Accredited Online Health Information Technology Degree Programs
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The demand for health information technicians and technologists (HITs) is rising sharply because medical personnel relies on modern technology for record-keeping and other facets of their work.
These skilled professionals embrace many responsibilities in healthcare settings, including maintaining accurate and accessible paper and electronic health records (EHRs); assigning codes to patients’ health information for insurance purposes and general records keeping; organizing registries and clinical databases; keeping up-to-date on the latest coding systems through continuing education; and even tracking outcomes of clients for quality assurance purposes. They can also specialize in specific health information technology aspects, such as medical coding or maintaining cancer registries. And there’s evidence that this is a growing and relatively lucrative occupation.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2023), job opportunities for medical records and health information technicians were expected to swell 8 percent between 2022 and 2032, adding 16,500 fresh openings in the field nationwide. This is faster than expected growth across all US occupations during that time (3 percent). In addition to the high growth prospects, aspiring HITs should take note of the relatively generous wages in this profession, particularly in comparison to positions requiring similar education. In fact, the BLS (May 2022) reported that the 187,720 working medical records and HITs across the US commanded an average annual salary of $51,090.
Not surprisingly, employers prefer health information technicians with the appropriate postsecondary education and credentialing. The most common degree required is an associate degree, and while a significant number of these aspiring health information technicians choose to pursue a degree by attending an on-campus program, others are turning to online programs for the wide array of flexibility and benefits they offer.
Ultimately, an online program may be the perfect choice for aspiring HITs interested in working at their own pace; live in remote areas; or having time commitments that make attending an on-campus program difficult. This guide examines what to expect from an online HIT program, including a discussion of the typical coursework, sample programs, and credentialing in the field.
What to Know – Online Health Information Technology Schools
Before applying to a health information technology program, aspiring HITs should ask themselves whether they’re a good fit. What type of personality often succeeds in an online program?
To begin, online HIT programs require students to be self-starting and independent, needing little direct supervision from professors or peers as they complete their studies. Also, many people who enroll in online programs have time-related or geographical limitations, which prevent them from effectively completing a traditional, brick-and-mortar program. For example, those who live an inconvenient distance from a college in a rural area may benefit from a distance-based HIT program. Also, those who want to maintain their jobs while pursuing a degree or have parenting responsibilities may enjoy the flexibility of completing an online program.
These are only a few of the important considerations when applying to online health information technology programs, and any additional questions about the coursework, pacing, or success of former students can be directed to program coordinators.
Admissions Requirements for Online HIT Programs
While admissions processes differ by institution, here are some common application materials required for entrance into an online HIT program:
- Official transcripts from one’s high school or GED
- Personal statement or essay
- CV
- TOEFL scores (for ESL applicants only)
- Application fee
Some programs may require a candidate interview, letters of recommendation, proof of health insurance, or other test scores.
Finally, when applying to an online health information technology program, aspiring students should be sure to research whether or not they will be required to follow the same calendar schedule as everyone else. In some programs, students must start and stop at the same point throughout the year, and will need to take exams and submit coursework on a given schedule; in others, rolling start dates may exist, and students may have the overall ability to complete work entirely on their own schedule.
HIT Curriculum & Specializations
In general, students who enroll in online health information technology degree programs generally encounter a similar curriculum to their on-campus counterparts. For example, students in these programs will likely take classes on the following subjects, among others:
- Basic medical terminology
- Health information management (HIM)
- Medical insurance & reimbursement
- Disease & diagnosis coding
- Health data systems
- Anatomy & physiology
- Pharmacology for allied health
- Pathophysiology
- Healthcare procedure coding systems
- Legal aspects of healthcare
- HIM statistics
- HIM computer applications
- CPT coding
- ICD-10 diagnostic coding
- Coding and/or RHIT exam preparation
In certain programs, students may have the option to specialize in a subfield of the discipline such as cancer registry management or a specific coding system.
