Although the state is best known for being the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” the health informatics programs in Minnesota are nearly as plentiful as bodies of water.
Situated as an educational hub for the U.S. Midwest, Minnesota has many highly ranked universities and colleges that offer academic programs in health information management with approval by the prestigious CAHIIM. Graduates will find no shortage of job opportunities in Minnesota either. There’s a vast network of hospitals and clinics headed by the Mayo Clinic and University of Minnesota Medical Center. After all, Minnesota has earned the reputation as being the #1 healthiest state in America several times due to its exceptional care options.
If you’re wishing to start or advance your career in protecting patients’ personal information, the following are the health informatics programs available in-state to Minnesotans.
Anoka Technical College
Health Science Technology Department
Founded in 1968, Anoka Technical College is a comprehensive two-year junior technical school offering more than 35 career-oriented associate’s and certificate programs. It enrolls 2,400 students annually. As part of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, Anoka Technical has a close-knit community with a student/faculty ratio of 22:1. It’s a suburban campus in Anoka just north of the Twin Cities. The Health Science Technology Department houses the college’s programs focused on preparing highly qualified personnel for the medical industry.
A.A.S. in Health Information Technology
The A.A.S. in Health Information Technology program leads to an Associate in Applied Science. It involves a 60-credit curriculum that prepares students for building an entry-level career working in any healthcare setting where clinical information is being utilized. Students focus on building the essential technical and professional knowledge for ensuring quality in electronic health information systems for seamless patient care.
Whether students take the full-time or part-time sequence, all graduates will have the competencies fundamental to health information management to qualify for taking the RHIT exam. Students from this program have achieved a 100% employer satisfaction rate since 2011. There’s also a 42-credit diploma program for students wishing to specialize in medical coding for:
- hospitals
- clinics
- physicians’ offices
- other healthcare departments.
Accreditations
- Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
1355 West Highway 10
Anoka, MN 55303
(763) 433-1100
gsampson@anokatech.edu
Program Website
College of St. Scholastica
School of Health Sciences
As a comprehensive four-year private Roman Catholic institution, the College of St. Scholastica serves over 4,000 students from its main 186-acre suburban campus on the outskirts of Duluth. It fetures a low student/faculty ratio of 14:1. CSS is currently ranked as the 23rd best regional college and 9th top school for veterans in the Midwest by the U.S. News and World Report. The first HIM program was founded her in 1935. The Department of Health Informatics produces professionals who can effectively assume managerial responsibility for overseeing health record systems.
B.S. Health Information Management
The B.S. Health Information Management program at CSS is fully accredited by the CAHIIM. It has an esteemed faculty of industry leaders. They provide students with a broad introduction to medical records technology for entering the in-demand field. The program’s goal is building the requisite knowledge, skills, and attributes necessary for building professional leadership in HIM. It has a flexible, interactive online learning environment. Undergraduates complete at least 128 credits with accelerated eight-week terms to graduate in about two years.
Students can also complete this degree on-campus in Duluth or in a flexible blended format that combines online learning with evening coursework. Upon completion, students will be qualified to sit for the Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) credentialing exam.
M.S. Health Informatics
The M.S. Health Informatics program at CSS is available 100% online. It is structured to help graduate students advance their careers into leadership positions for ensuring quality healthcare data. Students can follow the 70-credit Credential Track to fulfill the qualifications needed for RHIA credentials. Those who are already RHIAs can take the shorter 40-credit Advanced Track. All students work with active HIM professionals and receive hands-on experience in organizing critical patient data. Students take a wide range of technology-focused coursework in:
- systems design
- health data analytics
- human factors
- software development
- electronic health records, and more.
Students learn how to transform the healthcare delivery system through the use of accurate patient information.
Accreditations
- Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
1200 Kenwood Avenue
Duluth, MN 55811
(218) 723-6289
rberkela@css.edu
Program Website
Minnesota State Community and Technical College
Division of Health Science
Minnesota State Community and Technical College is headquartered on a main suburban campus in Fergus Falls with satellite locations in:
- Detroit Lakes
- Moorhead
- Wadena
- online
It’s a comprehensive public two-year institution enrolling more than 9,000 students each year. It awards more than $200,000 in scholarships. M State delivers fully accredited academic programs in more than 70 career-oriented and liberal arts areas. In the Division of Health Science, students can choose from programs in:
- dental hygiene
- health information technology
- massage therapy
- medical assisting
- medical coding
- medical office management
- nursing
- pharmacy technology
- phlebotomy
- surgical technology
A.A.S. Health Information Technology/Coding
The A.A.S. Health Information Technology/Coding program is Structured in a two-year format of 64 credits. It’s focused on preparing qualified health information technicians. They play a prominent role in patient care information by:
- securing
- analyzing
- collecting
- managing patient care information
After completing general education coursework, students take courses in:
- human anatomy
- physiology
- electronic health records
- statistics
- health information system
- pharmacology
- CPT coding
- quality management
- reimbursement systems
- medical terminology
Although this eCampus program is available online, there are practical hands-on learning components at local healthcare facilities.
