Associate of Science in Health Information Technology

Program Overview

Health Information Technology is the infrastructure that modern healthcare runs on. Every patient visit generates data — diagnoses, procedures, medications, test results, insurance claims — and health information technicians are the professionals who manage, code, protect, and analyze that data. The Associate of Science in Health Information Technology at Albany State University prepares you for this high-demand, healthcare-adjacent career in just two years.

This is not a general IT program with a healthcare label. The curriculum is built specifically around the health information management body of knowledge defined by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). You'll learn medical coding systems (ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, CPT/HCPCS), electronic health record (EHR) administration, HIPAA privacy and security compliance, healthcare statistics, revenue cycle management, and quality improvement — the core competencies that healthcare employers hire for.

Graduates are eligible to sit for the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) certification exam offered by AHIMA — the industry-standard credential that signals to employers you have verified competency in health information management. The RHIT opens doors to positions in hospitals, physician offices, insurance companies, government health agencies, consulting firms, and health IT vendors.

Why This Program Stands Out

Who This Program Is For

This program serves people who want a healthcare career without direct patient care. If you're detail-oriented, comfortable with technology, interested in healthcare but not interested in clinical work, and want a two-year degree that leads directly to a well-paying job, HIT is the right fit. It also serves medical office staff, billing clerks, and clinical assistants who want to formalize their skills and earn a credential that opens management-track positions.