Program Details

Associate of Applied Science - Health Information Management

Associate of Applied Science

Tidewater Community College

This program is included in: G3, Fast Forward

The Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Health Information Management (HIM) can lead to careers in hospitals, nursing homes, insurance companies, consulting firms, and many other health related facilities. Graduates may seek positions as medical records technicians, coders, health information specialists, and similar designations.

Entrance requirements for this program include high school graduation or a GED. The program has a selective admission process for each fall semester cohort. Additional information about the admission process and program requirements is available online at tcc.edu (search keywords "HIM Program Packet").

Individuals in the Health Information Management program may elect to pursue professional certification following completion of the A.A.S. The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) offers an examination toward the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT), available to graduates of the HIM program.

The Health Information Management accreditor of Tidewater 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 Management has been reaffirmed through 2029. 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.

Program Overview & Guidance

Program Web Page

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Delivery Mode

In-Person

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Delivery Mode

Online

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Delivery Mode

Hybrid

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Program Guidance Element	What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree	Yes, if you: have excellent communication skills have strong computer skills are detail oriented
Considerations When Selecting Courses	Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year Connect with an advisor at your community college and Tidewater Community College within your first year via College Connect
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses
Doing More With Your Degree
Program Successes & Highlights	Complete this program in as few as 5 semesters / 67 credits This curriculum builds your health information management expertise through hands-on training, a clinical internship, and lectures in TCC?s state of-the-art training facility. An 80-hour clinical internship and a 120-hour VLab simulated experience prepare you for the workplace. Course work includes human anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, human pathology, and pharmacology. Students are qualified to sit for the AHIMA Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT?) certification exam. Only graduations of CAHIIMaccredited programs may take this exam. TCC had 21 graduates in 2020-21, 16 graduates in 2019-20, 20 graduates in 2018-19, 24 graduates in 2017-18, and 19 graduates in 2016-17 in the AAS program in Health Information Management.

Related Programs & Certifications

Certifications You Can Now Complete

Certified Professional Coder (CPC)

Certifications You Can Now Complete

Certified Professional Medical Auditor (CPMA)

Program Credit Requirements

What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element	What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion	The student development requirement at TCC is waived for students who have completed an associate or baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution. All other coursework is evaluated and transferred as applicable to your degree.
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School	TCC does not distinguish between students earning an associate degree while in high school or after high school graduation.
Credit for Prior Learning	TCC recognizes you have a wealth of skills and knowledge gained through life, work and community-based experiences. Credit for Prior Learning at TCC is academic credit awarded to students who successfully demonstrate college or university-level learning achieved through informal or experiential learning outside of the classroom. You can have your learning evaluated for academic credit, saving you time and money towards earning your degree. For more information: https://help.tcc.edu/s/topic/0TO1R000000gnrkWAA/credit-for-prior-learning
Did You Know That...	Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree? Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: Tidewater Community College

College Level Information

Transfer Center

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External Link

Transfer Admission Application

Transfer Students - Apply Here

External Link

Transfer Student Aid

Financial Aid for Transfer Students

External Link

Number of Transfer Students

3364

College Fit Guidance	What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me?	At TCC, we believe everyone should have access to a high quality, affordable education. With diverse programs designed for immediate job placement, smaller class sizes, top-rated faculty and modern campuses, TCC is an ideal environment for a life changing education, right here in your own backyard.
Transfer Student Catalog Year	Catalog year is determined when an academic plan is selected by the student.
First Year Student Catalog Year	Catalog year is determined by first semester of attendance.
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions	Completing the first two years of your degree at TCC can get you in the door - while saving you thousands on the cost of your education. We recommend that you start your transfer planning during your first semester at TCC. In addition to your regular academic advising, you should review the TCC guaranteed admissions agreements and the transfer guides for the college or university to which you would like to transfer. https://help.tcc.edu/s/article/Guaranteed-Transfer-Programs.

Where Can This Degree Transfer

This section displays VCCS degrees most closely related to this program and to which you may be able to most efficiently transfer your current course work. So, you can use this list to find a degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program page.

If you are interested in transferring to a four-year degree view this degree on the Transfer Virginia site to explore degrees aligned with this program at Virginia's 4-year institutions.