Featured Online HIT Degree Programs
Fortunately for aspiring health information techs who are interested in pursuing a distance-based degree, many respected institutions are currently offering online programs.
At Dakota State University, students can pursue an online associate of science (AS) degree in health informatics and information management. This program includes a supervised professional practice, meaning that students obtain valuable hands-on experience in the healthcare industry performed at a determined facility, which also allows students the chance to network to help them secure employment upon finishing the degree program.
This specific program has received accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM), and graduates of this program will be eligible to sit for the RHIT certification examination offered through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
Made up of 65 credits, the program includes courses such as health information management profession; introduction to health informatics & information management; legal aspects of health information; digital health information systems; basic medical terminology; health statistics; management & supervision of HIM; and healthcare procedure coding systems.
Graduates will be ready to take up positions such as health data analysts, clinical coding specialists, patient information coordinators, and physician practice managers.
- Location: Madison, SD
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
- Estimated Tuition: $397.90 per credit
DeVry University offers students the option to pursue an associate of applied science (AAS) degree in health information technology entirely online. Graduates of the 67-credit online HIT degree program will be eligible to sit for the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) examination, and all of the credits successfully completed in this program can be applied to a bachelor’s degree in health information management (HIM) at this institution.
Students in this program will take courses on basic medical terminology; health services and information systems; legal and regulatory issues in health information; health insurance and reimbursement; and several others. This program typically takes four full-time semesters to complete.
Graduates will be ready for roles such as medical coder billers, medical coding specialists, medical records and health information technicians, medical records analysts, and medical records supervisors.
- Location: Naperville, IL
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Expected Time to Completion: 16 months
- Estimated Tuition: $514 per credit
At Rasmussen College, students can earn an associate degree in health information technology in as few as 18 months of full-time study. Students can take the entirety of their courses online; or, for those who would rather attend campus periodically, a blended option does exist as well, wherein students take a mixture of on-campus and online courses. The program is CAHIIM-accredited, and tuition paid to the institution secures the student’s membership with the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
The program consists of 90 credits. Throughout the course of their studies at Rasmussen College, students will take courses on medical terminology; ICD-CM coding; ICD-PCS coding; ambulatory coding; health information law and ethics; revenue cycle management, health information pathophysiology and pharmacology, and healthcare technologies, among others. Students will also be required to take several general education credits as well.
Graduates of the program will be well-equipped to work as health information technicians, health information data collection and analysis specialists, medical coders, electronic health records specialists, compliance auditors, patient care coordinators, release-of-information specialists, and revenue cycle reimbursement specialists.
- Location: Altamonte Springs, FL
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Commission Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Expected Time to Completion: 18 months
- Estimated Tuition: $279 per credit
At the U.S. Career Institute, students can pursue an online degree in health information technology. Students earning this online degree will be prepared to work for outpatient clinics, hospitals, insurance companies, and more. The skills gained in this program will be in high demand in the healthcare industry, providing them with a competitive edge.
Students participating in this program will take courses on medical terminology; computer applications; anatomy and physiology; pathology and disease processes; health statistics and data analysis; diagnostic coding; and health information management systems, among others. The program comprises 62 credits.
- Location: Fort Collins, CO
- Accreditation: Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Four semesters
- Estimated Tuition: $8,191 total
Minnesota State Community and Technical College
Minnesota State Community and Technical College’s online associate of applied science program in health information technology/coding provides students with high-quality and comprehensive education, preparing them for a rapidly changing profession. Students will get hands-on experience at a health care facility through the college’s professional practice component. Notably, the program requires an on-site internship.
The 64-credit curriculum includes courses such as essentials of human anatomy and physiology; microcomputer databases; medicolegal aspects; information systems in health; intermediate procedure coding; foundations of medical coding; quality management studies; intermediate diagnosis coding; and medical terminology, among others.
