Health Information Technology (HIT)

ACC academic plans will help guide you through your chosen program. The academic plan will provide you with important information, like which semesters courses are offered if there are any prerequisites or co-requisites for courses, program outcomes, course sequence recommendations, notes for the program, graduation requirements, and other important information. These are updated annually, so we recommend downloading a copy of yours to keep on track to graduation.

• Health Information Technology AAS Academic Plan
• Associate of General Studies - Pre-Health Information Technology Academic Plan

United States

Colorado

*Statistics from O*Net Online.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a growth rate of 8% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. The demand for health information management is expected to continue to increase as the population ages.

The following items and minimum requirements must be met to be accepted into the Health Information Technology (HIT) program at ACC:

1. Complete high school or GED equivalent.
2. Complete ACC application for acceptance to college and select Health Information Technology AAS and complete selective admissions process.

3. A Criminal Background Check and Drug Screen is required for all HIT students. In the event the student background check reveals any disqualifying factors or tests positive for a prohibited substance, a student will be dismissed for the HIT program. View disqualifying events information. Please note: Criminal background checks and drug screens require a fee.

4. College Placement Test required scores are:
   • English:
     • Accuplacer: 95 or higher on Sentence Skills
   • Mathematics:
     • Accuplacer: Elementary Algebra score of 61 or higher
   • Students with equivalent ACT / SAT scores taken within the last five years or appropriate college-level coursework do not need to complete the placement tests. Documentation should be provided with the college application.
5. Request an Official Transcript be sent to ACC if you have any prior college courses.
   • General Education courses required by the program with a grade of "C" or better can be transferred in from an accredited college or university. To transfer general education courses a student must submit official transcripts to the Records and Enrollment Services Office and complete an application to the college.
   • The process of course evaluation and transferring credit can be lengthy and therefore should begin immediately.
6. Schedule an advising and program planning session with the HIT Program Chair prior to enrolling in any courses that are part of the HIT curriculum.
   • To schedule, please contact Christine Tomas at 303.797.5603 or christine [dot] tomas [at] arapahoe [dot] edu

As part of the Colorado Community College System, ACC offers courses at a very reasonable tuition rate. At today's tuition rate, the 66 credit hours of the HIT associate degree would only cost a COF (College Opportunity Fund) eligible student approximately $15,000. COF is not a need-based financial aid, but a subsidy from the State of Colorado for the education of its residents. Apply for your COF stipend. View ACC's current Tuition and Fees.

• HIT Information Packet
• HIT Student Handbook

Why Accreditation Matters to You?

Accreditation assures academic quality in higher education. Program accreditation assures students that the quality of an academic program meets a standard set by industry in cooperation with academic institutions. Accreditation is a voluntary, peer-review process that requires a program to undergo comprehensive periodic evaluations. The evaluation, conducted by professionals in the industry, examine curriculum, faculty, institutional support, facilities, and more.

Professional programmatic accreditation means that in addition to national and regional accreditation, Arapahoe Community College has sought the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management (CAHIIM), to assure that its graduates of the Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology (HIT) can sit for the national certification exam, Registered Health Information Technology (RHIT). CAHIIM accreditation assures that the program maintains compliance with the HIM industry standards. For more information go to www.CAHIIM.org.

An important component of accreditation, however, lies in the evolution of the program itself. An accredited program is expected to continuously improve through specific goals and initiatives. By choosing an accredited program, a student ensures that the quality of their education meets the standards of the profession. It also enhances employment opportunities, facilitates further education in the form of licensures and registrations, and establishes one’s eligibility for loans, grants, and scholarships.

ACC HIT Program Outcomes:

• Mock RHIT Certification Exam (required; final semester) - pass rate is 90% (2021)
• National RHIT Certification Examination - pass rate (first attempt) is 92% (2021)
• Graduate survey: employed in HIM-related job within one year after graduation - 80% (2017)
• Graduate survey: Feel prepared to enter / advance in a HIM career  - 98% agree / strongly agree (2017)

Health Information Technology / Management Professionals are not required to be licensed. However, certification can be necessary for career obtainment and progression. As a graduate of the Health Information Technology program, you will be eligible to take the national Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) certification exam and receive the RHIT credential. The RHIT certification is not required to be registered in each state. However, the RHIT and other AHIMA certifications are maintained through a required recertification process. Recertification ensures that the certified professionals stay up to date in the constantly evolving Health Information Management field. Individuals must earn a specified number of Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to re-certify during a 2-year certification cycle. The initial recertification cycle for newly credentialed individuals (individuals who have earned their first credential) is two years, beginning when the exam was passed. Please visit https://ahima.org/certification-careers/recertify/ for more information on AHIMA Certifications and Credentialing.