Program Tips

General Information

Academic Advising & Student Success

Academic advisors assist students with developing education plans based on their graduation audit. Their goal is to plan the right pathway to graduation by maximizing students' potential and ensuring success based on the student's previous academic experience, career path, and responsibilities outside of being a student. Student success specialists assist students in overcoming barriers that many students encounter over their academic career. Their goal is to help students become academically successful by assisting with goal setting, interpersonal issues, success plans, and community-based referrals. More information can be found on Commons (Student Services).

Library & Academic Support

The one-stop spot for academic help! Free academic help including drop-in tutoring, test preparation, research guidance, and technology support available online and face-to-face. More information is available in Commons.

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)

CPL offers CVTC students an opportunity to earn college credit toward an associate degree or technical diploma for previous knowledge and mastered skills directly related to program curriculum. Previous knowledge and skills may be the result of work or volunteer experiences, certifications, apprenticeships, military experience, and courses completed at other institutions. If a student wishes to attempt CPL for a course in progress, it is imperative that CPL is attempted within the first week of the class to be eligible for a tuition refund. More information can be found at cvtc.edu/CPL.

Financial Aid Consideration

Courses must be part of the student's program to be eligible although some specific courses may not be eligible for financial aid. Students must follow their program requirements to be eligible for financial aid. To be eligible for financial aid, students must maintain Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress of a 2.0 Term GPA, 2.0 Cumulative GPA, complete 67% of attempted credits each semester, and complete their program by the time 150% of the published credits have been attempted.

Students with Disabilities

CVTC welcomes individuals with disabilities. We will provide and coordinate reasonable accommodations for all individuals with documented disabilities. Students that might benefit from accommodations during their college experience at CVTC can contact the Student Success and Accessibility team at 715-833-6234 or access@cvtc.edu to determine what accommodations they may be eligible for and what documentation may be required.

Title IX Pregnancy and Related Conditions

CVTC does not discriminate against any student based on pregnancy or related conditions and will fully comply with Title IX regulations. Related conditions include, but are not limited to, childbirth, breastfeeding/pumping, miscarriage, abortion, false pregnancy, and recovery from these or related conditions. Students who are pregnant or are experiencing related conditions are entitled to reasonable modifications to ensure equal access to CVTC's educational program and activity. Any student seeking reasonable modifications must contact the Student Success and Accessibility team at 715-833-6234 or access@cvtc.edu to discuss appropriate and available modifications based on their individual needs. Students are encouraged to request pregnancy-related modifications as promptly as possible.

Pre-Core Information

Students who have pre-core status have been accepted into the college but not into the program. Pre-core status may be granted because the program is filled to capacity, academic preparedness requirements need to be satisfied, or the program start date is in the future. For more detailed information, visit the Pre-Core Health Advisement page.

Helpful Background

Before beginning this program, students should have experience with the basic use of Microsoft Windows (word processing, spreadsheet, databases, and presentation software). Students who have little to no experience with these applications are strongly encouraged to take 103-102 Microsoft Office Suite before starting the program.

Demanding Coursework

The HIMT program is academically rigorous. Students are encouraged to complete general education courses as pre-core, and/or during summer semesters, in order to lighten credit load during the fall and spring semesters. Note: A grade of "B-" or better is required in all core courses of the program, which includes course numbers in the 500s. A grade of "C" or better is required in all general education courses, which includes course numbers in the 800s. Students wanting to attend part-time should take all general education classes as pre-core. Students should remain as pre-core until they are ready to enroll in all first semester program courses.

Courses Available to Pre-core Students

By completing the courses listed below ahead of time, students can decrease their credit load when they reach the highly demanding core program courses and increase their success rate in the program. It is strongly recommended that pre-core students complete these courses while waiting to enroll (or before enrolling) in the core program. Students who complete these courses as pre-core students will NOT be able to finish the program early; core program courses must be taken sequentially.

These courses are typically taken by pre-core students:

• 836-113 Prep for Basic Biology (If needed for admission)
• 836-133 Prep for Basic Chemistry (If needed as prerequisite for 806-177 General Anatomy & Physiology)
• 501-101 Medical Terminology (Best if taken before 806-177 General Anatomy & Physiology, if possible)
• 530-182 Human Disease for the Health Professions (Prerequisite: 501-101 Medical Terminology and 806-177 General Anatomy and Physiology, or taken concurrently)
• 806-177 General Anatomy & Physiology (Prerequisite: High School Chemistry or 836-133, or taken concurrently)
• 801-136 English Composition 1
• 804-189 Introductory Statistics
• 801-196 Oral/Interpersonal Communication
• 809-172 Intro to Diversity Studies or 809-195 Economics
• 809-198 Introduction to Psychology

Please Note: Students who complete these courses as pre-core students will not be able to finish the HIMT program early, because program core courses involve many prerequisites and must be taken sequentially.