Institution	Title	Degree	Award Name	Award Level	Delivery Mode
Laurel Ridge Community College	Associate of Applied Science Degree in Health Information Management	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	Online
Paul D. Camp Community College	Associate of Applied Science in Word/Information Process	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person
Virginia Peninsula Community College	Associate of Applied Science in Administrative Support Technology/Medical Office Administration	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person
Mountain Empire Community College	Associate of Applied Science Degree in Health Information Management	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Northern Virginia Community College	Health Information Management, A.A.S.	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid

Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code	Name	Description	Parent
11-9111.00	Medical and Health Services Managers	Plan, direct, or coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, public health agencies, or similar organizations.	Management Occupations
43-6013.00	Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants	Perform secretarial duties using specific knowledge of medical terminology and hospital, clinic, or laboratory procedures. Duties may include scheduling appointments, billing patients, and compiling and recording medical charts, reports, and correspondence.	Office and Administrative Support Occupations
43-1011.00	First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers	Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of clerical and administrative support workers.	Office and Administrative Support Occupations
29-9021.00	Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars	Apply knowledge of healthcare and information systems to assist in the design, development, and continued modification and analysis of computerized healthcare systems. Abstract, collect, and analyze treatment and followup information of patients. May educate staff and assist in problem solving to promote the implementation of the healthcare information system. May design, develop, test, and implement databases with complete history, diagnosis, treatment, and health status to help monitor diseases.	Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
29-2072.00	Medical Records Specialists	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. Classify medical and healthcare concepts, including diagnosis, procedures, medical services, and equipment, into the healthcare industry's numerical coding system. Includes medical coders.	Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
31-9099.02	Endoscopy Technicians	Maintain a sterile field to provide support for physicians and nurses during endoscopy procedures. Prepare and maintain instruments and equipment. May obtain specimens.	Healthcare Support Occupations
31-9099.00	Healthcare Support Workers, All Other	All healthcare support workers not listed separately.	Healthcare Support Occupations
31-9099.01	Speech-Language Pathology Assistants	Assist speech-language pathologists in the assessment and treatment of speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders. Implement speech and language programs or activities as planned and directed by speech-language pathologists. Monitor the use of alternative communication devices and systems.	Healthcare Support Occupations
25-1011.00	Business Teachers, Postsecondary	Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.	Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
11-3013.00	Facilities Managers	Plan, direct, or coordinate operations and functionalities of facilities and buildings. May include surrounding grounds or multiple facilities of an organization's campus.	Management Occupations
11-3013.01	Security Managers	Direct an organization's security functions, including physical security and safety of employees and facilities.	Management Occupations

Cost To Complete

This section provides you with a very high-level estimate of your costs and is purely intended as a guide. You should consult the institution via College Connect to get a more detailed estimate based on the totality of your circumstances. The selections below are based on information gathered from your Profile and the estimated costs are calculated based on the 69 credits remaining to be completed

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Please select the "Cumulative Months of Service" that determine your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.

Estimated Cost for the Associate of Applied Science - Health Information Management at Tidewater Community College These costs are based on an estimated 4 semesters or 2 years remaining to complete this degree (assuming a full-time load of 16 hours per semester)
Category	Cost	Basis	Cost (To You)	Estimated Benefits	Net Cost	Notes
Tuition	$165	Per Credit	$11,385	$0	$11,385	Tuition is subject to change by action of the State Board for Community Colleges. Fees are payable with tuition and are charged on a per credit hour basis.
Fees
Institutional Fee	$7	Per Credit	$483	0	$483	Used to fund expenses related to campus parking including, but no limited to parking improvements, signage, parking lot repairs, lot security, and overall improvements. Up to a maximum of 15 credit hours per semester. Fees are payable with tuition and are charged on a per credit hour basis.
Student Activity Fee	$3	Per Credit	$207	0	$207	Used to fund various student activities and programs including, but not limited to honor societies, leadership training, community and cultural events, clubs, athletics, student publications, and learning assistance. Up to a maximum of 15 credit hours per semester. Fees are payable with tuition and are charged on a per credit hour basis.
Auxiliary Capital Fee	$20	Per Credit	$1,380	0	$1,380	Used to construct, maintain, and operate facilities for which state General Fund dollars are not permitted. Up to a maximum of 15 credit hours per semester. Fees are payable with tuition and are charged on a per credit hour basis.

*Please note that the above estimated costs do not include all Federal, State or other financial aid, grants, scholarships, etc. for which you may qualify. All such aid could substantially reduce these costs.

Other Financial Aid to Pay for College:

You may be eligible for additional financial aid from Federal, State, and Local sources. Military education benefits are not considered in determining eligibility for federal financial aid. Everyone is therefore encouraged to apply for federal financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), because many will qualify for additional educational funds like Pell Grants, worth over $5,500/yr.

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