Health informatics programs in Texas are abundant at the associate level for high school graduates and career changers to step into in-demand health IT jobs.
Anchored in the Southwest, Texas is the second most populous state nationwide with 27.4 million residents. That means the Lone Star State’s healthcare organizations are inundated with patient records needing to be coded. Texas houses nearly 600 hospitals, including the top-ranked:
- Houston Methodist Hospital
- Baylor University Medical Center
- Medical City Dallas Hospital
The BLS recognizes Texas as the #2 top employer of health information technicians with 16,730 professionals earning an annual mean wage of $38,810.
Below we’ll highlight the first section (A-M) of health informatics schools in Texas for your training needs.
Austin Community College
Health Sciences Division
Established in 1973 by the Texas College System Coordinating Board, Austin Community College is public, multi-campus junior college. It enrolls about 43,300 credit students with 100+ associate degrees and technical certificates. The system is SACS-accredited. It’s headquartered in Texas’ capital to serve a seven-county area from Travis to Fayette and Guadalupe. As the United States’ sixth largest community college, ACC was named the 54th “Top Producer” of associate degrees for Hispanic students in Community College Week. The Health Sciences Division houses 20 clinical training options, including one of the health informatics programs in Texas.
AAS Health Information Technology Program
ACC’s Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology is CAHIIM-accredited. It produces technologists who organize and evaluate patient health records. The 60-credit program is aligned with the standards for RHIT certification for value-added classroom study. Courses are taught at the Eastview and Round Rock campuses during daytime or evening hours. Three clinical rotations are also included at Austin healthcare facilities. These total 96, 128, and 192 clock hours respectively for in-depth supervised experience. Total program cost is currently only $9,567 for in-district students. However, required tuition may increase for students adding the Level I Certificate in Medical Coding. Austin Community College has close ties with the Texas HIMA for post-graduation career resources.
Accreditations
- The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
3401 Webberville Road
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 223-5700
healthsciences@austincc.edu
Brightwood College – Ingram
Allied Health Studies Department
Brightwood College is owned by the Education Corporation of America. It’s a private, for-profit higher learning system that’s taken over the Kaplan College brand for ACICS-accredited education. Although headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, Brightwood operates 28 national locations, including the Ingram campus near I-410 in West San Antonio. G.I. Jobs magazine has honored Brightwood with a “Military Friendly” stamp for excellent active duty and veteran discounts. The Allied Health Studies Department offers 22 career-focused programs ranging from radiologic technology to massage therapy and pharmacy.
Health Information Technology Associate’s Degree
The Health Information Technology Associate Degree program is available at the San Diego, Las Vegas, or Ingram campus. It stands among the CAHIIM-accredited health informatics programs in Texas. As a career institute, Brightwood prepares students for significant roles processing, compiling, and securing health information data electronically.
Relevant HIT knowledge is developed with 105 quarter credit hours. Completing an externship for 120 contact hours in approved placements is also required. It’s estimated that students will become qualified for the Registered Health Information Technician credential in 77 weeks. There’s intensive coursework in:
- anatomy
- medical coding
- healthcare law
- biomedical statistics
- data management
Courses primarily meet Monday through Thursday during morning or evening hours.
Accreditations
- The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS)
Contact
6441 NW Loop 410
San Antonio, TX 78238
(210) 308-8584
College of the Mainland
Allied Health Department
The College of the Mainland is on an urban campus in Texas City, Galveston County’s third largest city. It’s a fast-growing, two-year public community college founded by Herbert F. Stallworth in 1966. IT enrolls over 3,500 students. COM currently offers 21 associate degree and certificate programs as an “Achieving the Dream Leader College.” According to College Measures, Mainland graduates earn the highest average starting salary of all Texas technical colleges at $73,509. The Allied Health Department fosters in-demand career pathways for:
- medical assisting
- emergency medical services
- nursing, and more
A.A.S. Health Information Management
The College of the Mainland offers two health informatics programs in Texas with CAHIIM accreditation:
- the A.A.S Health Information Management program
- Medical Coding Certificate
The former is a two-year associate degree focused on equipping COM students for performing important record keeping roles in healthcare. Prerequisites in medical terminology and human anatomy are completed during the summer before the four-semester sequence begins. Courses then span from quality assurance to pharmacology in a face-to-face format. Classroom activities and virtual labs are supplemented with a clinical internship at approved departments like the University of Texas-Medical Branch or Methodist St. John Hospital. RHIT graduates reported a 100 percent satisfaction rate in 2015.
