Health Information Technology

U.S. Career Institute’s self-paced, online Health Information Technology Associate Degree is designed to prepare you for certification (CIC®,CPC-A®,CBCS,CCA® and CEHRS), and a healthcare technology role in as little as 16 months. Position yourself for success in a growing field!

The benefits of information technology in healthcare cannot be overstated. The impact on the quality of patient care has been immense. With a degree in Health Information Technology, you’ll have the skills you need to be a qualified HIT Specialist. Health Information Technician roles and responsibilities include organizing and managing health information data, as well as taking the time to ensure that it's accurate, accessible, and secure in both paper files and electronic systems. HIT jobs involve overseeing all information transmitted through medical technology platforms along with the upkeep of the software. With our help, you can learn the essential HIT skills needed to get started on a new career path or advance in your current career. There's no better time than now to start earning your degree.

Program goal: To prepare students to obtain applicable industry certifications. U.S. Career Institute recommends the CIC® or the CPC-A®. Included with our course, we cover the cost of the industry certification exam(s) of your choosing – up to $760 value.

• Complete in 16 months, part-time
• DEAC Accredited
• 100% online, self-paced classes, on your phone or computer
• 5-day money-back commitment
• One-on-one career coaching and instructor support
• Start learning today - no waiting period!
• A+ BBB Rating, 45 years in distance education, and 97% of students would recommend U.S. Career Institute to a friend.
• The DEAC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency.

Lead instructor/course expert. Stacy Swartz is a seasoned health information management professional, educator, and author with over two decades of experience in healthcare operations, medical coding, and revenue cycle management. Throughout her career, she has trained and mentored physicians, coding teams, and healthcare leaders nationwide, helping organizations improve compliance, documentation accuracy, and reimbursement integrity. An accomplished writer and communicator, Stacy is the author of Mastering Evaluation and Management Services in Healthcare and has contributed numerous articles, newsletters, and educational materials in the areas of medical coding, clinical documentation, and healthcare leadership.

Students must be 18 years of age; exceptions will be made with guardian approval and the appropriate education, and students under 16 years of age will not be admitted.

• Students must submit a signed enrollment application.
• Students must attest to having successfully graduated from a state-recognized high school or earned a GED. Students who have completed 30 semester hours or more from a college accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may submit official college transcripts to meet this requirement. International or homeschooled students must provide a letter of substantial equivalency or GED transcript. Without one, students can still be considered for admission providing they sign a waiver provided by the school and show ability to benefit from the program’s instruction in the first 12 semester hours completed at U.S. Career Institute.
• Students must be able to read and write in English. Applicants whose native language is not English must meet one of the listed requirements, such as a minimum total score of 61 on the TOEFL iBT, 6.0 on the IELTS, 44 on the Pearson Test of English Academic, 95 on the Duolingo English Test, or a high school diploma completed at an accredited/recognized high school where the medium of instruction is English.
• Transcripts not in English must be evaluated and translated by an appropriate third party; U.S. Career Institute accepts translation services from any NACES member.

U.S. Career Institute is an open enrollment school: as long as the applicant meets the admissions requirements for minimum education, age and English skills, they will be accepted into the school. Since applicants self-certify their high school completion information, U.S. Career Institute reserves the right to verify it by requiring a transcript. Enrollment begins on the date the school receives a student’s signed enrollment application.

Transfer credit. U.S. Career Institute grants credit for previous education or experience that is equivalent to its degree courses, including courses completed at a college accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, CLEP, ACE, DSST and Excelsior College Exams. Students may transfer a maximum of 50% of the total program credits required for graduation, and receive a tuition discount of $125 per credit hour for each course granted transfer credit.

Prospective students are expected to research regulatory (including licensing) and employer requirements in their state, county or city of residence prior to enrolling to ensure their chosen program will meet their needs.

The Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology is taught over four semesters. Students can complete it in 16 months, studying part-time. Classes are 100% online and self-paced, on your phone or computer, with no due dates or deadlines.

One year per semester. Each semester must be completed within one calendar year of enrollment, and students control the pace of course completion within each semester. A student unable to complete a semester within a year may request an Academic Extension in writing.

Automatic course shipments. Each course has a trigger quiz that automatically ships the next course in the program. The first course in the next semester is sent upon receipt of the second assignment in the last non-transfer course of the current semester, and the start date for each semester is the day its first course is shipped.

Proctored exams. Some courses have a proctored exam: students schedule the exam with an approved proctor, present valid government-issued photo identification, and complete the exam within a 3.5-hour time allotment.

