IMPORTANT! This course will expire on Monday, January 6, 2025, at 11:00 am Central Time. Access will no longer be available after this time. Please keep this in mind when registering for the course. Refunds will not be given if you don't complete the course before it expires.

A new medical terminology course will be available on Monday, January 6, 2025, at 11:01 a.m. Central Time. It will include more medical terms, modules, case studies, engagement exercises, and knowledge checks.

Transfers to the new course are not permitted.

Registration

The cost to receive a certificate for this online medical terminology course is $99.

The course is NOT eligible for academic credit or a grade from Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences (DMU). An academic transcript or course code is not available from the registrar's office. A $20 administrative fee will apply if documentation is requested to be sent to an organization by DMU on behalf of an individual. The DMU Medical Terminology Course is non-refundable. Refunds will not be issued for any reason.

Before enrolling in this educational activity, you must log in or create an account.

Once logged in, please select the "REGISTER" tab to process your payment and complete your registration.

If you need to purchase registrations for multiple users with a single payment, please contact DMU CME at 515-271-1596 or cme@dmu.edu. There is no discount for purchasing multiple registrations.

Other registration options

A Spanish version of the medical terminology course can be found here.
If you don't need a certificate, you can access the course here for no cost. Your participation will not be tracked, and no certificate is awarded in the free course.

The online DMU Medical Terminology Course is a fast and easy way to learn medical words and meanings. Modules and quizzes include:

Word roots - prefixes and suffixes
Circulatory system
Nervous system
Digestive system
Respiratory system
Urinary system
Male reproductive system
Female reproductive system
Musculoskeletal system
Cancer terms
Medicine cabinet
30-question comprehensive quiz

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I change my mind and want to cancel my enrollment in the Medical Terminology Course?

The DMU Medical Terminology Course is non-refundable. Refunds will not be issued for any reason.

What is the difference between the free and paid course?

The free course is available here. If you'd like documentation of completing the DMU Medical Terminology Course, the cost is $99, and you must register through the online system. The certificate is beneficial if you're applying for employment, which requires documentation of medical terminology knowledge.

Can I take the course first and pay the $99 later?

No. If you'd like to receive a certificate, you must pay the $99. The price is in US dollars, and no refunds are given.

Is there a test? What happens if I do not pass?

Yes, there is a graded final quiz and several ungraded knowledge checks throughout the course. You have three attempts to pass the final quiz. If you do not pass with three attempts, you must pay $99 to retake the course to receive a certificate.

Is the medical terminology course eligible for academic credit or a grade from DMU?

No. The course is considered continuing education only; you're not an enrolled student at DMU. The course is not eligible for academic credit or a grade, and an academic transcript from the registrar's office is unavailable.

How much time does it take to complete the DMU Medical Terminology Course?

The time it takes to complete the course varies depending on the participant and their previous knowledge of medical terminology. Some people can complete it within two hours, while others may take their time and complete it over a week. It is truly at your own pace.

When and how will I receive my certificate?

You will automatically receive your certificate upon completing the final quiz. Certificates are available for download and will not be mailed to you.

Will my employer, licensing board, or higher education institution accept this course as part of their required criteria?

While you are not an enrolled student at DMU, some organizations may recognize this continuing education course as a prerequisite for employment or acceptance to an academic institution. This decision is left to the discretion of the employer or academic institution, and the participant must 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 the course will be accepted, and refunds will not be issued. A $20 administrative fee will apply if documentation is requested to be sent to an organization by DMU on behalf of an individual. Please call 515-271-1596 to pay via credit card if you need a letter submitted to an organization on your behalf. Participants can access a copy of the letter on the course welcome page or within their confirmation email and may submit it on their behalf at no additional charge.

Can I receive CME/CE credit for the DMU Medical Terminology Course?

DMU does not award continuing education credit for the Medical Terminology Course. The 2.0 contact hours are a learner's average time to complete the course (two hours).

I am applying to an employer or academic program and need a letter stating that an academic transcript is not offered for the Medical Terminology Course.

A hyperlink to a downloadable letter is included in the confirmation email you will receive upon registering for the online Medical Terminology Course. After logging in, the letter can also be found on the course welcome page. Participants can print this letter and submit it along with their certificate of completion to an organization on their behalf at no additional charge. A $20 administrative fee will apply if documentation is requested to be sent to an organization by DMU on behalf of an individual. Please call 515-271-1596 to pay via credit card if you need a letter submitted to an organization on your behalf. An academic transcript is not available from the registrar's office.

I am an educator and would like to use a section of the DMU Medical Terminology Course within my teaching curriculum.

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 citations 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.

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 on these other sites and does not seek to control or maintain editorial control over such sites.

Where in the World is the DMU Medical Terminology Course?

The Des Moines University online Medical Terminology Course is a fast and easy way to learn medical words and meanings. This continuing education course has been taken worldwide, including the United States and over 50 countries. The course is in English and Spanish and can be accessed anytime from anywhere with an internet connection. There is a good chance that one of your neighbors has already completed the online Medical Terminology Course – and you should, too!

Course Authors

Matz

Donald Matz, PhD, Faculty Consultant
Chair and Professor, Anatomy and Professor, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences, West Des Moines, IA

Dyche

William J. Dyche, PhD, Course Author
Professor Emeritus, Anatomy, Des Moines University, Des Moines, IA

Questions

Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences
Continuing Medical Education
cme@dmu.edu
515-271-1596

Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Date of original release: June 17, 2002
Most recent review/update: July 25, 2024
Termination date: December 31, 2026

Course summary

Available credit:

2.00 CE Contact Hour(s)

Course opens:

02/02/2015

Course expires:

01/06/2025

Cost:

$99.00

Rating:

Available Credit

2.00 CE Contact Hour(s)

Price