Health Information Technology
Degree Type
64-credit Associate of Applied Science Degree
Program Code
10-530-1
Time to Degree
2 years
Start Date
August / January
How You'll Learn
Hybrid
Health information technicians contribute to the quality of care by collecting, analyzing and reporting healthcare data while protecting the integrity and security of patient health information. In this program, gain knowledge of disease processes and treatments, data and information standards, regulatory and ethical issues, and application of organizational management skills.
Please note: To be eligible for testing and/or licensing in the state of Wisconsin, you may be required to obtain a social security number.
How To Apply
- Apply online and pay the $30 application fee.
- Submit a copy of one of the following to demonstrate your reading and writing skills:
- High school GPA of 2.60 or above. Transcript must include completed coursework through the 11th grade.*
- ACT, ACCUPLACER® or GED - 2014 Series (165 or higher).*
- Prior college coursework may meet this requirement in whole or in part. Courses must be in the specific area(s), and you must have earned a grade of C or better (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) in the courses.*
- If none of the above apply, sign up for the ACCUPLACER® placement test.
*Unofficial copies of these documents can be sent to admissions@wctc.edu.
Questions on the application process? Visit the Admissions page or contact an enrollment counselor.
Program Details
Contact Us
Questions? We'd love to help! Connect with our Enrollment team by filling out our online form or by email at enroll@wctc.edu.
Potential Careers
If you have an interest in working in healthcare settings but not with direct patient care, consider a more technical side of health care, such as health information technology. Those working in this field have strong computer, communication, management and critical thinking skills.
- Coder/Abstractor
- Revenue Cycle Analyst
- Release of Information Specialist
- Discharge Analyst
- Health Record Analyst
- Release of Information Specialist
- Master Patient Index Coordinator
Technical Standards
The students enrolled in the Health Information Technology program should be able to meet the established technical standards identified below with or without reasonable accommodation. The technical standards for the Health Information Technology program are representative of those found in the Health Information Technology profession.
Review the Health Information Technology Technical Standards.
High School Eligibility
This program is open to qualified high school applicants. Learn more >
Please note, students must be 16 years or older to enroll in this program.
Career Salaries
$48,600 – $63,100 annually
Salary range estimates based on wages for related occupations in Waukesha County as reported by Lightcast. Individual wages may vary based on experience, industry, location and specific job requirements. Find our graduates' entry wages in the most recent Graduate Success Report.
Financial Aid
As a program student, you are eligible to receive:
- Financial aid loans
- Scholarships
- Other forms of assistance
Learn more about financial aid.
Clinical Site Compliance
Please note that some clinical sites require compliance with various safety protocols and measures as a condition to placement. Students may individually address clinical placement requirements with Jenny Clausen, Clinical Placement Specialist.
Reasonable accommodations may be available for students with documented disabilities and/or sincerely held religious beliefs. Students seeking accommodation due to documented disability should contact the Student Accessibility Office. Students seeking accommodation due to a sincerely held religious belief should contact Jonathan Pedraza in the Student Life Office.
Review the background check overview.
What Makes This Program Unique
- WCTC's pass rate and scores for the national Registered Health Information Technology exam are consistently above the national average. The 2021‐2022 RHIT exam pass rate was 100% (5 test‐takers) compared to the national average of 68%.
- For the 2023 reporting period:
- The 2021-2022 HIT graduation rate was 56.2% (based on fall start cohort completion within 150% time or 3 years).
- The 2021-2022 HIT employment rate was 83% (5 of 6 employed, with 3 in a related field, 2 in an unrelated field, 1 seeking employment and 0 unavailable for employment).
- The 2021-2022 fall-to-fall retention rate was 33.3%.
- Graduates can can become eligible to take the national certification examination offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) to become a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT).
Accreditation
The Health Information Management accreditor of Waukesha County Technical 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 2022-2023.
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.
Similar Programs
Program Pathway
Earn certificates, technical diplomas and/or industry credentials along this pathway. Start with some courses for entry-level employment, and continue with additional courses for higher wages and job advancement.
Health Information Technology Pathway
Earn credit for prior learning for the college-level knowledge and skills that you've already acquired through advanced high school classes, previous college coursework, self-study, military training work or volunteer experience.
More Credit Opportunities
High School Dual Credit
Dual enrollment offers high school students an opportunity to get a head start in high-demand fields while earning college credits.
Credit for Prior Learning
You may have the opportunity to obtain credit for the college-level skills and knowledge you've already acquired through prior coursework, work experience and more.
Transfer Opportunities After WCTC
WCTC has credit transfer agreements with many four-year institutions that allow our degree graduates to transfer credits into a baccalaureate program, often at junior-level standing.