520 - Health Information Technology (AAS)

Mission Statement

The mission of the Health Information Technology (HIT) program at Alfred State College is to empower students with the knowledge, skills, and hands-on experience necessary in the dynamic field of health information management.  The program provides a technical education that fosters critical thinking, ethical practices, commitment to lifelong learning, and prepares graduates to excel in health information management career paths that align with their strengths and interests while improving patient care and healthcare outcomes.

• The HIT program emphasizes hands-on experience with industry-standard technologies, enabling students to develop practical skills that employers highly value from faculty with industry experience. Graduates emerge as well-rounded HIT professionals, equipped with the knowledge and abilities to drive innovation, enhance patient care, and thrive in diverse healthcare settings.

• Alfred State College's associate degree in health information technology is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The College's accreditation status has been reaffirmed through the year 2026,demonstrating its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of educational excellence and ensuring graduates are well-prepared to meet the evolving demands of the healthcare industry.

Employment and continuing education rate of 100 percent – 100 percent are employed; 0 percent continued their education.

OCCUPATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

• Hospitals and other health care facilities

• Clinics and physicians' offices

• Insurance companies

• State and federal agencies

• Law firms

• Software companies

• Consulting

Alfred State health information technology AAS graduates may enter directly into the healthcare management BTech, the interdisciplinary studies BTech, or the technology management BBA degree program.

Alfred State's Healthcare Management program is not accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM) and will not yield RHIA eligibility.

The Health Information Management accreditor of Alfred State College is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The College’s accreditation for associate degree in Health Information Technology has been reaffirmed through 2026. All inquiries about the program’s accreditation status should be directed by mail to CAHIIM, 200 East Randolph Street, Suite 5100, Chicago, IL, 60601; by phone at (312) 235-3255; or by email at info@cahiim.org.

To become credentialed, students in the Health Information Technology program must successfully complete the academic requirements for an associate of science in health information technology. The RHIT exam is administered by the national professional association, AHIMA. Successful completion of this exam allows the individual to use the designation of RHIT.

For more information regarding the RHIT certification exam please visit the AHIMA Certification website.

Alfred State is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education [3624 Market St., Philadelphia, PA 19104, 215-662-5606].

Graduates of the HIT program have pursued certification through AHIMA as Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT), Certified Coding Specialist (CCA, CCS, CCS-P), and AAPC as Certified Professional Coder(CPC, COC, CIC) and Certified Professional Biller (CPB) exams.

RHIT Examination 

The RHIT examination pass rate for the August 2023-July 2024 reporting period is 100% based on 7 graduates completing the exam within 1 year of graduation.

Students who believe they need a reasonable accommodation to properly participate in this program may contact the Office of Accessibility Services by email at oas@alfredstate.edu or by phone at 607-587-4506. Please keep in mind that some accommodations may take time to implement, so students seeking accommodations are encouraged to contact OAS as early as possible.