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Associate Degree in Health Information Management

Gain Valuable Skills in the Fast-Growing Field of Health Information Management

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Associate Degree in Health Information Management

Career Outlook and Growth

Careers in health information management, medical billing and coding, and healthcare administration provide a rewarding work environment and job security in a growing industry.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for Health Information Technicians are expected to grow much faster than average by 9% or higher through the year 20321

Bryan University can fast-track you to success, giving you the education, skills, and confidence to qualify for a great job.

1Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Medical Records Specialist, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-records-and-health-information-technicians.htm (visited February 8, 2024). Also online at https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-9021.00. Note that job market conditions are dynamic and can change. This data is not intended to predict the market conditions that will be present when you graduate from your program and may differ based on your geographic location and other factors.

Employment Opportunities

Enjoy the flexibility to choose from a range of career paths2, such as:

  • Certified Medical Biller and Coder – assign codes to patient records using ICD, CPT, and HCPCS codebooks for different diagnoses and medical procedures for in-patient and out-patient settings
  • Health Information Technician or Manager – prepare and scan medical record documents, ensuring accuracy and timeliness, retrieve records and releases information for patient care purposes
  • Medical Records Technician – work to organize, monitor, update and maintain healthcare providers’ electronic medical records
  • Medical Secretary – patient intake, insurance verification, and medical record creation
  • Medical Office Administrator – responsible to keep the healthcare organization running smoothly and efficiently by directing and coordinating operations
  • Quality Improvement Analyst – responsible for core measures such as patient safety, patient satisfaction and employee utilization while performing necessary database and statistical analyses for improving patient outcomes and reducing costs
  • Insurance Claims Analyst – review insurance policy to determine coverage, prepare insurance claim forms, calculate claim amounts, and transmit claims for payment or further investigation
  • Reimbursement and Insurance Manager – responsible for the day-to-day management of the reimbursement department.

Preparing now means you’ll be ready for the jobs of the future.

2Example occupations shown herein do not imply a guarantee of employment. Students are responsible for conducting occupational research for their chosen program. Employers have unique hiring practices and job-specific requirements, which may include years of experience for manager positions. Graduates with little to no prior experience should expect an entry-level position.

Attractive Employers

With a degree from Bryan University, find opportunities to work in a variety of healthcare settings:

  • Hospitals
  • Physician Offices
  • Law Offices
  • College Health Departments
  • Military and VA Facilities
  • Home Health Agencies
  • Mental Health Facilities
  • Public Health Agencies
  • Insurance Companies
  • Health Product Vendors
  • Nursing Home Facilities
  • Rehabilitation Facilities
  • Urgent Care Clinics
  • Surgery Centers
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Career & Job Search Services for Students & Grads

You’ll receive a dedicated career services advisor that provides job search assistance, job networking best practices, interview preparation, and helps you create an eye-catching resume.

Employers Who Have Hired BU Grads

Program Highlights

60
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Total Credits
100%
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Online
2
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Courses at a Time
8
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Weeks per Course

Get the Skills Employers Want

Bryan U programs are aligned with employers’ needs to ensure you get the most current and relevant skills, including:

Certificate

  • Medical terminology 
  • Anatomy & physiology
  • Pathology & pharmacology
  • U.S. healthcare system
  • Electronic healthcare records (EHR)
  • Medical coding, including ICD, CPT, and HCPCS
  • Healthcare insurance and reimbursement
  • Preparation for the AHIMA’s CCA cert – one exam attempt included in tuition

Associate Degree

  • Healthcare information systems
  • Human resources & organizational management
  • Healthcare data analysis & quality improvement
  • Analysis of personal & group productivity
  • Project Management
  • EHR compliance
  • Interpersonal communications
  • Critical thinking & writing
  • Preparation for AHIMA’s CCS and RHIT – one exam attempt for each included in tuition

Gain Valuable Experience

Bryan University’s Associate Degree of Occupational Science in Health Information Management is aligned with current competencies by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM), and developed in collaboration with industry experts. You’ll gain real-world practice experience online combined with assignments that simulate job tasks to ensure you’re job-ready upon graduation. Plus, we’ll assist you in finding a professional practice experience with a healthcare facility.