Accreditations
- The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
1200 Amburn Road
Texas City, TX 77591
(409) 933-8414
kfrieze@com.edu
Collin College
Health Science Cluster
Upholding the values of “Learning, Service, Innovation, and Integrity,” Collin College is a two-year public, co-educational community college district. It’s grown from an inaugural class of 5,000 in 1986 to nearly 53,000 students. Within the DFW Metroplex, Collin is ideally positioned off State Highway 121 in McKinney. It has satellites in:
- Allen
- Plano
- Rockwall
Named the eighth best Texas college on BestColleges.com, Collin employs four faculty who’ve received the coveted U.S. Professor of the Year title. In the Health Science Cluster, students can select unique workforce programs like polysomnographic technology and phlebotomy.
Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Management
The Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Management program at Collin has an RHIT exam pass rate of 84 percent. It inspires students to lead efforts that improve the accuracy, confidentiality, and security of vital patient information. It’s notably one of the health informatics programs in Texas conducted mostly online via the Canvas platform. The only face-to-face component is the clinical practicum, which can be completed with any Texas healthcare provider. The CAHIIM-accredited A.A.S. encompasses 60 credit hours, including a culminating RHIT competency review. There’s also a 30-credit Medical Coding and Billing Certificate online that’s transferrable. High schoolers could begin their professional training via Collin’s unique PISD Health Sciences Academy.
Accreditations
- The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
3452 Spur 399
McKinney, TX 75069
(972) 548-6676
MMillen@collin.edu
Del Mar College
Allied Health Department
Granting over $22 million in financial aid, Del Mar College is an affordable public, two-year junior college. It was opened by the Texas Legislature in 1935 to deliver associate and certificate programs in over 80 occupational fields. It primarily serves the counties of:
- Aransas
- Kenedy
- Nueces
- San Patricio
Del Mar enrolls over 12,200 students on its 330-acre suburban campus in Corpus Christi. DMC was ranked in the country’s top 50 associate producers for Latino/as by the Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education. The Allied Health Department offers one of the health informatics programs in Texas with a placement rate of 88 percent.
Health Information Technology, A.A.S.
At Del Mar’s West Campus, the Health Information Technology A.A.S. program is delivered for students seeking the educational requirements for AHIMA certification. This 60-credit curriculum meets CAHIIM standards for producing Registered Health Information Technicians and Certified Coding Associates. Over five semesters full-time, students develop the science and technology background for organizing health record or reimbursement systems. HIT majors complete two clinical practice experiences for at least 256 clock hours in healthcare organizations. Graduates are welcomed into the workforce, but transfer agreements are established for B.A.A.S. programs across Texas. Del Mar students could also benefit from earning the 26-credit Information Technology Essentials Certificate.
Accreditations
- The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
101 Baldwin Blvd.
Corpus Christi, TX 78404
(361) 698-2820
kwilliams@delmar.edu
El Paso Community College
Health Program
El Paso Community College is a public, state-funded junior college district established in 1972. It primarily serves El Paso and Hudspeth counties, including Fort Bliss. It enrolls more than 24,600 students. The SACS-accredited system features five campuses across America’s 20th largest city:
- Mission del Paso
- Valle Verde
- Northwest
- Rio Grande
- Transmountain
It was honored with the Diamond Amigo Award for disability support. EPCC was chosen for the Aspen Institute’s “Top 10 Community Colleges” from a pool exceeding 1,200. The Health Program is a regional leader in producing:
- dental hygienists
- pharmacy techs
- medical assistants
- HIM professionals.
Health Information Management A.A.S.
El Paso’s Health Information Management A.A.S. stands ahead several health informatics programs in Texas for its outstanding first-time RHIT exam pass rate of 100 percent. Students spend two years full-time climbing the career mobility ladder to specialize in the protection of digital medical information. Cohorts admit about 12 students each Fall for tackling the 60-credit curriculum. CPR Certification and HIPAA Training is conveniently infused into the program. Students can also participate in the annual Health Literacy Conference with the Paso del Norte Health Foundation. Professional experience is required at approved Texas facilities, including the on-site Rio Grande Border Health Clinic. EPCC Health Program graduates have an average salary range of $23,240 to $30,037.
