• The Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology program blends online coursework with on-ground clinical experiences.* The objective of this degree program is to help prepare graduates with the knowledge, technical skills, and work habits required to pursue entry-level positions in the competitive and growing health information management field.† 

    Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology Program Highlights

    The curriculum emphasizes:

    • Processing, maintaining, compiling, and reporting health information data for patient care, reimbursement, facility planning, marketing, risk management, quality assessment, and research
    • Medical coding and abstracting procedures
    • Supervisory and legal aspects of health information
    • Professional behaviors and problem solving
    • The use of computers in these areas

    The Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology program offered onsite and in Hagerstown as well as online is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). CAHIIM can be contacted at:

    223 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 2150
    Chicago, IL 60601
    Tel: 312.233.1100

    In order to sit for American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) professional exams, students must successfully complete a formal educational program accredited by CAHIIM. AHIMA exams are not required for all career paths—it is the ultimate responsibility of the student to determine state and federal licensure and accreditation requirements. 

    Gain Real-World Experience

    Prior to graduation, you will be required to complete an externship at a real-world health care facility to gain valuable on-the-job experience that many health care employers demand.

    What are the Career Opportunities?

    Graduates of this program may:

    • Abstract health records and compile reports on health care services
    • Assign code numbers to diagnoses and procedures for indexing health data and processing bills
    • Answer legal, government, insurance, and other inquiries for patient health information
    • Organize, analyze, and evaluate health record content for completeness and accuracy
    • Review and evaluate health records to assist with meeting accreditation guidelines
    • Release patient information in accordance with applicable laws
    • Supervise human resources

    Accreditation Notice

    The Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology program offered onsite in Hagerstown is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). Kaplan University is pursuing CAHIIM accreditation for the online Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology, which is currently in candidacy status. CAHIIM can be contacted at: 

    223 North Michigan Avenue
    Suite 2150
    Chicago, IL 60601
    Tel: 312.233.1183 

    In order to sit for American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) professional exams, students must successfully complete a formal educational program accredited by CAHIIM. AHIMA exams are not required for all career paths—it is the ultimate responsibility of the student to determine state and federal licensure and accreditation requirements.
     

  • Kaplan University offers multiple start dates, giving you greater flexibility with your education, life, and work schedules.

    Jun 05

    Online Start Date
    Jun 05, 2013

    Jul 03

    Online and Hagerstown Start Date
    Jul 03, 2013

    View the Academic Calendar

  • Curriculum: All Tracks

    Core

    100/200 LEVEL: COMMUNICATION COURSE (5  Credits)

    Total Core Credits: 15
    Total Program Credits: 92

    100/200 LEVEL: MATHEMATICS COURSE (5 Credits)

    Total Core Credits: 15
    Total Program Credits: 92

    200 LEVEL: COMMUNICATION COURSE (5 Credits)

    Total Core Credits: 15
    Total Program Credits: 92

    Major

    HS 100: INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH SCIENCE (5 Credits)

    In this required introductory course, students will identify current issues in health science and how they relate to chosen health science professions. Educational and credentialing requirements will be defined for health science occupations. Students will create a personal education plan, choosing appropriate electives and identifying specific career optionsbased on personal goals and research of the profession. Professional traits and skills for success in the field will be explored as well as discussion of roles and responsibilities of selected health professionals.

    Total Major Credits: 72
    Total Program Credits: 92

    HI 125: HEALTH CARE DELIVERY AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT (5 Credits)

    This course introduces the history and development of the health information field and an overview of the American Health Information Management Association. The evolution of health care delivery systems, storage and retrieval methods, development of the health record, accrediting and licensing requirements, patient indexing, and typical health information functions and positions are also taught in this course.

    Total Major Credits: 72
    Total Program Credits: 92

    HI 135: LEGAL ASPECTS OF HEALTH INFORMATION (5 Credits)

    This course introduces students to legal issues encountered by health information professionals including the topics of confidentiality and how to protect it, adhering to state and federal laws, responding to subpoenas and court orders, and provides an overview of the U.S. Court System.

    Prerequisites Required: HI 125

    Total Major Credits: 72
    Total Program Credits: 92

    HI 150: AUTOMATION OF HEALTH INFORMATION (5 Credits)

    This course provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to work within a computerized health care environment. It reinforces basic skills in applications (e.g., spreadsheets and databases), allows the health information professional to converse with IT personnel, and explores the electronic health record processes, security, and issues.

    Prerequisites Required: HI 125 and HS 115

    Total Major Credits: 72
    Total Program Credits: 92

    HI 165: HEALTH INFORMATION PRACTICUM (2 Credits)

    In this health information clinical practicum, students will be provided an opportunity to gain practical experience within health care facilities under the supervision of an HIM professional or other qualified individual, and through use of the HIM laboratory and utilizing health information-specific software.

    Prerequisites Required: HI 150

    Total Major Credits: 72
    Total Program Credits: 92

    HI 215: REIMBURSEMENT METHODOLOGIES (3 Credits)

    The focus of this course is on the use of computers for medical billing and claim submission. Information is presented on various medical insurance plans. In addition, students learn how to appropriately make referrals to specialists and other paraprofessionals while following insurance guidelines and regulations.

    Total Major Credits: 72
    Total Program Credits: 92

    HI 230: QUALITY ASSURANCE AND STATISTICS IN HEALTH INFORMATION (5 Credits)

    In this course, students study performance improvement and quality assessment concepts as they relate to health information. Team concepts, risk management, utilization management, accreditation and licensure, data quality issues, and patient outcomes are important topics in this course. Students will compute health care and vital statistics from health care data and display data graphically. 