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Use the AHIMA Vlab online tools such as EHR GO and 3M Coding, to gain practice using medical coding software and learn from real patient cases.

Professional Practice

Complete 120 hours of experiential learning: 40 hours of job-readiness tasks, 40 hours at an on-site healthcare facility, and 40 hours of virtual work online.

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The health information management accreditor of Bryan University is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The University’s accreditation for the Associate Degree in Health Information Management has been reaffirmed through 2022. 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.

Student Achievement Data: HIM Associate Degree 2021-2022

Graduation RateEmployment RateStudent Satisfaction
32%72%92%
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Upgrade Your Skills & Career Options: Stackable Programs with Dual Enrollment

You can enroll in the Medical Billing and Coding Certificate and Associate Degree of Occupational Science in Health Information Management concurrently. This means once you complete your certificate, you can get to work sooner while completing your associate degree. You may also consider completing the Bryan University Bachelor of Science Degree in Healthcare Administration, developed in partnership with industry experts with two concentrations to choose from: Health Information Management Systems or Public Health. If you have prior college credit, or you have already completed an associate degree at another institution, we will accept as many credits as possible (and potentially your entire associate degree) to help accelerate your Bryan program.

Hear from Our Successful Graduates

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"The program at BU uses a practical approach that is applicable to what I use in my day-to-day job in healthcare."
–Sylvia Sanders, Bryan U Graduate
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“I wasn’t sure what to expect. But once I started college at Bryan, I couldn’t stop – I just loved every minute of it!”
–Glenda Lown, Graduate

Meet Your Program Faculty

Marjorie Rosen
Marjorie Rosen
Program Director, Bryan University
marjorie.rosen@bryanuniversity.edu

Master of Business Administration, Colorado Technical University; Psychology BA, University of Missouri – St. Louis; Associate in Applied Science, Major: Health Information Technology, St Louis Community College; Associate in Arts, Major: General Transfer Studies, St Louis Community College.

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Marjorie Rosen
Marjorie Rosen Program Director, Bryan University
marjorie.rosen@bryanuniversity.edu

Master of Business Administration, Colorado Technical University; Psychology BA, University of Missouri – St. Louis; Associate in Applied Science, Major: Health Information Technology, St Louis Community College; Associate in Arts, Major: General Transfer Studies, St Louis Community College.

Jasmine Agnew
Jasmine Agnew
Faculty, Bryan University

Master of HIIM, Health Infor & Info Mgmt, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center; Bachelor of Science, Health Information Management, The University of Alabama at Birmingham.

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Jasmine Agnew
Jasmine Agnew Faculty, Bryan University

Master of HIIM, Health Infor & Info Mgmt, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center; Bachelor of Science, Health Information Management, The University of Alabama at Birmingham.

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Mamie Allen
Faculty, Bryan University

B.S. in Health Science, Howard University; Master of Sci Admin/Organizational Management, Trinity Washington University.

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Mamie Allen Faculty, Bryan University

B.S. in Health Science, Howard University; Master of Sci Admin/Organizational Management, Trinity Washington University.

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Meet Your General Education Faculty

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Valerie Akbulut Faculty, Bryan University

Master of Arts, Communication, Interpersonal Comm Track, University of Central Florida; Bachelor of Arts, Journalism, Specialization – Integrated Communication: Public Relations & Adve, Communication Studies minor, Butler University.

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Valerie Akbulut Faculty, Bryan University

Master of Arts, Communication, Interpersonal Comm Track, University of Central Florida; Bachelor of Arts, Journalism, Specialization – Integrated Communication: Public Relations & Adve, Communication Studies minor, Butler University.

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Kelly Baker Faculty, Bryan University

Doctor of Public Administration, West Chester University of Pennsylvania; Master of Arts, Communication Studies, West Chester University of Pennsylvania; Bachelor of Arts, Communication, Immaculata University.

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Kelly Baker Faculty, Bryan University

Doctor of Public Administration, West Chester University of Pennsylvania; Master of Arts, Communication Studies, West Chester University of Pennsylvania; Bachelor of Arts, Communication, Immaculata University.

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Emily Chaffin Faculty, Bryan University

Master of Arts, English, Arkansas State University; Bachelor of Arts, English, Faulkner University.

