Associate in Science | SC Program: AS.1600

The Associate of Science in Health Information Technology program prepares students for a career working with health information in a variety of healthcare settings in diverse roles. Health Information Technology professionals perform the essential functions of acquiring, analyzing, maintaining and securing health information vital to providing quality patient care. Health Information Technology graduates are employed in hospitals, clinics, physician’s offices, ambulatory care facilities, long term care facilities, home health agencies, consulting firms, and any organization that uses patient data or health information, such as pharmaceutical companies, law and insurance firms, and health product vendors. Upon program accreditation, graduates will be eligible to apply for writing the national examination for certification as a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT). The Health Information Technology program is designed to prepare students for entry into Shasta College’s Health Information Management Baccalaureate Degree program.

This degree is approved through the California Community College Chancellor’s Office. Upon satisfactory completion of all degree requirements and filing an application for graduation with Admissions and Records, the student’s transcript will reflect completion of this degree.

Health Information Technology is also part of the Accelerated College Education (ACE) program at Shasta College. ACE is designed for working individuals desiring to complete their college education through a more flexible, alternative pathway. Most of the courses are structured in 8-week compressed blocks, but the program also offers some full-term courses. ACE provides program-specific counselors, support staff, and priority registration for ACE specific courses.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this degree, the student should be able to:

  • Apply the knowledge and skills needed to perform HIM Associate Degree entry-level competencies as defined by the American Health Information Management Association’s (AHIMA) Council for Excellence in Education (CEE).
  • Apply the knowledge and skills needed to successfully pass the national Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) exam.
  • Compete in the job market in the field of health information technology or enroll in an advanced degree program.
  • Demonstrate the ability to work effectively as an individual and collaboratively in a group to resolve health information challenges in a changing healthcare environment.

Health & Safety Clinical Clearance

All students participating in clinical experiences must submit proof of immunity through immunizations or serum titers, cleared criminal background check, negative drug screen, current physical examination and negative TB screening. Students are financially responsible for meeting these requirements according to the established program process. Specific information is available on the Health and Safety Requirements tab on the website or students may call the Division Office (530-339-3600).

Student Fees

Fees students may incur aside from the ordinary course enrollment fees:

  • Textbooks/Virtual Lab software access fee
  • Transportation cost to/from professional practice site (HIT 60)
  • Background check fee and required immunizations cost for student’s professional practice experience (HIT 60)

Degree Requirements

In addition to the required 37-39 unit general education pattern for CSU or IGETC, students must complete the core courses listed below for the Associate of Science in Health Information Technology Degree. Students must also obtain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 with a grade of C or higher in all courses required for the major. A “P” (Pass) grade is not an acceptable grade for courses in this major.

 

Choose your path

Map your education by viewing the program map for the degree or certificate you’re interested in earning below. Submit your interest form.

A program map shows all the required and recommended courses you need to graduate and a suggested order in which you should take them. The suggested sequence of courses is based on enrollment and includes all major and general education courses required for the degree.

Fall Semester, First Year

12 Units Total
HIT 10
M 4
Introduction to Health Information
HIT 10
Units 4
Advisory: ENGL 1A with a grade of C or better.

This course for Health Information Technology students is an introduction to the profession. It includes an overview of the American healthcare delivery system and health care professions, health information department functions, ethical and legal issues in health information technology, healthcare reimbursement, quality management, performance improvement, healthcare information systems and the implementation of electronic health records.
Apply Now
HIT 11
M 1
Computer Basics for Health Info Tech
HIT 11
Units 1
This course is an introduction to computer systems used in healthcare and health information management (HIM). Emphasis is placed on basic computer and networking technologies as well as on specialized software and electronic health record (EHR) applications. This course is designed for students interested in the use of computers in the health information technology field.
Apply Now
HEOC 11
M 3
Medical Terminology
HEOC 11
Units 3
This course provides students with an understanding of the language of medicine through the study of basic word structures and etymology related to various body systems, diagnostics, and pathology. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
Apply Now
BIOL 5
M 3
Introduction to Human Biology
BIOL 5
Units 3
An introductory one semester course in human anatomy and physiology. Topics include the cells, tissues, and selected anatomy and physiology of all the human systems.
Apply Now
HIT 30
M 1
Basic Pharmacology
HIT 30
Units 1
This course is an introduction to pharmacology. Topics include pharmacology terminology, drug forms, routes of administration, drug categories, and mechanisms of drug action. This course is intended for students in the health information technology program and healthcare professionals who want to refresh their working knowledge of basic pharmacology.
Apply Now

Spring Semester, First Year

8 Units Total
HIT 15
M 3
Legal Aspects of Healthcare
HIT 15
Units 3
This course for health information technology students covers the legal aspects of health information management, including the American legal system and causes of medical malpractice. State, Federal and other agency rules regarding record access, retention, release of information, processing subpoenas, and confidentiality will be covered. Also included are accreditation, licensing, and certification requirements for acute as well as non-acute health care facilities.
Apply Now
HIT 20
M 3
Hospital and Health Statistics
HIT 20
Units 3
Advisory: MATH 114 or MATH 102 with a minimum grade of C, or completion of a Level 3 math class.

