Health Information Technology Schools
Search For Schools
For those with ambitions of working in healthcare and are willing to invest two years in a certificate or degree program, health information technology is a great path to consider. Sometimes referred to as coders or coding specialists, professionals in this career are tasked with keeping accurate data records in a medical setting.
Exactness and customer service are the keys to career satisfaction in this field. The U.S. News & World Report (2022) shows that people in these positions enjoy a lower-than-average level of work stress and have a good deal of schedule flexibility compared to other occupations. Earning a postsecondary certificate or associate’s degree provides graduates with the fundamental skills necessary to jumpstart a career as a health information technician.
Health information technologists, also known as healthcare data analysts, medical coding specialists, or compliance officers, do not provide care directly to patients. They support the work of clinicians, such as registered nurses, doctors, and other trained healthcare professionals. Electronic medical records (EMRs) are a central part of the job. Since the federal government offers incentives to organizations implementing these systems, the demand for health information technologists trained in information security systems and regulations is expected to increase in the coming years.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2021) estimates approximately 37,100 new medical health records and health information specialists will be needed between 2020 and 2030. This represents a 9 percent growth rate, which is roughly as fast as the national average for all occupations (8 percent). Most people employed in this career work full-time in hospitals, clinics, and government offices. Medical records specialists earn average annual salaries of $48,310, with the lowest 10th percentile earning $29,430 and the top 90th percentile earning $74,200 (BLS May 2021).
Because the career is technology-based, health information technicians often work at a desk, spending substantial time entering or analyzing information on a computer. Sometimes, when the healthcare organization where these professionals are employed is open around the clock, they may need to work evening hours or weekends.
Read on to learn more about this entry-level healthcare career, including educational programs, career outlook, certification, and licensure.
Health Information Technology fast facts | |
---|---|
Projected Jobs Created | 37,100 |
Projected Job Growth | 9% |
Average Salary | $51,840 |
Low Salary | $29,130 |
High Salary | $105,690 |
Entry-Level EDU | Certification |
Sourced from BLS (May 2021) |
Degree & Certification Programs
Most health information technology schools offer associate degrees. However, some do offer bachelor’s degree programs. Students can find health information technology programs at community colleges, junior colleges, and some universities.
Programs vary by institution, but applicants should look for an associate-degree curriculum based on the competencies outlined by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) to be prepared to seek Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) certification or other credentials upon graduation. Those who want to earn the RHIT credential must graduate from a two-year program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).
Here are four schools offering on-campus CAHIIM-accredited health information technology certificates and associate of science (AS) degrees.
Idaho State University (AS): In Pocatello, Idaho, students can complete a two-year associate of applied science degree in health information technology at Idaho State University on-campus or online. The program accepts students in the fall of each year, but just 20 students are admitted each time. The 69-credit program includes general education classes during the first year and career-specific courses during the second.
Students complete 12 different health information technology courses, including ones in coding, statistics, and reimbursement, many in their final year. In the spring semesters, students complete practicums and gain experiential learning. Students must finish all coursework from the first three semesters before enrolling in fourth-semester classes and must be completed with a C grade or better.
- Location: Pocatello, ID
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Tuition: $19,577 total
Ivy Tech Community College (AS): The health information technology associate of applied science (AAS) degree available through Ivy Tech Community College is offered at two different Indiana campuses: Indianapolis and Fort Wayne. The program is approximately 30 percent general education and 70 percent career specific. The degree is 60 credits and can be completed in five semesters, but could take longer for those who lack the necessary college prep courses.
The first semester includes many general education classes and introduces students to anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology. From there, students’ skills build, enabling them to learn about healthcare organizations and delivery systems, informatics fundamentals, and reimbursement systems. Finally, in their fourth and fifth semesters.
- Location: Lawrenceburg, IN
- Duration: Five semesters
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Tuition: $150 per credit (in-state); $293 per credit (out-of-state)
San Diego Mesa College (Certificate; AS): Located in San Diego, California, San Diego Mesa College offers a coding specialist certificate of achievement and an associate degree program in health information technology.
The 33-credit AS program includes didactic and experiential learning courses in medical terminology and a directed clinical practicum (DCP) requirement for graduation. In the final semester of the AS program, students can prepare for the RHIT certification exam. San Diego Mesa College also offers a health information management bachelor of science program.
- Location: San Diego, CA
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Tuition: $290 per credit
Seminole State College of Florida (Certificate; AS): Students enrolled in the 70-credit program at the Sanford, Florida-based Seminole State College can complete an associate of science in health information technology (HIM) degree on-campus or online.
The program consists of 15 credits in general education, such as English and industrial psychology, as well as 55 additional courses that are required for the degree. These include computer classes in office applications and database management and health information management courses in areas like the legal aspects of health information and basic procedure coding. Two three-credit practicum experiences are also required, enabling students to demonstrate and practice their skills in a healthcare setting or to healthcare professionals.
- Location: Altamonte Springs, FL
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Tuition: $80 per credit
When considering health information technology schools, searching for programs that prepare students for the RHIT examination is essential. Many employers prefer to hire graduates with this certification and applicants are advised to ask programs for their graduates’ annual and five-year average exam pass rates.
List of Health Information Technology Schools
School | City | State | Website | grads (2018) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Atlanta Technical College | Atlanta | Georgia | atlantatech.edu | 99 |
Tacoma Community College | Tacoma | Washington | www.tacomacc.edu | 88 |
Cuyahoga Community College District | Cleveland | Ohio | www.tri-c.edu | 77 |
Edgecombe Community College | Tarboro | North Carolina | www.edgecombe.edu | 63 |
Schoolcraft College | Livonia | Michigan | www.schoolcraft.edu | 63 |
Santa Barbara City College | Santa Barbara | California | www.sbcc.edu | 61 |
San Jacinto Community College | Pasadena | Texas | www.sanjac.edu | 56 |
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College | Valdosta | Georgia | www.wiregrass.edu | 56 |
Baker College | Flint | Michigan | www.baker.edu | 55 |
Blinn College | Brenham | Texas | www.blinn.edu | 51 |
Leeward Community College | Pearl City | Hawaii | www.leeward.hawaii.edu | 51 |
Georgia Northwestern Technical College | Rome | Georgia | www.gntc.edu | 50 |
Pellissippi State Community College | Knoxville | Tennessee | www.pstcc.edu | 50 |
Miami Dade College | Miami | Florida | www.mdc.edu | 49 |
Nassau Community College | Garden City | New York | www.ncc.edu | 46 |
Platt College-Miller-Motte Technical-Columbus | Columbus | Georgia | www.miller-motte.edu | 45 |
Delgado Community College | New Orleans | Louisiana | www.dcc.edu | 42 |
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Richmond | Virginia | www.reynolds.edu | 42 |
Sheridan Technical College | Hollywood | Florida | www.sheridantechnicalcollege.edu | 41 |
Ivy Tech Community College | Indianapolis | Indiana | www.ivytech.edu | 39 |
Western Technical College | El Paso | Texas | www.westerntech.edu | 39 |
Palm Beach State College | Lake Worth | Florida | www.palmbeachstate.edu | 38 |
Arapahoe Community College | Littleton | Colorado | www.arapahoe.edu | 37 |
Front Range Community College | Westminster | Colorado | www.frontrange.edu | 37 |
Texas State Technical College | Waco | Texas | www.tstc.edu | 36 |
Daytona State College | Daytona Beach | Florida | www.daytonastate.edu | 35 |
Volunteer State Community College | Gallatin | Tennessee | www.volstate.edu | 34 |
Brunswick Community College | Bolivia | North Carolina | www.brunswickcc.edu | 33 |
Ferris State University | Big Rapids | Michigan | www.ferris.edu | 33 |
Lone Star College System | The Woodlands | Texas | www.lonestar.edu | 33 |
NorthWest Arkansas Community College | Bentonville | Arkansas | www.nwacc.edu | 33 |
Portland Community College | Portland | Oregon | www.pcc.edu | 33 |
Brookdale Community College | Lincroft | New Jersey | www.brookdalecc.edu | 32 |
Broward College | Fort Lauderdale | Florida | www.broward.edu | 32 |
CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College | New York | New York | www.bmcc.cuny.edu | 32 |
South Texas College | McAllen | Texas | www.southtexascollege.edu | 32 |
University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain | Mena | Arkansas | www.uarichmountain.edu | 32 |
Arkansas State University-Beebe | Beebe | Arkansas | www.asub.edu | 31 |
Platt College-Miller-Motte Technical-Augusta | Augusta | Georgia | www.miller-motte.edu | 31 |
Central Oregon Community College | Bend | Oregon | www.cocc.edu | 30 |
Houston Community College | Houston | Texas | www.hccs.edu | 30 |
Joliet Junior College | Joliet | Illinois | www.jjc.edu | 30 |
Montgomery College | Rockville | Maryland | www.montgomerycollege.edu | 30 |
Rowan College at Burlington County | Mount Laurel | New Jersey | www.rcbc.edu | 30 |
Northern Virginia Community College | Annandale | Virginia | www.nvcc.edu | 28 |
Virginia Sewing Machines and School Center | Huntington Park | California | www.atechcollege.edu | 28 |
Virginia Western Community College | Roanoke | Virginia | virginiawestern.edu | 28 |
Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City | Kansas City | Missouri | www.mcckc.edu | 27 |
Greenville Technical College | Greenville | South Carolina | www.gvltec.edu | 26 |
Lehigh Carbon Community College | Schnecksville | Pennsylvania | www.lccc.edu | 26 |
Anoka Technical College | Anoka | Minnesota | www.anokatech.edu | 25 |
City College of San Francisco | San Francisco | California | www.ccsf.edu | 25 |
Hillsborough Community College | Tampa | Florida | www.hccfl.edu | 25 |
Kirkwood Community College | Cedar Rapids | Iowa | www.kirkwood.edu | 25 |
Owens Community College | Perrysburg | Ohio | www.owens.edu | 25 |
Spokane Community College | Spokane | Washington | scc.spokane.edu | 25 |
Great Lakes Institute of Technology | Erie | Pennsylvania | www.glit.edu | 24 |
Lanier Technical College | Gainesville | Georgia | www.laniertech.edu | 24 |
McLennan Community College | Waco | Texas | www.mclennan.edu | 24 |
Walters State Community College | Morristown | Tennessee | www.ws.edu | 24 |
Catawba Valley Community College | Hickory | North Carolina | www.cvcc.edu | 23 |
Chattahoochee Technical College | Marietta | Georgia | www.chattahoocheetech.edu | 23 |
East Los Angeles College | Monterey Park | California | www.elac.edu | 23 |
Idaho State University | Pocatello | Idaho | www.isu.edu | 23 |
Tidewater Community College | Norfolk | Virginia | www.tcc.edu | 23 |
University of New Mexico-Gallup Campus | Gallup | New Mexico | www.gallup.unm.edu | 23 |
Vista Adult School | Vista | California | vistaadultschool.org | 23 |
ECPI University | Virginia Beach | Virginia | www.ecpi.edu | 22 |
Fox Valley Technical College | Appleton | Wisconsin | www.fvtc.edu | 22 |
Horry-Georgetown Technical College | Conway | South Carolina | www.hgtc.edu | 22 |
Macomb Community College | Warren | Michigan | www.macomb.edu | 22 |
Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College | Mount Gay | West Virginia | www.southernwv.edu | 22 |
Waubonsee Community College | Sugar Grove | Illinois | www.waubonsee.edu | 22 |
Edmonds Community College | Lynnwood | Washington | www.edcc.edu | 21 |
McDowell Technical Community College | Marion | North Carolina | www.mcdowelltech.edu | 21 |
Plaza College | Forest Hills | New York | www.plazacollege.edu | 21 |
Southwestern Community College | Sylva | North Carolina | www.southwesterncc.edu | 21 |
St Philip's College | San Antonio | Texas | www.alamo.edu/spc | 21 |
Trident Technical College | Charleston | South Carolina | www.tridenttech.edu | 20 |
Albany State University | Albany | Georgia | www.asurams.edu | 20 |
Atlantic Technical College | Coconut Creek | Florida | www.atlantictechnicalcollege.edu | 20 |
Cypress College | Cypress | California | www.cypresscollege.edu | 20 |
Northeast Iowa Community College | Calmar | Iowa | www.nicc.edu | 20 |
Oakton Community College | Des Plaines | Illinois | www.oakton.edu | 20 |