Accreditations
- The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
9050 Viscount Blvd.
El Paso, TX 79925
(915) 831-4074
jgarris2@epcc.edu
Houston Community College System
Health Careers Division
The Houston Community College System opened in 1971. It has expanded from its main headquarters in Midtown to encompass 23 commuter campuses served by METRORail in:
- Houston
- Katy
- Stafford
- Missouri City
It’s labeled a “Global Community College” in The New York Times. A high percentage of the SACS-accredited public school’s over 69,200 students are international. The HCCS Southwest College is even located abroad in Education City, Qatar. Houston Community College is listed on Community College Week’s top 100 associate degree producers. The Health Careers Division offers over 15 open-admission programs from EKG technician to physical therapist assistant.
Health Information Technology – AAS
Houstonians selecting the Health Information Technology – AAS program benefit from training to handle all information-related functions in healthcare departments. Students pursue RHIT certification for analyzing, coding, storing, and updating medical data.
The two-year program spans nine semesters with practicum beginning the very first. Clinical experience is arranged at local organizations like Houston Methodist Hospital and Texas Children’s Hospital. Graduates achieve an average job placement rate of 90 percent. HCCS students can also select from other health informatics programs in Texas. Consider:
- the 12-month Health Information Coding Certificate
- 9-month Health Information Analysis Certificate
- 9-month Cancer Data Management Certificate
CEUs are available via the Medical Business Office Professional program.
Accreditations
- The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
3100 Main Street
Houston TX 77002
(713) 718-2000
student.info@hccs.edu
Lamar Institute of Technology
Allied Health Department
Lamar Institute of Technology was established in 1955 as the School of Vocations for nearby Lamar University. It recently gained independence as a public, state technical college outside the Texas State University System. LIT is situated upon a 270-acre urban campus in Beaumont along the Neches River. It enrolls around 6,900 students. Ranked #1 in Texas, Lamar Institute of Technology claims the nation’s seventh spot for most tech graduates in Community College Week. Lamar’s estimated economic impact in Southeast Texas currently surpasses $144 million! The Allied Health Department offers health informatics programs in Texas with a 100 percent employer satisfaction rate.
Health Information Technology (Associate of Applied Science)
The Health Information Technology (Associate of Applied Science) is a two-year training program. It’s offered on-campus in Beaumont or fully online. It prepares entry-level medical record technicians who collect data that doctors and nurses rely upon. Students learn the coding classification systems utilized for:
- EHR in hospitals
- physician offices
- clinics
- insurance companies, and more
The 67-credit program begins with passing the Texas Success Initiative and physiology prerequisites. Following CAHIIM standards, the program includes two semester-long field practicum with licensed technicians. Tuition is estimated to cost $2,237 (in-state) and $7,245 (out-of-state) per semester. Required credits could be cut by selecting Lamar’s one-year Certificate of Completion in Health Informatics.
Accreditations
- The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
802 East Lavaca Street
Beaumont, TX 77705
(409) 839-2918
healthinfotech@lit.edu
Lee College
Allied Health Division
Lee College is located on a 40-acre urban campus in Baytown just 30 miles east of Houston on the Gulf Coast. It’s a public, state-funded community college officially serving East Texas from Huffman to Hardin-Jefferson ISD. It was named an “Achieving the Dream Leader College.” Lee enrolls about 5,800 full-time students in 60+ technical education programs. It was picked among the Aspen Institute’s top 10 percent of junior colleges for two years. Lee was the nation’s first recipient for the Kresge Foundation Grant. The Allied Health Division equips diverse Texans for:
- vocational nursing
- alcohol/drug abuse counseling
- health information technology
Health Information Technology Program
The Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.), the Health Information Technology Program allows Lee students to complete tech-prep training centered on storing and retrieving patient records for administrative capacities. Unlike most health informatics programs in Texas, this 60-credit degree features dual CAHIIM and CAAHEP accreditation. From a holistic approach, majors blend knowledge in clinical terminology with:
- computer science
- data processing
- medical transcription
Two on-campus HIT labs are offered in the Advanced Technology Center (ATC) with up-to-date 3M coding software for practice. Work-based learning is also implemented with clinical practicum. Lee College fulfills the requirements for taking the RHIT exam through on-site and online courses on Blackboard.
