Online Medical Terminology Course

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.