Associate of Science in Health Information Technology
Indiana University–Purdue University Fort Wayne

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

Length of the Program Full-time students may complete this degree in two years while part-time students may take up to five years to complete the degree.

Design of the Professional Curriculum The health information technology courses are introduced by moving from basic knowledge to advanced concepts with appropriate professional practice reinforcement.

Students accepted into the Health Information Technology Program may begin the course of study in the fall semester. Spring semester acceptance is a possibility if seats remain open from the fall semester. The curriculum consists of general-education courses, technical courses in health information technology, and supervised professional practice experience in hospitals and alternate health care facilities in Allen and surrounding counties. The Health Information Technology Program is designed to:

• Provide educational experiences to prepare students to achieve the Entry-level Competencies for Registered Health Information Technicians as described by the American Health Information Management Association and for entering a career as a health information technician.
  
• Assist students in reaching their goals by providing academic, occupational, and personal guidance.
  
• Contribute to students’ liberal education by providing a core of general-education courses.
  
• Provide concentrated professional practice experiences by a rotation schedule through the hospitals and alternate care facilities in the community to enhance students’ exposure to health care opportunities.
  
• Provide the health care community with individuals qualified to efficiently carry out the functions of the health information management discipline.
  
• Prepare students to successfully write the National Accreditation Examination.
  
• Qualify graduates of the program for transfer to a college or university offering a baccalaureate degree in the field.

Additional Cost In addition to regular university fees, students are responsible for the cost of a physical examination before attending clinical sites. They are also responsible for any travel expenses incurred as part of the professional practice experience.

Program Facilities The Health Information Technology Program office and classroom/laboratory are located in Neff Hall at Indiana University–Purdue University Fort Wayne.

Accreditation The Health Information Technology Program of Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne is fully accredited by the Council on Accreditation of the American Health Information Management Association in collaboration with the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.

ADMISSION 

General Information

Criteria Used for Selection of Class Admission to the Health Information Technology Program at the Fort Wayne campus is based upon the applicant’s cumulative college grade point average or class standing. If a student completes all of the required general education courses, has only health information technology courses to complete, and maintains a 2.00 cumulative GPA, the student will be accepted into the program. Remaining seats are allocated on the basis of applicant’s GPA and a personal interview, if necessary.

Class Size 15 each fall semester.

Specific Requirements

In addition to the School of Allied Health Sciences admission policies and procedures found at the beginning of this section of the bulletin, the following admission policies apply to the Health Information Technology Program at Indiana University–Purdue University Fort Wayne.

Application Deadline July 1 for fall semester.

Word Processing Requirement

Health Information Services Tour/Shadowing Requirement

Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average 2.00 on a 4.00 scale. This requirement is applied at the time of acceptance and must be maintained.

Technical Standards See School of Allied Health Sciences policy.

Indiana Residents Preference Policy See School of Allied Health Sciences policy.

Volunteer Experience Students who have not had experience in a health information management department are strongly encouraged to participate in some volunteer experience or seek employment in a health information management department.

CURRICULUM

Prerequisites

Professional Program

Fall
Elementary Composition I ENG W131	3 cr.
Human Anatomy BIOL 203	3 cr.
Medical Terminology AHLT M195	3 cr.
Health Statistics AHLT M120	2 cr.
Introduction to Computers CS 106	3 cr.
Total 14 cr.
Spring
Human Physiology BIOL 204	3 cr.
Introduction to Health Records AHLT M101	5 cr.
Computer Applications for Supervision OLS 280	3 cr.
Medical Transcription/Word Processing AHLT M109	2 cr.
Applied Leadership SPV 274	3 cr.
Total 16 cr.
Summer Session I
Clinical Experience I AHLT M102	4 cr.
Total 4 cr.
Fall
Health Care Delivery and Quality Management AHLT M203	4 cr.
Clinical Experience in Health Care Delivery and Quality Management AHLT M204	2 cr.
Supervision in Health Information Services AHLT M200	3 cr.
Introductory Psychology PSY 120	3 cr.
Pathology AHLT R200	3 cr.
Total 15 cr.
Spring
Coding and Classification Systems AHLT M201	5 cr.
Clinical Experience in Coding and Classification Systems AHLT M202	2 cr.
Health Record Law AHLT M245	2 cr.
Sociology SOC S161	3 cr.
Fundamentals of Speech Communication COMM 114	3 cr.
Elective 3 cr.
Total 18 cr.

Suggested Electives Supervision, computer science, communication skills (written), and foreign/sign language.

Scholarships The Indiana Health Information Management Association sponsors scholarships for second-year students in accredited health information technology programs. Other scholarship opportunities are available from the Foundation of Research and Education Library of the American Health Information Management Association, as well as the Health Information Technology Program itself.

Awards The program faculty will recommend students with superior academic performance for degrees awarded with distinction.

Graduation Requirements Satisfactory completion of 67 credit hours to include 30 credit hours of general-education courses and 37 credit hours of professional courses. All course work must be completed in compliance with the program’s and school’s academic and professional policies.

For further information, contact: