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
As of Fall 2026
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Level I Certificate, Medical Records | ||
| HITT 1211 | Health Information Systems | 2 |
| HITT 1253 | Legal and Ethical Aspects of Health Information | 2 |
| HITT 1301 | Health Data Content and Structure | 3 |
| HITT 1305 | Medical Terminology I | 3 |
| HPRS 1201 | Introduction to Health Profess | 2 |
| ITSC 1309 | Integrated Software Applicatio | 3 |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
Notes: The Level I Certificate, Medical Records is a prerequisite for the Level II Certificate, Medical Coding.
The Level I certificate program stacks into the AAS curriculum.
As of Spring 2027
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Level II Certificate, Medical Coding | ||
| Core Curriculum | ||
| MATH 1342 | Elementary Statistics 1 | 3 |
| Required Courses | ||
| HITT 1341 | Coding and Classification Systems | 3 |
| HITT 1342 | Ambulatory Coding | 3 |
| HITT 1345 | Health Care Delivery Systems | 3 |
| SCIT 1307 | Applied Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 3 |
| SCIT 1308 | Applied Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 3 |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
| Cumulative Total | 33 | |
Notes: The Level I Certificate, Medical Records is a prerequisite for the Level II Certificate, Medical Coding.
The Level II certificate program stacks into the AAS curriculum.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| AAS, Health Information Technology (HIT) | ||
| Level I Certificate, Medical Records | 15 | |
| Level II Certificate, Medical Coding | 18 | |
| Core Curriculum | ||
| ENGL 1301 | Composition I 2 | 3 |
| PHIL 2303 | Critical Thinking 3 | 3 |
| SPCH 1321 | Business & Professional Communication 4 | 3 |
| Required Courses | ||
| HITT 2160 | Clinical - Health Information/Medical Records Technology/Technician | 1 |
| HITT 2249 | RHIT Competency Review | 2 |
| HITT 2335 | Coding and Reimbursement Methodologies | 3 |
| HITT 2339 | Health Information Organization and Supervision | 3 |
| HITT 2343 | Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement | 3 |
| HITT 2346 | Advanced Medical Coding | 3 |
| HLTH 2383 | Multicultural Health Issues | 3 |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
- 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.
As of Fall 2026
Level I Certificate, Medical Records
| First Year | |
|---|---|
| Fall | Hours |
| Term 1 | |
| HPRS 1201 | 2 |
| HITT 1211 | 2 |
| HITT 1305 | 3 |
| Term 2 | |
| HITT 1253 | 2 |
| HITT 1301 | 3 |
| ITSC 1309 | 3 |
| 15 | |
| Total Hours: 15 | |
Notes: The Level I Certificate, Medical Records is a prerequisite for the Level II Certificate, Medical Coding.
The Level I certificate program stacks into the AAS curriculum. All courses are scheduled for 7.5-weeks in length.
As of Spring 2027
Level II Certificate, Medical Coding
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | Hours | Summer | Hours |
| Term 3 | Term 5 | ||
| HITT 1345 | 3 | MATH 13421 | 3 |
| SCIT 1307 | 3 | SCIT 1308 | 3 |
| Term 4 | |||
| HITT 1341 | 3 | ||
| HITT 1342 | 3 | ||
| 12 | 6 | ||
| Total Hours: 18 | |||
Notes: The Level I Certificate, Medical Records is a prerequisite for the Level II Certificate, Medical Coding.
The Level II certificate program stacks into the AAS curriculum. All courses are scheduled for 7.5-weeks in length.
AAS, Health Information Technology (HIT)
| Second Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Term 6 | Term 8 | ||
| HITT 2335 | 3 | HITT 2249 | 2 |
| HITT 2339 | 3 | HITT 2346 | 3 |
| HITT 2343 | 3 | Term 9 | |
| Term 7 | HITT 2160 | 1 | |
| ENGL 13012 | 3 | HLTH 2383 | 3 |
| PHIL 23033 | 3 | ||
| SPCH 13214 | 3 | ||
| 18 | 9 | ||
| Total Hours: 27 | |||
Note: All courses are scheduled for 7.5-weeks in length.
- 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.
Health Information Technology
HITT 1211. Health Information Systems. 2 Hours.
Introduction to health IT standards, health-related data structures, software applications, and enterprise architecture in health care and public health.
HITT 1253. Legal and Ethical Aspects of Health Information. 2 Hours.
Concepts of privacy, security, confidentiality, ethics, health care legislation, and regulations relating to the maintenance and use of health information.
HITT 1301. Health Data Content and Structure. 3 Hours.
Introduction to systems and processes for collecting, maintaining, and disseminating primary and secondary health related information including content of health record, documentation requirements, registries, indices, licensing, regulatory agencies, forms, and screens.
HITT 1305. Medical Terminology I. 3 Hours.
Study of medical terms through word origin and structure. Introduction to abbreviations and symbols, surgical and diagnostic procedures, and medical specialties.
HITT 1341. Coding and Classification Systems. 3 Hours.
Fundamentals of coding rules, conventions, and guidelines using clinical classification systems.
HITT 1342. Ambulatory Coding. 3 Hours.
Fundamentals of ambulatory coding rules, conventions, and guidelines.
HITT 1345. Health Care Delivery Systems. 3 Hours.
Examination of delivery systems including organization, financing, accreditation, licensure, and regulatory agencies.
HITT 2160. Clinical - Health Information/Medical Records Technology/Technician. 1 Hour.
A health-related work-based learning experience that enables the student to apply specialized occupational theory, skills, and concepts. Direct supervision is provided by the clinical professional.
HITT 2239. Health Information Organization and Supervision. 2 Hours.
Principles of organization and supervision of human, financial, and physical resources.
HITT 2249. RHIT Competency Review. 2 Hours.
Review Health Information Technology (HIT) competencies, skills, and knowledge.
HITT 2335. Coding and Reimbursement Methodologies. 3 Hours.
Advanced coding techniques with emphasis on case studies, health records, and federal regulations regarding prospective payment systems and methods of reimbursement.
HITT 2339. Health Information Organization and Supervision. 3 Hours.
Principles of organization and supervision of human, financial, and physical resources.
HITT 2343. Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement. 3 Hours.
Study of quality standards and methodologies in the health information management environment. Topics include licensing, accreditation, compilation and presentation of data in statistical formats, quality management and performance improvement functions, utilization management, risk management, and medical staff data quality issues. Approaches to assessing patient safety issues and implementation of quality management and reporting through electronic systems.
HITT 2346. Advanced Medical Coding. 3 Hours.
Advanced concepts of ICD and CPT coding rules, conventions, and guidelines in complex case studies. Investigation of government regulations and changes in health care reporting.
Integrated Software Applications
ITSC 1309. Integrated Software Applicatio. 3 Hours.
Introduction to business productivity software suites using word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and/or presentation software.
Health Profession Skills
HPRS 1201. Introduction to Health Profess. 2 Hours.
An overview of roles of various members of the health care system, educational requirements, and issues affecting the delivery of health care.
Science Technology
SCIT 1307. Applied Human Anatomy and Physiology I. 3 Hours.
An applied systematic study of the structure and function of the human body. Includes anatomical terminology, cells, tissues, and the following systems: integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, and endocrine. Emphasis on homeostasis.
SCIT 1308. Applied Human Anatomy and Physiology II. 3 Hours.
A continuation of Applied Human Anatomy and Physiology I. The following body systems are included: digestive, respiratory, cardiovascular, lymphatic/immune, renal/excretory, and reproductive. Emphasis is on homeostasis.
