Accreditation

The Health Information Management accreditor of SUNY Westchester is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The college’s accreditation for Associate Degree in Health Information Technology has been granted through 2031. All inquiries about the program’s accreditation status should be directed by mail to:

Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management (CAHIIM)
200 East Randolph Street, Suite 5100
Chicago, IL  60601
312.975.2401    
https://www.cahiim.org/

Student Outcomes (graduation rate, employment rate, academic transfer):

Fact Book - SUNY Westchester Community College (sunywcc.edu)

Program Description

The Health Information Technology program at Westchester Community College (WCC) was developed in response to increased demand for Health Information Technologists by local healthcare communities, STEM program needs, and our students desire to seek credentials in the field.  The overarching goal of the program is to provide students with a path to becoming a credentialed member of the HIM community. 

The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Health Information Technology provides students with the knowledge and skills to analyze, organize, and disseminate health information. Students are prepared to manage patient data in a diverse range of health care settings. Certificates in Medical Coding  and Medical Billing , offered by Westchester Community College, may be utilized as “stackable credentials,” and be applied toward the A.A.S. in Health Information Technology.

Using online synchronous or virtual experiences, students learn about the protection of personal health records, data analysis and the use of computer applications to record, integrate and report patient data for reimbursement and compliance facility planning, marketing, risk management, utilization management, quality assurance, and research.

Health Information Technicians work with other professionals to ensure that the documentation gathered is complete, accurate and timely. Health Information Technicians work in hospitals, office-based physician practices, nursing homes, home health agencies, mental health facilities, insurance companies, government agencies, technology firms, both inpatient and ambulatory healthcare systems, and public health agencies. Employment of health information technicians is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations and demand is expected to increase as the population ages.

Program Note

• Coursework for the Health Information Technology A.A.S. program is largely offered in the evening as a hybrid learning experience which blends online synchronous and asynchronous experiences.
• The new A.A.S. has been developed to conform to the highest standards of the profession. The program will be pursuing accreditation from The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).
• Upon successful completion of the Health Information Technology Program, the graduate will be eligible to take the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) exam. With experience, the RHIT credential holds excellent potential for professional advancement.
• Students must receive a grade of “C” or better in all Health Information Technology (HIT) courses to continue in the program and earn the degree.

Program Requirements

61 credits are required for the degree:

• General Education - 21 credits
• Required Degree Courses - 40 credits

General Education Requirements - 21 Credits

• Communication - Written and Oral (3 credits): ENG 101 - Writing and Research  
   
• Humanities (3 credits):  ENG 102 - Writing and Literature  
   
• Mathematics (and Quantitative Reasoning) (3 credits):  MATH 117 - College Quantitative Reasoning  
   
• Natural Sciences (and Scientific Reasoning) (3 credits):  HIT 110 - Health Sciences 1  
   
• Diversity: Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice; and Social Sciences (3 credits): choose from  ANTHR 101 - Cultural Anthropology , SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology  OR SOC 101H - Introduction to Sociology - Honors 
   
• The Arts, World Languages, OR Social Sciences (3 credits): choose from any category, The Arts , World Languages , or Social Sciences  
   
• US History and Civic Engagement OR World History and Global Awareness (3 credits): choose from either category, US History/Civic Engagement  or World History/Global Awareness  

Where specific courses are not listed within the categories above, courses must be selected from the list of all General Education Courses  . 

Required Degree Courses - 40 credits

• BTECH 230 - Integrated Office Applications  
• HCTAL 101 - Medical Terminology  
• HIT 120 - Introduction to Health Information Management  
• HIT 130 - Health Sciences 2  
• HIT 140 - Health Care Reimbursement  
• HIT 150 - Advanced Health Information  
• HIT 210 - Intro to ICD-10  
• HIT 220 - CPT-4/HCPCS  
• HIT 230 - Advanced ICD - 10  
• HIT 250 - Professional Practice Experience 1: Coding  
• HIT 260 - Health Information Technologies  
• HIT 270 - Healthcare Statistics & Research  
• HIT 280 - Health Leadership and Management  
• HIT 290 - Professional Practice Experience 2: Internship  

Program Map

The program map is a recommended semester-by-semester schedule of courses based on degree requirements and serve as a general guideline to help students complete their program in two years. Although designed for full-time enrollment, these are easily adaptable for part-time study. For additional, individualized guidance, students should review Degree Works and consult an Academic Counselor or Faculty Advisor to ensure they are on track to complete their program.

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

Semester 4

Semester 5

Minimum Total Credits: 61

Transfer Opportunities

Westchester Community College is committed to facilitating a smooth transfer process to ensure that graduates of the college are prepared to transfer with junior status, and are able to complete a bachelor’s degree within two years of full-time study upon transfer. View 4-year institutions’ transfer agreement information by program here.

Career Opportunities

Visit Career Coach to explore career paths, job descriptions, salary trends, and job trends.

Visit the Career Services page for more career resources.