Upon completion, graduates will be eligible to sit for the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) certification exam through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
- Location: Fergus Falls, MN
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
- Estimated Tuition: $180.80 per credit
Lakeshore Technical College offers an online associate degree in health information management, preparing students to become experts in patient health data management and work in various health care settings such as outpatient clinics, hospitals, long-term care, insurance, and government agencies.
Consisting of 61 credits, the program includes courses such as medical terminology; digital literacy for healthcare; human diseases for health professions; medical record processes; healthcare law and ethics; ICD diagnosis coding; healthcare stats & research; and healthcare quality management, among others.
- Location: Cleveland, WI
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Expected Time to Completion: Four terms
- Estimated Tuition: Wisconsin resident ($146.20 per credit); out-of-state ($219.30 per credit)
Clarkson College offers an online associate of science degree in health information technology, preparing students to play crucial roles in maintaining the quality of patient medical records. Offered entirely online, this program combines elements of management, health science, law, information technology, and health care reimbursement to prepare students for their role in health information management.
This program will teach skills in billing, coding, data analysis and reporting, legal compliance, electronic health records, and other technical processes. As part of the program, students will take courses such as healthcare delivery systems; managing healthcare departments; introduction to informatics; legal and ethical aspects of health information; health information technology assessment. Notably, the program also offers two track options: revenue management and data management.
- Location: Omaha, NE
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
- Estimated Tuition: $651 per credit
HIT Program Accreditation & State Authorization
Finally, those who are interested in pursuing an online degree in health information technology should consider whether or not their selected program has received accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). Graduating from such a program certainly isn’t a requirement to practice in this industry, but it does have its benefits.
Most notably, anyone who is interested in becoming nationally certified as a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) must have graduated from an accredited program. Furthermore, accreditation shows that a program has demonstrated a commitment to high-quality education offered to its students. Various organizations accredit college programs across the country, but not all programmatic and institutional accrediting agencies are created equal. Here’s a list of unrecognized “accrediting” organizations.
Also, distance-based students should verify their school’s state authorization status before applying. Due to differing local legislation, online colleges based in one state may not be able to provide education to a student residing in another state. This information is typically available on program websites or can be retrieved from program coordinators.
Ultimately, a significant number of factors exist to weigh in the decision regarding whether or not to pursue a degree online. And this guide is meant to be used as a reference to help ensure aspiring health information technologists and technicians make the right choice for their future.
HIT Credentialing
In addition to having a degree in health information technology, aspiring HITs are encouraged to seek credentialing. While not all positions require HITs to have these certifications, many employers prefer them. There are many credentials in the health information field, and here are three of the most common:
Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT)
This is the most popular HIT credential. Offered through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), the RHIT credential is the gold standard in this career. Open to those who have completed at least a CAHIIM-accredited associate degree program, this certification denotes that a technician is detail-oriented in ensuring the accuracy and completion of EHRs and knows how to use various coding systems and computer applications. Please note that accredited HIT programs generally include preparation for the RHIT exam as part of the curriculum.
Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA)
The RHIA credentialing exam, available from AHIMA, is open to those with at least a bachelor’s degree from a CAHIIM-accredited program. This credential is more advanced than the RHIT and is the second most popular credential.
Certified Associate (CAHIMS) and Certified Professional (CPHIMS)
These are the third most in-demand HIT credentials. Offered through the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS), a nonprofit organization, the CAHIMS credential is open to those with at least a high school diploma, and the CPHIMS is open to those with a bachelor’s degree and five years of relevant experience (including three years in healthcare), or a master’s degree.
For those interested in a more specialized credential, there is also:
Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR)
For those interested specifically in helping cancer patients, the National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA) offers the CTR credential. Aspiring CTRs can become eligible through a combination of experience and education (i.e., completion of an NCRA-accredited associate degree or certificate program).
These are only four of the in-demand certifications available to those with a background in health information technology. For an overview of credentialing in a related (and slightly more advanced field), be sure to check out the health information management (HIM) certifications.
