion.

What Is Included in the Course?
Access to all 15 modules at no cost.

What Is NOT Included in the Course?
Progress through the course is not tracked. We are unable to confirm you’ve completed the course and a certificate of completion is not available. If you require documentation, see our paid "Certificate of Completion" course below.

Certificate of Completion

If you’d like documentation that you completed the Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences Medical Terminology course, the cost is $99. Please note that the content differs from the free course and takes an average of four hours to complete.

Who Should Take This Course?

  • Prerequisite for college or academic program.*
  • Condition of employment.
  • Other opportunities where documentation of medical terminology knowledge is required.

* While you are not an enrolled student at DMU, some organizations may recognize this continuing education course as a prerequisite for employment or admission to an academic institution. However, this decision is at the employer’s or institution’s discretion. It is the individual’s responsibility to confirm this before enrolling in the course. The course is not eligible for academic credit or a grade, and an academic transcript from the registrar’s office is unavailable. DMU does not guarantee that the course will be accepted, and no refunds will be issued.

Course Structure

  • The “Foundations of Medical Terminology” section introduces word roots, prefixes and suffixes as the building blocks for understanding and constructing medical terms.
  • The “Body Systems” section covers terminology related to major physiological systems, including cardiovascular, digestive, endocrine and more, providing a structured approach to learning system-specific medical language.
  • The “Diseases and Conditions” section explores common medical conditions, their symptoms, diagnostic methods and treatments, ensuring students can accurately interpret and communicate clinical information.
  • The “Practical Applications and Case Studies” section emphasizes real-world usage of medical terminology through patient case analyses, medical record interpretation and clinical documentation exercises.
  • The “Engagement Exercises” section reinforces learning with interactive activities, such as matching exercises and flashcards, to accommodate different learning styles and improve retention.
  • The “Flash Cards” section includes nearly 1,400 medical terms, offering a convenient and effective tool for memorizing prefixes, root words, suffixes and disease-related terminology.
  • The “Reference Guide” section provides a structured, printable resource that categorizes medical terms by body system, offering quick access to definitions, abbreviations and word components.

If you have questions regarding the certificate course, please review our frequently asked questions or email cme@dmu.edu.

Medical Terminology Course Content Providers

Disclaimer

This course is designed for educational and/or informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or professional care. The information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. The modules may involve simulated case-based scenarios. The scenarios are fictitious and no association with any actual patient is intended or should be inferred. Des Moines University (DMU) or the authors of this work will not be held accountable for any use or misuse of the information contained in the course.

Use of Materials by Educators

Use of a single module, multiple modules, or the entire course is prohibited. A link directing students to the DMU Medical Terminology Course website may be included within your curriculum. Appropriate citation must be made to DMU and the authors. Content within the course may not be sold, licensed or altered. Documentation (e.g. certificate of completion) may not be issued for completion of content derived from this course.  If participation tracking is necessary, the paid course must be purchased. 

By using this course, users agree to abide by copyright and trademark laws, intellectual property rights, and all other applicable laws of the United States of America. Links to other sites are provided as reference only and DMU does not assume responsibility for the accuracy or appropriateness of the information contained at such sites. In providing links to other sites, DMU is not acting as a publisher or disseminator of the material contained on these other sites and does not seek to control or maintain any type of editorial control over such sites. 

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