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Emily Chaffin Faculty, Bryan University

Master of Arts, English, Arkansas State University; Bachelor of Arts, English, Faulkner University.

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Program Learning Outcomes

Following the completion of this program, students will be able to:

  • Describe how to utilize medical terminology, anatomy & physiology, pathology, and pharmacology terms in the field.
  • Demonstrate problem solving skills in utilizing the United States healthcare system, including health data management, clinical classification systems, reimbursement methodologies, health statistics, biomedical research, quality management, healthcare privacy, confidentiality, legal and ethical issues, information technology and systems, data storage and retrieval, data security and healthcare information systems, financial and resource management.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the collection, maintenance and record keeping process with healthcare data in accordance with established professional best practice guidelines.
  • Logically interpret and translate diagnosis, conditions, and procedures into medical codes using a variety of standard formats, including ICD, CPT, and HCPCS.
  • Monitor personal and group productivity and organizational processes to make recommendations for improvements in record quality, employee, and organizational performance.
  • Describe the utility of analytic tools to visualize, interpret, and present data to help provide decision support and drive strategic initiatives.
  • Work in a variety of medical environments.
  • Identify standards for exchange of health information.
  • Validate assignment of diagnostic and procedural codes and groupings in accordance with official global guidelines.
  • Examine behaviors that embrace cultural diversity.
  • Calculate statistics for health care operations.
  • Report health care data through graphical representations.
  • Identify the components of risk management related to health information management.
  • Identify the impact of policy on health care.
  • Assess ethical standards of practice.
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Explore Health Information Management Courses

  • COM-115S, 3.0 credits
    Interpersonal Communication

    This course introduces the concepts and theories of interpersonal communication. Students will explore the process and functions of communication, developing relationships, communication strategies and skills, and interpersonal language skills, including conflict management.

  • CRT-110S, 3.0 credits
    Critical Thinking I

    This course provides foundational topics related to logic and critical thinking including, informal logic, formal logic, and fallacies.

  • UNV-101S, 3.0 credits
    Student Success and Technology Foundations

    A course covering the information and skills needed to succeed in academic studies, including study skills, setting academic goals, managing time, and technology skills such as word processing and presentations.

  • ENG-110S, 3.0 credits
    English Composition I

    This course covers written communication skills with an emphasis on understanding the writing process, analyzing readings, and practicing writing for personal and professional applications.

  • HIM-299, 3.0 credits
    Professional Practice Experience

    Students will review and practice HIM and coding concepts and exercises learned during the course of the Health Information Management program at Bryan University. Emphasis will be placed on skills that directly relate to successful completion of a certification examination. This course allows for self-directed review to identify topics on which additional study is needed to master the requirements of the certification examination. Additionally, this course includes professional practice experience, or placement in a healthcare facility, health information management department, or related service, to use acquired technology level skills and build practical knowledge of health information functions and systems. It requires the completion of a capstone project for and under the direction of the program director or site.

  • HIM-230, 3.0 credits
    Data Analytics and Management

    Students will learn how to analyze data and use data tools. They will gain skills in sorting large data sets, interpreting data, and applying and abstracting data in a meaningful way. Students will learn the art of data mining and acquire hands on experience working on data mining projects. Also, students will utilize data dashboards and create other data visualizations, tracking healthcare trends and making recommendations for improvement.

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A legacy of graduate success since 1940.

Accreditation & Approvals

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Benefits for You

Included in Tuition

As a Bryan University student, you’ll receive these benefits and services included in tuition at no extra cost.

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    Industry Certifications & Credentials

    Prepare for third-party certifications – one certification exam attempt paid for by the university.

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    Electronic Books & Courseware

    We give you easy access to your e-textbooks and software.

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    Tutoring & Academic Support

    Our tutors and academic staff provide personalized support whenever you need it.

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    School Starter Kit

    You’ll receive a starter package to ensure you’re ready to succeed in your program.

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    Accelerated Programs & No Waiting Lists

    Finish in the shortest time possible and never get wait-listed for course registration.

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    Refresher Classes

    As a graduate, audit previously completed courses free to keep your skills sharp.

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    Personal Success Coach

    You'll receive dedicated support to help you succeed in and out of the classroom.

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    Career Services

    Get expert help to ensure you're job-ready and connect with employers.

