Best Online Associate in Health Information Technology

Heathcare Information Technology Associate Degrees

A health information technology degree can lead to a rewarding career in healthcare by blending biological sciences, computer technology, and healthcare management.

A health information technology degree builds the knowledge and skills necessary for entry-level positions in an expanding healthcare field. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 15% growth rate for healthcare occupations from 2019-2029.

An associate degree in healthcare information technology provides a foundation for continuing onto a bachelor's degree in the field. Keep reading for the rankings of the best online associate degrees in health information technology.

What Is an Online Associate Degree in Health Information Technology?

An online associate degree in health information technology integrates science, computer technology, and healthcare management coursework. These programs typically take two years or less to complete. Practical coursework offered in a flexible online environment allows enrollees to apply what they learn in careers in health information technology.

Students learn the fundamentals of medical coding and record-keeping, health informatics, and legal aspects of healthcare. A health information technology degree also includes classes in medical terminology, pharmacology, and healthcare delivery. The curriculum prepares learners to work as medical records and health information technicians, medical secretaries, and medical transcriptionists.

Individuals who enjoy working with others, possess strong analytical and computer skills, and have an interest in healthcare can benefit from online associate degrees in health information technology. This degree often provides a springboard for continued study and further employment opportunities in the in-demand healthcare field.

Choosing an Online Health Information Technology Program

Once you choose your major, there are other factors to consider in health information technology online programs. Students should look into program flexibility, length, accreditation, and costs. They can also explore curricula, faculty, and program highlights.

Many health information technology degrees offer comparable coursework, but specific classes vary by program and institution. Additionally, online learners should research whether the program delivers courses synchronously or asynchronously.

Colleges and universities receive regional or national accreditation, a designation that extends to online programs. Additional programmatic accreditation attests to a program's adherence to the standards established by a discipline-specific agency. The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM) accredits health information technology programs.

If you want to become a registered health information technician, you should enroll in a CAHIIM-accredited degree. After graduation, students can take the American Health Information Management Association's registered health information technician national qualifying exam.

Featured Online Associate in Health Information Technology Programs

The Best Online Associate in Health Information Technology Programs

Online Associate in Health Information Technology Programs Ranking Guidelines

We ranked these degree programs based on quality, curricula, school awards, rankings, and reputation.

Our Methodology

Here at TheBestSchools.org, we take the trust and welfare of our readers very seriously. When making our school and program rankings, our top priority is ensuring that our readers get accurate, unbiased information that can help them make informed decisions about online education. That's why we've developed a rigorous ranking methodology that keeps the needs of our readers front and center.

Our proprietary, multi-criteria ranking algorithm analyzes key data indicators — as collected by the federal government — for each school or program. What data we use depends on the focus of each specific ranking, but in all cases, our ranking methodology is impartial: Schools cannot buy better rankings at TBS.

While specific criteria under consideration can vary by ranking, there are a few data points that we value most highly. They are affordability, academic quality, and online enrollment. Below, we break down our algorithm to help you understand what you're getting when you use one of our rankings.

• Academics
• Affordability
• Online Enrollment

Data Sources

The data used in TBS rankings comes primarily from the federal government, and much of it is provided by the schools themselves. We aggregate and analyze this data to build our rankings.

The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) is our primary source. Its data comes from annual surveys conducted by the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Every college, university, or technical school with access to federal financial aid must participate in these surveys, which include questions about enrollment, graduation rates, finances, and faculty qualifications. This is publicly available data, which you can access yourself through the College Navigator.

Additionally, because we value a personal touch and the professional experience of our staff and Academic Advisory Board, we vet all results and adjust rankings as necessary based on our collected knowledge of schools and degree programs. Depending on the ranking, we may obtain additional input from AcademicInfluence.com, subject matter experts, prior TBS ranking lists, or other sources we deem relevant to a particular ranking.

Breakdown of Our Rankings Methodology

About Our Ranking Factors

Here at TBS, we value what you value: quality education, affordability, and the accessibility of online education. These factors guide all of our program rankings.

Each of these factors are further broken down into weighted subfactors. For example, retention rates are weighted more heavily than availability of program options because they are a better indicator of student success.

We chose the following factors for our rankings because of their influence on learning experiences and graduate outcomes. However, students should always balance our rankings against their personal priorities. For instance, a learner who needs a fully online program may prioritize online flexibility more than our rankings do. Our rankings are designed to help you make a decision — not to make a decision for you.

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• Expand All

Academics - 75%

Affordability - 15%

Online Enrollment - 10%

In all our school rankings and recommendations, we work for objectivity and balance. We carefully research and compile each ranking list, and as stated in our advertising disclosure, we do NOT permit financial incentives to influence rankings. Our articles never promote or disregard a school for financial gain.

If you have questions about our ranking methodology, please feel free to connect with our staff through contact page.

We thank you for your readership and trust.

What to Expect From an Associate Degree in Health Information Technology

An associate degree in health information includes coursework in biological science, computer technology, and healthcare management. Classes introduce students to medical terminology, processes and practices within the American healthcare system, and fundamentals of medical coding and record-keeping.

Assignments build practical medical software skills. Projects and group activities accompany individual assessments to train learners for positions in healthcare information technology.

Health Information Technology Curriculum

While classes vary between programs, online associate degrees in health information technology share some common coursework.

• CPT Coding: Trademarked by the American Medical Association, CPT coding serves as the code used to report medical, surgical, and diagnostic procedures and services. Coursework in CPT coding introduces students to specific codes and how they are used in billing processes.
• Medical Terminology: Classes in medical terminology teach students the medical and clinical language used by healthcare professionals. Coursework focuses on major body systems and the appropriate spellings and pronunciations for clinical terms and abbreviations.
• Healthcare Reimbursement: This course trains learners in the practices of medical coding and payment methods. Topics include health insurance regulations, claim submission, and revenue cycle management.
• Statistical Applications in Healthcare: Students learn to build and assess data sets, examine findings, and apply statistical tools in healthcare-related contexts in this course.

Health Information Technology Careers

Careers for health information technology graduates extend throughout the healthcare industry. Many individuals find positions as medical records specialists in hospitals, physicians' offices, and other healthcare institutions. Learners should keep in mind that certifications may be required or encouraged for many jobs.

A degree in healthcare information technology opens opportunities to work at insurance companies and in government agencies or business environments. The following information covers some of the most common healthcare careers for health information technology students.

Common Questions About Health Information Technology

What Jobs Can You Do With a Health Information Technology Degree?

A health information technology degree trains students for employment as medical coding specialists, medical secretaries, and health information records technologists.

What Is RHIT Certification?

RHIT stands for "registered health information technician." This certification attests to an individual's ability to accurately and properly enter and manage medical and health records.

What Is Health Information Technology in Nursing?

Health information technology in nursing comprises one aspect of the overall collection and standardization of medical data, patient communication, and comparable information. Nurses care for and educate patients, which health information technology professionals support.

Why Is Technology Important in Nursing?

Nurses use technology when providing care, recording medical and clinical information, and communicating with patients, families, and other medical professionals.

Melissa Sartore

Melissa Sartore holds a Ph.D. in history from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her BA and MA in history are from Western Illinois University. A medievalist by training, she has published on outlawry in medieval England with additional publications on outlaws in popular culture and across geographic and historical boundaries.