Health Information ManagementHIM

The Health Information Management (HIM) program inspires students to achieve their goals through a quality educational experience in an environment that supports excellence, collaboration, and community.

Our online HIM program is designed to prepare a diverse student population to meet the health information management workforce needs within healthcare organizations and related industries.

Marketable Skills

HIM professionals compile, process, and maintain medical records of hospital and clinic patients in a manner consistent with medical, administrative, ethical, legal, and regulatory requirements of the healthcare system. HIM professionals classify medical and healthcare concepts, including diagnosis, procedures, medical services, and equipment, into the healthcare industry's numerical coding system, generating medical billing and coding processes. Additional marketable skills include:

Technical

• Use electronic medical record (EHR) software
• Use medical coding software
• Use Word document and Excel software
  *(29-2072.00 Medical Records Specialists Report)

Critical Thinking

• Plans and organizes work
• Solves problems
• Makes sound decisions
  *(Employability Skills Framework)

Communication

• Active listening
• Comprehends written material
• Conveys information in writing
  *(Employability Skills Framework)

Interpersonal

• Understands teamwork
• Respects individual differences
• Negotiates to resolve conflict
  *(Employability Skills Framework)

Personal

• Works independently
• Demonstrates a willingness to learn
• Demonstrates professionalism
  *(Employability Skills Framework)

References:

• O*NET Online. (2022, February 22). Summary Report for: 29-2072.00 - Medical Records Specialists
• U.S. Department of Education, Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education Division of Academic and Technical Education, Perkins Collaborative Resource Network. (n.d.). Employability Skills

JOB Opportunities

There are a number of in-demand job options in the health information management field, including jobs such as:

• Document imaging specialist
• HIM imaging specialist
• Health information technician
• Healthcare data analyst
• Inpatient medical coder
• Outpatient medical coder
• Medical coding auditor
• Medical records abstractor
• Medical records specialist
• Data quality specialist
• Release of information specialist
• Revenue cycle specialist

Health Information Management Careers

Graduates of the HIM certificates and AAS in HIM are prepared for entry level HIM positions in any organization that uses patient data for any business purpose. Examples of traditional employers of HIM graduates are hospitals, clinics, physician offices, surgery centers, behavioral health organizations, home health or hospice organizations, while nontraditional employers are zoos, law offices, insurance companies, and pharmaceutical companies.

Application Steps - For a Spring 2025 Admission

1. Complete a Midland College application and be accepted (if not already enrolled as a student). Area of study/interest: Health Information Management. Certificate or Degree: Associate of Applied Science or Certificate-Level 1 (Health Data Coordinator or Medical Coding Specialist). Previous MC students not enrolled for two regular semesters (fall/spring) need to re-apply to the college.
   
   
2. Complete the Health Sciences and Allied Health General Application
   Health Sciences and Allied Health General Application
   
   
   
3. Complete the HIM Information Packet
   Health Information Management Information Packet (pdf)
   
   
   
4. Submit the completed HIM Information Packet and send unofficial college transcripts to the HIM office at himhsm@midland.edu.
   
   
5. Official transcripts must be sent to the Midland College Registrar's office at records@midland.edu

Application & Packet DUE DATES

• Fall Semester - July 5th
• Spring Semester - November 10th
• Summer Semester - April 25th

