Level I and II Certificates & AAS, Health Information Technology

Additional information: Reference the SHSU Polytechnic College page for additional information.

Program Description

The Health Information Technology (HIT) Program is designed to equip students with the technical knowledge and practical skills required to manage and protect healthcare data in a rapidly evolving medical environment. The curriculum aligns with national certification standards and emphasizes medical records management, diagnostic and procedural coding, data integrity and healthcare data analytics.

Through a combination of coursework and structured clinical experiences, students gain hands-on training in real-world healthcare settings. The program integrates strong partnerships with regional healthcare providers to ensure students develop applied skills in electronic health record systems, compliance standards and regulatory requirements.

Upon completion of the program, students are well-prepared to pursue national certification and enter the growing field of health information management with the credentials and experience employers seek.

Statewide Industry Insights

  • Current Workforce: 39,631
  • Average Salary: $50,500
  • Open Positions: 4,030

      Data provided by Lightcast, 2025

Level I Certificate, Medical Records
HITT 1211: Health Information Systems2
HITT 1253: Legal and Ethical Aspects of Health Information2
HITT 1301: Health Data Content and Structure3
HITT 1305: Medical Terminology I3
HPRS 1201: Introduction to Health Professions2
ITSC 1309: Integrated Software Applications I3
Total Hours15

Note: The Level I certificate program stacks into the AAS curriculum.  

Level II Certificate, Medical Coding
MATH 1342Elementary Statistics 13
HITT 1341: Coding and Classification Systems3
HITT 1342: Ambulatory Coding3
HITT 1345: Health Care Delivery Systems3
SCIT 1307: Applied Human Anatomy and Physiology I3
SCIT 1308: Applied Human Anatomy and Physiology II3
Total Hours18
Cumulative Total 33

Note: The Level I certificate program stacks into the AAS curriculum.  

AAS, Health Information Technology (HIT)
ENGL 1301Composition I 23
HLTH 2383Multicultural Health Issues3
PHIL 2303Critical Thinking 33
SPCH 1321Business & Professional Communication 43
HITT 2160: Clinical-Health Information/Medical Records Technology/Technician1
HITT 2249: RHIT Competency Review2
HITT 2335: Coding and Reimbursement Methodologies3
HITT 2339: Health Information Organization and Supervision3
HITT 2343: Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement3
HITT 2346: Advanced Medical Coding3
Total Hours27
Cumulative Total60
1

MATH 1342 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area II (Mathematics).

2

ENGL 1301 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area I (Communications).

3

PHIL 2303 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences).

4

SPCH 1321 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IX (Component Area Option).

Additional information: Reference the SHSU Polytechnic College page for additional information.

Level I Certificate, Medical Records

First Year
FallHours
HITT 1211: Health Information Systems2
HITT 1253: Legal and Ethical Aspects of Health Information2
HITT 1301: Health Data Content and Structure3
HITT 1305: Medical Terminology I3
HPRS 1201: Introduction to Health Professions2
ITSC 1309: Integrated Software Applications I3
 15
Total Hours: 15

Note: The Level I certificate program stacks into the AAS curriculum. 

Level II Certificate, Medical Coding 

First Year
SpringHoursSummerHours
HITT 1341: Coding and Classification Systems 3MATH 134213
HITT 1342: Ambulatory Coding 3SCIT 1308: Applied Anatomy and Physiology II3
HITT 1345: Health Care Delivery Systems 3 
SCIT 1307: Applied Anatomy and Physiology I 3 
 12 6
Total Hours: 18

Note: The Level I certificate program stacks into the AAS curriculum. 

AAS, Health Information Technology (HIT)

Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours
ENGL 130123HLTH 23833
PHIL 230333SPCH 132143
HITT 2335: Coding and Reimbursement Methodologies3HITT 2160: Clinical - Health Information/Medical Records Technology/Technician3
HITT 2339: Health Information Organization and Supervision3HITT 2249: RHIT Competency Review3
HITT 2343: Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement3HITT 2346: Advanced Medical Coding 3
 15 15
Total Hours: 30
1

MATH 1342 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area II (Mathematics).

2

ENGL 1301 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area I (Communications).

3

PHIL 2303 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences).

4

SPCH 1321 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IX (Component Area Option).

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) marketable skills initiative is part of the state’s 60x30TX plan and was designed to help students articulate their skills to employers. Marketable skills are those skills valued by employers and/or graduate programs that can be applied in a variety of work or education settings and may include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas.

The Level I Certificate, Level II Certificate, and AAS Program in Health Information Technology (HIT) are designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:

  • Accurately assign medical codes and classifications using the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10), Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), and the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) to support billing, reimbursement, and healthcare reporting.
  • Manage and analyze electronic health records (EHRs) while maintaining patient privacy and compliance with HIPAA and other regulatory standards.
  • Utilize health information systems and data analytics tools to support clinical decision-making, quality improvement, and healthcare operations.
  • Interpret and apply healthcare laws, regulations, and ethical standards in the handling and dissemination of patient information.
  • Communicate effectively with healthcare professionals and insurance providers to support revenue cycle management and administrative workflows.