Health Information Technology Degree
What can I do with a HIT degree? 
- Health information technician
- Medical records technician
Get trained in Health Info Techology
100% Online: Learn anywhere, anytime.
100% Accredited: Prepare for RHIT exam.
100% Focused: Industry-recognized faculty support your success.
100% Affordable: In-district tuition for all, no matter where you live.*
Earn your degree and receive training in rapidly growing field of health information
technology with this online AAS degree program. Full- and part-time options begin
each Fall semester only.
See the Application Requirements to get started. Application deadline is May 1, 2021.
Top 3 reasons to earn your HIT associate degree
- Versatile skills for in an in-demand industry
Develop leadership and management skills to link clinicians, administrators and IT professionals. Employment is offered in patient data and pharmaceutical companies, law and insurance firms in addition to hospitals and doctor offices. According to the USDOL, HIT will grow to encompass new support positions, including mobile support adoption positions, public health informatics, implementation support specialists, and information management redesign specialists. After graduating, you’re eligible to take the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) exam. - Developed for motivated and busy learners, everywhere
This online program offers you the opportunity to learn online ANYTIME with the full support of a nationally respected academic institution, a team of expert faculty and a full suite of tech support to help you succeed each step of the way. View the online orientation or check out the demo course to see how the program can work for you. Affordable in-district tuition is offered to all students regardless of residence. Harper College also offers generous scholarships and tuition relief programs. - Competitive salary
The national median annual salary for medical records and health information technicians was $40,350 (May 2018 Health Information 101, ahima.org.) Recent Harper grads with the RHIT certification have a reported starting annual salary as high as $49,000. Within five years and with additional education at the bachelor's level, one can earn upwards of $50,000 to $75,000 annually. The University of Illinois at Chicago offers an online bachelor's completion degree.
Application deadline is May 1, 2021. Review the application requirements to get started. Interested in learning more?
Your health information technology questions...
You can begin your career in health information technology by completing Harper's accredited AAS program, which coveres topics like medical terminology, medical coding, electronic health records and more. Once you've completed this 60 credit-hour program, you will be eligble to take the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) exam and earn a nationally recognized credential.
Need to know something else? Request information now.
*In-district tuition for all with no residency requirement good through Spring 2022.
New Fall 2021 online program curriculum
The curriculum has been rebuilt and reimagined to provide you with ultimate flexibility, convenience and industry-relevant skills. Preview the new curriculum.
Program Information
Accreditation
The Health Information Management accreditor of Harper College is the Commission on
Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management (CAHIIM). The College’s
accreditation for the Associate Degree in Health Information Technology (AAS HIT)
has been reaffirmed through 2023-2024. All inquiries about the program’s accreditation
status should be directed by mail to CAHIIM, 200 East Randolph Street, Suite 5100,
Chicago, IL, 60601; by phone at (312) 235-3255; or by email at info@cahiim.org.
Student Outcomes 2019-2020
Graduation Rate: 71% of graduates completed the program within 150% of expected timeframe.
Employment Rate: 100% of graduates seeking employment in healthcare were employed within six months of graduation.
Satisfaction Rate: 100% of graduates agreed or strongly agreed that their overall academic experience with the HIT Program met their expectations.
Domain I. Data Structure, Content, and Information Governance
I.1. Describe health care organizations from the perspective of key stakeholders.
I.2. Apply policies, regulations, and standards to the management of information.
I.3. Identify policies and strategies to achieve data integrity.
I.4. Determine compliance of health record content within the health organization.
I.5. Explain the use of classification systems, clinical vocabularies, and nomenclatures.
I.6. Evaluate data dictionaries and data sets for compliance with governance standards.
Domain II. Information Protection: Access, Use, Disclosure, Privacy, and Security Information Protection
II.1. Apply privacy strategies to health information.
II.2. Apply security strategies to health information.
II.3. Identify compliance requirements throughout the health information life cycle.
Domain III. Informatics, Analytics, and Data Use
III.1. Apply health informatics concepts to the management of health information.
III.2. Utilize technologies for health information management.
III.3. Calculate statistics for health care operations.
