Planning Your Education

Certificate vs. Degree

College Degree

Coding Certificate

Generally the education requirements are:

2 or 4 years of formal education in a CAHIIM accredited health information management program at associate, bachelor or master’s level
Campus, online or hybrid
Public or private accredited schools
Leads to the RHIT credential and may meet coding certification eligibility requirements (verify requirements)

Generally the education requirements are:

6 months to 1 year of education and training
Campus, online or hybrid
Public or private schools or organizations
May meet coding certification eligibility requirements (verify requirements).

General Employment Considerations – for initial employment

Hospitals
Physician office
Clinics
Public Health
Healthcare related companies
Other settings

General Employment Considerations – for initial employment

Hospitals
Physician Offices
Clinics

Which Program Meets Your Needs

Professional Certificate Approval Program(PCAP)

The Professional Certificate Approval Program provides contact information for the program director should you have any questions about a coding certificate or the coding certificate program.

View Approved Certificate Programs

Accredited Associate Program Directory

CAHIIM accredits HIM education programs at the associate degree level. To begin your search for a program, use the link below to search by education level, institution name, state, or distance learning (online) delivery.

Students interested in obtaining a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Certificate of Completion or Transfer of Credits information, must contact the CAHIIM Accredited program they wish to enroll in regarding their institutional policies.

View the directory of associate programs.

Accredited Baccalaureate Program Directory

CAHIIM accredits HIM education programs at the baccalaureate degree level. To begin your search for a program, use the link below to search by education level, institution name, state, or distance learning (online) delivery.

View the baccalaureate program directory.

To find a recognized HIM school in Canada, please visit: https://www.echima.ca/recognized-him-schools

Accredited Masters Program Directory

CAHIIM reviews HIM education programs at the masters level. To begin your search for a program, use the link below to search by education level, institution name, state, or distance learning (online) delivery.

View the Masters program directory.

Things to Consider When Selecting a Doctoral Program

Although a professional doctorate is not available, many PhD doctoral programs at universities around the country offer opportunities to specialize at the doctoral level in related areas such as biomedical informatics, public health informatics, project management, business administration, political science and law. As you consider what program will best fit your future career goals here are some things to consider:

The cost of a doctoral degree varies depending on whether you select a university or a private college, but in any case; pursuing a doctoral degree represents a significant financial investment in your future. You may want to know the answers to these questions to ensure a good value for your investment:

What are the admission criteria? Do you have the qualifications that this program requires in order to apply?
What is the average time to degree? Although some programs have set graduation plans, other doctoral programs are open ended – you graduate when your advisor indicates it is time.
Is the focus of your doctoral studies reflective of your passion to specialize and contribute to practice or research in your chosen field?
What financial support is available? Some doctoral programs will offer to reduce or waive tuition fees for doctoral students who will perform as a research assistant (RAs) or graduate assistant (GAs) for the program.
Are your research interests consistent with those of faculty within the graduate program?
Have you weighted the options of online doctoral programs versus campus-based?

A health information professional with a doctoral degree will find careers in government, healthcare delivery, public policy, academia , corporations, and health information exchange networks Employment looks good with corporate vendors that provide services for the healthcare market, and in higher education. The need for college professors teaching health information and informatics management is high.

HIM Certificate of Degree

Some people find out about the HIM profession after having already completed a Baccalaureate or graduate degree in another discipline. Leveraging the work done on another degree and taking additional HIM coursework to achieve the required academic competencies is one way to transition to the HIM profession. Search the CAHIIM Accredited Program Directory CAHIIM Directory and contact the program director for specific application details and options.

Financing Your Education

There are many options available when looking for help in financing your education. Financial aid is money to help pay for college or career school. Aid can come from:

the U.S. federal government
the state where you live
the college you attend
a nonprofit or private organization

The first step when looking for financial aid is to complete a free FAFSA application. Federal Student Aid, a part of the U.S. Department of Education, is the largest provider or student financial aid in the nation. By submitting the application, you’ll see if you’re eligible for federal aid.

You can also check to see if your state offers financial aid. Contact your state grant agency for more information.

Another option to try is the college you attend! Many colleges and universities offer financial aid from their own funds, like scholarships and grants. Ask someone in the Financial Aid Office or visit their site for more information.

Lastly, as an AHIMA member, you are eligible to apply for the AHIMA Foundation Merit Scholarships. The AHIMA Foundation annually offers merit scholarships to currently enrolled outstanding undergraduates in HIM and health information technology (HIT) as well as those professionals pursuing master's or doctoral degrees in areas related to health information.

For more information on the levels of scholarships available and eligibility requirements, and to apply, visit the AHIMA Foundation Merit Scholarship page.