Health Information Management - A.A.S. Degree/Certificate
Launch Your Career in a Rapidly Growing Healthcare Field
If you would like a unique career in healthcare the field of Health Information Management (HIM) may be right for you. HIM, ACCs newest program involves the administration, accuracy, storage and security of data related to electronic health records (EHRs). It is entwined in every facet of health care and combines aspects of business, science, and information technology.
ACC offers two ways to enter the HIM field:
- an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Health Information Management or
- a Level Two Certificate in Medical Coding
The AAS degree is designed to be completed in five semesters over a period of two years. The Level Two Certificate is a four-semester program that may be completed in eighteen months.
ACC is one of the only colleges in the Gulf-Coast region where you can complete a HIM degree/certificate almost entirely online.* You will receive instruction from experienced, industry- certified faculty that can help you become gainfully employed in the burgeoning field of Health Information Management.
*Biology 2401 & Biology 2402 (Anatomy & Physiology I & II) cannot be completed online. They may be completed at ACC as face-to-face classes or at any institution with equivalent transferable courses.
Apply
Apply now by completing the HIM Application. Applications may be brought to room S108, emailed to him@alvincollege.edu, or mailed to ACC, Attention HIM Department, 3110 Mustang Rd, Alvin, Texas, 77511. A Personal statement should be included with application when turned in. Applicants must be TSI complete.
Information Session
For more information about the Health Information Management Program, attend an information session and meet our staff. HIM information sessions will be held virtually.
| January 24, 2023 | 12:00 pm |
| February 21, 2023 | 12:00 pm |
| March 21, 2023 | 12:00 pm |
| April 4, 2023 | 12:00 pm |
| April 18, 2023 | 12:00 pm |
| May 2, 2023 | 12:00 pm |
| June 6, 2023 | 12:00 pm |
| June 13, 2023 | 12:00 pm |
Information Session Meeting Link
Career Opportunities
HIM professionals work for hospitals, physician’s offices, urgent care facilities, HIM vendors, insurance companies, EHR software companies, and more. According to Emsi, the median hourly earnings for HIM Technicians are $18.70 for the Houston Metropolitan Area and $16.92 for the Brazoria and Galveston County regions. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) reported in 2017 that the annual mean wage was $41,510 for the State of Texas.
According to the BLS, the need for health information technicians to organize health data will continue to grow. In 2017, there were 17,688 reported jobs in Medical Records and HIM in the state of Texas. By 2021 projections indicate there will be 19,852 jobs, a 12.2% increase. Additionally, the demand for cancer registrars and claims for insurance reimbursement will continue to drive the need for this profession in all areas of healthcare. As the demand grows, so does the need for highly trained individuals possessing health information knowledge and skills.
For more information on career opportunities in Health Information Management, please visit Career Coach where you can explore the local job market, take a career assessment, and build a resumé.
What Will I Study?
Upon completion of the program, you will be able to:
- Apply critical thinking skills to identify accurate documentation and abstract information pertaining to diagnosis and medical procedures at the highest level of specificity in ICD-10 CM, ICD-10 PCS, HCPCS and CPT code sets.
- Demonstrate professional communication skills using clear verbal communication, applying effective listening skills, and educating health providers and staff regarding Health Information Management.
- Demonstrate Health Information Management technology skills by referencing third party websites for eligibility and pre-authorization, abstracting information from practice management/electronic health records systems, and prepare billing utilizing coding encoder systems.
- Collaborate with Health Care Team members by showing initiative, demonstrating accountability for assigned tasks and showing respect for other team members.
- Display an awareness and respect of diversity in the healthcare setting through identification of cultural and background differences among co-workers.
- Model essential employability skills by using coding knowledge to attain certification through AAPC or AHIMA.
| HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE (A.A.S.) 60 credit hours |
|
| FIRST YEAR - FIRST SEMESTER (FALL) | CREDITS |
| +BIOL 2401 – Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 |
|
+ENGL 1301 - Composition I |
3 |
|
HITT 1305 – Medical Terminology I |
3 |
|
HITT 1301 – Health Data Content & Structure |
3 |
| SECOND SEMESTER (SPRING) | |
|
+BIOL 2402 – Anatomy & Physiology II |
4 |
|
HITT 1345 – Health Care Delivery Systems |
3 |
|
HITT 2330 – Pathophysiology & Pharmacology |
3 |
|
MATH 1342 – Elementary Statistical Methods |
3 |
| THIRD SEMESTER (SUMMER) | |
|
HITT 1253 – Legal & Ethical Aspects of Health Information |
2 |
|
HITT 1355 – Health Care Statistics |
3 |
|
HITT 2335 – Coding & Reimbursement Methodologies |
3 |
|
BCIS 1305 – Business Computer Applications |
3 |
| SECOND YEAR - FIRST SEMESTER (FALL) | |
|
HITT 1211 – Health Information Systems |
2 |
|
HITT 1341 – Coding & Classification Systems |
3 |
|
HITT 2239 – Health Information Organization & Supervision |
2 |
|
HITT 2343 – Quality Assessment & Performance Improvement |
3 |
|
+Select from PSYC 2301– General Psychology or +SOCI 1301– Introduction to Sociology |
3 |
| SECOND SEMESTER (SPRING) | |
|
*HITT 2249 – RHIT Competency Review |
2 |
|
HITT 2260 – Clinical-Health Information/Medical Records Tech |
2 |
|
HITT 2346 – Advanced Medical Coding |
3 |
|
+Select from Creative Arts Core Curriculum or +Select from Language, Philosophy & Culture Core Curriculum |
3 |
| HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT (A.A.S.) DEGREE – CREDIT HOURS |
60 |
+Denotes core requirement. Speak with Department Chair or Academic Advisor for proper
course selection.
*Capstone course.
| MEDICAL CODING LEVEL II CERTIFICATE 38 credit hours |
|
| FIRST YEAR - FIRST SEMESTER (FALL) | CREDITS |
|
+BIOL 2401 – Anatomy & Physiology I |
4 |
|
HITT 1305 – Medical Terminology I |
3 |
|
HITT 1301 – Health Data Content/Structure |
3 |
| SECOND SEMESTER (SPRING) | |
|
HITT 1345 – Health Care Delivery Systems |
3 |
|
HITT 1341 – Coding & Classification Systems |
3 |
|
HITT 2330 – Pathophysiology & Pharmacology |
3 |
|
+BIOL 2402 – Anatomy & Physiology II |
4 |
| THIRD SEMESTER (SUMMER) | |
|
HITT 1253 – Legal & Ethical Aspects of Health Information |
2 |
|
HITT 1211 – Health Information Systems |
2 |
|
HITT 2335 – Coding and Reimbursement Methodologies |
3 |
|
BCIS 1305 – Business Computer Applications |
3 |
|
SECOND YEAR - FIRST SEMESTER (FALL) |
|
|
HITT 2346 – Advanced Medical Coding |
3 |
|
HITT 2260 – Clinical–Health Information/Medical Records Tech |
2 |
| MEDICAL CODING LEVEL II CERTIFICATE – CREDIT HOURS | 38 |
*Capstone course.
The Health Information Management A.A.S. degree program costs approximately $4900 per year for in-district students and $7800 per year for those out-of-district. This includes tuition and fees. Additional fees for books and supplies may vary.
The Medical Coding Level II Certificate program costs approximately $3400 per year for in-district students and $5100 per year for those out-of-district. This includes tuition and fees. Additional fees for books and supplies may vary.
For more information on education costs, payment options, payment plans, deadlines and more, visit our Tuition and Fees section.
Financial assistance is available for those who qualify. For more information, visit our Financial Aid section.
*Alvin Community College may change tuition rates and other fees without notice or when so directed by the Board of Regents.
The Health Information Management accreditor of Alvin Community College is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The College's accreditation for Associate degree in Health Information Management has been reaffirmed through 2029-2030.
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 info@cahiim.org. 
200 East Randolph Street
Suite 5100
Chicago, IL 60601-5800
Phone: (312) 235-3255
Email: info@cahiim.org
Students seeking the Coding Certificate can sit for the coding credential from the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) or American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)
| Year | Graduate Rate | Employment Rate | Retention Rate |
Student Satisfaction Rate |
| 2021-2022 | 100% | 100% | 77% | 100% |
| Year | Graduate Rate |
Employer/Student Satisfaction Rate |
Retention Rate | Attrition Rate |
| 2020-2021 | 100% | 100% | 57% | 50% |
| 2019-2020 |
Program began 2019, no data to report |
Program began 2019, no data to report |
33% | 50% |
COLLEGE & CAREER PATHWAYS
Health Information Management is part of our Health Career Pathway. Click the box below to see other Health programs that may interest you.