Get the Skills to Become a Health Information Administration Professional
2-Year* Online Health Information Administration (AOS) Degree Program
Health Information Administration professionals play a pivotal role in managing, protecting, and utilizing healthcare data. By managing health information technology, they contribute to the efficiency of healthcare delivery.
If you’re an organized individual interested in getting established in a growing area of healthcare, you can expand your career with CW’s online AOS in Health Information Administration.
The best way to see if the College of Westchester is the right fit for you is to attend an online or in-person information session. You’ll get a true feel for what it’s like to be a part of the CW community. Schedule an information session now or Get more info.
Becoming a Health Information Administration Professional
The AOS degree in Health Information Administration is a fully online program that prepares professionals to seek employment in a variety of administrative medical office settings including both private practice and larger healthcare facilities.
Graduates of this program are trained to organize, analyze, and technically evaluate patient health information in both electronic and hard copy formats, maintain and use health information indexes, and to facilitate storage and retrieval of medical records. Graduates may seek positions in medical office positions where knowledge of medical terminology and medical billing and coding are most important.
Program Learning Objectives
- Apply the practices of computer-based and other electronic technology related to healthcare, including the use of industry-specific software applications and other tools and techniques for collecting, storing, and retrieving healthcare data
- Demonstrate competency in completing health information analysis tasks such as abstracting, interpreting, and presenting statistics and relevant healthcare data.
- Employ systems designed to protect the confidentiality and privacy of health records in application of principles of legal and
ethical behavior relative to health information. - Apply knowledge of the medical insurance industry by accurately recording co-payments, deductibles, and coinsurance while successfully processing medical insurance claims both manually and electronically.
Is a Career in Health Information Administration Right for You? Take the CW “Health Information Administration College and Career Readiness Quiz”
This fun, online quiz takes 3-minutes to complete and you’ll get a personalized report. Identify your strengths and social style plus the training and positions you’re best suited for. Get Your Online College & Career Readiness Score Now >>
Health Information Administration Courses
| Course No. | Course Title | Semester Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MSC110* | Human Biology » | 3 |
| This course introduces students to the basic concepts of human biology and chemistry in preparation for further study in the Allied
Health Sciences. Biological concepts of cell theory, cell cycle, and cell reproduction will be explored and the major systems of the human body will be introduced. Chemistry concepts of atoms, molecules, and elements will be introduced along with biological molecules. Appropriate medical terminology will be introduced and utilized to accurately communicate in the biological and medical sciences. Emphasis is placed on body system components and function as it relates to human diseases.
Number: MSC110 Credits: 3.00 Type: Health Professions |
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| MED103 | Medical Terminology » | 3 |
| Students will be introduced to the foundation of medical terminology through a thorough study of the roots, prefixes, and suffixes which form medical language. Students will also learn the vocabulary used in various medical specialties. Spelling, definitions, and pronunciation are stressed.
Number: MED103 Credits: 3.00 Type: Health Professions |
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| MED111 | Healthcare Law and Ethics » | 3 |
| This course will introduce for discussion a variety of ethical issues that healthcare professionals may encounter during the course of their careers. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of ethical and professional behavior in the healthcare workplace. In depth discussions, textbook assignments and role playing will provide guidance to students in how to successfully manage patient relationships, protect patient privacy in compliance with the Health Insurance Privacy and Accountability Act as well as understand the distinct job responsibilities of the myriad of employees who comprise the typical healthcare organization. Students must receive a minimum grade of a “C” (70%) to continue. Students may receive a grade of D (60-69%) but will be required to repeat the course.
Number: MED111 Credits: 3.00 Type: Health Professions |
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| MED201 | Introduction to Medical Coding » | 3 |
| This course will provide students with an introduction to the historical development of medical nomenclature and classification systems including ICD-9-10-CM, CPT-4 and HCPCS coding. This course concentrates on the coding of diseases, evaluation and management procedures, diagnostic and operative procedures and abstraction of clinical diagnostic data from source documentation in order to produce optimal reimbursement when filing claims with third party payers. Also included in this course will be an overview of the medical billing cycle including coverage of Hospital Billing Applications. In accordance with new federal regulations effective January, 2014, students will be introduced to ICD-10.
