Health Information Technology A.A.S. (Plan 21HM)

SCREENING DEADLINE: FIRST WEDNESDAY IN FEBRUARY

The field of health information provides a wide variety of professional opportunities in the health care industry. Health information is a unique profession that incorporates clinical, information technology and management skills, giving graduates the background to work in a range of health care settings. Courses in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, and medical science lay the foundation for the program, which focuses on collecting, maintaining, retrieving, and analyzing the health information of patients. Students also learn the legal aspects of health information, statistics, coding and reimbursement methods, health care quality improvement techniques, as well as health records management.

Graduates of CLC’s Health Information Technology (HIT) Program go on to succeed in a wide range of in‑demand roles, including medical coders, health information managers, cancer registrars, nursing home consultants, clinical documentation specialists, medical billers, and medical office managers. Our alumni work in diverse settings such as hospitals, physician practices, clinics, insurance companies, professional organizations, long‑term care facilities, and medical billing services.

If you’re passionate about health care but prefer working behind the scenes rather than in direct patient care, HIT offers a meaningful, impactful, and rewarding career path. You’ll play a vital role in ensuring the accuracy, security, and quality of health data—skills that are essential in today’s technology‑driven health care environment.

Students pursuing the A.A.S. degree are strongly encouraged to meet with an Academic Success Advisor to plan a course sequence that meets all degree requirements and supports their long‑term goals.

ADMISSION TO THE PROGRAM

Many courses are available in the evening; however, some daytime classes are required to complete the degree.

Interested students may take HIT 111, 113, 115, 117, 119, 131, 132, 171, 215 and 271 prior to being admitted to the program; however, the number of students admitted to the Professional Practice Experience (HIT 212 and HIT 213) each year is limited. Therefore, a screening procedure is used to select the academically best qualified from those who request consideration. Preference is given to residents of CLC’s district, or a community college district which does not offer a Health Information Technology program and is a member of the CAREER consortium.

Students who live outside of CLC’s district but are eligible for in-district tuition because they are employed by a district employer are NOT considered residents of the district for purposes of selection into the program. Students should seek admission to the Health Information Technology Program the year prior to enrolling in HIT 212. (e.g., If you expect to take HIT 212 in Fall 2028, apply by February 2027.) If you are accepted into the program and do not enroll in HIT 212 as scheduled, CLC will attempt to accommodate the schedule change but there is no guarantee you will be permitted to enroll in HIT 212 in subsequent years. Please review the admission requirements that are listed below:

To be considered for admission to the Health Information Technology Program, students must complete the following screening requirements prior to the screening deadline.

STUDENTS MUST HAVE SUBMITTED THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS TO THE WELCOME AND ONE-STOP CENTER:

1. Student Information Form

2. Official high school transcript with graduation date OR Official GED test scores OR Official college transcripts with graduation date and degree awarded OR Official foreign high school or college transcript evaluated by a NACES approved agency

3. Health Information Technology Program Request for Screening Form

4. If using courses from another college to meet prerequisites or degree requirements, submit an official transcript and a “Request for Evaluation of Prior College Transcripts” form to the Office of Registrar and Records.

MINIMUM SELECTION CRITERIA: STUDENT RECORDS MUST INDICATE THE FOLLOWING:

1. High school graduate or equivalent or high school senior in last term

2. College Reading and Writing Readiness and Basic Algebra Readiness

3. CLC Cumulative GPA is 2.0 or above

4. NLN NEX with minimum composite RN percentile rank of 50 (within 3 years prior to the screening deadline)

5. Attendance at a Health Information Technology Information Session (within two years of the screening deadline) 

Note: Applicants may take the NLN NEX exam once every 90 days (approximately three months). NLN NEX exam results that are less than 45 days between exams will not be considered. Scores used for screening into the HIT program will be valid for only 3 years prior to a screening deadline. Scores older than 3 years will not be considered for screening. Visit www.nlnonlinetesting.org for available test dates and times or visit the Health Information Technology webpage at www.clcillinois.edu/programs/hit. Instructions for registering for the test are available on the webpage.

Students who are selected for the program are required to undergo a background check and a urine drug screen. The results of the background check and drug screen may result in the student losing his/her seat in the program. The costs are borne by the student.

Students who are selected for the program are required to attend a mandatory orientation session. Failure to attend the mandatory orientation session may result in the student losing his/her seat in the program and the next qualified student on the list will be selected in his/her place.

Students must earn a grade of “C“ or better” in all HIT and BIO courses.

HIT 231 and HIT 232 will be offered in the spring of 2027 ONLY.

HIT 217 and HIT 272 will be offered in the spring of 2028 ONLY.

 If BIO 124 has been taken, BIO 111/BIO 244 and BIO 245 are not needed.

 Students should seek the advice of the HIT full-time faculty for course scheduling every semester.

For more information on recommended courses or program specific advising, contact faculty member Christina Melnytschuk at (847) 543-2886 or Neeru Kaur Singh at (847) 543-2584 or the Biological and Health Sciences division at (847) 543-2042.