This course provides instruction for the health information technology student in the basic principles of data collection and calculation of hospital and non-acute facility health statistics. Calculation of Health Information Management department statistics is included. In addition, the course covers the calculation of specific vital statistics as well as discharge analysis reporting. There is instruction in the preparation of monthly and annual medical, administrative, and outside agency reports utilizing tables and graphs. Practice in the interpretation of statistical reports is also provided. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
Apply Now
HIT 25
M 2
Health Info in Alternative Settings
HIT 25
Units 2
This course is an introduction to health information management practice in alternative healthcare settings including long-term care, mental health, ambulatory care, hospice, home health, and rehabilitation medicine. Focus is on the role of the health information practitioner, regulatory issues, accreditation and licensing requirements, documentation, funding and reimbursement, and electronic information systems.
Apply Now

Fall Semester, Second Year

12 Units Total
HIT 7
Pre. M 3
Introduction to Human Disease Process
HIT 7
Units 3
The course focuses on disease processes in the human body from a systems approach. Analysis of the most common and significant diseases is included. The signs and symptoms, etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of disease are examined along with the appropriate medical terminology. This course is designed for students in allied health programs, but is also open to those who wish to broaden their medical background or review this information.
Apply Now
HIT 35
Pre. M 3
CPT Coding
HIT 35
Units 3
This introductory course for Health Information Technology students includes the use of Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) coding. The course covers the purpose of CPT, CPT Manual format, code format, and coding steps used to code from the six divisions of CPT: Evaluation & Management, Anesthesia, Surgery, Radiology, Pathology & Laboratory, and Medicine. In addition, the course includes national and category III codes. It also includes an overview of reimbursement issues involving physician and hospital payment for outpatient services. This course is also available to hospital and doctors' office employees. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
Apply Now
HIT 42
M 2
Principles of Leadership
HIT 42
Units 2
This course introduces the basic concepts of leadership including team leadership, change management, training, and developing employees. Other topics include using enterprise-wide information assets in support of organizational strategies and objectives, company culture, and diversity in the workplace. This course may be taught in a distance education format.
Apply Now
HIT 40
M 4
ICD Coding
HIT 40
Units 4
This is the first of a two-course sequence for Health Information Technology students. It focuses on the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), the most commonly used classification system in the U.S. for coding and reporting diagnostic inpatient and outpatient services and inpatient procedural services. Coding guidelines, conventions and reimbursement methodology are covered in this course. The student uses both the code books and computer software program.
Apply Now

Spring Semester, Second Year

11 Units Total
HIT 45
M 4
ICD Coding II
HIT 45
Units 4
This course is the second of a two-course sequence for Health Information Technology students. The emphasis is on advanced principles of International Classification of Diseases (ICD), the most commonly used classification system in the U.S. for coding and reporting diagnostic inpatient and outpatient services and inpatient procedural services. Coding guidelines, conventions and reimbursement methodology are also covered. Advanced principles include Diagnostic Related Group (DRG) case mix derivation, analysis of compliant coding, documentation improvement for correct code assignment, hospital acquired conditions, and present admission indicators that impact the code assignment and revenue cycle. The student uses both the code books and computer software program.
Apply Now
HIT 50
M 2
Healthcare Reimbursement
HIT 50
Units 2
This course integrates information about all US healthcare payment systems. The topics covered include reimbursement methodologies, clinical coding and compliance, voluntary and government sponsored insurance plans, revenue cycle management and value-based purchasing. Medicare and Medicaid prospective payment systems are also addressed in acute, post-acute, ambulatory, hospice and long term care settings.
Apply Now
HIT 55
M 3
Healthcare Quality Management
HIT 55
Units 3
This course for Health Information Technology students is an introduction to quality and performance management and improvement, utilization review, and risk management. The course includes the purpose, principles, historical development, assessment and analysis techniques, and application and program development strategies used in quality management and improvement, utilization review and risk management activities. Also included is the integration of performance improvement activities with the medical staff appointment and reappointment process. Regulatory and privacy requirements will also be addressed. The key concepts, background and statistical tools used in the continuous quality improvement process (CQI) are also provided. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
Apply Now
HIT 60
M 2
Professional Practice Experience
HIT 60
Units 2
Limitation on Enrollment: Special Admission - HIT Program students. This course provides supervised onsite professional practice experience in an assigned affiliate site for students enrolled in the Health Information Technology program. It is designed to help students assimilate theory with practical application in order to work toward achievement of AHIMA entry-level competencies in a real-world environment.
Apply Now

Please contact the ACE office to discuss options for meeting general education requirements for transfer to California State Universities (CSU) and/or University of California (UC) campuses, as well as any specific additional courses that may be required by your chosen institution of transfer.

*Alternative Courses: Please see a Shasta College counselor for alternative course options. You can also view the following to find other courses to meet degree/certificate requirements:

Need a print out? Feel free to download and/or print out a copy of the sample program map(s).

Contact Us for More Information

ACE Program

Contact Info
Office Hours Monday - Thursday 8:30 am - 6:00 pm
Friday 8:30 am -12:30 pm

Academic/Instructional Division Office

Health Sciences

Contact Info
Location Downtown Redding Campus | 1400 Market Street, Suite 8204 | Redding, CA 96001
Mailing Health Sciences Division | PO Box 496006 | Redding, CA 96049-6006
Alternative Phone (530) 339-3661

Start Your Future at Shasta College

We are dedicated to helping you reach your educational and career goals. To begin your journey, apply for admissions today!