Health Information Technology (AAS.HIT)

HIT Program Mission
The HIT program is committed to the development of students’ knowledge, skills and abilities, crucial to the evolving HIM profession and industry demands.

Program Goals:

1. To produce health information technology graduates who demonstrate entry level competencies (as defined by the American Health Information Management Association)
2. To provide a comprehensive health information technology curriculum that prepares graduates to be professionally competent.
3. To maintain a faculty of qualified members who are involved in ongoing educational and professional development activities.
4. To provide an educational opportunity which allows Burlington County residents and employers to meet their educational and employment goals

HIT Program Learning Outcomes:

Graduates of the program should be able to:

1. Recognize the importance of sound data structure, content, and information governance within the context of health information management
2. Apply information protection strategies in the access, use, disclosure, privacy, and security of health information management
3. Apply the concepts of informatics, analytics, and data use to health information management
4. Explain revenue cycle management within the context of health information management
5. Incorporate health law and compliance in the application of health information management
6. Determine effective organizational management and leadership strategies in the field of health information management

Curriculum is subject to change. The department will make every effort to keep students aware of changes as they occur. Revised 4/2020. Rowan College at Burlington County reserves the right to change course schedule information, including instructor names, at any time as may be warranted by economic considerations, insufficient enrollments, and/or circumstances requiring such administrative action.

Should I complete general education courses before I apply to any of the Health Information Management programs?
HIM programs have a rolling admission therefore; you can apply anytime throughout the year. Full-time students should apply prior to or soon after starting general education courses.

When is the best time of year to apply to any of the Health Information Management Programs?
All HIM programs have a rolling admission therefore; you can apply anytime throughout the year.

What career opportunities are available for health information professionals?
The AHIMA Career Map features in-depth information about the many career options for HIM professionals, and includes updated salary study results, and job data. Click here for more information.

Is a credential required to work in the healthcare industry?
Most employers are looking for individuals who hold a national credential. However, some employers will hire recent graduates and give them a timeframe (typically 1-year) to earn a national credential.

Is it true that some employers give a coding test ?
Yes, many employers require that you pass their coding test prior to meeting with the hiring manager. You should be prepared with your own codebooks ( ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, and CPT) and a medical dictionary.

What do the abbreviations RHIT, RHIA, CCA, CCS, CTR mean?
AHIMA credentials
Click here for additional information.

• RHIT - Registered Health Information Technician (* 2-year degree)
• RHIA - Registered Health Information Administrator (* 4-year degree)
• CCA - Certified Coding Associate
• CCS - Certified Coding Specialist
• CCS-P - Certified Coding Specialist-Physician-based

* Degree Program must be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).

National Cancer Registrars Association
Click here for additional information 
CTR – Certified  Tumor Registrar

Is the Associate Degree in Health Information Technology (AAS.HIT) at RCBC accredited?
Yes, the AAS.HIT program at RCBC is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).

Is the Coding Certificate Program (SPC.ACO) accredited?
 No, the Coding Program is not accredited. However, graduates of the Coding Certificate Program are eligible to take the CCA, CCS or CCS-P credential exam offered through AHIMA. In addition, most of the credits earned in the Coding Certificate Program will transfer to the accredited Associates Degree in Health Information Technology (AAS.HIT).

How much does it cost to attend RCBC?
Tuition & fees are based on many factors including in-county, out-of-county, out-of-state and program type.  For details, click here 

Note:  any course that has a prefix of HIT or MCR, refer to the Health Science Tuition and Fees.

Are challenge exams available?
Yes, challenge exams are available for some HIM and MCR courses. The cost to challenge a course for credit is $25 per credit. Arrangements must be coordinated through the HIM Department. Rates are subject to change without notice.

If I completed courses at another school where do I send my transcript(s)?
“Official” transcripts should be mailed or dropped off to:

Office of the Registrar
Rowan College at Burlington County
900 College Circle
Mount Laurel, NJ 08054

Important note:  To be considered official, transcripts must be sent in a sealed envelope from the college or university. A transcript is required from the school that you earned the letter grade. Therefore, if you attended multiple schools, an “official” transcript is required from every school that you earned a grade of “C” or higher that you would like evaluated for possible credit.

How do I register for a credential exam?
If you plan to take an AHIMA credential exam (RHIT, CCA, CCS, or CCS-P) visit the AHIMA website at for details.  The website includes information about exam registration, eligibility, specifications, allowable books, review guide recommendations and more.

If you plan to take the Cancer Tumor Registry (CTR) exam, click here for additional details.

What books are required to take a credential exam?
See - How do I register for a credential exam?

Can I earn Continuing Education (CE) credit for taking relevant HIM courses?
Download AHIMA’s Recertification Guide here, refer to the section titled Qualifying Continue Education Activities and Calculation of CEU’s.

Will you accept a recent background check from another employer?
At this time, background checks required for the HIT Associates Degree and the Cancer Registry Management Degree MUST be completed through Adam Safeguard.

Most programs in the Health Information Management (HIM) department apply selective admission standards. Therefore, admission to the college does not guarantee admission to a program.

Applicants must be admitted to RCBC and must also qualify for admission to their selected HIM program based on the following standards:

• Graduation from high school, or attainment of a GED, with successful completion (C grade or better) of high school level algebra and biology, or equivalent college course work.
• Successful completion of all required developmental courses as determined by the results of the College Assessment of reading, writing, and math skills.
• Successful completion (C+ grade or better) of all courses that include the prefix HIT, HIM or MCR, as required within the HIM degree/certificate curriculum.
• Complete an RCBC Admission Application online.
• Achievement of an RCBC cumulative grade point average of 2.77 or greater at the time of admission.
• Submit all previous college transcripts to the RCBC Admissions Department for evaluation. Any HIM courses on transcripts will be referred to the HIM program director for evaluation. The HIM program will not evaluate transcripts for students who have not applied to the college/ program.

Program Specific Requirements

• A clear criminal history background check is required (details will follow with the acceptance letter) prior to professional practice experience.
• Applicants must take ENG101 English Composition, MTH107 Introduction to Statistics and BIO110/111 Anatomy & Physiology I with lab prior to submitting an application.
• Students GPA should be 2.77 or higher prior to submitting an application.
• Submission of a completed Health Information Management program application.
• Acceptance will be processed twice a year.  Application deadline for fall is June 1 with a July 1 notification date; Application deadline for spring is October 1 with a November 1 notification date.  The program begins in the fall semester; however, some courses can be taken in the spring or summer term.
• Students who plan to attend the HIT program full-time should not complete general education courses prior to applying to the HIT Program. Course offerings require students to take general education and HIT program courses simultaneously to meet a full-time schedule.