Online Colleges for Health Information Management An Health Information Technology Associate degree online (HIT) provides a path to entry-level jobs in the vital field of health information management.
The vast healthcare industry needs professionals to manage the enormous volume of patient and institutional information. Health information technicians help health information administrators in organizing and managing records, storing medical records, and creating reports.
Health information technicians typically work with computers and electronic health records. As a result, they typically have little contact with patients.
HIT specialists work across an array of healthcare environments, including hospitals, nursing centers, public health agencies, health maintenance organizations, home care agencies, physicians' offices, and outpatient care facilities.
Some states require that health information technicians obtain certification. A registered health information technician applicant needs to have completed an associate's-level CAHIIM-accredited health information management (HIM) program and to pass a certification exam. ("CAHIIM" stands for the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education.)
Some registered health information technicians specialize in coding diagnoses and procedures for reimbursement and research. Some of these technicians become cancer registrars, compiling and maintaining data on cancer patients.
10 Online colleges for health information management
1. The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), a public university founded in 1879, includes five colleges, eight regional centers, and seven institutes of excellence. UAMS combines research and medical education with patient care resources.
UAMS's Department of Health Information Management offers as online Associate of Science in Health Information Management degree program, which equips students with an educational foundation in information systems technology and how it applies to the areas of data mining, healthcare, and management.
The degree also prepares students to take the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) national certification exam.
Students need 120 total credit hours to complete the program, which includes general classes, core courses, and clinical on-site and on-campus internship studies.
Health information technology degree online course highlights include:
- Epidemiology
- Medical Terminology
- Applied Systems
- Health Record Systems and Issues
- Clinical Practice
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).
2. Idaho State University
Established in 1901, Idaho State University (ISU) is a public, Carnegie-classified research university which houses over 15,000 students and offers over 280 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs.
ISU's College of Technology offers an online Associate in Health Information Technology (HIT) degree program, which prepares students to work in areas such as data management, risk management, health record analysis, and coding.
The online health information technician associate's degree also prepares and qualifies students to take the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) national certification exam.
Upon graduation, students may work in a variety of institutions, including long-term care facilities, hospitals and medical clinics, law firms, and insurance companies.
The online health information technology degree is two years in length, for a total of 69 credit hours, and offers core courses as well as a supervised professional internship.
The health information technology programs online plan of study includes topics in:
- Informatics Technology
- Medical Law and Ethics
- Coding
- Health Information
- Introduction to Pathology
Idaho State University is regionally accredited by The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) and the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).
3. Alfred State College
Established in 1908, Alfred State College is one of eight University Colleges of Technology within the State University of New York (SUNY) System. Alfred State College grants undergraduate degrees as well as certificates.
Alfred State College's online Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology (HIT) degree program provides students with the foundation to maintain important components of different health information systems such as facility planning, quality management, marketing, reimbursement, and research.
The program also prepares and qualifies students to take the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) national certification exam.
The Health Information Technology Associate degree online encompasses core courses, as well as 160 hours of Professional Practice Experiences (PPE).
Curriculum highlights include:
- Pathophysiology
- Coding
- Electronic Health Record
- Alternate Care HIM
- Health and Wellness
Alfred University is regionally accredited by The Middle States Commission of Higher Education (MSCHE) and the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).
4. Weber State University
Established in 1889, Weber State University is a public institution where students pursue professional, technical, and liberal arts certificates in addition to associate, bachelor's and master's degrees. Weber State offers over 225 undergraduate programs and 11 graduate programs, including a flexible, and affordable MBA. For its return on investment, Weber State ranked as the No. 1 public institution in Utah and 17 in the nation.
The student body of 26,000 enjoys the benefits of a major university with class sizes that average just 22 students. Weber State is recognized for its individual attention, community involvement and undergraduate research.
Weber State's online Associate of Applied Science Health Information Technology degree program prepares students in information systems technologies and their relation to the provision of healthcare, information systems, human resources, and quality improvement.
The health information technology degree online program also prepares and qualifies students to take the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) national certification exam.
Students learn functions such as coding diseases and operations, maintaining statistical measures, using computer application software, and supervising employees.
The Associate in Health Information Technology (HIT) online degree offers focused core courses, as well as a professional practice experience.
Online health information technology degree courses include:
- Healthcare Database Management
- Pharmacology
- Pathophysiology
- Coding
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics
5. Clarkson College
Clarkson College, a private, non-profit university founded in 1888, offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in health sciences.
The college, which has an affiliation with the Episcopal Church, is an educational partner with the Nebraska Medical Center.
Clarkson College's online Associate of Science in Health Information Technology (HIT) degree program offers students the technological skills necessary for the field of health information management (HIM) and associated applications.
The degree consists of 73 credit hours and requires a professional practice experience.
The associate's HIT degree program also prepares and qualifies students to take the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) national certification exam before graduation.
The health information technology program online includes courses in:
- Coding
- Revenue Cycle Management
- Quality Management and Process Improvement
- HIT Assessment
- Medical Terminology
- Disease Process
Clarkson College is regionally accredited by the The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).
6. Dakota State University
Dakota State University, a technology-centered public university established in 1881, provides undergraduate and graduate programs in areas such as natural sciences, education, and business.
Dakota State's online A.S. Health Information Technology degree provides students with the necessary technical skills to carry out duties vital to the operation of a medical record department in any healthcare facility, such as hospitals and medical clinics.
The online program also prepares and qualifies students to take the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) national certification exam.
The associate's degree in health information technology (HIT) includes a supervised professional practice component in both acute and non-acute settings. Students need 64 credits to obtain the degree.
Curriculum highlights from this Health Information Technology Associate degree online include:
- Healthcare Reimbursement Methodologies
- Legal Aspects HI Management
- Physiology
- Fundamentals of Human Disease
- Coding Systems
Dakota State University is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).
7. University of Northwestern Ohio
The University of Northwestern Ohio (UNWOH), a private, not-for-profit university founded in 1920, offers undergraduate and graduate degrees distributed across five colleges.
UNOH's online Associate of Applied Business in Health Information Technology degree offers students the opportunity to blend the knowledge and skills of management, information technology, medicine, finance, and law into one curriculum.
The program also prepares and qualifies students to take the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) national certification exam.
The Health Information Technology Associate degree online curriculum includes general classes, core courses, health information system labs, internships, and a capstone project. The entire degree program consists of 108 credit hours.
Curriculum highlights include:
- Electronic Healthcare Records
- HIT Revenue Cycle Management
- Healthcare Statistics and Quality Assessment
- Medical Terminology
The University of Northwestern Ohio is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).
8. Kaplan University
Kaplan University, a nationwide, for-profit, university system founded in 1937 and currently headquartered in Chicago, provides online and on-campus undergraduate, graduate, and continuing professional education to over 45,000 students.
Kaplan's online Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology (HIT) degree program prepares students with the education and technical skills required to pursue positions in the health information management (HIM) industry.
The online program also prepares and qualifies students to take the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) national certification exam.
The health information technology degree online offers major courses, as well as a real-world, 90-hour externship/Capstone experience in an approved healthcare setting.
Students need 92 credit hours to obtain the degree.
Curriculum highlights include:
- Pharmacology
- Medical Coding
- Medical Terminology
- Reimbursement Methodologies
- Diseases of the Human Body
- Quality Assurance and Statistics
Kaplan University if regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).
9. Herzing University
Herzing University, a non-profit, career-centered university, offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in a wide variety of academic areas.
Herzing's online Associate of Science in Health Information Management (HIM) degree program provides students with skills and techniques such as coding, digitizing, creating electronic patient records, securing patient information, checking for accuracy, and database management.
The degree prepares and qualifies students to take the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) national certification exam. Upon graduation, students can seek work in a variety of healthcare settings, such as insurance companies, clinics, and hospitals.
The online Associate in Health Information Management degree includes an internship. Students can obtain the degree, which consists of 63 credits, in less than two years.
The health information technology online degree programs courses include topics such as:
- Principles of Health Information Management
- Healthcare Law and Ethics
- Healthcare Data
- Foundations of Classifications, Compliance, and Reimbursement.
Herzing University admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin.
Herzing University is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).
10. Rasmussen College
Rasmussen College, a for-profit college established in 1900, provides undergraduate programs across 24 campuses nationwide, as well through an online division.
Rasmussen's online Associate's-Health Information Technician degree program encompasses major and core courses, as well as a simulated internship in coding and health information. Students need 90 credit hours to obtain the degree.
The online health information technician associate's degree prepares and qualifies students to take the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) national certification exam.
The online health information technology online degree includes courses such as:
- Pharmacology for the Allied Health Professional
- Coding
- Pathophysiology
- Health Information Law and Ethics
- Medical Terminology