Recent reports indicate that health informatics job openings have increased 10 times faster than healthcare jobs overall in the last eight years. There’s a rising demand for students to enroll in health informatics programs in Maryland.
Despite being one of the smallest states, Maryland is very densely populated with over 5.9 million residents near our nation’s capital. Maryland is known for being the fourth largest nexus for the biotechnology field in America. It’s also home to some of the country’s leading healthcare facilities, including:
- John Hopkins Medical Center
- Franklin Square Hospital Center
- Holy Cross Hospital
If you’re seeking the RHIT credential, the following are the CAHIIM-accredited programs to start towards your goals in health informatics within Maryland.
Resource: What is the RHIT Exam?
Anne Arundel Community College
School of Health Sciences
Anne Arundel Community College ishHeadquartered on a main 230-acre campus in Arnold with extension centers in:
- Hanover
- Fort Meade
- Glen Burnie
- Severna Park
Anne Arundel Community College is a public state-supported two-year college with an enrollment of over 53,000 students. AACC is the only school in Maryland to earn a Silver rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). It was also crowned the “Community College of the Year” in 2010 by the National Alliance of Business (NAB). In the School of Health Sciences, students can enroll in credit studies and certificate programs leading to high-demand jobs in the exciting world of healthcare.
Health Information Technology Program
AACC is at the crossroads of health sciences and information technology. It offers the Health Information Technology Program for training students. In the area of patient data, students learn to:
- maintain
- collect
- process
- analyze
- report
The program leads to an accredited Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree. It focuses on building the technical know-how and skills needed to support the information systems of today’s booming healthcare industry. Over the course of two years full-time, students will be expected to complete 66 credits, including an eight-week practicum. Admissions is highly competitive due to limitations of healthcare facilities, so priority is given to applicants residing in Anne Arundel County.
Accreditations
- The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
101 College Parkway
Arnold, MD 21012
(410) 777-2222
tllloyd@aacc.edu
Program Website
Baltimore City Community College
Division of Health Professions
Established in 1947, Baltimore City Community College is a public two-year school serving more than 7,200 students on its six major urban locations around Maryland’s largest city. It offers 28 associate degree programs and 13 certificate programs. BCCC has the mission of delivering cost-effective, customized training across the Baltimore business community to help local residents:
- upgrade their skills
- obtain good jobs
- transfer to four-year institutions
In the Division of Health Professions, students can choose to earn a degree related to:
- allied health
- addiction counseling
- biotechnology
- medical coding
- health information technology
- practical nursing
- dental hygiene
- surgical technology
- respiratory care
Health Information Technology Program
The Health Information Technology Program has the goal of training students to collect, organize, and analyze health data. This is done in accordance with clinical classification systems for accuracy. The Health Information Technology Program is offered for BCCC students who have maintained an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher prior to their application.
The 61-credit program leads to an accredited associate’s degree. Students are responsible for completing coursework related to:
- medical terminology
- allied health
- pharmacology
- biology
- human anatomy
- statistics
- business writing
- psychology
- medical coding
- clinical quality assurance
- speech communication
They then complete the two-part health information practicum. Graduates are eligible to take the AHIMA certification examination to add the initials RHIT after their name.
Accreditations
- The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
2901 Liberty Heights Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21215
(410) 462-7722
jmcnair@bccc.edu
Program Website
Coppin State University
School of Allied Health
Coppin State University was founded in 1900 by Fanny Jackson Coppin to prepare African American elementary school teachers. It has evolved into a comprehensive public historically black institution in the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. Coppin State is accredited by the MSCHE to grant 53 undergraduate degrees and nine graduate degrees. In the College of Health Professions, the School of Allied Health boasts small class sizes and state-of-the-art learning technologies to prepare health information management professionals.
Health Information Management Major
The Health Information Management major is offered at both the Baltimore and Hagerstown campuses. It’s fully accredited by the CAHIIM. It prepares undergraduate students to provide reliable and accurate information to drive high-quality patient care in the healthcare industry. In preparation for the Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) exam, students develop the essential knowledge for:
- administering health information systems
- managing medical information
- coding health data for insurance reimbursement
- protecting patient privacy
Leading to a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree, the program requires the completion of 121 credit hours. Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
Accreditations
- The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
2500 West North Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21216
(410) 951-2622
healthprofessions@coppin.edu
Program Website
Kaplan University – Hagerstown
School of Health Sciences
Kaplan University is in a quiet residential neighborhood of the Cumberland Valley. It’s within 70 miles of:
- Baltimore
- Washington DC
- Harrisburg
Kaplan University – Hagerstown is a satellite campus of the independent for-profit institution serving more than 43,000 students. According to the U.S. News and World Report, Kaplan has been recognized for offering the 56th best online bachelor’s degree programs in America. At the Hagerstown campus, the School of Health Sciences offers programs in:
- healthcare administration
- public health
- health education
- nursing
- nutrition science
- health information technology
- medical assisting
Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Health Information Technology
It is becoming increasingly vital for the healthcare industry to manage a tremendous volume of patient data in electronic health records. Kaplan has created the Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Health Information Technology program to develop qualified professionals for achieving this task. It blends convenient online coursework with on-site clinical experiences in Hagerstown. The program will develop the knowledge, technical abilities, and work habits necessary for pursuing entry-level positions in health information management. In the 92-credit program, students participate in a real-world externship at a local healthcare facility in preparation for taking the AHIMA professional exams.