Accreditations
- The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
511 S Whiting Street
Baytown, TX 77520
(281) 427-5611
admissions@lee.edu
Lone Star College – North Harris
Health, Emergency, and Personal Services
Lone Star College is Greater Houston’s largest educational entity. It’s a public, seven-campus community college system. It’s grown dramatically since 1973 with an enrollment of over 90,000 students. Known for purchasing Hewlett Packard’s former core, LSC is headquartered in The Woodlands with extensions in:
- CyFair
- Kingwood
- Montgomery
- North Harris
- Tomball
- University Park
The Chronicle of Higher Education recognized LSC for America’s third most international students. RateMyProfessors.com named it Texas’ #1 college system based on student happiness. The Health, Emergency, and Personal Services Division spans 23 disciplines from veterinary technology to public safety.
Health Information Technology AAS
The North Harris campus gives LSC students the valuable opportunity to complete one of the CAHIIM-accredited health informatics programs in Texas online. The Health Information Technology AAS degree segues into entry-level employment for RHIT technicians interested in analyzing and securing the records that keep healthcare providers informed.
Coursework places great emphasis on:
- risk management
- cyber security
- quality improvement
- strategic planning
Two-year training is designed for immediate workforce entry after 60 credit hours. For the capstone experience course, students meet 38 hours weekly for five and a half weeks. Lone Star College also awards a Coding Certificate partially online. Program graduates report a median wage of $33,781.
Accreditations
- The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
2700 W.W. Thorne Drive
Houston, TX 77073
(281) 618-5400
Viseeta.K.Brown@lonestar.edu
McLennan Community College
Health Profession Division
McLennan Community College was established in 1965. It’s a public, career-oriented technical institution partially funded by taxpayers in McLennan County to educate about 9,000 students and employ 700+ staff. Partnered with Texas Tech University, McLennan features a 200-acre, LEED-certified suburban campus on the north side of Waco. Statistics on transfer rate, student-faculty ratio, and graduation rate made Schools.com place McLennan as Texas’ 10th best community college. In the Health Profession Division, students benefit from 13 learner-centered degrees, including health informatics programs in Texas.
Health Information Technology Program
The Health Information Technology Program at McLennan is fully accredited by the CAHIIM. It trains students to handle the technical responsibility of checking medical records for accurately coded information on:
- diagnosis
- treatment
- reimbursement
After fulfilling the keyboarding prerequisite, the curriculum entails seven academic and nine HITT courses. The two-year program delves into:
- pharmacology
- data structures
- medical terminology
- psychology
- quality assessment
- insurance coding
- health ethics
Clinical hours are obtained during the final hour at any healthcare facility within a 200-miles radius of Waco. Professional liability insurance is purchased before the first placement. For a shorter degree alternative, there’s a Coding Specialist Certificate or Administrative Assistant Certificate of Completion.
Accreditations
- The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
1400 College Drive
Waco, TX 76708
(254) 299-8233
lplemons@mclennan.edu
Midland College
Allied Health Division
Midland College is a regionally accredited public, two-year community college. It’s dedicated to serving over 7,400 students primarily from the coiunties of:
- Crockett
- Midland
- Pecos
- Reagan
- Terell
The SACS-accredited college occupies a 224-acre urban campus in Midland on West Texas’ plains. It has an off-campus location in Fort Stockton. Noted for being the world’s first community college named a “Conn-Selmer School,” Midland was graded A- for academics by Niche. The Allied Health Division stands out for scoring higher than the national average in all seven AHIMA domains.
Associate of Applied Science Degree for Health Information Management
Since 2008, the Associate of Applied Science Degree for Health Information Management has transitioned into an “online only” option for working Midland students needing flexibility. Online courses virtually train students to analyze confidential patient data for payment or registry. Most learners enroll part-time by taking two to three courses each semester. Midland College utilizes the Canvas platform for sharpening students’ computer skills along with content knowledge. The only face-to-face requirement for the A.A.S. is one clinical practicum experience. The 60-credit program produces Registered Health Information Technicians with a 91 percent pass rate. A Medical Coding Specialist Certificate and Health Data Coordinator Certificate are Midland’s other health informatics programs in Texas.
Accreditations
- The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
3600 N. Garfield Street
Midland, TX 79705
(432) 685-6893
mteel@midland.edu
Health informatics is one of America’s hottest majors for professionals preferring to work behind the scenes in medical facilities. Health information technicians are the industry’s backbone with the power to improve patient care by keeping records in tip-top shape. A recent HIMSS survey found that healthcare organizations are having staffing troubles. There’s a national shortage of around 50,000 health IT employees. Position yourself for this growing sector by considering these CAHIIM-accredited health informatics programs in Texas.