Rose State College | Midwest City | Oklahoma | www.rose.edu | 20 |
Saint Louis Community College | Bridgeton | Missouri | www.stlcc.edu | 20 |
San Diego Mesa College | San Diego | California | www.sdmesa.edu | 20 |
Suffolk County Community College | Selden | New York | www.sunysuffolk.edu | 20 |
Clark College | Vancouver | Washington | www.clark.edu | 19 |
Erwin Technical College | Tampa | Florida | www.erwin.edu | 19 |
Onondaga Community College | Syracuse | New York | www.sunyocc.edu | 19 |
Pennsylvania College of Technology | Williamsport | Pennsylvania | www.pct.edu | 19 |
Saint Paul College | Saint Paul | Minnesota | www.saintpaul.edu | 19 |
Austin Community College District | Austin | Texas | www.austincc.edu | 18 |
Camden County College | Blackwood | New Jersey | www.camdencc.edu | 18 |
Jackson College | Jackson | Michigan | www.jccmi.edu | 18 |
Midlands Technical College | West Columbia | South Carolina | www.midlandstech.edu | 18 |
Northwest Florida State College | Niceville | Florida | www.nwfsc.edu | 18 |
Polk State College | Winter Haven | Florida | www.polk.edu | 18 |
Beal College | Bangor | Maine | bealcollege.edu | 17 |
Dyersburg State Community College | Dyersburg | Tennessee | www.dscc.edu | 17 |
Erie Community College | Buffalo | New York | www.ecc.edu | 17 |
Liceo de Arte y Tecnologia | San Juan | Puerto Rico | www.liceo.edu | 17 |
Southern University at Shreveport | Shreveport | Louisiana | www.susla.edu | 17 |
Stark State College | North Canton | Ohio | www.starkstate.edu | 17 |
Tulsa Community College | Tulsa | Oklahoma | www.tulsacc.edu | 17 |
Western Kentucky University | Bowling Green | Kentucky | www.wku.edu | 17 |
Bishop State Community College | Mobile | Alabama | www.bishop.edu | 16 |
Blue Ridge Community College | Weyers Cave | Virginia | www.brcc.edu | 16 |
Danville Area Community College | Danville | Illinois | www.dacc.edu | 16 |
Ogeechee Technical College | Statesboro | Georgia | www.ogeecheetech.edu | 16 |
Raritan Valley Community College | Branchburg | New Jersey | www.raritanval.edu | 16 |
Roane State Community College | Harriman | Tennessee | www.roanestate.edu | 16 |
Saint Johns River State College | Palatka | Florida | www.sjrstate.edu | 16 |
St Cloud Technical and Community College | Saint Cloud | Minnesota | www.sctcc.edu | 16 |
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences | Little Rock | Arkansas | www.uams.edu | 16 |
Gordon Cooper Technology Center | Shawnee | Oklahoma | www.gctech.edu | 15 |
Monroe Community College | Rochester | New York | www.monroecc.edu | 15 |
Allegany College of Maryland | Cumberland | Maryland | www.allegany.edu | 14 |
Bunker Hill Community College | Boston | Massachusetts | www.bhcc.mass.edu | 14 |
Cape Coral Technical College | Cape Coral | Florida | capecoraltech.edu | 14 |
College of DuPage | Glen Ellyn | Illinois | www.cod.edu | 14 |
Davidson County Community College | Thomasville | North Carolina | www.davidsonccc.edu | 14 |
Florida State College at Jacksonville | Jacksonville | Florida | www.fscj.edu | 14 |
Lake-Sumter State College | Leesburg | Florida | www.lssc.edu | 14 |
Nashville State Community College | Nashville | Tennessee | www.nscc.edu | 14 |
Westchester College of Nursing & Allied Health | Los Angeles | California | www.westchestercollege.edu | 14 |
Athens Technical College | Athens | Georgia | www.athenstech.edu | 13 |
CCI Training Center-Arlington | Arlington | Texas | www.ccitraining.edu | 13 |
College of Central Florida | Ocala | Florida | www.cf.edu | 13 |
Immokalee Technical College | Immokalee | Florida | www.itech.edu | 13 |
Indian River State College | Fort Pierce | Florida | www.irsc.edu | 13 |
Indiana University-Northwest | Gary | Indiana | www.iun.edu | 13 |
Manatee Technical College | Bradenton | Florida | manateetech.edu | 13 |
North Florida Community College | Madison | Florida | www.nfcc.edu | 13 |
Orange Technical College-Winter Park Campus | Winter Park | Florida | www.orangetechcollege.net/campuses/winter_park | 13 |
Osceola Technical College | Kissimmee | Florida | otec.osceolaschools.net | 13 |
Saddleback College | Mission Viejo | California | www.saddleback.edu | 13 |
St Clair County Community College | Port Huron | Michigan | www.sc4.edu | 13 |
Terra State Community College | Fremont | Ohio | www.terra.edu | 13 |
University of Arkansas at Monticello | Monticello | Arkansas | www.uamont.edu | 12 |
Carroll Community College | Westminster | Maryland | www.carrollcc.edu | 12 |
Eastwick College-Nutley | Nutley | New Jersey | www.eastwickcollege.edu | 12 |
Huertas College | Caguas | Puerto Rico | www.huertas.edu | 12 |
Lakeland Community College | Kirtland | Ohio | www.lakelandcc.edu | 12 |
Lancaster County Career and Technology Center | Willow Street | Pennsylvania | www.lancasterctc.edu | 12 |
Neosho County Community College | Chanute | Kansas | www.neosho.edu | 12 |
Ozarka College | Melbourne | Arkansas | www.ozarka.edu | 12 |
Phoenix College | Phoenix | Arizona | www.phoenixcollege.edu | 12 |
Platt College-McCann-Allentown | Allentown | Pennsylvania | www.mccann.edu | 12 |
Richmond Community College | Hamlet | North Carolina | www.richmondcc.edu | 12 |
Southeastern Technical College | Vidalia | Georgia | www.southeasterntech.edu | 12 |
Wytheville Community College | Wytheville | Virginia | www.wcc.vccs.edu | 12 |
American Career College-Anaheim | Anaheim | California | americancareercollege.edu | 11 |
Asher College | Sacramento | California | www.asher.edu | 11 |
Central Piedmont Community College | Charlotte | North Carolina | www.cpcc.edu | 11 |
Dawn Career Institute LLC | Newark | Delaware | www.dawncareerinstitute.edu | 11 |
Hinds Community College | Raymond | Mississippi | www.hindscc.edu | 11 |
International Technical College | San Juan | Puerto Rico | intecpr.com | 11 |
Kennebec Valley Community College | Fairfield | Maine | www.kvcc.me.edu | 11 |
Marion Technical College | Ocala | Florida | www.mariontc.edu | 11 |
Mountain Empire Community College | Big Stone Gap | Virginia | www.mecc.edu | 11 |
Peloton College | Arlington | Texas | pelotoncollege.edu | 11 |
Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas | Helena | Arkansas | www.pccua.edu | 11 |
Pierpont Community and Technical College | Fairmont | West Virginia | www.pierpont.edu | 11 |
Resurrection University | Chicago | Illinois | www.resu.edu | 11 |
Tarrant County College District | Fort Worth | Texas | www.tccd.edu | 11 |
Frontier Community College | Fairfield | Illinois | www.iecc.edu | 10 |
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College | Tifton | Georgia | www.abac.edu | 10 |
Albany Technical College | Albany | Georgia | www.albanytech.edu | 10 |