Accreditations
- The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
18618 Crestwood Drive
Hagerstown, MD 21742
(301) 766-3600
ankramer@kaplan.edu
Program Website
Montgomery College
Health Sciences Department
Montgomery College is based on a main campus in Rockville with satellite locations in:
- Takoma Park
- Silver Spring
- Germantown
- Gaithersburg
- Wheaton
It’s a public two-year open access college educating nearly 60,000 students. At the associate degree level, Montgomery offers more than 600 courses in over 40 curriculum plans. The Health Sciences Department is committed to building a solid foundation for students seeking to enter a career of service in meeting the medical care needs of Marylanders.
A.A.S. in Health Information Management
The A.A.S. in Health Information Management program at Montgomery College develops the technical skills to:
- evaluate health records
- process patient claims
- retrieve medical information
All courses in the 65-credit program are offered in evenings on-campus or online anytime to accommodate students working full-time. Students will take a blend of lecture, lab, and clinical courses at affiliated healthcare facilities. This provides optimal professional growth in health information management. Graduates will be well-equipped for finding employment as health:
- data analysts
- insurance claims specialists
- records technicians
- clinical coding specialists
- patient information coordinators
- data quality managers, and more.
Graduates have with the opportunity to sit for the RHIT and/or CCA national accreditation examinations,
Accreditations
- The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
900 Hungerford Drive
Rockville, MD 20850
(240) 567-5521
corinne.smith@montgomerycollege.edu
Program Website
Prince George’s Community College
Allied Health Department
Established in 1958, Prince George’s Community College is a public state-supported school. It offers two-year academic options for over 40,000 students. It has campuses in:
- Largo
- Hyattsville
- Camp Springs
- Laurel
- Andrews Air Force Base
It focuses on educating non-traditional learners. The average student age is 47. PGCC delivers 68 associate degree programs and 34 professional certificates. The Allied Health Department provides the opportunity for students to receive outstanding practical instruction. Cutting-edge technology helps to develop their skills in various areas of medicine.
Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Health Information Management
The Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Health Information Management program at PGCC is fully accredited by the CAHIIM to fulfill certification requirements. It integrates the disciplines of:
- medicine
- information technology
- business management
These help develop qualified health records technicians. It’s ideal for students not interested in direct patient care. The program prepares students to perform technical duties related to the organization, analysis, and generation of health data. After graduating from the two-year program, students will have the necessary skills to find successful employment in:
- hospitals
- home health services
- nursing homes
- clinics
- HMOs
- doctors’ offices
- consulting groups
- government agencies.
Accreditations
- The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
301 Largo Road
Largo, MD 20774
(301) 322-0735
greente@pgcc.edu
Program Website
The Community College of Baltimore County
School of Applied and Information Technology
The Community College of Baltimore CountWith has an enrollment of over 72,000 students. It’s a large accredited public two-year institution based in Catonsville with extension centers in:
- Dundalk
- Essex
- Hunt Valley
- Owings Mills
- Randallstown
It opened its doors in 1957. CCBC has grown to deliver 50 different associate degrees and over 100 unique certificate programs. It’s one of Baltimore’s premier undergraduate education providers. The School of Applied and Information Technology is dedicated to preparing students for high-demand technological careers in programs that fit their daily lives.
Health Informatics and Information Technology A.A.S. Degree
Approved by the AHIMA to qualify graduates for taking the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) exam, The Health Informatics and Information Technology A.A.S. Degree program prepares students to join this rapidly evolving field to convert paper-based health records into a digital environment. Boasting a strong technology core, the program includes courses in:
- health records
- medical coding
- insurance reimbursement
- health data analysis
It’s approved by the AHIMA to qualify graduates for taking the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) exam,
Students in this program have achieved an excellent job placement rate of 93% and an RHIT certification pass rate of 75%. Students can further specialize their skill sets by pursuing a Medical Coding Certificate for CCA credentials.
Accreditations
- The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
800 South Rolling Road
Catonsville, MD 21228
(443) 840-2560
smoylan@ccbcmd.edu
Program Website
University of Maryland University College
Healthcare & Science Division
Known primarily for its distance learning options, University of Maryland University College is a public state-supported four-year institution. It serves more than 90,000 students worldwide from its headquarters in Adelphi and academic center in Largo. It offers a 100 percent acceptance rate for its undergraduate programs. UMUC is named one of the largest online schools on the globe and has received the Institution Award from the Council of College and Military Educators (CCME). In the Healthcare & Science Division, students can complete degrees related to:
- nursing
- gerontology
- psychology
- health administration
- environmental management
- pharmaceutical management
- biomedical research
Online Master of Science in Health Informatics Administration (MSHIA)
The Online Master of Science in Health Informatics Administration program at UMUC is built with a dual emphasis in healthcare management and informatics. It’s designed to prepare both healthcare and information technology professionals for working to manage critical patient data. It’s the only master’s program accredited by the CAHIIM in Maryland. The degree features 36 credits of coursework completed in a convenient online format on a full or part-time basis. Students are required to create a written capstone project that integrates key elements of their learning. Applicants should have at least three years of professional work experience in a healthcare or information technology setting prior to admissions.
Accreditations
- The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
3501 University Blvd. East
Adelphi, MD 20783
(800) 888-8682
admissions@umuc.edu
Program Website
Before starting a successful career in health informatics, you’ll need to learn the computerized information systems for accurately collecting, storing, and retrieving medical information. It’s best to choose a program that has been accredited by the CAHIIM to ensure you can:
- apply for financial aid
- transfer credits
- enroll in further education
- sit for professional health information management certification exams through the AHIMA.
Whether you’re a native Marylander or you’re interested in studying in the “Old Line State,” include these top-notch accredited health informatics programs in Maryland in your search for the right academic fit.