Description

The Health Information Management (HIM) Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree prepares students with the technical knowledge and professional skills required for entry-level careers in health information management. The curriculum integrates health information management principles, biomedical concepts, professional communication, healthcare statistics, regulatory compliance, health information systems, and computer technology used to manage health data across healthcare environments.

Health information management professionals play a vital role in healthcare by collecting, analyzing, coding, managing, and safeguarding patient information. They support clinical and administrative decision making, ensure regulatory compliance, and contribute to revenue cycle management. Their expertise in data integrity, privacy, security, and health information systems helps maintain accurate and secure health records while supporting ethical and legal standards of healthcare practice.

Career opportunities span hospitals, clinics, provider offices, long-term care facilities, health insurance organizations, healthcare technology companies, government agencies, consulting firms, and public health organizations.

The Health Information Management program at Central Oregon Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education. The College’s accreditation for the Associate degree in Health Information Management has been reaffirmed through 2030-2031.

All inquiries about the program’s accreditation status should be directed by mail to CAHIIM, 200 East Randolph Street, Suite 5100, Chicago, IL, 60601; by phone at (312) 235-3255; or by email at info@cahiim.org.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the degree, students will be able to:

1. Apply Health Information Management principles, biomedical knowledge, and classification systems to ensure accurate documentation, coding, reimbursement, and compliance within healthcare delivery systems.
2. Manage and analyze health information using informatics, data governance, and analytics techniques to support decision making, patient safety, and organizational performance.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of privacy, confidentiality, legal, ethical, and regulatory requirements by applying appropriate policies and professional standards.
4. Exhibit leadership, organizational management, communication, and teamwork skills to contribute effectively in dynamic healthcare environments.
5. Demonstrate professional competencies required for entry-level practice, national certification (e.g., Registered Health Information Technician), and lifelong learning in health information management.

Entrance Requirements

Other Entrance Requirements

• Students entering the spring term of their final year of the HIM program are required to have a criminal history check and 10-panel drug screen before enrolling in HIM 290 Professional Practice Experience. A student may be prevented from completing the program if there is a felony conviction on their record.
• The HIM Program adheres to the Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) 409-030-0100 and OAR 409-030-0150 for clinical facility requirements. Documentation of immunizations is required for professional practice experience (Tdap, MMR, Varicella, TB, and Hep B). Flu and SARS-CoV-2 are recommended.
• Additional immunizations, background checks, and drug screens may be required by PPE sites at students' expense.

Additional Costs (Beyond Standard Tuition/Fees and Textbooks)

Material Costs

• Because this is a fully online program, students are required to have regular access to a computer with a web camera and reliable high-speed internet.

Enrollment Fees

• Total program cost varies depending on preparatory coursework completed prior to admission and the level of program completion. Additional estimated expenses of approximately $2,000 may include travel associated with the professional practice experience, AHIMA student membership, attendance at the Oregon Health Information Management Association (OrHIMA) Annual Conference, a criminal history check, and other related professional expenses.

Course Requirements

Advising Notes

The HIM program follows a cohort model, beginning each fall. Before joining the cohort, students must complete AH 111 Medical Terminology and BI 231Z Human Anatomy and Physiology I or BI 105 Human Biology for Health Science Careers. While BA 214 Business Communications and/or WR 121Z Composition I are recommended prior to entry, they may be taken during the the first year of the program if available. Once enrolled in the cohort, students may complete the remaining courses in the Anatomy and Physiology series and COMM 218Z Interpersonal Communication concurrently. Most HIM courses follow a set sequence throughout the academic year. Core HIM courses must be completed with a minimum score of 75 percent to progress within the program.

Students typically complete the degree in six academic quarters (approximately two years) and earn an Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Management. The program includes a supervised professional practice experience that provides students with applied learning opportunities in real healthcare or health information settings.

During the first year of the program, students may pursue additional industry credentials through the American Health Information Management Association, including the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) and a Release of Information (ROI) microcredential. During the second year of the program, students may also pursue project management certification opportunities such as the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) through the Project Management Institute.

Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) national credential examination administered by the American Health Information Management Association. The COCC Health Information Management program has achieved a 100% RHIT first-time pass rate for the past three reporting years.

This degree is designed primarily for students planning to enter their chosen career upon graduation. However, credits are transferable to four-year degree programs per articulation agreements with the University of Cincinnati's online Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management and the Oregon Institute of Technology's Health Informatics Bachelor of Science.

Performance Standards

Academic Requirements: 

• Students must have a 2.0 cumulative GPA to earn a COCC certificate or degree.
• All courses in the program must be completed with a grade of C or higher.

Sample Plan

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Students may also take BI 231Z / BI 232Z / BI 233Z entire sequence in order in place of BI 105.