Transfer Credit

Students planning to transfer to a university have the option to take 200-level courses that will count toward general education requirements in the four-year degree being pursued. While some of the 100-level general education courses listed on the program sheet may meet approval for transfer, the 200-level courses are more widely accepted for transfer. To determine what courses may transfer, utilize Transferology.com. Students should also contact the college or university they are pursuing to determine exactly what the school will accept and when to seek admission. Students should maintain contact with the other institution given that program requirements are subject to change.

Program Information

Technology Requirements

Students must have regular access to a computer with an internet connection. Additionally, students will be required to have a webcam and headset with a microphone and speakers. Students may purchase a webcam and headset from anywhere they choose. However, there are a couple options of webcams available for purchase through eCampus, CVTC's online bookstore, and can be charged to financial aid if funds are available.

Having access to a laptop/computer with reliable Wi-Fi will be necessary. Please check to make sure that it meets the minimum recommended specifications below:

Course Delivery Methods

The HIMT program courses are delivered in an online or MyChoice format. MyChoice courses allow students to complete coursework in person or online depending on their needs, which can vary from week to week. In MyChoice courses, specific time for face-to-face delivery will be scheduled and always available, but it's the student's choice to attend. Students are expected to complete assignments and tests through Canvas. Organization and time management skills, along with regular access to a computer with high-speed Internet connection, are essential for student success.

Course Sequence

Most core program courses are designed to be taken in consecutive semesters for optimum learning and to ensure the student can successfully complete the program in a timely manner. General education courses do not have to be taken in any particular order, except that the required statistics course must be taken before or concurrently with Healthcare Statistics & Data Analytics. All first semester courses must be completed prior to enrolling in the coding courses of the program. It is strongly recommended that students meet with an academic advisor to design a student education plan to facilitate program success.

HIMT Practicum

The HIMT Practicum provides application of previously acquired skills and knowledge in the technical and managerial clinical experiences in health care facilities. This course will prepare students for the RHIT certification and examination, as well as employment activities such as resumes, interviews, and job readiness. Application will take place both in the MyChoice course delivery format and in a supervised clinical setting. Students are required to have 40 hours with their practicum site over 5 weeks in their final spring semester of the program.

Criminal Background Check

Upon starting the core program, students will be provided directions on how to request a criminal background check from a third party vendor. Please note that a fee will apply. Upon receipt of the criminal background check results, if a student has a criminal history, they will be advised of the possibility of being denied clinical placement. This denial could result in not being able to attend clinical(s) or graduate from the program. Additional background checks may be required during the student's enrollment in the program based on clinical site requirements. Students will be informed by CVTC if they need a criminal background check renewal.

Clinical Compliance

To be compliant with CVTC's partnering clinical agencies and the agencies' regulating bodies, for example the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), students must be prepared to abide by vaccination mandates and health and safety guidelines as directed by those bodies. Vaccination requirements and health documentation must be completed and on file in Clinician Nexus prior to entering the core courses of this program. CVTC will notify students at the appropriate time with a specified deadline. Students will receive an email invite from Clinician Nexus to create an account and upload their own clinical compliance documents. Students are responsible for maintaining their own records. 

Professional Certification

The HIMT program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible to write the national certification exam offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) to earn the credential of a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT). This certification is required by employers for many positions in the field. For more information, please visit the AHIMA website.

Healthcare Data Analytics Certificate

Students looking to expand their knowledge in Healthcare Data Analytics have an opportunity to earn a Technical Certificate in Healthcare Data Analytics. The certificate includes HIMT coursework and two courses from the IT area. The IT courses are 8-week courses, offered fully online, with an in-depth study of specific database tools and hands-on activities. Learn more about the Healthcare Data Analytics Certificate.

Advanced Degree Opportunities

The HIMT program has articulation agreements with several universities, whereby many of the HIMT program courses are accepted into their 4-year programs of Health Information Management or Healthcare Management. More information is located in Commons (Records & Registration/Transfer).

Last Updated: February 25, 2026 @ 8:21 a.m.