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Health Information Technology

Associate Degree Specialization in Health Information

Take Your Medical Coding Skills to the Next Level with a Health Information Degree Specialization

 

Whether you’ve already earned an undergraduate certificate in medical billing and coding or you’re just getting started on your education path, our Associate in Health Information Technology program with a Health Information Degree Specialization can help you take the next step toward pursuing the career you want. In addition to building your knowledge of the ICD and CPT coding systems, our experienced professors will help you develop a thorough understanding of health services, the ethical and legal aspects of healthcare, healthcare statistics, information systems and today’s regulatory requirements. 

Built-In RHIT Exam Preparation

As a student in this program, you’ll prepare for AHIMA's Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) certification exam with course HIT279 – RHIT Exam Preparation. This course targets knowledge in the six competency domains tested on the exam using weekly domain exams and a final RHIT mock exam. Once you’ve satisfactorily completed this course with a grade of 85% or higher, DeVry will cover your RHIT exam fee for one exam attempt.

Complimentary Practicum Course and AHIMA Student Membership

Here at DeVry, we want you to be ready to pursue the next steps in your career journey. That’s why our online Health Information Degree Specialization curriculum includes the practicum capstone HIT277 – Health Information Practicum. This complimentary course is designed to help you learn to apply your professional skills in a healthcare setting. Upon enrolling in HIT277, you will also receive a complimentary AHIMA student membership.

Earn Your Degree More Quickly

Ready to get on the fast track toward your future? Here at DeVry, you can earn your Associate in Health Information Technology with a Health Information Specialization in as little as 1 year and 4 months on an accelerated schedule, or follow a normal schedule and complete your program in 2 years.1

1Accelerated schedule is per 12-month period, assumes completion of 3 semesters, enrollment in 12-18 credit hours per semester and continuous, full-time year-round enrollment with no breaks. Normal schedule is per 12-month period, assumes completion of 2 semesters and full-time enrollment in 12-18 credit hours per semester.

Classes Start Every 8 Weeks

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Why DeVry?

Achieve Your Goals at DeVry

Get on the path toward graduation with a university focused on your success. At DeVry, we offer:

100% online program options.

Flexible, around-the-clock access to 24/7 tutoring, e-library resources and our convenient mobile app.

Wellness resources such as confidential mental health support and counseling.

Stackable program options that allow you to apply the qualifying credits you earn now toward a related future program here at DeVry.2

Dedicated Career Services and Student Support Advisors to help you pursue your goals.

  • 01 Knowledge & Skills
  • 02 Stackable Programs
  • 03 Career
  • 04 Program Courses
  • 05 FAQs
  • 06 Catalog Download
Knowledge & Skills

What You'll Learn

Our Associate Degree Program in Health Information Technology with a Health Information Degree Specialization covers the following topics and more:

  • International Classification of Diseases Coding ICD Coding (ICD-10)
    Study the principles and guidelines for using the International Classification of Diseases system (ICD-10-CM) to code diagnoses and procedures. Explore coding ethics, data quality and application of coding principles to electronic record systems.
  • Current Procedural Terminology (CPT Coding)
    Study the principles and guidelines for using the Current Procedural Terminology system for reporting physician and healthcare services, including non-inpatient procedures.
  • Health Information Technology
    Examine principles of clinical quality, utilization review and risk management, as well as organizational approaches and regulatory and accreditation implications of quality assessment activities.
  • Medical Terminology
    Learn medical terminology, including the foundations of words used to describe the human body and its conditions, terminology for medical procedures, the names of commonly prescribed medications and common abbreviations.
  • Medical Records and Health Information Management
    Explore concepts of digital health, health technologies and health information systems within a healthcare organization. Learn about policies, regulations and standards related to managing health information.

Digital Health Core – Curriculum Designed for Today’s Digital Health Careers

As a Health Information Technology student, you’ll develop essential skills through a series of dynamic courses that we call our Digital Health Core. Get hands-on experience working with industry-standard software and simulated patient records as you explore principles used throughout the healthcare ecosystem. Coursework covers topics such as medical terminology, compliance, ethics, electronic medical records, patient privacy and digital aspects of the healthcare delivery system.

Accreditation and Recognition Matters

Our Online Associate Degree Program in Health Information Technology with a Health Information Specialization is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM) https://www.cahiim.org.

Accreditation
Accreditation

Build Your Skills with Stackable Programs

Earn a Credential at Every Step

Want to build your resume while advancing your education? Here at DeVry, many of our programs are designed to stack.2 Stackable programs can help you:

  • Build your resume and professional skills one certificate or degree program at a time.

  • Apply all or most of the courses you’ve completed at DeVry toward a related future program.3

  • Develop a path toward your short- and long-term career goals.

