All provisions within this catalog are subject to change without notice. If you have questions or comments, please contact admissions@gfcmsu.edu.
Health Information Technology
Associate of Applied Science Degree
Program Director: Tina Gambhir
This program is offered completely on-line.
The Health Information Technology program is designed to prepare individuals to organize and evaluate health records for completeness and accuracy. Upon completion of the AAS degree in Health Information Technology, students will be prepared to begin a successful career as a health information technologist. Students are prepared to sit for the National Registered Health Information Technologist exam administered by AHIMA (www.ahima.org).
The Health Information Technology program is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management (CAHIIM).
Graduates are prepared to:
- Use computer applications and software in maintaining health information in health records.
- Research and rely on knowledge in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, and disease processes.
- Identify and apply accurate diagnostic and procedural codes for reimbursement.
- Exhibit professional communication skills in oral, written, and electronic formats.
- Maintain confidentiality of health information, while developing a commitment to adhering to the standards of professional integrity, honesty, and fairness.
- Interact professionally in the healthcare environment with healthcare providers, patients/clients, and the public, while understanding diversity among cultures and societies.
- Analyze qualitative and quantitative information, including graphic, numerical, and verbal data.
- Apply knowledge of health information technology to solve problems, while utilizing critical thinking skills.
Estimated Resident Program Cost*
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $10,070 |
| Lab/Course Fees | $278 |
| Books/Supplies | $2,736 |
| Total | $13,084 |
- *
Fall 2024 MUS Student Health Insurance Premiums may be changing. Please check the Health Insurance website and/or Student Central for confirmed premium rates.
Many students need preliminary math, science, and writing courses before enrolling in the program requirements. These courses may increase the total number of program credits. Students should review their math and writing placement before planning out their full program schedules.
AHMS, HIT and HTH courses must be completed within five (5) years of application to the program, with the exception of AHMS 144, which along with other courses must be completed within fifteen (15) years of applying to the program. If the student has a Health Information Technology degree from Great Falls College MSU and is currently working in the field, we will accept courses older than 5 years.
NOTE: Curriculum is based on a full time schedule. The courses listed below do not have to be taken in the specified order. However, if you do take them in this order, it will ensure that you have completed all prerequisites for each course. Also, since not every course is offered every semester, it will ensure that you do not have to delay graduation because a certain course is not offered when you decide to take it. Please note that if you attend part-time and/or require developmental courses in Math and/or English, it will take longer to complete your program.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| AHMS 144 | Medical Terminology + | 3 |
| BIOH 112 | Human Form and Function I + | 4 |
| BIOH 113 | Human Form and Function II *,+ | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| WRIT 101 | College Writing I **,+ | 3 |
| WRIT 121 | Introduction to Technical Writing **,+ | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| COMX 115 | Introduction to Interpersonal Communication + | 3 |
| PSYX 100 | Introduction to Psychology + | 3 |
| SOCI 101 | Introduction to Sociology + | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| AHMS 105 | Health Care Delivery + | 2 |
| AHMS 108 | Health Data Content & Structure + | 3 |
| AHMS 158 | Legal and Regulatory Aspects of Healthcare *,+ | 3 |
| AHMS 160 | Beginning Procedural Coding *,+ | 3 |
| AHMS 201 | Medical Science *,+ | 3 |
| M 105 | Contemporary Mathematics (or any Math in the MUS Core) **,+ | 3-4 |
| Credits | 17-18 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| AHMS 157 | Healthcare Reimbursement Methodologies *,+ | 4 |
| AHMS 164 | Beginning Diagnosis Coding: ICD-10 *,+ | 3 |
| AHMS 208 | Healthcare Statistics *,+ | 2 |
| AHMS 212 | CPT Coding *,+ | 3 |
| AHMS 227 | Health Information Management *,+ | 3 |
| HTH 180 | Pharmaceuticals for Health Care Providers *,+ | 1 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| AHMS 213 | ICD-10 Coding *,+ | 3 |
| AHMS 240 | Clinical Quality Assessment *,+ | 3 |
| AHMS 275 | HIT-Professional Practice Experience (Preclinical Requirements Required) *,+ | 1 |
| AHMS 288 | HIT Exam Preparation *,+ | 1 |
| HIT 230 | Overview of Health Information Systems *,+ | 4 |
| HIT 265 | Electronic Health Record in Medical Practice *,+ | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 64-65 | |
- +
A grade of C- or above is required for graduation.
- *
Indicates prerequisites needed.
- **
Placement in course(s) is determined by placement assessment.