III.4. Report health care data through graphical representations
III.5. Describe research methodologies used in health care.
III.6. Manage data within a database system.
III.7. Identify standards for exchange of health information.
Domain IV. Revenue Cycle Management
IV.1. Determine diagnosis and procedure codes according to official guidelines.
IV.2. Evaluate revenue cycle processes.
IV.3. Evaluate compliance with regulatory requirements and reimbursement methodologies.
Domain V. Health Law & Compliance
V.1. Apply legal processes impacting health information.
V.2. Demonstrate compliance with external forces.
V.3. Identify the components of risk management related to health information management.
V.4. Identify the impact of policy on health care.
Domain VI. Organizational Management & Leadership
VI.1. Demonstrate fundamental leadership skills.
VI.2. Identify the impact of organizational change.
VI.3. Identify human resource strategies for organizational best practices.
VI.4. Utilize data-driven performance improvement techniques for decision making.
VI.5. Utilize financial management processes.
VI.6. Examine behaviors that embrace cultural diversity.
VI.7. Assess ethical standards of practice.
VI.8. Describe consumer engagement activities.
VI.9. Identify processes of workforce training for health care organizations.
Current program plan
This 60 credit-hour program prepares the graduate to enter a career which blends two rapidly expanding fields, healthcare and information technology. The HIT AAS degree is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIM). Students who successfully complete the academic requirements for this program are eligible to sit for the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) exam offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). The RHIT credential is recognized by healthcare organizations nationwide.
RHITs are professionals who ensure the quality of medical records by verifying their completeness, accuracy, and proper entry into computer systems. They also use computer systems to analyze patient data for the purpose of improving patient care or controlling costs. Many specialize in the classification of injuries, diseases and medical and surgical services and procedures. Although most RHITs work in hospitals, they may find employment in any organization that uses patient data or health information, such as pharmaceutical companies, law and insurance firms, and health product vendors.
HIT courses in this program at the level of HIT 200 and above are designed for students with a declared Program of Study on HIT AAS or CIS AAS with Healthcare Specialization. The HIT AAS requires a 160-hour externship, arranged by the college, for students in their final semester of study. The Professional Practice Experience (PPE) obtained through the externship allows the student to apply knowledge and skills in a work setting.
F = Fall only course S = Spring only course U = Summer only course
FIRST SEMESTER:
A grade of C or better in all BIO and HSC courses is required.
| Number | Course Title | Credits | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIO 135 | Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology1 | 4 | AAS General Education |
|
Description: Surveys the human body, with emphasis on basic physical and chemical concepts, anatomy, physiology and embryology. Designed to meet the needs of students in certain allied health career programs. Knowledge of high school biology is assumed. (NOTE: Not Lab science credit.) Class Schedule: Fall 2021 | Spring 2021 | Summer 2021 |
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| BIO 136 | Introduction to Human Disease | 3 | AAS General Education |
|
Description: Surveys the nature of human disease with emphasis on the functional disturbances within the body systems. Designed to meet the needs of students in certain allied health career programs. Knowledge of high school biology assumed. (NOTE: Not Lab science credit.) Class Schedule: Fall 2021 | Spring 2021 | Summer 2021 |
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| ENG 101 | Composition | 3 | AAS General Education |
|
Description: Emphasizes the writing of expository prose. Introduction to the critical reading of nonfiction prose. IAI C1 900 Prerequisite: ENG 100 with a grade of C or better. Other placement options. ENG_Placement_Grid.pdf ESL students need one of the following options: ESL 073 and ESL 074 with grades of B or better; ESL 073 and ESL 086 with grades of B or better; ESL 073 and ESL 099 with grades of B or better; ESL 073 with required writing placement test score; or ESL 074 with required reading placement test score. Class Schedule: Fall 2021 | Spring 2021 | Summer 2021 |
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| HSC 112 | Medical Terminology | 2 | Program Requirement |
|
Description: Emphasizes the origin and the basic structure of medical words, including prefixes, suffixes, word roots, combining forms and plurals. Offers pronunciation, spelling, and definition of medical terms based on the body systems approach. Emphasis on rendering a professional vocabulary required for work in the health care field. Class Schedule: Fall 2021 | Spring 2021 | Summer 2021 |
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| HSC 165 | Basic Pharmacology | 1 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Examines the mechanism of action of the major medication groups as they relate to the physiology and pathology of disease. Identifies examples in each major pharmacological category in order to understand pharmacological activity within each group. Addresses areas of drug action, clinical application, and adverse events for each medication discussed. Considers needs of patients undergoing drug therapy and the role of the allied health provider. Prerequisite: Prior or concurrent enrollment in BIO 135, BIO 160 or HSC 112 with a grade of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2021 | Spring 2021 | Summer 2021 |
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| Mathematics2 | 3 | AAS General Education | |
SECOND SEMESTER:
A grade of C or better in all HIT courses is required.
