Which Schools Offer Online Degrees in Health Information Technology?
Since a health information technician career usually requires an associate's degree, this article provides details about schools that offer accredited online associate's degree programs in health information technology.
<h3 id="section---AssociateSDegreeProgramsInHealthInformationTechnology">Associate's Degree Programs in Health Information Technology</h3>
<p>Due to the increased demand for qualified health information technicians, online degrees in health information technology are becoming more popular. The following is a sampling of schools offering such programs.
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<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutThisProgram">Important Facts About This Program</h3>
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<table border="1"><tr><td> Prerequisites </td><td> Criminal background check, proof of required immunizations</td></tr>
<tr><td> Common Courses </td><td> Office management, pharmacology, legal and ethical aspects, health information systems</td></tr>
<tr><td> Continuing Education </td><td> Licensure and certification may be required; direct entry into bachelor's</td></tr>
<tr><td> Possible Careers </td><td> Medical records management, medical coding, corporate compliance, privacy officer</td></tr>
<tr><td>Median Salary (2021)</td><td>$46,660 (medical records specialists)*</td></tr>
<tr><td>Job Outlook (2021-2031)</td><td>7% (medical records specialists)*</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)</i>
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<h3 id="section---AlfredStateCollegeSUNYCollegeOfTechnology">Alfred State College-SUNY College of Technology</h3>
<p>Alfred State College (part of the SUNY College of Technology system) offers all of its health information technology associate's degree courses online. All health information technology students are assigned an academic adviser who helps with course sequencing and selection, and also works as a student advocate. Course titles include:
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<ul><li>Medical Terminology
</li><li>CPT, ICD and PCS Coding
</li><li>Electronic Health Record Management
</li></ul><h3 id="section---DartonCollege">Darton College</h3>
<p>Darton College's online associate's degree in health information technology program has courses that prepare students for certification in the field. The program can prepare graduates to work in clinical or non-clinical health care settings as records technicians, patient information coordinators, health data analysts or coding specialists, to name a few possible professions. Students could expect to take such courses as:
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<ul><li>Health Care Statistics
</li><li>Health Record Content
</li><li>Health Information Ethics
</li></ul><h3 id="section---MidlandCollege">Midland College</h3>
<p>At Midland College, the online associate's degree program for health information technology focuses on training students for jobs at insurance companies, hospitals, law firms, doctor's offices, long-term care institutions and more. All courses are taken online and the only in-person requirement is participating in two clinical work experiences. Course titles in this program include:
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<ul><li>Health Care Delivery Systems
</li><li>Coding and Reimbursement Methodologies
</li><li>Advanced Medical Billing and Reimbursement
</li></ul><h3 id="section---UniversityOfNorthwesternOhio">University of Northwestern Ohio</h3>
<p>The online associate's degree in health information technology provided by the University of Northwestern Ohio is a six-quarter program designed to prepare students to pursue certification as a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT). Studies touch on areas of technology, health, management and finance. Courses addressing pharmacology, electronic healthcare records, healthcare data management and a review of the RHIT examination are part of the curriculum. In addition to these topics, students could expect to learn coding procedures and processes in the following areas:
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<ul><li>Inpatient
</li><li>Outpatient
</li><li>Ambulatory
</li><li>Hospital</li></ul>