Health Sciences

Female smiling HIT hero

Health Information Technician (HIT)

Associate's Degree

Online Program

Next Start Dates
November 06, 2024
January 06, 2025
Apply By
November 04, 2024
January 02, 2025

18 months finish in as few as2

67% of program requirements may be completed by credit for prior learning11

CAHIIM accredited online3

Launch Your Health Information Career Journey

Prepare for a career that combines healthcare and technology to make a real impact in patients’ experience. Our Health Information Associate’s degree online (HIT program) lays the building blocks for career growth, further education and a future in management. You'll gain advanced skills in information policy, revenue cycle management, data management, healthcare technologies and more in this Health Information Technician degree.

In Rasmussen University's HIT Associate of Applied Science (AAS) program, you can:

  • Gain practical skills in virtual labs and a real work setting
  • Use state-of-the-art health information technology and software
  • Collaborate with experts in the healthcare profession
  • Prepare for the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT®) exam45
  • Seamlessly transfer into our Health Information Management Bachelor’s degree

Already have your Medical Billing and Coding Certificate from Rasmussen University? That means you can save time and money by completing your Health Information Technician degree in as few as 9 months1 with only 15 courses.

Let’s Get Started

Take me to:

What Jobs Can I Pursue with an HIT Associate’s degree?

In our HIT program, you’ll be preparing to further advance to the Bachelor’s degree and to enter the field in roles like these:

  • Health information technician
  • Health information data collection and analysis specialist
  • Medical coder/biller-analyst/auditor
  • Electronic health records (EHR) specialist
  • Compliance auditor/specialist
  • Patient care coordinator
  • Release of information specialist
  • Revenue cycle reimbursement specialist

With a Health Information Technology degree, you can pursue an in-demand career in healthcare settings, such as:

  • Hospitals
  • Insurance companies
  • Health information technology vendors

Why Choose Rasmussen University?

Designed by industry experts, our Health Information Technician Associate’s degree will help you gain the skills, education and certification prep to help grow your career in health information.

Logo: CAHIIM accreditation

  • Accredited online by the Commission Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).3 Learn more about CAHIIM campus accreditation
  • Balance work, life and school with fully online courses and an on-ground professional practice experience
  • Save time and money with transfer credits and $149 self-directed assessments that allow you to prove you have the skills taught in a particular course and don't need to take it
  • Focus on both data management and revenue management—other programs may only emphasize one. We want you to be versatile and knowledgeable, from collecting and protecting patient health information to managing vital clinical aspects of claims, payment and revenue
  • Gain hands-on experience with AHIMA® virtual labs to test your skills and sharpen your decision-making
  • Analyze electronic health records (EHR) and examine case studies, real-world coding scenarios, hands-on activities and projects for a first-hand look at industry technology
  • Develop skills in computer applications, statistics and analytics
  • Collaborate with experienced faculty who want you to succeed in a supportive environment

Practice in Real-Time

Not only are you studying the material in our HIT program—you’re also getting a variety of practice experiences in a professional health information setting in your community. Through state-of-the-art AHIMA® virtual labs in our HIT program, you'll utilize the latest health information technology in a simulated work setting.

Continue to Advance

An HIT Associate’s degree can be the first step in your health information path. You’ll be prepared for entry-level roles in the field—and perfectly positioned to complete our Health Information Management Bachelor’s degree in preparation for leadership roles.

Pursue Certification

Our Health Information Technician Associate’s degree prepares you to take the AHIMA Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT®) exam with confidence.4 Plus, the application fee for each qualified student’s first exam attempt is included in the total program costs.5

Two females conversing HIT

What Do Courses Look Like?

In this Health Information Technician degree, you’ll learn through online interactive sessions with faculty and peers, authentic assessments to test what you know, AHIMA® virtual labs and a professional practice experience in a simulated healthcare setting.

Sample Courses

  • Revenue Cycle Management (HIM 2135)
    • Analyze the revenue life cycle from initial patient contact through final reimbursement and auditing.
    • Examine the services, job functions and responsibilities involved in revenue cycle process, functions and management, as well as financial controls.
  • Data Analytics and Informatics in Healthcare (HIM 2624C)
    • Manage data within a database and assess methodologies related to health information management to meet stakeholder needs, taking national standards into consideration.
    • Evaluate data to identify trends and format health data using various industry visual displays and presentation tools.
  • Management and Leadership in Health Information (HIM 2515)
    • Prepare to manage health information services and personnel, as well as performance of entry-level supervisory and management functions.
    • Topics include ethical standards of practice, cultural diversity, organizational change impacts, human resource strategies, cultural diversity and more.
  • 25 Courses to Complete // 90 Credit Hours

View Full Course Listing

What Skills Will I Gain?

Health information is any data related to a patient’s medical history, including symptoms, diagnoses, procedures and outcomes. In our HIT degree program, you’ll have a full understanding of the health information life cycle.