Prerequisites: MED103 or permission of Chair Number: MED201 Credits: 3.00 Type: Health Professions |
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| MED203 | Advanced Medical Coding » | 3 |
| This course will leverage and build upon the skills acquired in Introduction to Medical Billing and Coding and concentrates on application of coding skills and analyzing operative reports and consultation notes. These reports and other cases simulate real world out-patient clinical and hospital ICD-9-10, CPT, and HCPCS. Included will be the application of learned skills to EOB denial analysis, collection procedures, and the appeals processes as well as the study of Electronic Records Management.
Prerequisites: MED201 or permission of Chair Number: MED203 Credits: 3.00 Type: Health Professions |
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| MED206 | Hospital Reimbursement » | 3 |
| This course provides an introduction to hospital reimbursement methodologies. The course will focus on basic reimbursement methodologies for inpatient settings, including Medicare acute and skilled inpatient reimbursement guidelines, Prospective Payment Systems, relationship between coding and Diagnosis Related Groups (DRGs) assignment and coding compliance.
Prerequisites: MED201 Number: MED206 Credits: 3.00 Type: Health Professions |
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| MED208 | Administrative Medical Practices » | 3 |
| This course will provide the groundwork for understanding the rules and responsibilities of allied health care providers in an administrative role. The course will cover topics such as electronic health records management, written and oral communication skills, understanding the complexity of the health insurance industry, scheduling and monitoring patient appointments, and the overall administrative duties that impact a health care facility.
Prerequisite: MED103 Students must receive a minimum grade of a “C” (70%) to continue. Students may receive a grade of D (60-69%) but will be required to repeat the course. Number: MED208 Credits: 3.00 Type: Health Professions |
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| MED212 | Medical Billing » | 3 |
| The aim of the course is to provide the laboratory experience for students to demonstrate clinical competencies applicable to all medical disciplines. Students will be able to demonstrate skill and competence in the following areas: Lab Equipment and Safety, Infection Control and Asepsis, EKG, Microbiology, Urinalysis and Pregnancy Testing, Fecal Occult Blood (Hemoccult) test, Vital Signs, Pain Assessment, Visual Screening, Hearing Examination, Surgical Instrumentation, Patient Examination and Preparation, Pulmonary Function Treatment and Testing, and Medical History.
Pre- or Co-requisite: MSC207 Prerequisites: MSC126 and MSC131. Students must receive a minimum grade of C (70%) to continue on to MSC301 Practicum. Students are expected to pass the written portion of the final with a minimum score of 70% to be eligible to take the practical exam. Students may receive a grade of D (60-69%) but will be required to repeat the course. Number: MSC212 Credits: 3.00 Type: Health Professions |
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| MED215 | Health Information Technology » | 3 |
| This course introduces students to the health information management profession, the health information department and the health record. Basic concepts and techniques covered will include health record content, assembly, analysis, control, storage, retention, retrieval, form design and control, indices and registers, and filing systems for both paper and electronic health records.
Prerequisites: MED208 & GEN115 or permission of Chair Number: MED215 Credits: 3.00 Type: Health Professions |
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| BUS122 | Integrated Business Applications » | 3 |
| In this course, students will examine the concepts and applications of Microsoft Word & PowerPoint. Students will use these technology tools to create business documents, marketing materials, and develop effective business presentations that will prepare them for today’s information based business environment.
Number: BUS122 Credits: 3.00 Type: Business Administration |
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| BUS123 | Human Resources Management » | 3 |
| Provides the foundation for the contemporary theory and practices relating to the management of people through a behavioral approach. Major attention is devoted to the process of personnel procurement, development and maintenance of human resources. This includes sound practices in selection, training, motivation and compensation of employees.
Number: BUS123 Credits: 3.00 Type: Business Administration |
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| BUS203 | Principles of Management » | 3 |
| A thorough study of the most modern management methods. Analyzes the areas of organizing, planning, staffing, directing and controlling the organization. Examines the relationship of managers and supervisors in getting the job done.
Number: BUS203 Credits: 3.00 Type: Accounting |
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| BUS279 | Customer Relationship Management » | 3 |
| Providing excellent customer service is key when it comes to relationship management and customer retention. Students will learn basic greetings and conversation starters, as well as how to maintain a professional presence when dealing with customers. We will look at the correlation between customer service and the increase of sales and revenue. A variety of communication tools will be examined and evaluated to determine what methods may be appropriate in keeping in touch with your client base. The term project will require students to create a Customer Service training manual for a company/industry of their choice.
