Degrees Offered - Health Information Technology (AAS) | TJC

Degrees Offered - Health Information Technology (AAS)

Record details

The healthcare industry is a great career choice because it is always highly in demand, but what if you aren’t really interested in dealing directly with patients? Become a health information technician with our online* degree program.

Health Information Management (HIM) is the practice of acquiring, analyzing and protecting digital and traditional medical information vital to providing quality patient care. We will train you in the latest information management technology applications and help you understand the workflow in any healthcare provider organization from large hospital systems to the private physician practice.

After earning your degree, you are eligible to take the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) exam. Passing this exam will give you the national credential of RHIT.

From the convenience of your own home be an integral part of patient care at every touch point in the healthcare delivery cycle.

HIT Selective admissions criteria

To apply for acceptance into the Health Information Technology program, please complete the selective admissions application. Career options, curriculum, and prerequisites are outlined. If you have questions, please email the program coordinator at nren@tjc.edu or call 903-533-5440.

Eligibility Requirements for application to the Health Information Technology program.

  • Minimum of 2.5 GPA
  • "C" or better in the pre-requisite course BCIS 1405
Catalog Year
2022-2023
Degree Type
AAS
Available Online
Yes
Available Hybrid
No
Degree Plan
Major Courses 43 Credits

BCIS 1405 Business Computer Applications 

 
HITT 1301 Health Data Content and Structure  
HITT 1305 Medical Terminology I  
HPRS 2301 Pathophysiology  
HITT 2149 RHIT Competency Review  
HITT 1311 Health Information Systems  
POFM 1300 Basic Medical Coding  
MATH 1342 Elementary Statistical Methods  
HITT 1353 Legal and Ethical Aspects of Health Information  
HITT 1341 Coding and Classification Systems  
HITT 2261 Clinical - Health Information/Medical Records  
HITT 2346 Advanced Medical Coding  
HITT 2339 Health Information Organization and Supervision  
HITT 2335 Coding and Reimbursement Methodologies  
HITT 2343 Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement  
General Education Courses 20 Credits

Every Associate of Applied Science degree plan must contain at least 15 semester hours of general education courses. At least one course must be taken from each of the following areas: humanities/fine arts (language, philosophy & culture/creative arts), social/behavioral science (social and behavioral sciences/American history/government/ political science), and natural science/mathematics (life and physical sciences/mathematics).

Major Courses: 40
General Education Requirements: 20
Total Semester Hours: 60

Recommended Course Sequence:

Prerequisites Credit Hours
BCIS 1405 Business Computer Applications 4
First Semester Credit Hours
BIOL 2401 Anatomy and Physiology I 4
HITT 1301 Health Data Content and Structure (#) 3
HITT 1305 Medical Terminology I 3
MATH 1342 Elementary Statistical Methods 3
XXX X3XX Social and Behavioral Sciences Core course  
Second Semester Credit Hours
HITT 1311 Health Information Systems (+) 3
BIOL 2402 Anatomy and Physiology II 4
POFM 1300 Basic Medical Coding* 3
HPRS 2301 Pathophysiology (+) 3
HITT 1353 Legal and Ethical Aspects of Health Information (+) 3
Third Semester Credit Hours
HITT 2339 Health Information Organization and Supervision (#) 1
ENGL 1301 Composition I 3
HITT 1341 Coding and Classification Systems (#) 3
HITT 2343 Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (#)  
Fourth Semester Credit Hours
HITT 2261 Clinical - Health Information/Medical Technology/Technician* (+) 2
HITT 2346 Advanced Medical Coding (+) 3
HITT 2335 Coding and Reimbursement Methodologies (+) 3
HITT 2149 RHIT Competency Review (+) 1
XXX X3XX Select 1 Language, Philosophy and Culture Core Course OR
Select 1 Creative Arts Core Course
3
Total Semester Hours 60

Courses titled in bold type represent general education courses. 

All general education and courses denoted with * may be taken prior to acceptance into the program. 

*Every course in the degree plan can be taken online except BIOL 2401 and BIOL 2402 labs. The clinical courses HITT 2160 and HITT 2261 are online but require clinical hours at a facility. 

Department-specific courses must be taken in sequence and may have a prerequisite course. All required courses of the HIT program must be completed with a grade of “C” or better in order to progress to the next level course. 

The HIT Program is a nationally accredited program by CAHIIM. The HIT Program prepares students for the Health Information Management (HIM) Profession in regard to coding and reimbursement, healthcare privacy and security, information governance, health data analysis and various tasks associated with health information. HIM professionals work in various work environments including hospitals, large clinics, physician offices, rehab facilities, behavioral health facilities, nursing homes and long term care facilities, and insurance companies. Upon graduation from an accredited program, graduates are eligible to take the national examinations administered by the American Health Information Management Association (www.ahima.org), in HIM, coding, healthcare privacy and security, or health data analysis. AHIMA credentials are earned through program of education, examinations and experience, and maintained through continuous review and education. AHIMA certifications provide validation of professional competency to employers and are recognized in all 50 states.

(#) - Inidicates that course is only taught in fall semester

(+) - Indicates that course is only taught in spring semester