Health Information ManagementHIM

Impact

The impact of HIM professionals work is attained through the combination of business, science, and information practices in any organization that uses patient data for any business purpose. Students learn these practices by completing Midland College’s Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in HIM.

Demand

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of health information technicians is projected to grow 15% from 2024 to 2034 The demand for health services is expected to increase as the population ages.

Nationally Recognized Credentials

AAS students are eligible to apply and take the national Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) credentialing exam offered through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), during their HIM Clinical course. The successful completion of the RHIT exam adds the RHIT credential to the graduate’s name and widens the scope of employability for them.

MCS students are eligible to apply and take the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) credentialed exam offered through AHIMA during their Clinical Coding course.

Mission Statement

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.

Clinical Requirements

HIM AAS degree students may 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 work. 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.

cost

ESTIMATED COST OUT OF DISTRICT*

Certificate/Program	Hours	Tuition	Books**	Background Fee	TOTAL
HDC Certificate	17 Hrs	$2,788	$1,383		$4,171
MCS Certificate	34 Hrs	$6,068	$2,745.74		$8,813.74
HIM AAS	60 Hrs	$9,894	$4,023.31	$60	$13,977.31

* This is subject to change
** If books are purchased using the correct ISBN. Several books may be used in multiple classes. The above program and certificate tuition and book costs are estimates based on the 2025-2026 academic catalog and full-time hours for each program with the assumption that no previous coursework has been completed.

Certificates

Two certificates are embedded within the AAS HIM course work. Students can earn a level 1 Health Data Coordinator certificate by completing 17hrs of course work and a level 1 Medical Coding Specialist Certificate by completing 34hrs of course work. All courses in the certificates count towards earning the AAS in HIM.

Proctored Exams

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

Course List/Degree Plan

• Health Data Coordinator Certificate
• Medical Coding Specialist Certificate
• Associate of Applied Science - Health Information Management Degree

Application DEadlines

If the date falls on a weekend, then the application deadline will be the next business day. Late applications will be accepted based on availability. 

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

Application Steps

1. Submit a Midland College Application
   Previous MC students not enrolled for two regular semesters (fall/spring) need to re-apply. Current students do not need to reapply.
   
   Midland College Application
   
   
   
2. Complete the Health Information Management Application:
   
   Health Information Management Application
   
   
   
3. Verify Official Transcripts
   Verify official transcripts are on file with MC by reviewing your My MC Portal. Please contact records@midland.edu with any questions.
   

Questions?

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

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 requiring completion of Medical Term		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

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

“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."

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.

JOB Opportunities

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

• HIM Specialist
• 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

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