Academic Programs

Health information degrees are offered in three levels:

Associate Degree

The two-year program is the Health Information Technician (HIT) program. This program produces graduates who are able to perform the essential functions of maintaining health data and records in acute, long-term, and ambulatory health care settings at a technical level. These functions include, but are not limited to the following: coding of diseases and operations, maintaining statistics; transcribing medical reports; performing DRG and utilization review procedures and supervising employees. Upon completion of this program, the student is eligible to sit for the national Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) exam to earn the RHIT credentials.

The four-year level is the Health Information Administrator program. This program focuses on analysis and delivery of health care data and the management of health care information resources. The profession addresses the nature and structure of health data and the translation of that data into usable forms of information, which support the health care of individuals and populations. Upon completion of this program, the student is eligible to sit for the national Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) exam to earn the RHIA credentials.

Masters Degree

The Masters Degree program is the graduate level with an emphasis in health information systems. This degree prepares professionals responsible for the development and management of health information systems consistent with the clinical, fiscal, administrative, ethical, and legal requirements of health care institutions.

Weber State University is offering the MHA program.  Please contact Cory Moss at  cmoss@weber.edu or 801-626-7237 for details.  More information is also listed at  www.weber.edu/mha

Certificate Programs

Weber State offers an Institutional Certificate in Healthcare Coding and Classification. Upon completion of required courses, the student is more prepared to sit for AHIMA’s CCA exam to earn the credentials of Certified Coding Associate (CCA). The coding specialist will review and perform analysis of healthcare records, identifying pertinent diagnoses and procedures during each patient visit.  This is an entry level coding position. For more information about this program available in Utah, contact, Pat Shaw, M.Ed, RHIA at 801-626-7989 or E-mail: pshaw@weber.edu.

AHIMA offers numerous other credentials; for more information visit AHIMA.

Colleges offering Associate and Bachelor HIM degrees:

Utah

Weber State University
College of Health Professions, 3875 Stadium Way, Dept 3911, Ogden, UT 84408-3911
Director Pat Shaw, MEd, RHIA
(801) 626-7989
These programs (Coding Certificate, AAS and BS) are available on campus and online. The HIM program accommodates progressions for RHITs to RHIA-level credentials. Weber also offers a Post-Baccalaureate Institutional Certificate for individuals with a Bachelors degree to earn their RHIA certification.
E-mail: pshaw@weber.edu

Western Governors University 
Offers on online Bachelors degree
Dr. Christine Kowalski, RHIA, CPEHR – Program Director: Health Informatics Program
(406) 468- 9218
Email: ckowalski@wgu.edu
CAHIIM accredited program (www.cahiim.org)

Salt Lake Community College offers two non-credit certificate programs:
4600 South Redwood Rd, Salt Lake City, UT 84123

  1. The Health Information Technology Certificate prepares applicants to help medical practices improve the efficiency in their office workflows, as they move from paper-based records to Electronic Medical Records, or EMR’s.
  2. The Health Information Technical Support Certificate requires a strong existing IT background, to help clinical offices with hardware and software issues related to the transition to EMRs.

Idaho

Boise State University, 1910 University Drive, Boise, ID 83725, director Patti Ellison, MA, RHIA, telephone 208-385-1130

Idaho State University, Campus Box 8380, Pocatello, ID 88209. Director Suzanne Griffin-Lawson, MEd, RHIA Telephone 208-236-4169

Colorado

HIT–Arapahoe Community College, 2500 W. College Drive, Box 9002, Littleton, CO 80160-9002, director Annette Bigalk, RHIA, telephone 303-797-5795

HIA-Regis University, 3333 Regis Boulevard, Hlth Serv Adm & Mgt Mail Stop G-10, Denver, CO 80221-1099, director Debra L. Bennett-Woods, ART, telephone 303-458-4157