UC Clermont

Program Information

Overview

When you successfully complete the Health Information Systems Technology program, you will:

  • Have taken the AHIMA Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) Certification Exam and the AAPC Certified Professional Coder (CPC) Certification Exam.
  • Have essential professional knowledge, skills and competencies fundamental to the health information profession.
  • Have sharpened your critical thinking skills.
  • Be able to solve problems.
  • Be able to communicate effectively.
  • Have personal attitudes and attributes critical to professional leadership.
  • Be able to assure the quality of medical records by verifying completeness and accuracy.
  • Know how to use computer applications to assemble and analyze patient data for the purpose of improving patient care and decrease health cost.
  • Be able to code diagnoses and procedures for accurate billing and reimbursement.

Since UC Clermont is an open-access college, you will be admitted to the college when you apply, provided you have a high school diploma or its equivalent. However, your acceptance into the health information systems technology program may depend on meeting additional requirements, depending on your particular circumstances.

All students will be required to complete a medical history and physical exam before attending their first professional practice experience (see below for more information). This includes submitting documentation regarding immunizations (measles/mumps/rubella, hepatitis B, varicella) and recent tuberculosis testing.

Additionally, if you have previously attended college, you must have an overall college GPA of 2.0 or higher.

And, if you have taken any health care management core courses (including Medical Terminology) as part of another course of study, you must have received a grade of "C" or better or you will need to retake the course.

Please contact Karen Lankisch or Darline Foltz regarding specific program requirements.

Full-time students wishing to complete the health information systems technology associate degree are encouraged to enroll for fall semester, as most beginning courses are offered then. Please apply well in advance of the start of the term.

UC Clermont has the lowest tuition of all the UC colleges. Ohio residents will find our tuition among the lowest in the state.

Additional Costs:

  • Student membership in AHIMA (optional). Current cost for student membership is $49 per year.
  • Books may cost up to $3000 for the entire HIS Program if new textbooks are purchased for all courses. Considerable money can be saved by purchasing used books or renting textbooks.

Course Fees (included with tuition/eligible for financial aid):

  • HCMT2025C Advanced Coding Applications Course Fee (for the CPC Exam and associated materials): $755
  • HCMT2030C HIT Professional Practicum Course Fee (for the RHIT Exam and associated materials): $346
  • Background Check: $35 (if required by practicum site)

Substanial Savings For Out-of-State Residents

  • This distance learning program has a discounted non-resident surcharge: normal out-of-state surcharges do not apply! Full-time out-of-state students will pay only $3,095 per semester. Part-time, out-of-state students will pay only $259 per credit hour.

To remain in the program, you must:

  • Have an overall GPA of 2.0 or higher
  • Earn a "C"€ or better in all health information systems technology core courses.
  • Provide a completed history and physical exam prior to attending your first professional practice experience. Immunization record must include documentation regarding Measles/Mumps/Rubella, Hepatitis B and Varicella as well as indicate recent Tuberculosis test results.

In addition, background checks may be required on an individual basis, depending on placement for professional practice experience.

All health information systems technology students participate in professional practice experience (PPE). This professional practice provides students with opportunities to obtain real-world experience.

PPE opportunities are provided at participating professional practice facilities and through online-simulations. Both on-site and simulations provide students with the opportunity to reinforce competencies and skill sets.

NOTE: The program establishes, coordinates and supervises all professional practice experiences. Students living outside the Greater Cincinnati area are provided PPE in their geographic locations. Please contact our program director with questions.

  1. Students will demonstrate competency in the use of policies and procedures that ensure health data is accurate and complete.
  2. Students will demonstrate proficiency in the administration and use of health information systems and software applications.
  3. Students will demonstrate expertise in the ethical application of healthcare standards, concepts, and regulations in the use and maintenance of health care data.
  4. Students will demonstrate knowledge of practices used in protecting and securing patient health information.
  5. Students will show proficiency in the interpretation and use of clinical data and information.
  6. Students will meet entry-level competencies established by AHIMA to obtain a position in their chosen field.
  7. Students will demonstrate proficient verbal and written communication skills necessary for the health information management environment.
  8. Students will exhibit professional, ethical conduct appropriate for the health information management environment.

Students must take the Health Information Systems Technology (HIS) course equivalency of at least 50 percent of the HIS Curriculum (32 credit hours minimum) at UC Clermont.

