Degrees and Certificates
Why Choose This Program
Health Information Technology
A degree in Health Information Technology is essential, because you are responsible for the quality, safety, and efficiency of the healthcare system. The exchange of clear, accurate health information is becoming essential as health records become digital. At SCTCC, we ensure every graduate is prepared to take on the workforce with a Health Information Technology degree.
If you are a person with exceptional attention to detail, the Health Information Technology program is perfect for you. We prepare students to serve others through patient registration, medical coding, billing, pre-authorization and referrals, and the sharing of patient information in a legally compliant manner.
As a graduate from our Health Information Technology degree, students have the opportunity and the flexibility to work a variety of places. From clinics, hospitals, specialized practices like chiropractic or dental, home healthcare, hospice, insurance firms, to many others, you are certain to find the career for you.
SCTCC’s HIT AAS degree Graduates are qualified to sit for the national certification exam for RHIT (Registered Health Information Technician). Successful completion of this exam earns the graduate the official title of R.H.I.T. This certification is required for many jobs in Health Information Management departments.
This program is 100% online.
Medical Coding
The Medical Office Coding diploma prepares students for in-demand careers in medical coding, billing, and reimbursement.
At SCTCC, students learn inpatient and outpatient coding guidelines, business office practices, privacy regulations, how to navigate through an electronic health record, and other medical office procedures.
After finishing the program, our graduates are able to take the national Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exam through AHIMA. This certification is a great way to increase job options in the workforce, solidifying your future career.
This program is 100% online.
Placement rate from self-reported data of employment in field of study up to one year post graduation.
Wage data is from Minnesota Dept. of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).
From Degree to Career
When you choose the Health Information Technology/Medical Coding program at SCTCC, you’ll gain skills that will directly transfer to the workplace. There are several employers in the St. Cloud area that are ready to hire health care technology specialists and medical coders.
US Salary Survey Report: HIM Professionals in 2019 – from the American Health Information Management Association
At SCTCC, we teach students in the Health Information Technology program the required skills needed for the workforce. Our students graduate prepared with the ability to facilitate communication of health information among patients, physicians, insurance providers, billing and finance personnel, and other healthcare professionals.
SCTCC graduates also understand how to comply with privacy and security standards for patient information and use analytical skills to ensure patient data integrity. We teach students to use critical thinking and problem solving for assigning medical codes, to ensure our graduates are ready to take on any real-world challenge in the workforce.
Quick Glance
- Compliance with privacy and security standards for patient information
- Analytical skills to ensure patient data integrity
- Critical thinking and problem solving for assigning medical codes
- Facilitate communication of health information among patients, physicians, insurance providers, billing and finance personnel, and other healthcare professionals
Types of Careers
SCTCC prepares students for a variety of career choices. Our graduates in Health Information Technology have worked as e-HIM specialists, patient registrars, billing customer service representatives, medical billers, and coding specialists.
You can even find SCTCC graduates working as a prior authorization/referral specialist, claims analyst, compliance auditor, or a release of information specialist. We ensure every student has the opportunity to choose which path is best for them.
A day in the life of an SCTCC graduate includes working as a coding specialists for a chiropractor office and using skills learned in our Health Information Technology program.
Potential Employers
With a degree in Health Information Technology, the possibilities for potential employers is limitless. SCTCC graduates have worked with clinic and physician offices, home health and hospice, acute care hospitals, long term care facilities, and insurance firms.
With the skills learned at SCTCC, our students have even worked as integrated healthcare delivery systems, software vendors, rehabilitation centers, data management firms, chiropractic offices, and dental offices.
Students choosing the Medical Coding degree work with physicians and other medical support staff at hospitals, medical offices, and insurance companies after graduation. Many graduates even work with other medical practices such as pharmacies, nursing homes, eye clinics, dental offices, and chiropractors. After meeting quality and productivity standards, several jobs give their coders the opportunity to work from home.
Quick Glance
Types of Careers
- e-HIM Specialist
- Patient Registrar
- Billing Customer Service Representative
- Medical Biller
- Coding Specialist
- Prior Authorization/Referral Specialist
- Claims Analyst
- Compliance Auditor
- Release of Information Specialist
Potential Employers
- Clinic/physician office
- Home health/hospice
- Acute care hospital
- Long term care facility
- Integrated healthcare delivery system
- Insurance firm
- Software vendor
- Rehabilitation center
- Data management firm
- Chiropractic office
- Dental office
Many SCTCC graduates have gone on to serve our community, with working in the St. Cloud Hospital, St. Cloud School District, and even St. Cloud Orthopedic. With a Health Information Technology degree, you have the opportunity to work with several top medical facilities such as:
- CentraCare Health Plaza
- VA Healthcare System
- CentraCare
Accreditation & Credentials
Our Health Information Technology AAS Degree is an accredited program.