| Number | Course Title | Credits | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAS 160 | Intro to Business Software Packages | 3 | Program Requirement |
|
Description: Provides an opportunity to become proficient in the use of currently popular software packages or suites. Includes word processing, spreadsheets, databases, presentation software and the integration of these applications. Class Schedule: Fall 2021 | Spring 2021 | Summer 2021 |
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| ENG 102 | Composition or | ||
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Description: Continues ENG 101. Reading literature and writing of various types of prose. Introduces methods used in writing investigative papers. IAI C1 901R Prerequisite: ENG 101 with a grade of C or better, or consent of instructor or department chair. Class Schedule: Fall 2021 | Spring 2021 | Summer 2021 |
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| ENG 103 | Technical and Report Writing or | ||
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Description: Introduces the various types of writing and communication used in business and technology. Includes instructions, procedures, abstracts, proposals, visuals and reports. Prerequisite: ENG 101 with a grade of C or better, or consent of instructor or department chair. Class Schedule: Fall 2021 | Spring 2021 | Summer 2021 |
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| SPE 101 | Fundamentals of Speech Communication | 3 | AAS General Education |
|
Description: Theory and practice of oral communications. Development of poise, confidence and skill in speech organization and delivery. Emphasis on frequent speaking, development of standards of criticism and selection and organization of material. IAI C2 900 Class Schedule: Fall 2021 | Spring 2021 | Summer 2021 |
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| HIT 196 | Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Coding | 3 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Examines and interprets health record documentation, conventions and guidelines for the Health Care Procedure Coding System (HCPSC). HCPSC Level I (Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) and Level II (National Codes) are utilized to represent procedures provided in the ambulatory care setting and services rendered by providers across all healthcare settings. Emphasis is on the six sections of the CPT Coding Manual. Basic and intermediate coding scenarios are analyzed and interpreted in compliance with official guidelines and ethical coding practices. Reimbursement considerations are explored. Prerequisite: BIO 135 or (BIO 160 and BIO 161), BIO 136, HSC 112 and HSC 165 with grades of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2021 | Spring 2021 | Summer 2021 |
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| HIT 197 | International Classification of Diseases (ICD) Coding | 3 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Examines and interprets health record documentation, conventions and guidelines for the current International Classification of Diseases (ICD) in use in the United States. ICD codes capture information related to diagnoses documented in all healthcare settings and procedures provided in the inpatient setting. ICD codes are utilized for statistical purposes, quality reporting, and reimbursement. Basic and intermediate coding scenarios are analyzed and interpreted in compliance with official guidelines and ethical coding practices. Reimbursement considerations are explored. Prerequisite: BIO 135 or (BIO 160 and BIO 161), BIO 136, HSC 112 and HSC 165 with grades of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2021 | Spring 2021 | Summer 2021 |
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| HIT 199 | Health Care Reimbursement | 3 | Program Requirement |
|
Description: Explores the complex processes involved in reimbursement of healthcare services. Examines voluntary healthcare insurance plans, government-sponsored healthcare programs, managed care plans, and prospective payment systems. Outlines the characteristics of value-based purchasing and pay-for-performance systems. Emphasizes the importance of revenue cycle management on the financial viability of healthcare organizations. (formerly HIT 215) Prerequisite: Prior or concurrent enrollment in HIT 196 and HIT 197 with grades of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2021 | Spring 2021 | Summer 2021 |
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THIRD SEMESTER:
A grade of C or better in all HIT courses is required.