Baltimore City Community College | Baltimore | Maryland | www.bccc.edu | 10 |
Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology | Boston | Massachusetts | www.bfit.edu | 10 |
College of the Ouachitas | Malvern | Arkansas | www.coto.edu | 10 |
Davis Technical College | Kaysville | Utah | www.davistech.edu | 10 |
Delaware Technical Community College-Terry | Dover | Delaware | www.dtcc.edu | 10 |
El Paso Community College | El Paso | Texas | www.epcc.edu | 10 |
Gwinnett Technical College | Lawrenceville | Georgia | www.gwinnetttech.edu | 10 |
Itawamba Community College | Fulton | Mississippi | www.iccms.edu | 10 |
Moraine Valley Community College | Palos Hills | Illinois | www.morainevalley.edu | 10 |
Peloton College | Dallas | Texas | www.pelotoncollege.edu | 10 |
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jackson | Jackson | Tennessee | www.tcatjackson.edu | 10 |
Waukesha County Technical College | Pewaukee | Wisconsin | www.wctc.edu | 10 |
Western Nebraska Community College | Scottsbluff | Nebraska | www.wncc.edu | 10 |
Western Technical College | La Crosse | Wisconsin | www.westerntc.edu | 10 |
Bellevue College | Bellevue | Washington | bellevuecollege.edu | 9 |
College of Southern Maryland | La Plata | Maryland | www.csmd.edu | 9 |
College of Southern Nevada | Las Vegas | Nevada | www.csn.edu | 9 |
Columbia Basin College | Pasco | Washington | www.columbiabasin.edu | 9 |
Community College of Allegheny County | Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania | www.ccac.edu | 9 |
Community College of Vermont | Montpelier | Vermont | www.ccv.edu | 9 |
Craven Community College | New Bern | North Carolina | www.cravencc.edu | 9 |
Del Mar College | Corpus Christi | Texas | www.delmar.edu | 9 |
Fresno City College | Fresno | California | www.fresnocitycollege.edu | 9 |
National Career College | Panorama City | California | www.nccusa.edu | 9 |
Southwest Virginia Community College | Cedar Bluff | Virginia | sw.edu | 9 |
Southwestern Illinois College | Belleville | Illinois | www.swic.edu | 9 |
Southwestern Michigan College | Dowagiac | Michigan | www.swmich.edu | 9 |
Spoon River College | Canton | Illinois | www.src.edu | 9 |
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Paris | Paris | Tennessee | www.tcatparis.edu | 9 |
Tulsa Technology Center | Tulsa | Oklahoma | tulsatech.edu | 9 |
Wharton County Junior College | Wharton | Texas | www.wcjc.edu | 9 |
Ridge Technical College | Winter Haven | Florida | www.polkedpathways.com/ridge-technical-college | 8 |
Danville Community College | Danville | Virginia | www.dcc.vccs.edu | 8 |
Durham Technical Community College | Durham | North Carolina | www.durhamtech.edu | 8 |
Eastern Florida State College | Cocoa | Florida | www.easternflorida.edu | 8 |
Jefferson College | Hillsboro | Missouri | www.jeffco.edu | 8 |
Klamath Community College | Klamath Falls | Oregon | www.klamathcc.edu | 8 |
Louisiana Delta Community College | Monroe | Louisiana | www.ladelta.edu | 8 |
Piedmont Virginia Community College | Charlottesville | Virginia | www.pvcc.edu | 8 |
Platt College-Miller-Motte Technical-Charleston | Charleston | South Carolina | miller-motte.edu | 8 |
SUNY Broome Community College | Binghamton | New York | www.sunybroome.edu | 8 |
Taylor Business Institute | Chicago | Illinois | www.tbiil.edu | 8 |
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Whiteville | Whiteville | Tennessee | www.tcatwhiteville.edu | 8 |
West Virginia Northern Community College | Wheeling | West Virginia | www.wvncc.edu | 8 |
American National University-Lexington | Lexington | Kentucky | www.an.edu/locations | 7 |
Bidwell Training Center Inc | Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania | www.bidwelltraining.edu | 7 |
Massachusetts Bay Community College | Wellesley Hills | Massachusetts | www.massbay.edu | 7 |
Northeast Community College | Norfolk | Nebraska | www.northeast.edu | 7 |
Paris Junior College | Paris | Texas | www.parisjc.edu | 7 |
Prince George's Community College | Largo | Maryland | www.pgcc.edu | 7 |
Shasta College | Redding | California | www.shastacollege.edu | 7 |
St Charles Community College | Cottleville | Missouri | www.stchas.edu | 7 |
YTI Career Institute-York | York | Pennsylvania | www.yti.edu | 7 |
Anne Arundel Community College | Arnold | Maryland | www.aacc.edu | 6 |
Black Hawk College | Moline | Illinois | www.bhc.edu | 6 |
College of Business and Technology-Cutler Bay | Cutler Bay | Florida | www.cbt.edu | 6 |
Florida Gateway College | Lake City | Florida | www.fgc.edu | 6 |
Florida SouthWestern State College | Fort Myers | Florida | www.fsw.edu | 6 |
Gateway Technical College | Kenosha | Wisconsin | www.gtc.edu | 6 |
Highland Community College | Freeport | Illinois | www.highland.edu | 6 |
Lord Fairfax Community College | Middletown | Virginia | www.lfcc.edu | 6 |
Pierce College-Puyallup | Lakewood | Washington | www.pierce.ctc.edu | 6 |
Rend Lake College | Ina | Illinois | www.rlc.edu | 6 |
River Parishes Community College | Gonzales | Louisiana | www.rpcc.edu | 6 |
Salt Lake Community College | Salt Lake City | Utah | www.slcc.edu | 6 |
Tyler Junior College | Tyler | Texas | www.tjc.edu | 6 |
Amarillo College | Amarillo | Texas | www.actx.edu | 5 |
College of Lake County | Grayslake | Illinois | www.clcillinois.edu | 5 |
College of the Mainland | Texas City | Texas | www.com.edu | 5 |
Dakota County Technical College | Rosemount | Minnesota | www.dctc.edu | 5 |
Delaware County Community College | Media | Pennsylvania | www.dccc.edu | 5 |
Grays Harbor College | Aberdeen | Washington | www.ghc.edu | 5 |
Kennesaw State University | Kennesaw | Georgia | www.kennesaw.edu | 5 |
Lincoln College of New England-Southington | Southington | Connecticut | www.lincolncollegene.edu | 5 |
Metro Technology Centers | Oklahoma City | Oklahoma | www.metrotech.edu | 5 |
National Park College | Hot Springs | Arkansas | www.np.edu | 5 |
Panola College | Carthage | Texas | www.panola.edu | 5 |
PCCenter | Farmers Branch | Texas | www.pccenterdallas.com | 5 |
South Hills School of Business & Technology | State College | Pennsylvania | www.southhills.edu | 5 |
Southern Regional Technical College | Thomasville | Georgia | southernregional.edu | 5 |
Tallahassee Community College | Tallahassee | Florida | www.tcc.fl.edu | 5 |
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Crump | Crump | Tennessee | www.tcatcrump.edu | 5 |
Vernon College | Vernon | Texas | www.vernoncollege.edu | 5 |
York County Community College | Wells | Maine | www.yccc.edu | 5 |
National American University-Albuquerque West | Albuquerque | New Mexico | www.national.edu | 4 |
National American University-Sioux Falls | Sioux Falls | South Dakota | www.national.edu | 4 |