The Health Information Technology accreditor of St. Cloud Technical & Community College is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The College’s accreditation for Associate degree in Health Information Technology has been reaffirmed through 2021. All inquiries about the program’s accreditation status should be directed by mail to CAHIIM, 200 East Randolph Street, Suite 5100, Chicago, IL, 60601; by phone at (312) 235-3255; or by email at info@cahiim.org.
Our students can take the national Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) exam upon completion of the Health Information Technology program. Students who successfully pass the exam earn the RHIT credential, making our graduates qualified for the workforce.
Graduates of the Medical Coding program have the opportunity to increase their hire-ability by taking the national Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exam through AHIMA upon graduation.
Graduation Rate for the Health Information Technology AAS
Students who graduated within 3 years (based on a 5-year average): 63.5%
Part time: 37.2%
Full time: 73.3%
RHIT exam pass rate
8/1/2020 - 7/31/2021: 87.5% (national average was 70%)
Employment rate
8/1/2020-7/31/2021: 100%
Student Satisfaction Rate
100% of the 22 survey respondents in their last semester expressed satisfaction with the Health Information Technology AAS program
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Are you ready to learn more about the Health Information Technology/Medical Coding program and being a student at SCTCC? Contact our instructors directly or join us for an info session to meet with instructors and Admissions representatives to get started.
Connect with the SCTCC Admissions team:
- Call us at 320-308-5089
- Email us at enroll@sctcc.edu
- On campus Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Paying for College
Students choose SCTCC for a lot of reasons, but saving money is one reason we hear from almost every student at SCTCC. We’ve got a breakdown of the costs for the program, along with information on financial aid and scholarships.
Reading Comprehension: All incoming students who have not previously taken college level courses will be required to take a Reading Accuplacer. Students who meet the required score for admission will be accepted into the program immediately; those who score lower may take developmental reading courses to meet the requirement for acceptance. Please note- some developmental courses may not be offered online. Please discuss your need with admissions prior to applying.
Math Statistics: HIT AAS degree students who have not previously completed a Math Statistics course will be required to take a Math Accuplacer to identify their math course placement. Introductory Statistics is required for the HIT AAS degree. Students who do not meet the required test score to place into Introductory Statistics will be required to take developmental math courses as indicated in the Introductory Statistics pre-requisite section. Please note- some developmental courses may not be offered online. Please discuss your need with admissions prior to applying.
Technology: All incoming students are required to have a basic understanding of Computer Concepts and Applications, as they will be expected to utilize Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other software programs beginning the first semester. Students will be given tutorials or directions on the more advanced features used in these programs. Students will be required to troubleshoot internet and software problems on their own or with the school’s or software’s technology help desk.
- Apply online
- Pay $20 application fee
- Submit high school transcript
- Required if graduated high school 5 or fewer years ago
- If the language of record is not English, a certified translation must be included with the official transcript
- Submit official college transcript from ALL colleges previously attended
- If the language or record is not English, a certified course-by-course evaluation that includes GPA and course levels must be provided
- Submit Accuplacer, ACT, SAT, or MCA test scores
- Or schedule a time to take the Accuplacer exam at SCTCC or a location near you
Please be aware: Some developmental Reading and Math courses are NOT available online. Please discuss your needs with Admissions before applying for the program.
To ensure our students in the Health Information Technology program can complete the necessary coursework, students are required to have a quality PC (not Mac) laptop or desktop computer and need to own or have access to a scanner and printer with consistent high speed internet connection.
SCTCC students are required to connect to online software applications, download various software programs and lecture videos, upload documents and photos, and access the internet for assignment submissions prior to the due dates.
Students in the Health Information Technology program utilize Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as Desire To Learn (D2L) on a regular basis. Students are expected to use resources at SCTCC's IT department, the software vendors, and their internet company to assist with troubleshoot technical issues to ensure assignments are submitted in a timely manner.
To maximize accessibility, our students can apply once to be considered for all SCTCC scholarships.
Current Students
Current HIT/Medical Coding students - this is your place for information.
Lynn Zormeier, RHIA
lzormeier@sctcc.edu
320-308-5065
Tracy Dilly, RHIT
tdilly@sctcc.edu
320-308-5232
Joy Mulder, RHIA
joy.mulder@sctcc.edu
Katie O’Hearn, RHIA, CCS-P
kohearn@anokatech.edu
Ingrid Smiles, RHIA
ingrid.smiles@sctcc.edu
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