Number: BUS279 Credits: 3.00 Type: Business Administration |
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| ACC107 | Financial Accounting I » | 3 |
| Students taking Financial Accounting I will be involved in accounting theory and its applications. In addition, there will be an in-depth study of the nature of assets and liabilities such as cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, short-term investments, inventories, plant and equipment, intangibles and the preparation of financial statements. During the semester, emphasis will be placed on journal entries, posting, preparation of month-end financial statements as well as closing and adjusting entries.
Number: ACC107 Credits: 3.00 Type: Accounting |
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| ACC127 | Spreadsheet Applications » | 3 |
| This course introduces Excel spreadsheet concepts using software in the Windows environment. Topics to be covered include: creating the Excel worksheet, formulas, functions, enhancing spreadsheets with graphs and charts, analyzing spreadsheet data (what–if analysis) and working with large worksheets.
Number: ACC127 Credits: 3.00 Type: Accounting |
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| Total Major-Related Credits | 45 | |
| *MSC110 course satisfies the General Education requirement. | ||
| Course No. | Course Title | Semester Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GEN105 | Transformative Learning » | 3 |
| This course will introduce students to the value of change, personal growth, and transformation. Students will engage in activities designed to stimulate reflective thinking, create a positive personal outlook, and foster “behaviors of success.”
Number: GEN105 Credits: 3.00 Type: General Education |
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| GEN115 | Digital Technologies in the Workplace » | 3 |
| The objective of this course is to familiarize students with digital technologies as they are being used in the workplace
today, and explore how emerging technologies are likely to continue to evolve. Students will be exposed to digital technology fundamentals to better position them to readily adopt common workplace technologies. Students will also learn about security concerns, ethical considerations, digital communications etiquette, and other important concepts related to the use of digital technologies.
Number: GEN115 Credits: 3.00 Type: General Education |
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| GEN125 | English Composition I » | 3 |
| In this course, students develop their reading comprehension and written communication skills. Different styles of writing are examined as students develop writing proficiency through practice in planning, outlining, drafting, revising and editing. In addition to regular class meeting times, Day Division students are required to participate in a ten-week Writing Lab component which counts as ten percent of the grade for English Composition. For the Day Division,
the Writing Lab is graded as Pass or Fail.
Note: Writing Lab is not required in the Evening division or for fully online programs. Prerequisite: Proficiency Examination and/or ACE108. Number: GEN125 Credits: 3.00 Type: General Education |
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| GEN127 | English Composition II » | 3 |
| This course builds on skills developed in English Composition I by presenting additional writing styles and helping students further refine their writing skills. Research skills and MLA documentation are also introduced. In addition to regular class meeting times, Day Division students are required to participate in a ten-week Writing Lab component which counts as ten percent of the grade for English Composition. For the Day Division, the Writing Lab is graded as Pass or Fail.
Note: Writing Lab is not required in the Evening division or for fully online programs. Prerequisite: GEN125 or permission to waive Number: GEN127 Credits: 3.00 Type: General Education |
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| GEN129 | Essentials of Public Speaking » | 3 |
| Communication skills require good speech habits. Therefore, this course covers organization of thoughts, voice control, diction and presentation of ideas to a variety of audiences. The art of listening is also studied. Emphasis will be placed on a series of oral presentations in order to acquire and reinforce these skills.
Number: GEN129 Credits: 3.00 Type: General Education |
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| GEN250 | Ethics and Professionalism » | 3 |
| This course will introduce the student to the moral principles and standards that guide behavior in today’s complex society and business. The definition and application of moral philosophies are used to explore ethical decision-making using a case study approach. Economic, legal, and social dimensions are explored along with interpersonal relationships and the development of morality within individual thinking.
Number: GEN250 Credits: 3.00 Type: General Education |
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| Total General Education Credits | 18 | |
| Electives | ||
| Open Electives (1) | 3 | |
| Total Elective Credits | 3 | |
66 CREDITS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION
Online Training Suited to Your Schedule
This program is offered entirely online. You get the technical skills and practical industry knowledge it takes to pursue a rewarding health information administrative career, with the convenience and flexibility of online training.
Is a Rewarding Career as a Health Information Administration Professional Right For You? Get More Info…
If you’re interested in learning more about healthcare careers and exploring whether The College of Westchester is right for you, fill out the form on this page to receive more information.
For immediate questions, call 1-833-768-2842.
*Program length when completed in normal time.