ATA College Tri-County | Springdale | Ohio | www.ata.edu | 4 |
Canisius College | Buffalo | New York | www.canisius.edu | 4 |
Community College of Baltimore County | Baltimore | Maryland | www.ccbcmd.edu | 4 |
Eastern Shore Community College | Melfa | Virginia | www.es.vccs.edu | 4 |
Finlandia University | Hancock | Michigan | www.finlandia.edu | 4 |
Florence-Darlington Technical College | Florence | South Carolina | www.fdtc.edu | 4 |
Indiana University-Kokomo | Kokomo | Indiana | www.iuk.edu | 4 |
John A Logan College | Carterville | Illinois | www.jalc.edu | 4 |
Laurel Technical Institute | MEADVILLE | Pennsylvania | www.laurel.edu | 4 |
Mohave Community College | Kingman | Arizona | www.mohave.edu | 4 |
American National University | Nashville | Tennessee | www.an.edu | 4 |
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College | Johnstown | Pennsylvania | www.pennhighlands.edu | 4 |
Pierce College-Fort Steilacoom | Lakewood | Washington | www.pierce.ctc.edu | 4 |
Platt College-McCann-Lewisburg | Lewisburg | Pennsylvania | www.mccann.edu | 4 |
St John's University-New York | Queens | New York | www.stjohns.edu | 4 |
Missouri Western State University | Saint Joseph | Missouri | www.missouriwestern.edu | 3 |
Palladium Technical Academy Inc | Temple City | California | palladium.edu | 3 |
Pearl River Community College | Poplarville | Mississippi | www.prcc.edu | 3 |
Platt College-Miller-Motte Technical-Chattanooga | Chattanooga | Tennessee | www.miller-motte.edu | 3 |
Quest College | San Antonio | Texas | www.questcollege.edu | 3 |
Shelton State Community College | Tuscaloosa | Alabama | www.sheltonstate.edu | 3 |
Valencia College | Orlando | Florida | valenciacollege.edu | 3 |
Virginia Highlands Community College | Abingdon | Virginia | www.vhcc.edu | 3 |
William Carey University | Hattiesburg | Mississippi | www.wmcarey.edu | 3 |
Trocaire College | Buffalo | New York | trocaire.edu | 3 |
National American University-Watertown | Watertown | South Dakota | www.national.edu | 3 |
American National University-Dayton | Kettering | Ohio | www.an.edu/locations/dayton-oh | 3 |
Bristol Community College | Fall River | Massachusetts | www.bristolcc.edu | 3 |
Central New Mexico Community College | Albuquerque | New Mexico | www.cnm.edu | 3 |
Central Virginia Community College | Lynchburg | Virginia | www.centralvirginia.edu | 3 |
Douglas Education Center | Monessen | Pennsylvania | www.dec.edu | 3 |
Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell Campus | Roswell | New Mexico | www.roswell.enmu.edu | 3 |
Enterprise State Community College | Enterprise | Alabama | www.escc.edu | 3 |
Hocking College | Nelsonville | Ohio | www.hocking.edu | 3 |
Laurel Technical Institute | Sharon | Pennsylvania | www.laurel.edu | 3 |
Lee College | Baytown | Texas | www.lee.edu | 3 |
National American University-Albuquerque | Albuquerque | New Mexico | www.national.edu | 2 |
National American University-Colorado Springs South | Colorado Springs | Colorado | www.national.edu | 2 |
National American University-Georgetown | Georgetown | Texas | www.national.edu | 2 |
National American University-Lee's Summit | Lee's Summit | Missouri | www.national.edu | 2 |
National American University-Rochester | Rochester | Minnesota | www.national.edu | 2 |
Berkshire Community College | Pittsfield | Massachusetts | www.berkshirecc.edu | 2 |
Crowder College | Neosho | Missouri | www.crowder.edu | 2 |
Flagler Technical Institute | Palm Coast | Florida | fti.flaglerschools.com | 2 |
Florida Panhandle Technical College | Chipley | Florida | fptc.edu | 2 |
Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale | Fort Lauderdale | Florida | www.keiseruniversity.edu | 2 |
Long Island University | Brookville | New York | liu.edu/cwpost | 2 |
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College | Perkinston | Mississippi | www.mgccc.edu | 2 |
Northern Essex Community College | Haverhill | Massachusetts | www.necc.mass.edu | 2 |
Pasco-Hernando State College | New Port Richey | Florida | www.phsc.edu | 2 |
Reading Area Community College | Reading | Pennsylvania | www.racc.edu | 2 |
St Catherine University | Saint Paul | Minnesota | www.stkate.edu | 2 |
Triton College | River Grove | Illinois | www.triton.edu | 2 |
Fortis Institute-Houston | Houston | Texas | www.fortis.edu | 1 |
National American University-Burnsville | Burnsville | Minnesota | www.national.edu | 1 |
National American University-Centennial | Centennial | Colorado | www.national.edu | 1 |
National American University-Independence | Independence | Missouri | www.national.edu | 1 |
National American University-Lewisville | Lewisville | Texas | www.national.edu | 1 |
National American University-Mesquite | Mesquite | Texas | www.national.edu | 1 |
National American University-Zona Rosa | Kansas City | Missouri | www.national.edu | 1 |
Black River Technical College | Pocahontas | Arkansas | www.blackrivertech.edu | 1 |
Des Moines Area Community College | Ankeny | Iowa | www.dmacc.edu | 1 |
Essex County College | Newark | New Jersey | www.essex.edu | 1 |
Fortis College-Ravenna | Ravenna | Ohio | www.fortiscollege.edu | 1 |
Fortis Institute-Birmingham | Birmingham | Alabama | www.fortis.edu | 1 |
Highline College | Des Moines | Washington | www.highline.edu | 1 |
Hudson County Community College | Jersey City | New Jersey | www.hccc.edu | 1 |
Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis | Indianapolis | Indiana | www.iupui.edu | 1 |
Lewis and Clark Community College | Godfrey | Illinois | www.lc.edu | 1 |
Meridian Technology Center | Stillwater | Oklahoma | www.meridiantech.edu | 1 |
Millennia Atlantic University | Doral | Florida | www.maufl.edu | 1 |
National American University-Indianapolis | Indianapolis | Indiana | www.national.edu/locations/campuses/indianapolis | 1 |
New River Community and Technical College | Beaver | West Virginia | www.newriver.edu | 1 |
Springfield Technical Community College | Springfield | Massachusetts | www.stcc.edu | 1 |
SUNY College at Oswego | Oswego | New York | www.oswego.edu | 1 |
University of Maryland-Baltimore County | Baltimore | Maryland | umbc.edu | 1 |
University of Utah | Salt Lake City | Utah | www.utah.edu | 1 |
York County School of Technology-Adult & Continuing Education | York | Pennsylvania | www.ytech.edu | 1 |
Hybrid & Online Programs in Health Information Technology
Arizona State University
Rasmussen University - Online
Wake Forest University
Southern New Hampshire University
Grand Canyon University
Many schools offer health information technology associate or bachelor’s degrees partially or completely online. Hybrid and online programs give students more options to complete a degree at their own pace and complete coursework from home.