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    Mentoring from Expert Faculty

    Learn from faculty with real-world experience in their field.

Recommended by Students & Grads

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Why Learn Online

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Flexible & Convenient

We recognize that life can be busy and complex, so we’ve designed the learning experience around you. You have the option to complete your homework assignments online each week at days and times convenient to you. You have the flexibility to resubmit homework to improve your grades and gain greater mastery of the course content.

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Learn Faster & Retain More

We provide you with user-friendly learning technology such as adaptive digital textbooks and simulated job tasks to help you learn faster, easier, and retain more knowledge. All your efforts are recorded so you can track your progress and plan your time more effectively.

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Live Classes & Academic Support

Studying online with Bryan lets you learn from the comfort of home while connecting you in live events with peers, teachers, industry professionals, and mentors. If you happen to miss the event, we record them so can you watch them later and not miss a beat. Whenever you need help with an assignment, you can schedule a tutor at any time online with the click of a button.

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Connect with Peers, Faculty & Industry Experts

At Bryan, we don’t think learning online means learning alone. Connect with faculty, peers, and student support conveniently from your smartphone, tablet, or computer using Zoom, a user-friendly video app. You’ll join a vibrant community that includes industry experts who will provide support, expand your professional network, and celebrate your success along the way.

How You Learn Online

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Live Classes on Zoom

Most programs provide live classes that are also recorded in case you miss them and need to watch them later - click here for a list of live classes by program.

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Re-submit Homework for Mastery

Didn't get the grade you wanted? At Bryan U, you can resubmit your homework to improve your grades.

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User-Friendly Learning Technology

You'll learn using a program that adapts to your knowledge level while helping you learn faster and retain more.

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Share Your Interests

Engage with others in class using a social platform to share your thoughts on topics you're interested in.

BU Student Experience

Affording College

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Tuition Lock Guarantee

Bryan offers affordable tuition rates for all students, no matter where they reside. We don't differentiate between residents or non-residents. We also lock-in your tuition rate when you enroll, so you can rest assured that your tuition will never increase over the length of your program.

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Transfer Credits

If you apply to Bryan University with prior college credits and/or a degree, we’ll accept as many credits as possible to validate the hard work you’ve already completed. If you complete a Bryan U associate degree or undergraduate certificate, these credits are transferrable to a higher degree, such as a bachelor’s degree.

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Financial Aid if You Qualify

As an accredited institution, students of Bryan University who are residents of the United States may qualify for federal financial aid. Our team of dedicated financial advisors can also help you understand what other options are available to you. To learn about those who qualify, please visit our financial aid page.

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Active-Duty Military & Veterans

For students who are veterans or active-duty members of the U.S. military, you may also use your military educational benefits, if qualified. Please see our military benefits page for more details. You may also complete the Request Information form or call us at 888-721-9773 to receive immediate assistance.

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Tuition Rates Go Down the Longer You're in School

As you progress through each credential level (e.g., certificate to associate degree, or associate degree to bachelor’s degree), your tuition decreases. Plus, your tuition is locked in once you enroll so that it never goes up as long as you remain continuously enrolled in good academic standing. For a current listing of Bryan University’s tuition rates by program, please visit our tuition rates page.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to Bryan University, prospective students must complete the following requirements:

  • Earn a high school diploma or its equivalent.
  • Be at least 17 years of age. If a student is under the age of 18, they will be required to have a parent or legal guardian counter-sign enrollment forms.
  • Fill out the University’s Application and pay a $25 registration fee.
  • Pass a computer and internet speed assessment to ensure technology minimums are met. Please see the university’s course catalog to see detailed technology requirements.
  • Complete all required forms for admission.
  • For transfer credit evaluation, submit official transcripts from past colleges and universities attended.
  • Complete an online introductory course – “LaunchPad” – to demonstrate the ability to navigate online coursework.
  • Attend online orientation to meet your faculty and classmates.
  • For all healthcare, public health, paralegal, and pharmacy technician programs, applicants must complete and pass a required criminal background check, which is provided by the university.
  • Note that students applying to healthcare programs may need to identify a practicum site. The university provides a list of approved practicum sites and will support students in site selection.

To begin this process, we invite you to contact a member of our admissions team at 888-768-6861 or complete the Request Information form.

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