Requirements

• Students may apply to the HIM program prior to completing HITT 1205 (Medical Terminology) and BIOL 2404 (Anatomy & Physiology). These courses are built into the first semester of the program.
• HIM Associate degree applicants must satisfy all areas of the Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSI). Certificate applicants are exempt.
• Before program acceptance, HIM Associate degree and certificate applicants must review and sign the HIM Student Handbook. Associate degree applicants must also review and sign the Health Sciences and Allied Health Policy and Procedure Manual.
• For any new students, transfer credit will apply for HITT 1205 (or equivalent) and BIOL 2404 (or equivalent) if the final grade is a “C” or better and were completed within five years of program admittance. BIOL 2404 is only required for Associate degree and MCS certificate students.
• Returning students must reapply to the HIM program if they have not enrolled in an HIM program course within a calendar year. Returning students who have not enrolled in an HIM program course within 5 years will need to retake HITT Medical Terminology and BIOL 2404 Anatomy and Physiology (for Associate degree and MCS certificate students) and earn a “C” or better.
• Foreign students must comply with additional requirements set by the college. For these requirements visit www.midland.edu/international. Since the program is completely online, foreign students do not qualify for student visa status, however, students can complete the program while living at home or in a different country.
•  APPLICATION PROCESS AND SELECTION SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Questions about the admission  process? Contact us at himhsm@midland.edu or (432) 685-6893.

Clinical Requirements

Students will be required to have a TB screening, vaccinations as required by participating facility, liability insurance and a negative drug screen prior to any clinical course. The clinical requirement may be met in a virtual format.

All students should be prepared to do clinical experiences at a location apart from where they reside. Any expenses incurred in doing a clinical away from home, including transportation, parking, and living expenses are the responsibility of the student and are not included in tuition costs.

Individuals who have been convicted of a felony may be denied clinical placement by facilities, thereby making completion of the program impossible. The program will not guarantee clinical placement to students with a criminal background.

Credits Awarded with Licensure

If you have a current CCS, CCS-P, CCA, CPC, COC, or CIC credential or current licensure that requires completion of Medical Terminology, and maintain your CEUs while attending college, you may receive credit for the following classes.

Proof of the active credential must be submitted to the HIM program himhsm@midland.edu upon renewal each year while the student is enrolled in the program.

Course	Clinician with current license that requires completion of Medical Terminology		AHIMA		AAPC
		CCS	CCS-P	CCA	CPC	COC (formerly CPC-H)	CIC (new AAPC Cert.)
HITT 1205 Medical Terminology	x	x	x	x	x	x	x
HITT 1341 Coding & Classification Systems		x		x			x
HITT 1342 Ambulatory Coding		x	x	x	x	x
HITT 2335 Coding & Reimbursement Methodologies		x	x		x	x	x
HITT 2340 Advanced Medical Billing & Reimbursement		x	x		x	x	x
HITT 2161 Coding Clinical		x	x		x	x	x

PROGRAM ESTIMATED COST OUT OF DISTRICT *

Program/Certificate	Hours	Tuition	Books**	Background Fee	TOTAL
HDC Certificate	17 Hrs	$2,703	$1,360		$4,063
MCS Certificate	34 Hrs	$5,406	$3,429		$8,835
HIM AAS	60 Hrs	$9,540	$4,887	$60	$14,487

* This is subject to change
** Several books may be used in multiple classes

The above program and certificate tuition and book costs are estimates based on the 2023-2024 academic catalog and full-time hours for each program with the assumption that no previous coursework has been completed. 

Proctored Exams

Program courses require proctored exams. Students are responsible for any costs associated with proctor examinations.