| Number | Course Title | Credits | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| HIT 200 | Introduction to Health Information Systems | 3 | Program Requirement |
|
Description: Examines health record content in administrative and clinical information systems for students pursuing the HIT AAS. Documentation requirements of various providers and disciplines to support organizational, regulatory and accreditation standards are evaluated. Primary and secondary uses of health data are explored. Data governance and data management practices that ensure the accuracy and integrity of health data are analyzed. Prerequisite: BIO 135 or (BIO 160 and BIO 161), BIO 136, CAS 160, ENG 101 and ENG 102 or (ENG 103 or SPE 101), HSC 112, HSC 165, HIT 196, HIT 197, HIT 199, MTH 065 or (MTH 080 or MTH 101 or MTH 103 or higher) with grades of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2021 | Spring 2021 | Summer 2021 |
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| HIT 225 | Electronic Health Records F | 3 | Program Requirement |
|
Description: This course is only offered in the fall term. Prerequisite: Prior or concurrent enrollment in HIT 200 with a grade of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2021 | Spring 2021 | Summer 2021 |
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| HIT 230 | Health Care Information Analysis F | 3 | Program Requirement |
|
Description: This course is only offered in the fall term. Prerequisite: Prior or concurrent enrollment in HIT 200 with a grade of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2021 | Spring 2021 | Summer 2021 |
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| HIT 250 | Law for Health Information F | 3 | Program Requirement |
|
Description: This course is only offered in the fall term. Prerequisite: Prior or concurrent enrollment in HIT 200 with a grade of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2021 | Spring 2021 | Summer 2021 |
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| Humanities or Social and Behavioral Science+ | 3 | AAS General Education | |
FOURTH SEMESTER:
A grade of C or better in all HIT courses is required.
| Number | Course Title | Credits | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| HIT 220 | Health Care Information Management S | 3 | Program Requirement |
|
Description: This course is only offered in the spring term. Prerequisite: HIT 200 with a grade of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2021 | Spring 2021 | Summer 2021 |
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| HIT 235 | Advanced Medical Coding S | 3 | Program Requirement |
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Description: This course is only offered in the spring term. Prerequisite: Prior or concurrent enrollment in HIT 200 with a grade of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2021 | Spring 2021 | Summer 2021 |
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| HIT 240 | Health Information Technology Externship S | 3 | Program Requirement |
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Description: This course is only offered in the spring term. Prerequisite: Prior or concurrent enrollment in HIT 220 and HIT 235 with grades of C or better. Corequisite: HIT 299. Class Schedule: Fall 2021 | Spring 2021 | Summer 2021 |
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| HIT 299 | Health Information Technology Capstone S | 2 | Program Requirement |
|
Description: This course is only offered in the spring term. Prerequisite: Prior or concurrent enrollment in HIT 220 and HIT 235 with grades of C or better. Corequisite: HIT 240. Class Schedule: Fall 2021 | Spring 2021 | Summer 2021 |
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| Program electives3 | 3 | Program Requirement | |
1 - BIO 160 and BIO161 may be substituted for BIO 135.
2 - The mathematics requirement (MTH 065, or MTH 080, or MTH 101, or MTH 103 or higher) for this degree can be met with Math Competency. See Math Competency options for information. Students who utilize Math Competency to meet the mathematics requirement must complete an additional three credit-hour elective. See full list of AAS General Education Electives. (PHI 101 is highly recommended).
+ - Students need to choose a course to meet this requirement that also fulfills the World Cultures and Diversity graduation requirement. See full list of AAS General Education Electives.
3 - Choose at least 3 credit hours from the following courses: CIS 143, CIS 211 (S), HSC 225 or LNG 225, MGT 205, MTH 165
Next steps
For more information about studying healthcare informatics at Harper, contact Admission Outreach at 847.925.6700, or submit a request information form. You can also apply online.
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