Health Information Technology

The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Health Information Technology prepares students to meet the increasing demands for formally trained health information management professionals in healthcare agencies such as clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, home health agencies, state health departments, and other organizations. Health information technicians are trained in the domains of information governance, data content, structure, use and analytics, privacy and security, revenue cycle management, and compliance and leadership. Certificates of Completion (CCL) in Medical Billing and Coding: Physician-Based, Medical Coding: Hospital-Based, or Health Information: Long-Term Care Settings are also available.

Graduates are eligible to apply to take the examination of the American Health Information Management Association for the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) designation.

Details

Field of Interest

Health Sciences

Degree Type

Associate in Applied Science (AAS)

Academic Plan

Health Information Technology (DEG)

Academic Plan Code

3324

Total credits required

74-86

Catalog Year

2026-2027

Effective Term

Fall 2026

Admission criteria

High school diploma, OR GED equivalent.

Completion of Program Prerequisites.

Formal application and admission to the Health Information Technology program is required.

Students interested in the Health Information Technology (HIT) program should contact a Phoenix College advisor to sequence their program prerequisites and prepare for enrollment in the HIT Program. Some courses are offered in 8-week sessions.

Ability to participate fully in courses and professional practice experience settings, as applicable.

Applications available from advisement or the College website.

Background Check Requirements
Program applications will not be accepted without a valid copy of the Arizona Department of Public Safety Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card, and a signed Acknowledgement of Criminal Background Check form. Upon conditional program admission, the student must comply with all requirements of the current MCCCD background check policy.

Professional Practice Experience Requirements
To graduate students must complete a professional practice experience which requires the following prior to placement:
Submit to a drug screening and demonstrate negative results.
Confirm CPR card has maintained valid status throughout the program.
Complete and pass a background check per MCCCD policy.
Full compliance with the Maricopa Community Colleges background check policy and other Allied Health Program Students Policies.

Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

Students in this program participate in mandatory professional practice placements in health care settings.

Students must be willing to undergo a background check performed by the MCCCD-approved vendor. (Students who are unsure of their background status may take a preliminary background check at their own expense before entering the program, results of which will not be sent to the college.)

The following Prerequisite courses must be completed within five (5) years of the Required Course(s) for which they are requisite requirements: BIO201, BIO202, BPC110 or CIS105, HCC145, and HIM200.

What You'll Learn

Demonstrate professional and ethical behavior, and cultural competency skills according to health information management professional practice standards.
Promote awareness of the health information management profession.
Communicate oral and written communication that corresponds to health information management professional practice standards.
Work effectively within health information management departmental and interdisciplinary teams and committees.
Use critical and creative thinking skills in decision-making and problem-solving processes in accordance with health information management best practices.
Interpret health data for statistical functions, and research and quality improvement efforts.
Evaluate health information according to legal and ethical principles and regulatory guidelines.
Evaluate health informatics, health information technologies, and health information systems in accordance with federal, state, local, and HIM industry standards.
Use health informatics, health information technologies, and health information systems in accordance with federal, state, local, and health information management industry standards.
Apply anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and medical terminology concepts in the management of health information.
Apply clinical nomenclatures, vocabularies, classification systems, revenue cycle management, and coding compliance concepts according to acute, ambulatory, and alternative care standards.
Manage health information services in accordance with strategic, project, financial, and human resource management principles, practices, and legislation.

Prerequisite

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
Consult with your faculty mentor or academic advisor to determine educational requirements, including possible university transfer options, for your chosen career field.

