Health Division • Hanceville, AL • Online • $133/Credit (in-state tuition)
Wallace State Community College offers 1 Health Informatics program:
- AAS in Health Information Technology (with stackable certificates)
Program Overview
| Program | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAS in Health Information Technology | $9.3K in-state / $18.6K out-of-state (tuition only) | 2 years (6 semesters) | 70 |
Wallace State’s CAHIIM-accredited associate degree is taught online, except for clinical experiences, and stacks three certificates along the way. Students who go straight through earn the degree and all three certificates in six semesters.
Quick Facts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Program Types | AAS in Health Information Technology; Health Information, Medical Scribe, and Medical Coding certificates |
| Format | Online, except clinical experiences |
| Practicum Hours | Professional practice courses (4 credits total); hours not stated |
| RN License Required | No |
| Who It’s For | Students seeking coding, revenue cycle, and health records jobs and the RHIT |
| Distinctive Coursework | Two coding courses, revenue cycle, data management, supervision, RHIT exam review |
| Certification Pathway | RHIT exam eligibility; coding certificate prepares for the CCA |
| Tuition | $133 per credit in-state, $266 out-of-state, plus fees (2026-27 statewide rate) |
| Accreditation | CAHIIM, next review 2029-30; SACSCOC institutional |
| Application Deadline | June 1 to the program director |
AAS in Health Information Technology
The estimated tuition for the AAS in Health Information Technology at Wallace State Community College is approximately $9,310 for Alabama residents (70 credits at $133/credit, tuition only).
The program can generally be completed in about six semesters.
AAS Curriculum
The HIT courses cover coding, the revenue cycle, data management, legal and ethical issues, and supervision, and end with an RHIT exam review course.
- HIT 115 Pathophysiology and Pharmacology (4)
- HIT 132 Revenue Cycle (4)
- HIT 134 Legal and Ethical Aspects (3)
- HIT 154 Health Data Content (3)
- HIT 223 Data Management (3)
- HIT 230 and 232 Coding I and II (6)
- HIT 254 Organizational Improvement (3)
- HIT 255 Supervision (3)
- HIT 292 Exam Review (2)
More curriculum details are available here.
You Should Know
- The stackable certificates are a Health Information short-term certificate (one to two semesters), a Medical Scribe certificate, and a Medical Coding certificate (three semesters).
- A background check is required before clinical experiences.
AAS Practicum and Capstone
- HIT 158 (1) and HIT 160 Professional Practice Experience (1).
- HIT 296 Professional Practice Simulations (2).
- Clinical experiences are the only in-person requirement. Clock hours and how sites are assigned are Not clearly stated.
With only four professional practice credits, part of it simulated, the in-person load is light. Students who want more hands-on experience before graduating should look for part-time work in a health information department.
AAS Admissions
Students apply to the college first, then to the HIT program.
- ACT composite of 17 or higher.
- 2.5 GPA in pre-HIT courses.
- HIT program application due to the director by June 1.
- Start terms and cohort size are Not clearly stated.
Tuition
Alabama’s community colleges share a statewide tuition rate: $133 per credit in-state and $266 out-of-state for 2026-27, plus per-credit fees set partly by each college.
| Rate (2026-27) | Per Credit | 70 Credits, Tuition Only |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama resident | $133 | $9,310 |
| Out-of-state | $266 | $18,620 |
- Statewide per-credit fees add about $63, and each college sets its own special building fee.
- Wallace State’s own tuition page and program expense sheet could not be read; the rates above are the published statewide rates.
Be aware that:
- With about $63 per credit in fees, the in-state total would be roughly $13,700.
- The background check, RHIT exam fee, and travel to clinical sites are extra.
Even with fees, an Alabama resident can earn a CAHIIM-accredited associate degree for under $15,000 in tuition and fees.
Why Choose This Health Informatics Program?
The cost is the strongest argument: an accredited, mostly online path to the RHIT at community college prices.
Cost verdict. At $133 per credit for Alabama residents, the degree costs a fraction of a bachelor’s. The stackable certificates also let students work in coding or scribe jobs before finishing.
The trade-offs. The RHIT is a technician credential, and the program’s own outcomes show an 81% graduation rate but 50% employment for December 2024 graduates. RHIT pass rates are not published.
Next steps. Graduates who want the RHIA can continue into a CAHIIM-accredited HIM bachelor’s, such as Alabama State’s.
Accreditation
The AAS in Health Information Technology is accredited by CAHIIM. The directory shows continuing accreditation for 10 years from May 2019, with the next review in 2029-30, and the college says accreditation is reaffirmed through 2029.
Wallace State Community College is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Graduates of CAHIIM-accredited associate programs are eligible for AHIMA’s Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) exam. The Medical Coding certificate prepares students for the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exam.
Other Health Informatics Schools
See all Alabama health informatics programs, browse the health informatics school directory, or read the health informatics degree guide.