Here are four hybrid and online CAHIIM-accredited health information technology certificate and associates of science (AS) or associate’s of applied science (AAS) degrees programs in health information technology.
Arapahoe Community College (AAS): with campuses located across Colorado, Arapahoe Community College offers an online associate of applied degree in health information technology (HIT). Students in this program learn the fundamentals of data content, structure, and information governance.
Courses include legal aspects of health records, ICD coding, health information management, and principles of healthcare reimbursement. Upon completing this program, graduates are eligible to take the RHIT certification exam.
- Location: Littleton, CO
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Tuition: $264 per credit (in-state); $402 per credit (out-of-state)
Davenport University (Certificate; AS): Located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Davenport University offers a fully online associate of applied science (AAS) degree in health information technology. The program is 69 credits in all and includes 29 credits in general education, known as the foundations of excellence portion, 12 credits in medical basics, known as the foundations of health professions, and 28 credits in the specific major.
Students complete four practicums, including two in coding that should prepare them to sit for the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) certification exam available through AHIMA. Students should be prepared to take the RHIT examination upon completion and, if they wish, to continue their education by completing the bachelor of science degree in health information management (HIM) available through the school. An online certificate in medical assisting is also available.
- Location: Grand Rapids, MI
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Tuition: $885 per credit
Hutch Community College (Certificate; AS): Located in Hutchinson, Kansas, Hutch Community College offers a fully online or on-campus associate of applied science (AAS) degree in health information management.
To apply to this program, students must have a high school diploma or GED with a minimum GPA of 2.0, official transcripts, and submit an online application. Online students have access to academic resources such as the JFK library, student success center, and tech support. Hutch Community College also offers an online healthcare coding certificate and an AAS and certificate program in HIM, emphasizing cancer registry management.
- Location: Hutchinson, KS
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Tuition: $118 per credit (in-state); $149 per credit (out-of-state)
University of Wisconsin (BS): The University of Wisconsin system offers an online 60-credit program that leads to a bachelor’s of science degree in health information management and technology (HIMT) that can be completed entirely online. Please note this is a completion degree, meaning that students must already have an associate degree (or a bachelor’s degree) and will complete the last two years of a four-year degree online for a bachelor’s degree.
Courses follow the traditional academic schedule and are 15 weeks long in the fall and spring and ten weeks long in the summer. Students can take as many or as few classes at a time as they wish. The program includes 16 core courses and then four follow-up courses in the specific track chosen, either HIM or HIT.
Interested students can find many other HIT programs offered in hybrid or online learning formats. Some schools may have ground-based components that require students to be at the school to do labs or to be at healthcare sites to complete externships. Applicants should be sure to talk to an enrollment counselor to clarify these expectations before enrolling.
- Location: Madison, WI
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Tuition: $450 per credit
Please see our online HIT degree programs guide for detailed information on accredited health information technology schools.
School | City | State | Website | grads (2018) |
---|---|---|---|---|
DeVry University-Illinois | Chicago | Illinois | www.devry.edu | 1449 |
University of Phoenix-Arizona | Tempe | Arizona | www.phoenix.edu | 1291 |
Rasmussen College-Florida | Ocala | Florida | rasmussen.edu | 145 |
St Petersburg College | Clearwater | Florida | www.spcollege.edu | 137 |
Platt College-Miller-Motte-Wilmington | Wilmington | North Carolina | www.miller-motte.edu | 134 |
Sinclair Community College | Dayton | Ohio | www.sinclair.edu | 103 |
Tacoma Community College | Tacoma | Washington | www.tacomacc.edu | 88 |
Eastern Iowa Community College District | Davenport | Iowa | www.eicc.edu | 77 |
Rasmussen College-Minnesota | St. Cloud | Minnesota | rasmussen.edu | 77 |
Purdue Global-Davenport | Davenport | Iowa | www.purdueglobal.edu/campus-locations | 76 |
Seminole State College of Florida | Sanford | Florida | www.seminolestate.edu | 74 |
Hazard Community and Technical College | Hazard | Kentucky | hazard.kctcs.edu | 69 |
Central Community College | Grand Island | Nebraska | www.cccneb.edu | 67 |
Edgecombe Community College | Tarboro | North Carolina | www.edgecombe.edu | 63 |
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College | Green Bay | Wisconsin | www.nwtc.edu | 61 |
George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville | Hanceville | Alabama | www.wallacestate.edu | 60 |
Metropolitan Community College Area | Omaha | Nebraska | www.mccneb.edu | 58 |
Columbus State Community College | Columbus | Ohio | www.cscc.edu | 57 |
Jefferson Community and Technical College | Louisville | Kentucky | jefferson.kctcs.edu | 54 |
Blinn College | Brenham | Texas | www.blinn.edu | 51 |
Cincinnati State Technical and Community College | Cincinnati | Ohio | www.cincinnatistate.edu | 51 |
Georgia Northwestern Technical College | Rome | Georgia | www.gntc.edu | 50 |
Hutchinson Community College | Hutchinson | Kansas | www.hutchcc.edu | 49 |
Rasmussen College-Illinois | Rockford | Illinois | rasmussen.edu | 49 |
Northwestern College-Southwestern Campus | Bridgeview | Illinois | www.nc.edu | 46 |
Rochester Community and Technical College | Rochester | Minnesota | www.rctc.edu | 45 |
Davenport University | Grand Rapids | Michigan | www.davenport.edu | 42 |
Gateway Community and Technical College | Florence | Kentucky | gateway.kctcs.edu | 37 |
Texas State Technical College | Waco | Texas | www.tstc.edu | 36 |
Volunteer State Community College | Gallatin | Tennessee | www.volstate.edu | 34 |
Ferris State University | Big Rapids | Michigan | www.ferris.edu | 33 |
Portland Community College | Portland | Oregon | www.pcc.edu | 33 |
Pima Community College | Tucson | Arizona | www.pima.edu | 32 |