U.S. Career Institute is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm Mountain Standard Time; instructors return calls Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.

U.S. Career Institute is committed to making your Health Information Technology education affordable and inclusive. Start a new career that you’ll love and find fulfilling without a mountain of debt. Make an investment in yourself today!

• Option 1, pay in full: $1,689 per semester (save $300); the application charge is waived.
• Option 2, monthly auto payments: $1,989 per semester at $139 a month, with a first payment of $139, plus a $40.00 shipping and handling charge.

First payment includes $24 tuition and $40 shipping and handling and $75 Application Charge. Shipping and Application Charge non-refundable.

U.S. Career Institute’s Health Information Technology program consists of four semesters. The total Health Information Technology program cost for all four semesters and fees is $8,191, which is $1,989 plus $40 for shipping per semester and a one-time application charge of $75.

The 2026 degree catalog states that tuition is currently $1989 plus $40 shipping/handling per semester; the school cannot guarantee the current cost per semester will remain the same for the student’s entire enrollment, but tuition for a semester in which a student is actively completing coursework will not increase. Students may pay for each semester in full or make monthly payments.

5-day money-back commitment. After you receive your first lesson, you have 5 full days to decide if our program is the best route for you.

Employer tuition reimbursement. You may be eligible for full or partial reimbursement of your tuition by your employer. Students should check with their supervisor or personnel department to see if they have an employer-sponsored tuition reimbursement program.

Military and VA benefits. Use your military and VA benefits to further your and/or your spouse's career. U.S. Career Institute is approved for or affiliated with VA education benefits including GI-Bill® benefits and MyCAA benefits. Reservists may also qualify for veterans’ training. If you think you may be eligible, contact your base's Education Officer or the Veterans Administration.

Funding. U.S. Career Institute participates in military education benefit programs and the MyCAA spouse support tuition program; specific questions regarding eligibility should be directed to the Veterans Administration by calling 1-888-GIBILL1. U.S. Career Institute also participates in various employer-paid and Vocational Rehabilitation programs. U.S. Career Institute does not participate in other financial aid programs.

Coding manuals may be borrowed (from a library, etc.) or purchased; U.S. Career Institute offers the manuals for sale at a discounted price, with an estimated cost (including shipping) of ICD-10 – $84; CPT – $109; HCPCS – $67.

U.S. Career Institute's Health Information Technology associate degree program can help you prepare to sit for five different nationally recognized certification exams. Start earning your Health Information Technology associate degree online today and you'll soon be ready for your new career. No prior experience required.

U.S. Career Institute recommends the CIC® or the CPC-A®. Included with our course, we cover the cost of your industry certification exam! From the certification exams listed, you choose any combination of exams, study guides and practice tests – up to $760 value.

National Certification Options for Medical Coding and Billing

• Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC™) exam
• Certified Professional Coder Apprentice (CPC-A®) exam
• Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) exam
• Certified Coding Associate (CCA®) exam

National Certification Options for Electronic Health Records

• Certified Electronic Health Records (CEHRS) exam

Become part of an essential healthcare team working side by side with doctors, nurses, physician assistants and insurance executives, making meaningful differences in patients' lives every day.

Health Information Technology (HIT) consists of the technology systems that healthcare providers use to manage patient data. It includes electronic health records, e-prescriptions, and tech tools that help patients meet health goals. Health Information Technicians work in hospitals and a variety of other settings, including physicians' offices, nursing care facilities, outpatient care centers, and home healthcare services. The health information career path is one with many benefits!

Beginner-Friendly Lessons. Classes are designed for anyone to easily learn, and are broken up into digestible sections that build as you progress through our program. No due dates or deadlines.

Engaging Curriculum. Reading lessons, supplemental videos, interactive exercises, note taking, read‑aloud and disability features, and open note multiple choice exams and essay questions with no time limit.

Student support and coaching. Your tuition includes access to instructors via phone and email, student services, tutoring, resume and job interview support, and one-on-one career coaching (a $400 value).

Learning materials included. Your tuition includes e‑books, study guides, supplemental videos, and interactive exercises. Everything is included—no hidden fees after enrollment.

Method of training. Each U.S. Career Institute program is specifically designed for guided independent study via distance learning. Each course includes instructional materials with clear directions for each assignment, and the school provides one copy of the textbook and/or workbook, in electronic or physical form, as part of tuition. Students earn credit for a course when they have completed all required assignments for the course, and the faculty point out areas that need special attention.

Students who obtain a 3.72 or higher grade point average in a semester are awarded a seat on the Dean’s List.