    Prerequisites Required: HI 135 and HI 165

    Total Major Credits: 72
    Total Program Credits: 92

    HI 255: MEDICAL CODING II (5 Credits)

    This course is a continuation of HS 225: Medical Coding I, progressing to more complicated topics such as cerebrovascular coding, respiratory system coding, congenital anomalies, V-codes, late effects, and pregnancies. The course also focuses on applying coding guidelines for statistical and reimbursement purposes, “present on admission,” and severity of illness considerations, and the use of coding references to ensure coding compliance.

    Prerequisites Required: HS 225

    Total Major Credits: 72
    Total Program Credits: 92

    HS 111: MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY (5 Credits)

    This course provides a logical understanding of the language of medicine. Basic prefixes, suffixes, word roots, and rules for taking a singular term and making it plural are studied, along with word analysis, word building, spelling, and pronunciation. These principles are applied to study the following systems: integumentary, skeletal, muscle/joints, blood and lymphatic, nervous, respiratory, and cardiovascular. Each body system is reviewed with anatomy and physiology; diagnostic, lab, and surgical procedures; as well as pharmacology for interest and knowledge.

    Total Major Credits: 72
    Total Program Credits: 92

    HS 115: SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS (3 Credits)

    This course introduces and provides basic practice in the three most commonly used applications in health care: word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation. Emphasis is placed on the utilization of these programs in a health care environment and by health care professionals.

    Total Major Credits: 72
    Total Program Credits: 92

    HS 120: ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I (5 Credits)

    This course is an integrated study of the human body. The focus is on understanding the interrelated nature of the systems of the body. This includes the concept of homeostasis as well as the relationship between structure and function. This course encompasses the anatomy of selected systems as well as the physiology and terminology as applied to the body. The course presents the chemical basis of life and provides a basic understanding of cells, cellular metabolism, and tissue composition and functions. The course also includes the study of the structures and functions of the following systems: integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine, and senses.

    Total Major Credits: 72
    Total Program Credits: 92

    HS 130: ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY II (5 Credits)

    This course is the continuation of integrated study of the human body. This course encompasses the anatomy of selected systems as well as the physiology and terminology as applied to the body. The course also includes the study of the structures and functions of the following systems: circulatory, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive.

    Prerequisites Required:

    HS 120

    Total Major Credits: 72
    Total Program Credits: 92

    HS 200: DISEASES OF THE HUMAN BODY (5 Credits)

    Studies include the most common diseases of bodily systems, including disease etiology, symptoms, diagnostic tests, therapeutic methods, and disease prognosis. Students also study alternative treatments and pain management.

    Prerequisites Required: HS 130 or PU 120

    Total Major Credits: 72
    Total Program Credits: 92

    HS 225: MEDICAL CODING I (4 Credits)

    This course focuses on established medical diagnosis and procedural coding systems including a study of nomenclature versus classification systems, basic coding principles, and application of coding guidelines in outpatient and inpatient settings.

    Prerequisites Required: HI 215, or HS 200 and MR 160 (MR 160 can be completed as a corequisite)

    Total Major Credits: 72
    Total Program Credits: 92

    MR 160: PHARMACOLOGY AND LABORATORY MEDICINE (5 Credits)

    This course focuses on the broad field of pharmacology. Students study drug classes with an emphasis on the most commonly prescribed drugs including their indication, mechanism of action, and doses. Methods and routes of administration are explored. The course also covers diagnostic tests and laboratory procedures for common diseases. The identification of normal laboratory values and how to select and interpret an appropriate reference source are also included.

    Prerequisites Required: 100/200-level mathematics course and HS 200

    Total Major Credits: 72
    Total Program Credits: 92

    HI 295: HEALTH INFORMATION EXTERNSHIP/CAPSTONE (5 Credits)

    Successful completion of this course will require 90 hours of clinical and administrative experience at an approved health care setting. Through this externship and capstone experience, students will gain clinical experience in departmental organization, assembly, analysis, filing and retrieval, release of information, health care systems, the coding process, quality improvement, risk management, and teamwork in health care. In addition, students will gain experience with basic management functions. Students will be evaluated on the performance of expected competencies at the end of the course. The course requires the submission of the completed Externship/Capstone Experience Project.

    Prerequisites Required: Final term and completion of all prior courses in the program

    Total Major Credits: 72
    Total Program Credits: 92

    Open Elective

    OPEN ELECTIVE (5 Credits)

    Total Open Elective Credits: 5
    Total Program Credits: 92

    Tuition & Fees: All Tracks

    The 25% tuition reduction applies only to international students living outside of the United States. This discount does not apply to military students. Please check with your advisor to see if you are eligible. 

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    Tuition and Fees

    Some programs have additional associated fees that are not included in the price of tuition. Click here or check with an Admissions Advisor for more information. 

    Learn More about Kaplan University Tuition and Fees  

    Notice to Learning Center Students

    Kaplan University Learning Center students will only complete a portion of this program on site. You will need to complete at least 50% of the program requirements online, or through transfer credit awarded via prior learning assessment. If you have any questions about these requirements, please speak with an admissions advisor.

    Scholarships and Grants

    Learn more about grants and Kaplan University Scholarships and that may help reduce the cost of your education.

    Kaplan University tuition reductions (including active-duty, spouse, and veterans military tuition rates; scholarships; grants; vouchers; and alumni and alliance reductions) cannot be combined. 

    Tuition Rates for Military Students and Spouses

    Kaplan University has significantly reduced many of our tuition rates and fees for active-duty servicemembers, their spouses, and veterans. Click here for more information.
     

  • Some states have additional curricular requirements. Check the University Catalog or speak with an Admissions Advisor.

  • * Some Kaplan University programs are not 100 percent online; some programs require you to gain hands-on experience in a real-world work environment.

    † Kaplan University cannot guarantee employment or career advancement.

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