SUNY College of Technology at Alfred | Alfred | New York | www.alfredstate.edu | 31 |
Rowan College at Burlington County | Mount Laurel | New Jersey | www.rcbc.edu | 30 |
Collin County Community College District | McKinney | Texas | www.collin.edu | 29 |
Shoreline Community College | Shoreline | Washington | www.shoreline.edu | 28 |
The College of Westchester | White Plains | New York | www.cw.edu | 28 |
Jamestown Community College | Jamestown | New York | www.sunyjcc.edu | 27 |
Rasmussen College-Wisconsin | Green Bay | Wisconsin | rasmussen.edu | 27 |
Peirce College | Philadelphia | Pennsylvania | www.peirce.edu | 25 |
Southwest Mississippi Community College | Summit | Mississippi | www.smcc.edu | 24 |
Walters State Community College | Morristown | Tennessee | www.ws.edu | 24 |
Idaho State University | Pocatello | Idaho | www.isu.edu | 23 |
University of Cincinnati-Clermont College | Batavia | Ohio | www.ucclermont.edu | 23 |
American College for Medical Careers | Orlando | Florida | www.acmc.edu | 22 |
Berkeley College-New York | New York | New York | www.berkeleycollege.edu | 22 |
Martinsburg College | Martinsburg | West Virginia | www.martinsburgcollege.edu | 21 |
Southwestern Community College | Sylva | North Carolina | www.southwesterncc.edu | 21 |
Albany State University | Albany | Georgia | www.asurams.edu | 20 |
Chattanooga State Community College | Chattanooga | Tennessee | www.chattanoogastate.edu | 20 |
Minnesota State Community and Technical College | Fergus Falls | Minnesota | www.minnesota.edu | 20 |
Northeast Iowa Community College | Calmar | Iowa | www.nicc.edu | 20 |
Berkeley College-Woodland Park | Woodland Park | New Jersey | www.berkeleycollege.edu | 19 |
Moraine Park Technical College | Fond du Lac | Wisconsin | www.morainepark.edu | 19 |
Pitt Community College | Winterville | North Carolina | www.pittcc.edu | 19 |
State Fair Community College | Sedalia | Missouri | www.sfccmo.edu | 19 |
Camden County College | Blackwood | New Jersey | www.camdencc.edu | 18 |
Central Carolina Technical College | Sumter | South Carolina | www.cctech.edu | 18 |
Indiana Institute of Technology-College of Professions Studies | Fort Wayne | Indiana | cps.indianatech.edu | 18 |
Mountwest Community and Technical College | Huntington | West Virginia | www.mctc.edu | 18 |
Pinellas Technical College-St. Petersburg | Saint Petersburg | Florida | www.myptc.edu | 18 |
Vincennes University | Vincennes | Indiana | www.vinu.edu | 18 |
Gadsden State Community College | Gadsden | Alabama | www.gadsdenstate.edu | 17 |
Lane Community College | Eugene | Oregon | www.lanecc.edu | 17 |
Southern University at Shreveport | Shreveport | Louisiana | www.susla.edu | 17 |
Baptist Health System School of Health Professions | San Antonio | Texas | www.bshp.edu | 16 |
Fisher College | Boston | Massachusetts | www.fisher.edu | 16 |
Lamar Institute of Technology | Beaumont | Texas | www.lit.edu | 16 |
Midland College | Midland | Texas | www.midland.edu | 16 |
Ogeechee Technical College | Statesboro | Georgia | www.ogeecheetech.edu | 16 |
Raritan Valley Community College | Branchburg | New Jersey | www.raritanval.edu | 16 |
Washburn University | Topeka | Kansas | www.washburn.edu | 16 |
Weber State University | Ogden | Utah | www.weber.edu | 16 |
Meridian Community College | Meridian | Mississippi | www.meridiancc.edu | 15 |
North Dakota State College of Science | Wahpeton | North Dakota | www.ndscs.edu | 14 |
University of Northwestern Ohio | Lima | Ohio | www.unoh.edu | 14 |
Bryan University | Tempe | Arizona | bryanuniversity.edu | 13 |
Chippewa Valley Technical College | Eau Claire | Wisconsin | www.cvtc.edu | 13 |
Saddleback College | Mission Viejo | California | www.saddleback.edu | 13 |
San Juan College | Farmington | New Mexico | www.sanjuancollege.edu | 13 |
Santa Fe College | Gainesville | Florida | www.sfcollege.edu | 13 |
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College | Fennimore | Wisconsin | www.swtc.edu | 13 |
Terra State Community College | Fremont | Ohio | www.terra.edu | 13 |
Cosumnes River College | Sacramento | California | www.crc.losrios.edu | 12 |
Dakota State University | Madison | South Dakota | dsu.edu | 12 |
Ozarka College | Melbourne | Arkansas | www.ozarka.edu | 12 |
Rasmussen College-Kansas | Topeka | Kansas | rasmussen.edu | 12 |
Southeastern Technical College | Vidalia | Georgia | www.southeasterntech.edu | 12 |
West Georgia Technical College | Waco | Georgia | www.westgatech.edu | 12 |
Central Piedmont Community College | Charlotte | North Carolina | www.cpcc.edu | 11 |
DeVry University-Ohio | Columbus | Ohio | www.devry.edu | 11 |
Laramie County Community College | Cheyenne | Wyoming | www.lccc.wy.edu | 11 |
Northwest Iowa Community College | Sheldon | Iowa | www.nwicc.edu | 11 |
Rasmussen College-North Dakota | Fargo | North Dakota | rasmussen.edu | 11 |
East Central College | Union | Missouri | www.eastcentral.edu | 10 |
Fort Myers Technical College | Fort Myers | Florida | www.fortmyerstech.edu | 10 |
Gwinnett Technical College | Lawrenceville | Georgia | www.gwinnetttech.edu | 10 |
Indian Hills Community College | Ottumwa | Iowa | www.indianhills.edu | 10 |
Western Nebraska Community College | Scottsbluff | Nebraska | www.wncc.edu | 10 |
Zane State College | Zanesville | Ohio | www.zanestate.edu | 10 |
Laboure College | Milton | Massachusetts | www.laboure.edu | 9 |
Kirtland Community College | Roscommon | Michigan | www.kirtland.edu | 9 |
Ozarks Technical Community College | Springfield | Missouri | www.otc.edu | 9 |
Ridgewater College | Willmar | Minnesota | www.ridgewater.edu | 9 |
South Arkansas Community College | El Dorado | Arkansas | www.southark.edu | 9 |
Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville | Edwardsville | Illinois | www.siue.edu | 9 |
American Business and Technology University | St Joseph | Missouri | abtu.edu | 8 |
Hodges University | Naples | Florida | www.hodges.edu | 8 |
DeVry University-California | Pomona | California | www.devry.edu | 7 |
Great Falls College Montana State University | Great Falls | Montana | www.gfcmsu.edu | 7 |
St Charles Community College | Cottleville | Missouri | www.stchas.edu | 7 |
University of Saint Mary | Leavenworth | Kansas | www.stmary.edu | 7 |
Beckfield College-Florence | Florence | Kentucky | www.beckfield.edu | 6 |
Pensacola State College | Pensacola | Florida | www.pensacolastate.edu | 6 |
National American University-Rapid City | Rapid City | South Dakota | www.national.edu | 5 |
DeVry University-Georgia | Decatur | Georgia | www.devry.edu | 5 |
Georgia Piedmont Technical College | Clarkston | Georgia | www.gptc.edu | 5 |
Kennesaw State University | Kennesaw | Georgia | www.kennesaw.edu | 5 |
National Park College | Hot Springs | Arkansas | www.np.edu | 5 |
