The Allen School Online is a private for-profit institution of higher learning that focuses on career training. It specializes solely on training medical professionals and is a recognized leader in the medical billing and coding field. It offers a unique accelerated to success program that enables students to complete their program in as little as 9 months. The online programs provide students with the flexibility and convenience to complete coursework at anytime from anywhere with an Internet connection. The learning environment is completely web-based and led by experienced instructors. Course content is constantly updated to ensure students receive the most relevant training to acquire the skills desired by employers. Students complete the entire enrollment process online including registration, financial aid, and purchasing books and other course materials.
The online learning environment is delivered via the ANGEL Learning Platform. It features a rich experience that includes multimedia concepts such as text, audio, video, games, and interactive elements, hands-on learning activities, online discussions, and quizzes. It also provides students with a variety of opportunities such as email and discussion groups to interact and establish relationships with instructors and fellow students. Online instructors work to provide highly engaging and interacting course content and students all have an equal opportunity to participate. The instructors provide answers to questions and one-on-one feedback in a timely manner on a weekly basis. Online courses are kept small to promote interaction and include six weekly units. The courses feature synchronous lectures to enable students and instructors to interact live and all courses are recorded for individuals who cannot be online at a particular time. Students are able to submit assignments via an online drop box. The Allen School Online provides technical support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Online faculty and support staff is available by phone during regular office hours and by email 24 hours a day. Online tutoring is also available for students. The Allen School Online offers an optional graduation event for all students in New York City.
The Allen School Online offers a 100 percent online medical billing and coding program. The program prepares students to take the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) certification examination administered by the American Health Information Management Association. The program is designed to prepare individuals to pursue entry-level positions or advanced positions in the medical insurance billing and coding field such as in hospitals, clinics, and physician’s offices. Students gain a solid understanding of the overall health care system and related health insurance topics as well as the role of medical billing and coding professionals and the essential skills to be successful in these positions. They gain and properly use diagnostic and procedural medical terminology and how it relates to human anatomy and physiology and common medical conditions. Students also receive experience with practicing interviewing, documentation, and correct ways to gain necessary patient information to successfully manage medical claims. They gain an understanding of appropriate management and implementation of a variety of health insurance plans and programs. The program involves hands-on experiences and students actually prepare medical insurance claims by hand and using computer software such as the Clinical Modification System and Health Care Procedure Coding System. The Allen School Online also offers a medical assistant hybrid program. The program involves half of online study and half hands-on clinical training at the campuses in New York and Phoenix.
Loretta Telch established the Allen School in 1961. In 1969, the school graduated its 3,000th student and it had 20,000 graduates by the year 1978. Throughout the 1980s, the school continued to grow and 30,000 students graduated by 1989. By the year 2000, the school graduated its 50,000th student and threw an honoring celebration.
Accreditation
The Council on Occupational Education (COE) nationally accredits the Allen School Online. The school is also licensed by the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education and the New York State Department of Education.
Financing Options
The Allen School Online assists students with locating financial support to help pay tuition and fees. Financial advisors assist qualifying students with getting the highest amount of financial aid as permitted by law. The Allen School Online participates in various federal financial aid programs including the Federal Pell Grant and William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. The Allen School Online also offers the Heroes in Healthcare Military Benefits Program that assists Active Duty or Retired military personnel or their spouses with active duty tuition assistance or the GI Bill.