AAS-HIM

Associate of Applied Science - Health Information Management Degree

MCS

Medical Coding Specialist Certificate

HDC

Health Data Coordinator Certificate

Course List

	Semester Credit Hours
Course	AAS-HIM	MCS	HDC
Semester I
HITT 1205 – Medical Terminology	2	2	2
BCIS 1305 – Computer Applications	3	3	3
BIOL 2404 – Human Anatomy & Physiology (one semester)	4	4
or BIOL 2401 & BIOL 2402 Anatomy & Physiology 1 & 2	4	4
HITT 1301 – Health Data Content & Structure	3	3	3
Semester II
HITT 1311 – Health Information Systems	3	3	3
HITT 1353 – Legal & Ethical Aspects of HIM	3	3	3
ENGL 1301 - Composition I	3
MATH 1342 - Statistics*	3
Semester III
HITT 1345 - Healthcare Delivery Systems	3		3
Humanities/Fine Arts Elective	3
HITT 2339 - Health Information Organization and Supervision	3
HITT 2330 - Pathophysiology and Pharmacology	3	3
Semester IV
HITT 1341 - Coding & Classification Systems	3	3
HITT 1342 - Ambulatory Coding	3	3
HITT 2343 - Quality Assessment & Performance Improvement	3
Social/Behavioral Science Elective	3
Semester V
HITT 2335 - Coding & Reimbursement Methodologies	3	3
HITT 2340 - Advanced Medical Billing & Reimbursement	3	3
HITT 2161 - Clinical: Health Information Management - Coding	1	1
HITT 2160 - Clinical: Health Information Management	1
HITT 2149 - RHIT Competency Review	1
Speech Elective	3
Total Hours *Students completing the online MATH 1342 class at Midland College will need to complete a pencil and paper midterm and final exam at a verifiable testing center. Students are not required to take the exams at Midland College. Students are allowed to use a local college or university’s testing center or even the local library if they provide proctoring services. Students are given advance notice of the exam due dates and have a long open window in which they can schedule their testing time – including nights and weekends. If you have specific questions regarding this requirement, please contact the Math & Science Division Office at (432) 685-4561.	60	34	17

 

To receive an AAS degree in HIM, a student must:

• Complete a minimum of 60 credit hours as follows
     a. 15 credit hours of required General Education Requirements 
         Coursework, and
     b. 45 credit hours of specialty coursework
• Complete, at minimum 25% of degree credit hours through instruction at Midland College
• Complete all courses with a “C” or better
• Have an overall GPA of 2.0 or better

To receive a MCS or HDC Certificate, a student must:

• Complete a minimum of
     a. 34 credit hours of specialty coursework for the MCS
     b. 17 credit hours of specialty coursework for the HDC
• Complete, at minimum 25% of certificate credit hours through instruction at Midland College
• Complete all courses with a “C” or better
• Have an overall GPA of 2.0 or better

What makes a great HIM student?

• Organized and detail-oriented individuals
• Comfortable with a computer and technology
• Access to a reliable computer
• Strong internet connection
• Ability to handle a heavy workload and sitting at a computer for long periods of time

Deborah White

• MC grad finds rewarding medical-industry career, behind the scenes, in front of a computer

“I learned that the Health Information Management program at Midland College is AHIMA- accredited, and as a graduate, I would be eligible to take the RHIT [Registered Health Information Technician] exam and would also have an opportunity to be a CCS [Certified Coding Specialist]. In addition, Midland College was much more reasonable than Kaplan, and I could take advantage of scholarships. It took me four years to earn an associate degree.

I was a single mother raising a teen-age son and working full time. I also had to have three surgeries due to complications from a broken leg. It wasn’t easy, but I was determined to get through the program. Midland College is one of the only schools in this region accredited at such a high level.

I’ve been working 40 hours a week from my home office since late 2014. Occasionally, I have to go to the UMC Business & Technology Center for meetings. Working remotely from the house isn’t for everyone, but it definitely works for me. I really love medical coding. I enjoy the attention to detail that it requires.” 

 

Delilha Chavez

"I am happy to share that I have been a student member of AHIMA since September 2020 and I recently graduated from the Midland College AAS-HIM program. Right after graduation, I sat for the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) exam and was successful at earning my credential.

I have decided to focus further on my education and continue with the BAS-HSM program at MC. I have truly enjoyed my education at MC and encourage all HIM students to push forward in their courses. To keep open communication with their instructors because they are there to help, as all of my instructors at MC have been flexible, understanding and helpful.

I also encourage students to deeply research the HIM profession, such as the different types of credentials, who offers them, job salaries and job descriptions. Doing this can help students determine which domain they would be the most interested in and which career opportunities are available to them. Before they invest study time and money into an area they will not enjoy."

To be considered for a scholarship, please follow the link below:

General Scholarships