The transfer of general education credits from previously attended accredited universities or colleges is handled according to the University of Cincinnati Policy found at  https://www.uc.edu/aas/creditevaluation/transfer.html

Students who have taken Health Information courses at other accredited institutions may petition to the Program Director of Health Information Systems Technology to have course credits transferred to the University of Cincinnati Clermont Health Information Systems Technology program. The student must include a course syllabus with the petition.

Transferability is based on the accreditation of the school, comparability of the course including evaluation of practical assignments, year the course was taken and grade the student received.

Transfer from schools that are not regionally accredited will not be allowed. Transfer from schools that are not CAHIIM approved will not be allowed.

Course Credit for Certified Coding Specialist Credential (CCS)1*

It is the policy of UC Clermont Health Information Systems Technology Program that students who possess an active CCS credential may be eligible for the following course credit.

1* Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) are credentials given to individuals that have passed the examination given by AHIMA.

  • HCMT 1001 Medical Terminology
  • BIOL 1015 Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology
  • BIOL 1015L Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology Lab
  • ALH 1015C Human Disease
  • HCMT 1010C CPT Medical Coding
  • HCMT 1017 ICD Medical Coding I
  • HCMT 1018 ICD Medical Coding II
  • HCMT 2025C Advanced Coding Applications

Please see your academic advisor to obtain the procedures for posting these credits to your transcript.

Course Credit For Certified Coding Assistant Credential (CCA)2*

It is the policy of UC Clermont Health Information Systems Technology Program that students who possess an active CCA credential may be eligible for the following course credit.

2* Certified Coding Assistant (CCA) are credentials given to individuals that have passed the examination given by AHIMA.

⦁    HCMT 1001 Medical Terminology
⦁    BIOL 1015 Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology
⦁    BIOL 1015L Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology Lab
⦁    HCMT 1010C CPT Medical Coding
⦁    HCMT 1017 ICD Medical Coding I
⦁    HCMT1018 ICD Medical Coding II

Please see your advisor to obtain the procedures for posting these credits to your transcript.

Course Credit For Certified Coding Specialist - Physician Based Credential (CCS-P)3*

It is the policy of UC Clermont Health Information Systems Technology Program that students who possess an active CCS-P credential may be eligible for the following course credit.

3* Certified Coding Assistant (CCS-P) are credentials given to individuals that have passed the examination given by AHIMA.

⦁    HCMT 1001 Medical Terminology
⦁    BIOL 1015 Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology
⦁    BIOL 1015L Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology Lab
⦁    ALH 1015C Human Disease
⦁    HCMT 1010C CPT Medical Coding
⦁    HCMT 1017 ICD Medical Coding I
⦁    HCMT 1018 ICD Medical Coding II
⦁    HCMT 2025C Advanced Coding Applications

Please see your advisor to obtain the procedures for posting these credits to your transcript.

Course Credit For Certified Professional Coder (CPC)4*

It is the policy of the UC Clermont Health Information Systems Technology Program that students who possess an active CPC credential may be eligible for the following course credit.

4* Certified Professional Coder (CPC) are credentials given to individuals that have passed the examination given by AHIMA.

  • HCMT 1001 Medical Terminology
  • BIOL 1015 Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology
  • BIOL 1015L Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology Lab
  • HCMT 1010C CPT Medical Coding
  • HCMT 1017 ICD Medical Coding I
  • HCMT 2025C ICD Advanced Coding Applications 

Please contact your academic advisor to obtain the procedures for posting these credits to your transcript.

Course Transfer Policies

1. HIS program courses must meet the following requirements before transfer will occur:

⦁ Transferring courses must be from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management (CAHIIM).
⦁ Transferring courses must have comparable course objectives to equivalent UC Clermont Health Information Technology courses.
⦁ Transferring courses must have a minimum course grade of “C-”.

2. General courses within the HIS program must be completed with a “C-” or better and be equivalent to current UC Clermont courses.

Credit by Examination Or Work Experience

1. There will be no credit by examination opportunities for HIS program courses.
2. Credit by examination for general courses may be given depending upon test availability.
3. There will be no credit for work experience given for HIS program courses or general courses.

Course Credit Time Limits

It is recommended that all Health Information Systems Technology core courses petitioned for credit have been taken in the past seven years although there is no firm date and each course is evaluated separately.


The University of Cincinnati reaffirms its policy that discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation, veteran status, or gender identity and expression shall not be practiced in any of its activities. University Rule 3361: 10-13-01