There are many medical terminology courses online; not all are free, and it is possible to enroll in the best at no cost. In this article, I will give you important information about the best free online medical terminology course based on my experience and research.
Medical terminology serves as the foundational language for healthcare professionals worldwide. A solid understanding of medical terminology is essential for clear communication and appropriate patient care. This is regardless of your experience level, whether you are a medical coder, an experienced nurse, or a doctor.
If you aspire to know medical terminology and improve your medical expertise with the help of these free online courses I have carefully selected after conducting research. I selected these courses based on the relevance of their curriculum, their accreditation, their learning outcomes, and their objectives. You can enroll in any of the best medical terminology courses to gain more knowledge and earn credible credentials.
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How Can I Learn Medical Terminology on My Own?
You can study medical terminology on your own. But you need to take note of the following hints, they will guide you while you learn them.
- Create your acronyms: you can learn medical terminology on your own by creating acronyms. To accomplish this, take one letter from each word or a collection of similar words and combine them to create a single new word or phrase.
- Use an app: another way you can learn medical terminology on your own is by using an app. These apps enhance easy understanding by giving you easy and clear definitions.
Take note of the aforementioned tips if you want to learn medical terminology on your own. Other tips you can use are medical guides or workbooks, memorization of root words, using flashcards or visualization, and constant revision or repetition of the medical terms.
Where Can I Study Medical Terminology?
You learn it via any of the following means, depending on your preference or learning style:
- Digitally: this means learning at your own pace on an online platform. This platform includes Udemy, edX, Coursera, Allison, and FutureLearn, among others. You can also use offline applications.
- University: another means is learning it at your preferred university or college. This is because they offer medical terminology and other medical-related courses.
- Textbooks: you can also learn medical terminology by comprehensively reading medical textbooks or guides. Additionally, you can use medical dictionaries and terminology textbooks as sources of reference.
- Learn from healthcare professionals: you can also learn medical terminology by engaging with healthcare students or professionals who have vast knowledge of it. You will learn a lot from them.
List of 11 Best Free Online Medical Terminology Courses with Certificate
- Clinical Terminology for International and U.S. Students
- Introduction to Medical Terminology
- Medical Terminology Specialization
- DoaneX: Medical Terminology
- Medical Terminology I
- Medical Terminology II
- Medical Terminology III
- Medical Terminology and the Human Body Fundamentals
- Medical Terminology, Anatomy, and Physiology Fundamentals
- Human Anatomy and Medical Terminology Fundamentals
- Online Medical Terminology Courses
11 Best Free Online Medical Terminology Courses with Certificate
Clinical Terminology for International and U.S. Students
Here is a quick overview of the course:
- Course duration: the duration of this course is 34 hours.
- Learners: over 113,000 learners are enrolled in this course.
- Cost: you can enroll in this course for free. However, you need to pay or apply for financial aid to get a certificate.
This course is an online course on Coursera. It is a free course provided by the University of Pittsburgh. You can learn this course at your own pace because of its flexible duration. It is one of the most popular free online medical terminology courses with certificates.
If you are a healthcare student, whether internationally or in the U.S., looking for an online medical terminology course, this is an excellent option.
You will gain from your visual and audio learning experiences if you work as a caregiver, medical interpreter, or other specialist in the medical field.
Furthermore, you will gain access to content, 44 quizzes, and financial aid options at no cost, with certificates available for a fee. Access via computer for optimal functionality.
You will learn about the following things in this course:
- English language
- Vital signs
- Medical devices
- Clinical experience
For more information about this course, see Clinical Terminology for International and U.S. Students.
Introduction to Medical Terminology
Here is a quick overview of the course:
- Course duration: the duration of this course is 1.5–3 hours.
- Learners: over 30,523 learners have already enrolled in this course.
- Cost: you can freely enroll in the course without any cost. However, if you need a credential to boost your CV, a payment is required.
Introduction to Medical Terminology is a free online course on Alison. Published by Apex Learning, it is a CPD-accredited course.
You can learn this course at your own pace due to its flexibility. The learning duration of this course is 1.5–3 hours. If you have no prerequisite knowledge of medical terminology, this course is an excellent choice for you. This is because you will learn all the medical terminology basics in it.
You will learn the following things in this course:
- Medical terminology
- Medicine
- Healthcare
- Vocabulary
- SDG 3 Good health and well-being
This course aids in developing medical vocabulary and covers basic terminology for the human body, organ systems, diseases, and treatments. It focuses on suffixes, prefixes, and word roots commonly used in medicine and will also improve your understanding of medical terminology. To enroll and or learn more about this course, see Introduction to Medical Terminology.
Medical Terminology Specialization
Here is a quick overview of the Specialization:
- Course duration: you will complete this program in a month if you study at 10 hours a week.
- Learners: over 12,000 learners have enrolled in this course.
- Cost: you can learn this course freely, but if you want to learn more about it and get credentials to boost your CV, payment will be required. Alternatively, you can apply for financial aid to get the certificate.
Medical Terminology Specialization is available on Coursera. It is a free course, and you can learn at your own pace without having to break your schedule.
You will learn the following skills in this program:
- Human anatomy
- Communication
- Medical language
- Health records
This course aims to enlighten those who are interested in developing skills in medical language or preparing for further studies in the medical field.
Upon completion of this program, you should be able to do the following:
- Identify common prefixes
- Know the suffixes
- Identify roots
- Understand abbreviations
You should also understand the structure of an electronic health record and extract vital information from it. Additionally, you will write three assessments to test your skill in medical language via real-life examples and fun activities. For more information, see Medical Terminology Specialization.
There are three courses in this specialization:
- Medical Terminology I
- Medical Terminology II
- Medical Terminology III
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Medical Terminology I
Here is a quick overview of the course:
- Course duration: the duration of this course is 14 hours.
- Learners: over 18,000 learners are enrolled in this course.
- Cost: it is a free course.
Medical Terminology I is a free online course on Coursera. It is offered by Rice University. Unlike the non-flexible learning in the class, you can learn this course via video class online at your own pace. Additionally, you do not need any prerequisite knowledge to enroll in this course.
This program is classified into the following modules:
- Medical Terminology Part 1
- Introduction to Medical Language and Records
- Integumentary System
- Musculoskeletal System
- Urinary System
- Course Final Assessment and Conclusion
For more information about this course, see the Medical Terminology Specialization section of this article.
Medical Terminology II
Here is a quick overview of the course:
- Course duration: the duration of this course is 16 hours.
- Learners: over 5,500 learners are enrolled in this course.
- Cost: it is a free course.
Medical Terminology II is a free online course available on Coursera. This course is provided by Rice University.
You can study this course at your own pace online using a video class, in contrast to the rigid learning environment in the classroom. Furthermore, there are no prerequisites for you to enroll in this course. It is one of the best free online medical terminology courses with certificate you can choose from.
This course is classified into the following modules:
- Introduction to Medical Terminology Part II
- Endocrine System
- Blood and Lymphatic System
- Cardiovascular System
- Respiratory System
- Final Assessment and Conclusion
In this course, you will learn new roots, terms, and abbreviations specific to the endocrine system (hormones). Additionally, you will also learn the abbreviations and terms in the body’s transportation and defense systems (cardiovascular, blood, and lymphatic).
For additional information about this course, see the Medical Terminology Specialization section of this article.
Medical Terminology III
Here is a quick overview of the course:
- Course duration: the duration of this course is 15 hours.
- Learners: over 4,000 learners are enrolled.
- Cost: it is free.
Medical Terminology III is a free online course available on Coursera. Rice University provides it.
Instead of having a set schedule in a classroom, you can study this course at your own pace online with a video class. This will free up time for other activities, and you can also learn it freely anywhere. In addition, there are no requirements for you to register for this course.
This course comprises the following modules:
- Introduction to Medical Terminology III
- Nervous system
- Special senses
- Digestive system
- Reproductive system
- Final assessment and specialization conclusion
In this course, you learn new roots, terms, and abbreviations related to the remaining body systems: nervous (brain, spinal cord, and nerves), special senses (eyes and ears), digestive, and reproductive.
From my experience, I will recommend you enroll in Parts I and II of this course to learn more medical terminologies. This course, together with parts I and II, are courses you should enroll in if you are a medical student or a healthcare professional and want to refresh your memory. For more information about this course, see the Medical Terminology Specialization section of this article.
DoaneX: Medical Terminology
Here is a quick overview of the course:
- Course duration: you will complete this course in 2 months at 5–10 hours a week.
- Learners: over 71,000 learners are enrolled in this course.
- Cost: you can enroll for this course freely. However, if you want to get additional lectures and certificate, payment will be required.
DoaneX: Medical Terminology is a free medical terminology course online with a certificate and it is available on edX. This course is available at Doane University.
The schedule of this course is flexible, meaning you can learn at your own pace anywhere and anytime. You do not need to pay to learn this course; however, there is an option for you to upgrade with your money. If you upgrade the course you will learn more about it, earn your certificate and learn to boost your CV.
From my experience of learning, it is advisable to learn bit by bit to understand the concept of this course properly. To improve your knowledge of medical terminology, I also urge you to use the flashcard method of learning to improve your memory of the medical terms.
The simplicity of this course is that you do not need any prerequisite knowledge before enrolling. This course will equip you for the medical field’s language, focusing on terms’ roots, prefixes, suffixes, and abbreviations. You will also gain the following skills:
- Anatomy
- Medical terminology
- Physiology
- Pathology
- Auditing
- Academic integrity
- Diagnostics
For more information about this course, see DoaneX: Medical Terminology.
Medical Terminology and the Human Body Fundamentals
Here is a quick overview of the course:
- Course duration: the duration of this course is 10 hours.
- Learners: over 2,800 learners have enrolled in this course.
- Cost: it is a free course.
Medical Terminology and the Human Body Fundamentals is an online course on Coursera. It is free, does not require any prerequisite knowledge for enrollment, and is offered by MedCerts.
The average learning duration of this course is 10 hours. However, you can learn at your own pace, depending on your schedule, due to its flexibility.