Full-time
Part-time

Full-time Sequence

Spring Semester (Term 1)Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Spring Semester (Term 1)Term 1
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
BIO156 or BIO181	Introductory Biology for Allied Health or General Biology (Majors) I	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in RDG100, or RDG100LL, or higher, or eligibility for CRE101. One year of high school or one semester of college level chemistry is strongly recommended. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in RDG100, or RDG100LL, or higher, or eligibility for CRE101. One year of high school or one semester of college-level biology and chemistry is strongly recommended.	Critical course Program Prerequisite --------------------------------- Students interested in the Health Information Technology (HIT) program should contact a Phoenix College advisor to sequence their program prerequisites and prepare for enrollment in the HIT Program. Some courses are offered in 8-week sessions.	SQ or NSI, SQ	4
BPC110 or CIS105	Computer Usage and Applications or Survey of Computer Information Systems		Program Prerequisite	CS or CS	3
HCC145	Medical Terminology for Health Care Professionals		Critical course		3
MAT112	Mathematical Concepts and Applications		OR Satisfactory completion of an equivalent mathematics course Recommend the following for students potentially seeking university transfer: MAT140 OR MAT141 OR MAT142 OR MAT145 OR MAT146 (3-6) -------------------------------- Program Prerequisite:		3
BIO156 or BIO181	Introductory Biology for Allied Health or General Biology (Majors) I	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in RDG100, or RDG100LL, or higher, or eligibility for CRE101. One year of high school or one semester of college level chemistry is strongly recommended. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in RDG100, or RDG100LL, or higher, or eligibility for CRE101. One year of high school or one semester of college-level biology and chemistry is strongly recommended.	Critical course Students interested in the Health Information Technology (HIT) program should contact a Phoenix College advisor to sequence their program prerequisites and prepare for enrollment in the HIT Program. Some courses are offered in 8-week sessions. or Program Prerequisite	SQ or NSI, SQ	4
HCC145	Medical Terminology for Health Care Professionals		Critical course Program Prerequisite		3

Summer Semester (Term 2)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Summer Semester (Term 2)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
BIO201	Human Anatomy and Physiology I	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (BIO156++, or BIO181++, or one year of high school biology) and (RDG100, or RDG100LL, or higher, or eligibility for CRE101). CHM130 or higher or one year of high school chemistry suggested but not required.		NSI, SG	4
ENG101 or ENG107	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Writing placement or (C/ better in ESL097 or WAC101) or (B/better in ALT100) or (C in ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (C/better in ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+). or Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C/better in ESL097 or WAC101),or (B/better in ALT100) or (C in ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (C/better in ESL202 and Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+).		FYC or FYC	3
FYE101 or FYE103	Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success				1–3
HIM101	Introduction to Health Information Management	Prerequisites: Acceptance into the (Medical Coding: Hospital-Based, or Medical Billing and Coding: Physician-Based, or Health Information Technology) program, and permission of Program Director.	8-week course		3
HIM106	Legal and Ethical Aspects of Health Information Management	Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Health Information Technology program and permission of Program Director.	8-week course		3
HIM160	Health Data and Content	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (BPC110 or CIS105) or permission of Program Director.	8-week course		2
HIM200	Human Pathophysiology and Pharmacology for Health Information Management (HIM) Professionals	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (HCC145 and BIO201) or permission Program Director.			3

Fall Semester (Term 3)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Fall Semester (Term 3)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
BIO202	Human Anatomy and Physiology II	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in BIO201 or BIO201XT.		NSI, SG	4
HIM180	Introduction to Medical Billing and Reimbursement	Prerequisites: Permission of Program Director.	8-week course		2
ENG102 or ENG108 or ENG111	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL or Technical and Professional Writing	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in ENG101. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG107. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG101 or ENG107 or permission of Instructor.		FYC or FYC or L	3

Spring Semester (Term 4)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Spring Semester (Term 4)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
CRE101	College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [(ENG101 or ENG107) and (RDG100, or RDG100LL, or RDG111, or RDG112, or RDG113)], or a grade of B or better in ALT100, or an appropriate district placement, or permission of Instructor.		L	3
COM100 or COM110 or COM225 or COM230	Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication	No requisites or No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG101, or ENG107, or equivalent. or No requisites		SB or SB or L or SB	3
CIS114DE	Excel Spreadsheet				3
HU	Humanities, Fine Arts & Design		Students may opt to take this in a different semester.	HU	3

