Applicants will be accepted, on a space available basis, according to the date when all required forms and transcripts have been completed, application fee has been paid, and the formal in-person or phone appointment with an HCI advisor to develop a curriculum plan has been completed.  Early applications are encouraged to reserve a place.  Applicants will be accepted only with the understanding that prerequisite courses will be completed.  Students entering fall quarter on a full time basis will normally be able to complete their programs according to the time frame outlined in the curriculum section of this site.  Health Information Technology (HIT) and Medical Coding and Reimbursement Specialist (MCRS) students entering winter quarter who have have completed all prerequisites, as well as medical terminology and anatomy/physiology prior to entrance should be able to complete their program within the suggested curriculum time frame.   All other students entering winter or later who have not met these requirements may take some classes, but will not formally begin the program until Fall Quarter the following year. 

Pre-requisite Classes/Skills for Entrance into HCI Programs

Click here to learn more about the classes/skills that must be met prior to entrance into the HIT and MCRS programs.  If a person applies to either of these  programs, he or she will not be considered formally accepted unless or until these are met.  If a person receives a notice of formal acceptance contingent to completing these courses/tests at an acceptable level, and does not do so, his formal acceptance status is removed.  There are no exceptions.

Application Process for Entry into all HCI Programs

1. Complete the Shoreline Community College Application Form and send to the Shoreline Admissions Office (or use the web application process).  Click here for more information about applying to Shoreline.

2. Complete Health Care Information Programs Application Form . Click here to obtain the form.

3. Send two official transcripts, for each college attended, prior to entrance into the HCI Program:  Send one sent to Shoreline’s Admission Office, and one to the HCI Program Director.  For coursework taken at Shoreline Community College, a printout of the transcript and printout of the current registration form, if currently attending Shoreline, must be attached to the application.  Keep in mind that this is the STUDENT’s responsibility to have official transcripts sent to BOTH the Shoreline Admissions Office AND the Program Director’s Office.  It is not the responsibility of either the Shoreline HCI Program or Admissions Office to send copies to each other. 

4. Those who have not completed English 100 or higher or Math 80 Elementary Algebra or higher level college math must take a Compass Placement exam.  If needed, attach results of Compass tests showing placement recommendations for English Reading and Mathematics (or college course work showing readiness for English 101 and Math 099 or higher).  ESL students with limited English proficiency need to attach the results of the ESL assessment showing readiness for ENGL& 101.

5. Those not taking a microcomputer course in the past five years prior to HCI Program application must describe their computer readiness on the last page of the application form.

6. Attach a $15.00 check or money order made out to Shoreline Community College (no cash is accepted) for the HCI Programs application fee (non-refundable).

Notification of Acceptance or Non-Acceptance Into the HCI Program

All persons submitting applications will receive, in writing, a notice advising them whether they have been admitted into one of the HCI programs no later than the last day of the month following their application.  Those admitted must confirm their acceptance into the program by letter to the HCI Program Director as soon as possible.  Some students may receive an acceptance notice with the understanding that the English, Math, or computer prerequisites must be completed by a specified time.  If the prerequisites are not met by that date, these students will lose their formal acceptance into the program.

Appointment After Selection

Students are required to have a meeting with an HCI faculty advisor in person or by phone to prepare a curriculum plan prior to or shortly after entry into the program.

Application Process for Entry Into the Second Year of the Health Information Technology Program

The second year of the Health Information Technology (HIT) program can only accommodate 20 Puget-Sound area students (although more students living outside the Puget Sound area can be accommodated).  If more than 20 local HIT students complete their first year and plan to continue into the second year, the second-year HIT selective admission process outlined in other written program policies will be used. Students living outside the Puget Sound area will be required to locate their own clinical practice sites, while the HCI Program Director will locate the local sites.  This will be discussed more fully with students the quarter before they are scheduled to go to their internship sites.

Switching to a Different HCI Major

Students may switch to a different HCI major, but only on a program available basis and only with permission of the HCI Program Director.

HCI Informational Sessions

Periodically an HCI Informational Session will be provided on campus.  During this 1 ½ hour session conducted by one of the HCI faculty members, the two programs are discussed including descriptions of the careers, employment opportunities, salaries, curriculum, process to obtain course equivalency approvals, and admission process.  The scheduled times for these sessions can be obtained by calling the Health Occupations office at 206-546-4743 or by clicking on the appropriate link in the HCI Programs web site.

CLASSES AVAILABLE WITHOUT NEED FOR FORMAL HCI ACCEPTANCE

Students wishing to enter any of the HCI programs may take the following classes in the curricula without the need for formal acceptance into the program and without formal HCI faculty approval:

There are four other HCI classes that students may take on a space available basis prior to formal approval, with permission of the HCI Program Advisor.  However, completion of English and other pre-requisites will be required. Students who have already received formal acceptance into any of the HCI programs will have first priority.   

HCI 170                 Legal Aspects of Health Care
HCI 125                 Hospital and Clinic Records
HCI 225                 Computers in Health Care
HCI 174                 Pharmacology
HCI 175                 Human Diseases

Please note:  taking these classes does not suggest that a student has been approved for entrance into the HCI program nor will taking these classes provide students a better opportunity for selection into the program, (e.g., no extra "points" will be given for students who have taken the above classes ahead of time).  However, it will make your load lighter by not having to take so many courses each quarter in the future.  Please contact either of the two HCI program advisors for information on priority policies that will be followed for selection of students for individual classes. 

All full-time HIT and MCRS students should be aware that BIOL& 170 Human Biology and HCI 134 Medical Terminology need to be completed prior to Winter Quarter of the first year of the program.  Therefore, it is recommended that those two courses be taken as soon as possible.

The HCI Programs may modify this information from time to time.  It is important to check the announcements page periodically to determine if changes are made that would apply to the student.

ADMISSION TO SECOND YEAR OF THE
HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM

Health Information Technology students, if accepted into the first year of the program, are not automatically accepted into the second year of the program.  A formal application and selective admission process will be used.   Please be aware that grades, class attendance, dependability, and appropriate social interaction with faculty and fellow students are important considerations in that process. 

Application for admission to the second year of the Health Information Technology program is made during the Spring Quarter of the first year. The Program Director will announce a meeting (in person or online) of all candidates and forms and instructions will be provided at that time.

Basic requirements include completion of all first year courses by the end of summer quarter and meeting at least a minimum of 2.0 or higher in all courses required in the HIT curriculum. No "P" or "Pass" Grades will be accepted except for challenge examinations approved by the HCI Program Director.  Students must obtain a numerical decimal or letter grade.