FSW HIT Program Mission Statement
The mission of the Health Information Technology program at Florida SouthWestern State College is to prepare students with the skills, knowledge, and qualities needed to fill the diverse roles in the health information management field and to develop the attitudes and principles which will encourage continuing growth in the Health Information Management profession.
Program Overview
Health Information Technology professionals play a critical role in maintaining, collecting and analyzing the data that doctors, nurses and other health care providers rely on to deliver quality health care. They are experts in:
- Managing access to patient health information and electronic health records
- Establishing policies to protect patient health data and comply with federal, state and local regulations
- Utilizing computer information systems
- Coding the diagnosis and procedures for health care services provided to patients
- Reviewing medical claims data and managing the revenue cycle.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Employment of health information technicians is projected to grow 8 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. The demand for health services is expected to increase as the population ages."
Health Information Technology professionals work in a multitude of settings throughout the healthcare industry:
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Nursing homes
- Doctors' offices
- Home health agencies
- Medical coding and auditing companies
- Insurance companies
- Government agencies
- Release of information companies
- Health information computer system companies
The Associate of Science in Health Information Technology degree is an AHIMA/CAHIIM accredited 70-credit hour program. The curriculum includes a combination of classroom, laboratory, and professional practice experiences. General Education and some Program Specific coursework may be taken on various campuses but the Health Information Technology core courses are only offered on the Thomas Edison Campus.
There are three professional practice experience (internship) courses in the Health Information Technology Program. Students will be assigned to a specific health care facility or virtual lab simulation for the completion of these experiences. Applicants should note the following in regards to these internships:
Student assignment to facilities or lab simulation is made by the Health Information Technology Program Director and is based upon site availability.
Facilities will be selected from within the Southwest Florida region which includes Lee, Collier, Charlotte, DeSoto, Hendry, Glades and Sarasota Counties.
Students are expected to provide their own transportation to and from their assigned professional practice sites.
Professional Practice Experiences can only be completed on weekdays.
Graduates of the HIT program at FSW are eligible to take the national certification exam to become a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT).
Accreditation

The Health Information Management accreditor of Florida SouthWestern State College is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The College’s accreditation for the Associate degree in Health Information Technology has been reaffirmed through 2022. 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.
Program Outcomes 2022 - 2023
The following information represents Program Outcomes as they pertain to graduation rate, gainful employment in the field of Health Information Management, and student retention rate:
Graduation Rate: 100% Employment Rate: 50% Student Retention Rate: 84%
Program Requirements
A separate application is NOT REQUIRED for this program. The Health Information Technology program is open to all students interested in the field of study. However, upon selection of the AS in Health Information Technology as a declared major, students are required to contact the Program Director to determine an appropriate curriculum sequence.
In the final semester of the Program, students will complete an internship at an off-campus agency. This internship course is HIM 2940 Professional Practice Experience III and will require preparation before registration will be allowed. Students will be responsible for the cost and completion of the following:
- Criminal Background Check
- Drug test
- Health Form completed by Physician
- Record of all current Immunizations
- Tuberculosis screening exam
- Basic Life Support Provider Certification (CPR and AED)
This Program is a planned sequence of instruction consisting of 70 credit hours that includes 19 General Education credits and 51 Health Information Technology Core credits. The program can be completed in 5 semesters by students who are college-ready; completed all developmental course work. Students will progress through the program as a group/cohort and courses must be taken in sequence. Full time and part time cohort sequencing is available. Note that some courses are only offered one time per academic year.
Curriculum Sequence, Health Information Technology, AS - 70 Credits
Fall Semester 1 – 16 Credits
ENC 1101 Composition I | 3 credits |
HSC 1531 Medical Terminology | 3 credits |
HUM 2020 Introduction to Humanities | 3 credits |
CGS 1100 Computer Applications for Business | 3 credits |
BSC 1085C Anatomy & Physiology 1 | 4 credits |
Spring Semester 2 – 14 Credits
MGF 1106 Mathematics for Liberal Arts I or STA 2023 Statistical Methods I | 3 credits |
BSC 1086C Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 credits |
POS 2041 American National Government or AMH 2020 History of U.S. Since 1877 | 3 credits |
HIM 1430 Principles of Disease | 2 credits |
HIM 1140 Essentials of Pharmacology | 2 credits |
Fall Semester 3 - 14 Credits
HIM 1000 Introduction to Health Information Management | 3 credits |
HIM 2724 Basic ICD-10 Coding | 3 credits |
HIM 2012 Healthcare Law | 3 credits |
HSA 1253 Medical Office Administration | 3 credits |
HIM 1800C Medical Office Simulation | 2 credits |
Spring Semester 4 - 14 Credits
HIM 2253 Basic CPT Coding | 3 credits |
HIM 2210 Healthcare Information Systems | 3 credits |
CGS 2511 Advanced Spreadsheet Computing | 3 credits |
HIM 2279 Medical Insurance and Billing | 3 credits |
HIM 2814C Coding Office Simulation | 2 credits |
Fall Semester 5 - 12 Credits
HIM 2729 Advanced Coding and Reimbursement | 3 credits |
HIM 2510 Quality Management in Healthcare | 3 credits |
HIM 2512 Management Foundations in Healthcare | 3 credits |
HIM 2940 HIT Capstone Experience | 3 credits |
Downloads and Links
Program Contact Information
Susan L. Foster, EdD, MBA, RHIA, CHPS, CHC, CHPC, CIPP/US, CC, FAHIMA Program Director Email: susan.foster@fsw.edu Phone: (239) 489-9403