  • Patient Information Management

    Manage patient-specific data to ensure the privacy and security of confidential health information and utilizing policies and technology.

  • Revenue Cycle Management

    Determine diagnoses and procedure codes to support billing within revenue cycle processes.

  • Data Management

    Perform healthcare data collection, analysis, presentation and reporting utilizing health information databases and technology.

  • Healthcare Technologies

    Utilize technologies for health information management functions with an understanding of emerging consumer engagement technologies, such as telehealth, patient portals and social media.

Resilience in Education—Christina’s Story of Perseverance

Despite a childhood overshadowed by struggle, Christina used her determination to succeed in her education. She used the expert support and resources Rasmussen offered to not only advance her career, but also to inspire her kids.

“Going through the programs really helped me to have more confidence because I struggled, but then I overcame it. That helped to build me up as a person.”

Christina N. :30 video

View transcript(Scroll to see full transcript)

Enrolling in Rasmussen was a really big turning point in my life. When you go to school online, you're not in a classroom, but I never really felt like I was disconnected from my professors.

In addition to the professors, there was tutoring, there was student support, there was the help desk, so in every single aspect, you had support.

It's an amazing school. I would highly recommend it to anybody looking to go to college. ♪ I'm right where I belong ♪

Climb the Educational Ladder to Your Career

Our Health Information studies programs let you start at the point that works best for you, complete that Certificate or degree, then smoothly transition to the next degree. You’re not just completing your Associate’s degree—you’re saving time and money by finishing half of your Bachelor’s degree and advancing on the path toward a leadership role improving health information processes and patient care.

  • Certificate: Medical Billing and Coding

    Start here if:

    You’re just entering the field and looking for a shorter program that could lead to a healthcare role. This is a great stepping stone toward your Associate’s degree and a future career in medical billing and coding.6

    Finish in as few as:

    9 months2

    Career Opportunities:

    • Medical Biller
    • Medical Coder
    • Medical Insurance Claims Clerk/Specialist
    • Medical Collections Specialist
    • Patient Services Representative/Navigator
    • Patient Access Representative
    • Patient Registrar
    • Medical Record Clerk

    View Certificate details

  • Associate’s Degree: Health Information Technician

    Start here if:

    You’re ready to learn more about managing patient data, revenue cycle, and billing and coding. You're also interested in pursuing the RHIT® exam.4

    Finish in as few as:

    18 months2

    Career Opportunities:

    • Health Information Technician
    • Health Information Data Collection and Analysis Specialist
    • Medical Coder / Biller Analyst / Auditor
    • Electronic Health Records Specialist
    • Compliance Auditor / Specialist
    • Patient Care Coordinator
    • Release of Information Specialist
    • Revenue Cycle Reimbursement Specialist

    View Associate’s degree details

  • Bachelor’s Degree: Health Information Management

    Start here if:

    You have your Associate's degree in health information or in another subject with your RHIT credential. You're interested in a higher leadership role and want to prepare for the RHIA® exam.11

    Finish in as few as:

    18 months2

    Career Opportunities:

    • Health Information Services Manager
    • Privacy Officer
    • Health Information Applications and EHR Implementation Specialist
    • Clinical / Healthcare Informatics Analyst / Specialist
    • Compliance Officer / Auditor
    • Revenue Cycle Reimbursement Manager
    • Health Information Management Specialist
    • Clinical Documentation Specialist

    View Bachelor’s degree details

  • Master’s Degree: Choose Your Path

    Master’s degree programs to consider:

    Master of Business Administration (MBA) >
    Master of Healthcare Administration >
    Master of Public Health >

    Sample MBA job titles:

    • Business analytics and intelligence
    • Business and project management
    • Client relations
    • Education
    • Financial management
    • Government services
    • Healthcare administration
    • Human resources

    Sample MHA job titles:

    • Admissions coordinator or director
    • Clinical director
    • Health services manager
    • Hospital administrator
    • Long-term care administrator
    • Medical services manager
    • Practice manager

Online by Design

Rasmussen University courses are online and rich in interactive learning to give you more control and balance in your life.

Support to Make it Work

From 24/7 tech support, experienced tutors and career services to library and learning services with over 400,000 ebooks and electronic reference materials, we’re dedicated to a robust learning community.

Transferable Skills

In addition to health information studies, you’ll enhance your skills in critical thinking, digital fluency, information literacy, communication, diversity, equity and inclusion, and ethics and professional responsibility in this HIT program.

Take the Next Step—Talk to Us!

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Knowledge Credit®

67% of program requirements may be completed by transfer credits, course waivers, self-directed assessments or other opportunities.10

Get Credit for What You Know

Transfer Credits

Get an estimate of your transfer credits without an official transcript in one business day (on average).
Female working at computer HIT 1

Education Built for Working Adults

Hands typing on laptop HIT 2

Self-Directed Assessments

Show that you have already achieved the skills for a course and don't need to take it. Your potential savings could be over $10,000!7

Online

Online courses with a required in-person practicum experience in your final term gives you more control—over your schedule, your work space and your pace.