Midstate College | Peoria | Illinois | www.midstate.edu | 4 |
Minnesota West Community and Technical College | Granite Falls | Minnesota | www.mnwest.edu | 4 |
Remington College-Heathrow Campus | Lake Mary | Florida | www.remingtoncollege.edu | 4 |
Sullivan University | Louisville | Kentucky | www.sullivan.edu | 4 |
University of Alaska Southeast | Juneau | Alaska | www.uas.alaska.edu | 4 |
Mercy College of Ohio | Toledo | Ohio | www.mercycollege.edu | 3 |
Fountainhead College of Technology | Knoxville | Tennessee | www.fountainheadcollege.edu | 3 |
Franklin University | Columbus | Ohio | www.franklin.edu | 3 |
Misericordia University | Dallas | Pennsylvania | www.misericordia.edu | 2 |
Purdue Global-Hagerstown | Hagerstown | Maryland | www.purdueglobal.edu/campus-locations | 1 |
Excelsior College | Albany | New York | www.excelsior.edu | 1 |
Marion Technical College | Marion | Ohio | www.mtc.edu | 1 |
Valley College-Martinsburg | Martinsburg | West Virginia | www.valley.edu | 1 |
Core & Elective Courses in Health Information Technology Programs
In health information technology schools, students learn information and skills specific to the field. Most programs feature general education classes to help students expand their math and writing skills and explore the social sciences.
Following the general education coursework, students start exploring the foundational skills for their career through classes in human anatomy, medical terminology, data analysis and spreadsheets, and statistics. These help students improve their analytical, communication, reasoning, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
Although the names of career-specific courses vary, classes are similar in focus with the shared objective of helping students prepare for certification. Common courses offered as part of a health information technology degree include:
- Healthcare data literacy and statistics
- Health records
- International classification of disease coding
- Legal and regulatory issues in health management
- Health insurance and reimbursement
- Release of personal health information
- Utilization, risk and compliance management
Practicums, externships or lab experiences are often a part of a health information technology degree programs and give students experiences practicing their new skills in a healthcare setting. These requirements vary by institution, so applicants are advised to look at the entire curriculum before applying.
Accreditation of HIT Programs
There are two types of accreditation: programmatic and institutional.Programmatic Accreditation
As previously mentioned, students are advised to look for health information technology programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). This agency has a mission of identifying quality programs in health information and health information management. As of May 2022, all the programs featured in this guide hold CAHIIM accreditation status.
Completing a CAHIIM-accredited program is also necessary to be able to take the AHIMA certification to become a Registered Health Information Technologist (RHIT). Students not attending an accredited school may be ineligible for entry-level certification testing done through AHIMA. A program directory on the CAHIIM website allows students to search for programs by state, program level, and delivery method.
To earn accreditation from CAHIIM, programs must submit an application, complete a self-study, and open their program up to a site visit from experts identified by CAHIIM. Programs are reviewed based on the Health Information Management (HIM) Accreditation Standards.
Institutional Accreditation
In addition to programmatic accreditation through CAHIIM, potential applicants should look to a school's institutional accreditation. Following the same processes, schools can have their institution as a whole accredited by an organization approved by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), a non-profit organization affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education. These organizations are divided by region and include the following organizations:
- Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) Western Association of Schools and Colleges
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
Career Outlook
Job growth for health information technologists and technicians is expected to be 9 percent from 2020 to 2030, according to the BLS (2021). This is as fast as the average for all occupations for the same time period (8 percent) and is expected to add 37,100 new positions in the coming decade. Reasons this and other healthcare careers are in high demand include an aging Baby Boomer population needing more tests and care, an increased number of insured Americans due to the Affordable Healthcare Act, and the growing expansion of electronic medical records (EMRs).
As of 2021, there were 416,400 people employed as medical records and health information technicians. If BLS predictions hold true, this number could grow to 453,500 by 2030. Job prospects could be best for those with RHIT or CCA certifications. Read on to learn more about licensing and certification below.
Career Facts | Health Information Technology |
---|---|
Related Careers | Medical and Health Services Manager |
Common Job Titles | Electronic Medical Record Specialist, Health Information Technologist, Health Information Technician, HIM Analyst |
Sourced from BLS (2022) |
Licensing & Certification in Health Information Technology
There are no legal licensure or certification requirements to work in health information technology. However, certification is available for those that choose to pursue official recognition of their skillset.
To seek certification as a Registered Health Information Technologist (RHIT) through AHIMA, students need to graduate from a CAHIIM-accredited program or a foreign association with whom AHIMA holds a reciprocity agreement. They also need to pay an exam fee, which as of 2022 is $229 for members and $299 for non-members. Students may also be eligible to take the exam in the last semester of their program, but need to meet certain eligibility requirements.
Exams can be scheduled at PearsonVUE Test Centers available across the U.S. The exam is 3.5 hours long and includes 130 multiple-choice questions and 20 pretest questions. AHIMA reports that certification can increase earning potential and opportunities for advancement and strengthen staff competence.
After obtaining certification, renewals are needed every two years and are obtained by meeting continuing education requirements. Although it is recommended, it is not necessary to graduate from a CAHIIM-accredited program to seek Certified Coding Associate (CCA) certification through AHIMA.