If you’ve already earned an Undergraduate Certificate in Medical Billing and Coding here at DeVry, many of the courses you completed can be applied toward your Associate Degree in Health Information Technology. After earning your associate degree, eligible coursework applies toward our Bachelor’s in Technical Management with a Specialization in Health Information Management. Build your future one step at a time here at DeVry.2

 

Learn More
Bachelor's
122
Credit Hours*
Associate
61
Credit Hours*
Certificate
31
Credit Hours*

*The figures displayed represent the minimum credit hours required for graduation. Additional coursework may be necessary to complete program requirements.

Career

Career Opportunities with a Health Information Degree Specialization

Graduates of our Associate in Health Information Technology program with a Specialization in Health Information may consider careers including, but not limited to:

  • Health Information Manager4

  • Health Information Management Technician

  • Clinical Documentation Specialist

  • Release of Information Specialist

  • Coding Managers4

  • Coding Supervisors4

  • Data Integrity Specialists

     

Learn more about

Careers in Health Information Management

 

4Employment in this occupation may require years of relevant experience.

Pursue a Field with Faster-Than-Average Employment Growth

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars is expected to grow 16% nationally from 2022-2032, much faster than the average job growth rate of 3% for all occupations.5 In addition, employment of Medical Records Specialists is expected to grow 8% nationally during the same timeframe.6

This growth is projected on a national level and local growth will vary by location. This projection is not specific to DeVry University graduates and may include earners at all stages of their careers.

5https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/health-information-technologists-and-medical-registrars.htm
6https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-records-and-health-information-technicians.htm

Program Courses

Health Information Degree Specialization Courses

In this specialization, you’ll explore a variety of online health information classes that cover medical billing and coding knowledge related to ICD and CPT, health information technology concepts and various general education and essential healthcare topics.

Health Information Specialization Courses
Medical Coding
HIT206
CPT Coding with Application
HIT214
ICD Coding I with Application
HIT215
ICD Coding II with Application
Health Information Technology
HIT175
Health Information Technology Application
HIT227
Healthcare Quality and Data Analytics
HIT277
Health Information Practicum Capstone
HIT279
RHIT Exam Preparation
General Degree Courses
Communication skills
ENGL112
Composition
Humanities

One of:

ETHC232
Ethical and Legal Issues in the Professions
ETHC334
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace
Social Sciences
SOCS185
Culture and Society
Mathematics and Natural Sciences
BIOS105
Fundamentals of Human Anatomy and Physiology
BIOS268
Pathopharmacology
MATH114
Algebra for College Students
MATH221
Statistics for Decision-Making
Personal and Professional Development
CARD205
Career Development
HIT101
Professional Skills for Healthcare
Digital Health Core
HIT111
Basic Medical Terminology
HIT125
Electronic Health Records and Digital Health
HIT223
Medical Ethics, Compliance and Patient Privacy
HIT235
Health Insurance Billing and Reimbursement

Health Information Coursework Preview

Here are just a few of the health information classes you’ll explore as a student in this program:

HIT215 – ICD Coding II with Application

The second in a two-course sequence, HIT215 addresses principles, guidelines, definitions and coding conventions of the International Classification of Diseases 10th version Procedural Coding System (ICD-10-PCS). Coursework helps students gain the experience needed to accurately decipher operative statements and build codes in ICD-10-PCS.

HIT206 – CPT Coding with Application

This course introduces students to the principles of Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), which is used to code procedures and services performed by healthcare providers. Through practice exercises, students assign appropriate CPT codes and applicable modifiers as needed.

HIT279 – RHIT Exam Preparation

HIT279 is designed to prepare students for the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) certification exam, which assesses aptitude in six competency domains: data content; structure and information governance; access, disclosure, privacy and security; data analytics and use; revenue cycle management; compliance and leadership. Students complete weekly domain exams and a final RHIT mock exam. DeVry will pay the RHIT exam fee for students who pass this course with an 85% or better.

HIT223 – Medical Ethics, Compliance and Patient Privacy

Examine legal and regulatory issues in healthcare, emphasizing their application in ethical practices, compliance and patient privacy. Explore rights and responsibilities of providers, employees, payers and patients in a healthcare context. Laws and regulations addressing information release and records retention are examined, as are legal and regulatory issues surrounding information confidentiality.

FAQs: Health Information Degree Specialization

What is a health information degree?

A Health Information Degree Specialization earned here at DeVry can help you develop a foundation of medical billing and coding skills or build on the coding knowledge you already have. You’ll learn about ICD and CPT coding systems as well as health services, the ethical and legal aspects of healthcare, healthcare statistics, information systems and regulatory requirements.

Is health information a good career path?

We think so! The healthcare industry is fast-paced and constantly evolving, with technology as the driving force behind many processes and solutions. Earning an Associate Degree Program in Health Information Technology with a Health Information Degree Specialization can be a great way to build your skills so you can prepare to find your place in this dynamic field.