Summer Semester (Term 5)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Summer Semester (Term 5)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Credits
HIM203	Healthcare Statistics and Data Analytics	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (CIS114DE, HIM160 and MAT112) or permission of Program Director.		3
HIM207	Health Information Organizational Resource Management	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (HIM101 and HIM106) or permission of Program Director.	Late-start 8-week course	3
HIM208	ICD-CM Diagnostic Coding	Prerequisites: (BIO202, HCC145, and HIM200) or permission of Program Director. Prerequisites or Corequisites: HIM180 or permission of Program Director.		2
HIM210	ICD-PCS Coding and ICD Applications	Prerequisites: BIO202 and HIM200. Prerequisites or Corequisites: HIM208 or permission of Program Director.		2
HIM213	CPT and HCPCS Coding	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in BIO202, HCC145, and HIM200.		3

Fall Semester (Term 6)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Fall Semester (Term 6)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
HIM211	Advanced Applications of Coding and Reimbursement	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (HIM208 and HIM210) or permission of Program Director.			4
HIM219	Health Information Management Systems	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in HIM160, and (BPC110 or CIS105).			3
HIM225	Health Data Analytics	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (CIS114DE and HIM203).	8-week course		3
HIM233	Health Information Technology Seminar	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (HIM208 and HIM210) or permission of Program Director. Corequisites: HIM234 and permission of Program Director.			1
HIM234	Health Information Technology Professional Practice	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (HIM208 and HIM210) or permission of Program Director, and CPR at BLS Healthcare Provider level through the American Heart Association. Corequisites: HIM233 and permission of Program Director.			1
SB	Social-Behavioral Sciences		8-week course recommended	SB	3

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

Fall Semester (Term 1)Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Fall Semester (Term 1)Term 1
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
BIO156 or BIO181	Introductory Biology for Allied Health or General Biology (Majors) I	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in RDG100, or RDG100LL, or higher, or eligibility for CRE101. One year of high school or one semester of college level chemistry is strongly recommended. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in RDG100, or RDG100LL, or higher, or eligibility for CRE101. One year of high school or one semester of college-level biology and chemistry is strongly recommended.	Critical course Program Prerequisite --------------------------------- Students interested in the Health Information Technology (HIT) program should contact a Phoenix College advisor to sequence their program prerequisites and prepare for enrollment in the HIT Program. Some courses are offered in 8-week sessions.	SQ or NSI, SQ	4
BPC110 or CIS105	Computer Usage and Applications or Survey of Computer Information Systems		Program Prerequisite	CS or CS	3
BIO156 or BIO181	Introductory Biology for Allied Health or General Biology (Majors) I	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in RDG100, or RDG100LL, or higher, or eligibility for CRE101. One year of high school or one semester of college level chemistry is strongly recommended. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in RDG100, or RDG100LL, or higher, or eligibility for CRE101. One year of high school or one semester of college-level biology and chemistry is strongly recommended.	Critical course Students interested in the Health Information Technology (HIT) program should contact a Phoenix College advisor to sequence their program prerequisites and prepare for enrollment in the HIT Program. Some courses are offered in 8-week sessions.	SQ or NSI, SQ	4
HIM101	Introduction to Health Information Management	Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Health Information Technology program and (a grade of C or better in HCC130 or permission of Program Director).	Critical course Gateway course		3

Spring Semester (Term 2)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Spring Semester (Term 2)
Course Number	Course Name	Notes	Credits
FYE101 or FYE103	Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success		1–3
HCC145	Medical Terminology for Health Care Professionals	Critical course	3
MAT112	Mathematical Concepts and Applications	OR Satisfactory completion of an equivalent mathematics course Recommend the following for students potentially seeking university transfer: MAT140 OR MAT141 OR MAT142 OR MAT145 OR MAT146 (3-6) -------------------------------- Program Prerequisite:	3

Summer Semester (Term 3)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Summer Semester (Term 3)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
BIO201	Human Anatomy and Physiology I	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (BIO156++, or BIO181++, or one year of high school biology) and (RDG100, or RDG100LL, or higher, or eligibility for CRE101). CHM130 or higher or one year of high school chemistry suggested but not required.		NSI, SG	4
HIM101	Introduction to Health Information Management	Prerequisites: Acceptance into the (Medical Coding: Hospital-Based, or Medical Billing and Coding: Physician-Based, or Health Information Technology) program, and permission of Program Director.	8-week course		3
HIM106	Legal and Ethical Aspects of Health Information Management	Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Health Information Technology program and permission of Program Director.	Late-start 8-week course		3