If you are a medical student or healthcare professional who aspires to know medical terminology, you can enroll in this course. This course introduces medical language for describing the human body, focusing on roots, prefixes, and suffixes to enhance understanding and familiarity in healthcare. You will learn the following skills in this course:
- Medical Terminology
- Medical language
- Human Anatomy
- Knowledge of many diseases
For more information about this course, see Medical Terminology and the Human Body Fundamentals.
Medical Terminology, Anatomy, and Physiology Fundamentals
Here is a quick overview of the course:
- Course duration: the duration of this course is 10 hours.
- Learners: over 1,800 learners are enrolled in this course.
- Cost: it is a free course.
Coursera offers an online course titled “Medical Terminology, Anatomy, and Physiology Fundamentals”. There are no prerequisites needed to enroll, and it is free. MedCerts is the source of this course.
This course will take 10 hours to complete. However, because of its flexibility, you can learn at your own pace based on your schedule.
The objectives of this course include:
- Analyzing medical terminology
- Understanding human body systems
- Recognizing directional terms
- Discussing pathology, the disease process, and endoscopy
This course introduces medical language for describing the human body. It also emphasizes root explanations to enhance understanding in healthcare. After taking the course, you will gain knowledge essential for medical records and various job duties in the field. After completing this course, you will earn a certificate from Medcert.
You will also gain the following skills from this course:
- Medical language
- Medical terminology
- Human Anatomy
- Knowledge of major diseases
For more information about the course, see Medical Terminology, Anatomy, and Physiology Fundamentals.
Human Anatomy and Medical Terminology Fundamentals
Here is a quick overview of the course:
- Course duration: you will complete this course in a month for 10 hours a week.
- Rating: the rating of this course is 4.9 out of 5.
- Cost: it is a free course.
Human Anatomy and Medical Terminology Fundamentals is an online course on Coursera. You do not require any prior knowledge to enroll in this course. It is provided by MedCerts.
If you are a medical student or healthcare professional who wants to know more about medical terminology, this course is an excellent choice for you. It offers in-depth education on the human body for medical and healthcare roles, covering anatomy, bodily systems, and medical terminology.
You will learn the following skills in the course:
- Medical terminology
- Medical language
- Human Anatomy
From my experience, it is advisable to use flashcards to memorize the medical terms for easy memorization. It is highly recommended to learn little by little for a proper understanding of the concepts. I encourage you to use the flashcards immediately after learning the portion of the day to get the best result.
This course is classified into the following modules:
- Medical Terminology, Anatomy, and Physiology Fundamentals
- The Skin, Bones, and Muscles
- The Human Body’s Communication Systems
- The Heart, Blood, and Lungs
- Digestion, Micturition, and Reproduction
For additional information about the course, see Human Anatomy and Medical Terminology Fundamentals Specialization.
Online Medical Terminology Courses
Here are the important details of this course:
- Learning platform: the official website of Des Moines University
- Institution: it if offered by Des Moines University.
This free online medical terminology course offered by Des Moines University (DMU) can be helpful to people who would like to learn more about medical terminology used in healthcare. You should not attempt to use the course material to diagnose or treat a health issue or disease because it is solely intended for educational and informational reasons.
The knowledgeable DMU lecturers, who are certified experts in medical language, created the course. They will assist you in understanding the fundamentals of medical terminology so that you may use them on your own.
Additionally, you will need to register with the class if you wish to enroll in the certification program upon completion of this course.
This course offers a basic understanding of all medical terms to improve your comprehension of the healthcare industry, knowledge on a variety of subjects, including the male reproductive system, the digestive system, the urinary system, the circulatory system, cancer terminology, and much more. This is one of the best free online medical terminology courses with certificate.
For more information about this course, see Online Medical Terminology Course.
Frequently Asked Questions Related to Free Online Medical Terminology Courses with Certificates
What is the fastest way to learn medical terminology?
Flashcards aid word learning with visual cues. Write medical terms on one side and definitions on the other for effective memorization. Use this technique shortly after learning for optimal results.
How long is a medical terminology course?
Depending on each participant’s background knowledge of medical language, the course takes different amounts of time to finish. It can take two hours for some people to finish, but it might take a week for others who take their time. Really, you can go at your own pace.
How hard is medical terminology?
Just like learning new languages, medical terminology can be tough at the beginning due to its vast terms. Thus you can get used to it with subsequent practice of roots, prefixes, and suffixes.
Who needs to learn medical terminology?
Medical terminology is vital across healthcare for professionals, students, researchers, administrators, and even patients. Clarity and communication rely on understanding these terms, often requiring clarification from healthcare providers due to their complexity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the importance of medical terminology in the healthcare industry cannot be underestimated. It serves as the common language that ensures clear and effective communication among healthcare professionals.
The aforementioned free online medical terminology courses will give you great opportunity to get use to medical terms. These courses offer valuable learning resources, catering to seasoned professionals seeking knowledge refreshment and beginners initiating healthcare careers. You can initiate your journey in the medical field with medical terminology.
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