Is health information the same as health informatics?

Not quite. Health information refers to data and knowledge concerning health, diseases and patient care. Health informatics, on the other hand, encompasses a broader field involving the study, application and management of information technology in healthcare, including the acquisition, storage and utilization of health information through informatics methodologies and systems.

Academic Catalog
2023 - 2024 Academic Catalog
View Academic Catalog
Program Guides
Program Overview
View Program Guides

Accreditation and Related Information

The Health Information Management accreditor of DeVry University is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The University’s accreditation for the Associate degree program in Health Information Technology (HIT) has been reaffirmed through 2029-2030. All inquiries about the program’s accreditation status should be directed by mail to CAHIIM, 200 E. Randolph St., Ste. 5100, Chicago, IL, 60601; by phone at 312.235.3255; or by email at [email protected].

As reported on DeVry University’s 2022 CAHIIM Annual Program Assessment Reports, HIT program graduates who were eligible for, and chose to sit for, the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) certification exam had a 51% pass rate for first time test takers in academic year 2021-2022.

Graduation rates for all new full-time students, including transfers, for fall cohorts were: 2008 37%, 2009 34%, 2010 34%, 2011 28%, 2012 33%, 2013 32%, 2014 27% and 2015 36%.

Retention rates for all first-time freshmen, including new transfers, for fall cohorts were: 2014 40%, 2015 54%, 2016 46%, 2017 62%, 2018 63%, 2019 58% and 2020 52%.

Timeframes, Definitions and Calculations

The outcomes below were reported to CAHIIM in April 2023. CAHIIM required only summary data for graduates. A placement rate was not reported. Data was reported for all students who graduated between 7/1/2021 and 6/30/2022. In-field and out-of-field employment includes new employment obtained within a year after graduation. “New employment” is defined as employment obtained no earlier than 6 months prior to graduation. “Existing employment” is defined as employment that existed at the time of enrollment or was obtained more than 6 months prior to graduation.

Timeframes, Definitions and Calculations
Location Program Number of Graduates Number of Graduates Employed within One Year Number of Graduates with New In-Field Employment Number of Graduates with New Out-of-Field Employment Number of Graduates with Existing In-Field Employment7 Number of Graduates Pursuing Further Education
IL Online Associate in Health Information Technology 246 47 27 20 0 4

7"Number of graduates employed in field and out of field” was defined as new employment. Graduates with existing in-field employment was not counted.

Note: DeVry University is required to report employment data to CAHIIM. DeVry University does not guarantee employment. Readers should not make assumptions about their own likelihood of employment based on this data. Attempts were made to obtain employment status information for all graduates. Collected data includes, but is not limited to, the intent to work in a field-related position and, for those who are so employed, the graduate’s start date, title, employer name, duties, hours worked per week and earnings. Information was gathered through a variety of means. Generally, information was gathered from forms graduates completed. Data may also have been collected through in-person, telephone or email interviews with graduates or from third-party sources. DeVry University neither verifies nor guarantees the accuracy of information gathered.

 1Accelerated schedule is per 12-month period, assumes completion of 3 semesters, enrollment in 12-18 credit hours per semester and continuous, full-time year-round enrollment with no breaks. Normal schedule is per 12-month period, assumes completion of 2 semesters and full-time enrollment in 12-18 credit hours per semester.
2At the time of application to the next credential level, an evaluation of qualifying transfer credit will occur and the most beneficial outcome will be applied. Future programmatic changes could impact the application of credits to a future program. Refer to the academic catalog for details.
3For the MBC certificate program, all but one course stacks into our Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology. For the MBC-HIC undergraduate certificate program, all but three courses stack into our Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology. For the AHIT program, all but three courses stack into our Bachelor of Science in Technical Management with a specialization in Health Information Management. Program availability varies by location.
4Employment in this occupation may require years of relevant experience.
5https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/health-information-technologists-and-medical-registrars.htm
6https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-records-and-health-information-technicians.htm
7"Number of graduates employed in field and out of field” was defined as new employment. Graduates with existing in-field employment was not counted.

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DeVry University

In New York, DeVry University operates as DeVry College of New York. DeVry University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), www.hlcommission.org. The University’s Keller Graduate School of Management is included in this accreditation. DeVry is certified to operate by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. Arlington Campus: 1400 Crystal Dr., Ste. 120, Arlington, VA 22202. DeVry University is authorized for operation as a postsecondary educational institution by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, www.tn.gov/thec. Lisle Campus: 4225 Naperville Rd, Suite 400, Lisle, IL 60532. Unresolved complaints may be reported to the Illinois Board of Higher Education through the online complaint system https://complaints.ibhe.org/. View DeVry University’s complaint process   https://www.devry.edu/compliance/student-complaint-procedure.html Program availability varies by location. In site-based programs, students will be required to take a substantial amount of coursework online to complete their program.


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