Many of today’s most popular college degree programs are reviewed and accredited by private accrediting agencies. The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education is just such an agency.
Working alongside schools that offer programs in health informatics or health information management, the organization reviews:
- required coursework
- professor qualifications
- research capabilities
- job placement rates
- It verifies whether or not a program stands up to the professional standards and competencies required of those who will eventually graduate with one of the aforementioned degrees. This practice also exists for majors in everything, including:
- nursing
- business
- human resource management
- architecture
It is seen as an added credential for those expecting long-term career advancement in the field.
Resource: Top 25 Master’s in Healthcare Informatics Degrees Ranked by Affordability 2014
Backed By a Leading Industry Body in Health Information Management
All career-specific accrediting agencies are typically tied to a professional body that oversees educational programs. It also oversees
- occupational standards
- ethics
- best practices
That is certainly the case with the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education. The group consists of a 12-member, all-volunteer board that enforces educational standards and reviews current academic programs at America’s leading universities. Eight of the board’s 12 volunteer members are members of the American Health Information Management Association. This organization backs the group and provides a blueprint for proper accreditation and best practices.
The result of this private backing is clear: Programs given the CAHIIM seal of approval find favor with those who are already in the industry and looking to hire recent grads with a high degree of competence. The American Health Information Management Association ensures:
- the quality of the degree
- the likely quality of the graduate
- the potential for networking among like-minded professionals in the workplace.
Added Resources Made Available to Accredited Schools and Programs
In addition to ensuring the academic quality and high level of rigor in programs that it has accredited, the CAHIIM is also determined to help further the profession’s long-term goals. To that end, the organization makes available a long list of white papers and academic guidelines. It also shares its plan for the future of the health informatics and health information management professions to accredited institutions. The availability of these materials actually helps professors teach lessons and content that is more relevant to the current and future state of each occupation. As a result, graduates from accredited programs are more likely to have a solid understanding of current:
- management strategies
- information technology concepts
- information management implementations
White papers and website tools are paired with the ongoing availability of professional development seminars for professors. There are consultations with university faculty and administrators. The goal of the accreditation process is to give the school an initial seal of approval. Then it makes sure the institution has regular access to the tools they need for ongoing professional development and evaluation. In this way, the accreditation is easy to maintain and continually works in graduates’ favor.
An Excellent Way to Ensure High Levels of Academic Quality
Many schools today are seeking accreditation from the requisite regional bodies recognized by the US Department of Education. They also seek accreditation from professional bodies in each industry to which a given degree applies. The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education ensures that students of health information management or health informatics receive the highest quality of education and the best chance at long-term career success after graduation.