Fall Semester (Term 4)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Fall Semester (Term 4)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
CIS114DE	Excel Spreadsheet				3
ENG101 or ENG107	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Writing placement or (C/ better in ESL097 or WAC101) or (B/better in ALT100) or (C in ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (C/better in ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+). or Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C/better in ESL097 or WAC101),or (B/better in ALT100) or (C in ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (C/better in ESL202 and Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+).		FYC or FYC	3
HIM160	Health Data and Content	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (BPC110 or CIS105) or permission of Program Director.	8-week course		2
HIM180	Introduction to Medical Billing and Reimbursement	Prerequisites: Permission of Program Director.	Late-start 8-week course		2

Spring Semester (Term 5)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Spring Semester (Term 5)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Area	Credits
BIO202	Human Anatomy and Physiology II	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in BIO201 or BIO201XT.	NSI, SG	4
ENG102 or ENG108 or ENG111	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL or Technical and Professional Writing	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in ENG101. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG107. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG101 or ENG107 or permission of Instructor.	FYC or FYC or L	3
HIM200	Human Pathophysiology and Pharmacology for Health Information Management (HIM) Professionals	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (HCC145 and BIO201) or permission Program Director.		3

Summer Semester (Term 6)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Summer Semester (Term 6)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
COM100 or COM110 or COM225 or COM230	Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication	No requisites or No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG101, or ENG107, or equivalent. or No requisites		SB or SB or L or SB	3
HU	Humanities, Fine Arts & Design		Recommend 8-week course	HU	3
HIM207	Health Information Organizational Resource Management	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (HIM101 and HIM106) or permission of Program Director.	Late-start 8-week course		3

Fall Semester (Term 7)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Fall Semester (Term 7)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Area	Credits
CRE101	College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [(ENG101 or ENG107) and (RDG100, or RDG100LL, or RDG111, or RDG112, or RDG113)], or a grade of B or better in ALT100, or an appropriate district placement, or permission of Instructor.	L	3
HIM203	Healthcare Statistics and Data Analytics	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (CIS114DE, HIM160 and MAT112) or permission of Program Director.		3
HIM219	Health Information Management Systems	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in HIM160, and (BPC110 or CIS105).		3

Spring Semester (Term 8)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Spring Semester (Term 8)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
HIM208	ICD-CM Diagnostic Coding	Prerequisites: (BIO202, HCC145, and HIM200) or permission of Program Director. Prerequisites or Corequisites: HIM180 or permission of Program Director.			2
HIM225	Health Data Analytics	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (CIS114DE and HIM203).	Late-start 8-week course		3
SB	Social-Behavioral Sciences		8-week course recommended	SB	3

Fall Semester (Term 9)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Fall Semester (Term 9)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
HIM210	ICD-PCS Coding and ICD Applications	Prerequisites: BIO202 and HIM200. Prerequisites or Corequisites: HIM208 or permission of Program Director.			2
HIM213	CPT and HCPCS Coding	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in BIO202, HCC145, and HIM200.			3

Spring Semester (Term 10)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Spring Semester (Term 10)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Credits
HIM211	Advanced Applications of Coding and Reimbursement	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (HIM208 and HIM210) or permission of Program Director.	4
HIM233	Health Information Technology Seminar	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (HIM208 and HIM210) or permission of Program Director. Corequisites: HIM234 and permission of Program Director.	1
HIM234	Health Information Technology Professional Practice	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (HIM208 and HIM210) or permission of Program Director, and CPR at BLS Healthcare Provider level through the American Heart Association. Corequisites: HIM233 and permission of Program Director.	1

Course Area Key

Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

CS = Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application
FYC = First-Year Composition
HU = Humanities, Fine Arts & Design
L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
NSI = Natural Sciences
SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
SG = Natural Sciences General
SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative

Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm13?id=16458206).

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.

Previous Catalog Years

The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.

Previous catalog years for Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Health Information Technology