Affordable Education

Tuition & Savings

Do the Math:

With eight start dates a year and a total of 25 courses—full-time students can finish in as few as 18 months.2

$307 cost per full-time credit
x 90 total credits
_______________________
$27,630 total full-time tuition
+ $5,625 total fees
_______________________
$33,255 full-time estimated total program cost

Learn more about the financial aid cost of attendance (COA).

Explore Our Tuition Estimator Tool

Other Ways to Save

Higher education should be a manageable investment. Talk to an admissions advisor and learn how our programs are designed to be more affordable with Knowledge Credit® through transfer credits, self-directed assessments, and military training or professional certification. Plus, save more with loans and grants, scholarship opportunities, and military discounts for those who qualify. Find more about:

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Entrance Requirements

Entrance requirements for the School of Health Sciences vary by program. This program is not available to residents of all states. To learn more and receive help planning your healthcare career path, contact an admissions advisor who will speak to you about: immunizations, background checks and TEAS scores.

Talk to an Admissions Advisor

Accreditation

Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)

The Health Information Management accreditor of Rasmussen University is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The University’s accreditation for the Associate degree in Health Information Technician has been reaffirmed through 2030. 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 [email protected].

Additional accreditation details

Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education
200 East Randolph Street
Suite 5100
Chicago, IL 60601
312-235-3255

Graduate Programmatic Outcome Rates

Graduate Programmatic Outcome Rate, Student Satisfaction Rate and Programmatic Graduation Rate for the Health Information Technician Associate’s Degree Program.

Health Information Technician Associate’s Degree Program Outcome Rates
CampusGraduate Programmatic Outcome Rate 1a Student Satisfaction Rate 2a Programmatic Graduation Rate 3a
Campus: Rasmussen University Online Graduate Programmatic Outcome Rate 1a : 76.9% Student Satisfaction Rate 2a : 98.8% Programmatic Graduation Rate 3a : 39.6%
  • 1a Graduate Programmatic Outcome Rates are based on July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2021, as reported in the 2022 CAHIIM Annual Program Assessment Report. Measured at 12 months post-graduation and includes those employed in their field of study, in a position that required their degree, or those continuing their education. It does not specify that each graduate was placed by Rasmussen University in their current position; some graduates find jobs on their own while others maintain previously held employment. This rate excludes graduates who were unavailable due to military service, a medical condition, an international location, or are incarcerated or deceased.
  • 2a Student/Graduate Satisfaction Rates are for the time period July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2021, based on programmatic and institution surveys returned from program graduates as reported in the 2022 CAHIIM Annual Program Assessment Report.
  • 3a Programmatic Graduation Rates: Percentage of starts between April 2019 and March 2020 that graduated from the program in 1.5 times the recommended length of the program. The program listed below is accredited by CAHIIM. The Health Information Management accreditor of Rasmussen University is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).

    The Health Information Technician program at Rasmussen University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM) based on their associate-level Health Information Management standards and is reaffirmed through the following date:
    • Rasmussen University Online, through 2030
    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 [email protected].

You've Got Questions, We've Got Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What does a health information technician do?

    Health information is the data related to a person’s medical history, including symptoms, diagnoses, procedures and outcomes. Health information professionals are highly trained in the latest information management technology applications and understand the workflow process in healthcare provider organizations.8  These professionals are vital to the daily operations management of health information and electronic health records (EHRs).8

  • Where do health information technicians work?

    The adoption and expansion of electronic medical records systems means this kind of work is needed in almost any healthcare facility, from hospitals and insurance companies to health information vendors, clinics, physician's offices and more.

  • Is health information technology a good career?

    The projected growth of medical records and health information technician jobs from 2021–2031 is projected to grow faster than average—at 17% versus an average of 5% for other jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.9

  • What are AHIMA® Virtual Labs?

    Rasmussen University utilizes AHIMA® virtual labs to help students prepare for the workplace. Courses designed specifically for the lab applications allow students to test their skills and decision-making abilities.

    The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) is a global nonprofit of health information professionals who work with health data for more than a billion patient visits each year. For nearly a century, AHIMA has helped improve health record quality by taking a leadership role in the effective management of health data and information and delivering quality healthcare to the public.

  • How does professional practice experience work in an online program?

    Our HIT Associate's degree program allows you to gain professional practice experience in a healthcare work setting in your own community—possibly at your own organization. If needed, we can help you identify your professional practice experience location.

  • What is the RHIT® certification exam?

    The Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT®) exam is an in-demand industry certification exam taken through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA®). The RHIT certification exam test your knowledge and skills in the health information field.

    In our HIT Associate's degree program, you'll be prepared to take the RHIT® exam. Plus, the application fee for each qualified student’s first exam attempt is included in the total program costs.5

  • How long does it take to get an Associate’s degree in Health Information Technician?

    You can complete your Health Information Technician Associate’s degree in as few as 18 months.2

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