Accreditations
- Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
1414 College Way
Fergus Falls, MN 56537
(877) 450-3322
info@minnesota.edu
Program Website
Rasmussen College
School of Health Sciences
Rasmussen College was founded in 1900. It has expanded as a comprehensive for-profit independent institution. It serves over 13,600 students at 24 campuses in:
- Minnesota
- Illinois
- North Dakota
- Florida
- Wisconsin
- Kansas
- online from its headquarters in Bloomington
It has seven schools that are fully accredited for excellence. Rasmussen offers more than 70 associate’s, bachelor’s, and certificate programs with affordable locked-in tuition rates. The School of Health Sciences trains undergraduate students for working directly with patients or behind the scenes in a variety of healthcare facilities.
Health Information Technology (HIT) Associate’s Degree
The Health Information Technology (HIT) Associate’s Degree program at Rasmussen features:
- programmatic accreditation
- in-field experience opportunities
- a sophisticated digital lab
The program prepares students for managing patient care data after passing the RHIT exam. Interested students can enroll online, in a blended format, or on-campus at Minnesota’s campuses in:
- Blaine
- Brooklyn Park
- Lake Elmo/Woodbury
- Moorhead
- Bloomington
- Eagan
- Mankato
- St. Cloud
Students will graduate from the 18-month program with knowledge in:
- medical billing
- records management
- advanced scanning technology
- health communication systems
Students also receive complementary membership to the AHIMA. Here they have a valuable opportunity for networking with other leading professionals in the health information field. Over 90% of graduates report working in their field of study or continuing their education within three months from degree completion.
Health Information Management (HIM) Bachelor’s Degree
the Health Information Management (HIM) Bachelor’s Degree program is available fully online as well as at the Minnesota campuses of:
- Blaine
- Brooklyn Park
- Lake Elmo/Woodbury
- Moorhead
- Bloomington
- Eagan
- Mankato
- St. Cloud
The program is ideal for students wishing to lead a team of health information technicians. With the application fee included in tuition costs, the program’s goal is to prepare students pass the RHIA exam. Beyond an associate’s degree, the program takes just 18 months to build essential skills and hands-on experience for success. Graduates have gone on to obtain managerial roles with:
- Mayo Clinic
- Target Clinic
- MN Oncology Clinic
- Allina Health
- ThedaCare
- Red Cross
- Marshfield Clinic
- other leading healthcare facilities across the country
All applicants must have earned an associate’s degree and possess a valid RHIT credential for successfully receiving an acceptance letter.
Accreditations
- Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
8300 Norman Center Drive Suite 300
Bloomington, MN 55437
(952) 806-3900
susan.hammerstrom@rasmussen.edu
Program Website
Ridgewater College
Health Care Division
Ridgewater College enrolls more than 5,500 students. It’s one of the largest comprehensive publicly supported two-year community colleges. It offers career-oriented and technical education in Minnesota with full NCA accreditation. It’s headquartered on a main rural campus in Willmar with a satellite location in Hutchinson. Ridgewater College delivers both associate’s degree and diploma programs in over 100 academic areas. It reinforces the value of lifelong learning.
In the Health Care Division, students can choose from in-demand specialties to become:
- emergency medical technicians
- health information technicians
- healthcare administrative assistants
- massage therapists
- medical assistants
- nurses
- nursing assistants
- paramedics
A.A.S. Health Information Technician
At Ridgewater, the A.A.S. Health Information Technician program is dedicated to providing students with knowledge in:
- electronic health record software systems
- the managerial aspects of health information
These help build a career in administrative areas of health care. Students learn legal, scientific, and medical values. These ensure the highest level of patient confidentiality in controlling the usage of health treatment information. Within the on-campus program of 64 credits, students will complete a three-week internship. They will get hands-on experience with 3M coding and reimbursement software encoding systems to produce accurate diagnosis codes. Students may also want to complete the 50-credit Medical Coding Specialist Diploma to become familiar with:
- human anatomy
- medical terminology
- physiology
- diagnostic procedures
- pharmacology.
Accreditations
- Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
2101 15th Avenue NW
Willmar, MN 56201
(320) 222-5200
kelly.magnuson@ridgewater.edu
Program Website
Rochester Community and Technical College
Healthcare Informatics Department
Rochester Community and Technical College is the oldest comprehensive public two-year community college in Minnesota. It was founded in 1915 by Charles Horace Mayo. The College is based on a beautiful 500-acre urban campus in the state’s third largest city. It enrolls more than 12,100 students. It’s well-known for delivering more than 300 online course options. RCTC delivers associate’s, certificate, diploma, and transfer programs with an award-winning faculty. The Healthcare Informatics Department has the unique mission of providing formal training for all electronic aspects of maintaining accurate healthcare information.
A.A.S. Health Information Technology
The goal is to prepare students for this fast-growing field. The A.A.S. Health Information Technology program at RCTC is focused on training students to analyze, secure, organize, and maintain critical patient data. At the same time they protect patient privacy to the highest degree possible. In this 60-credit program, students spend at least two years completing required coursework in:
- medical terminology
- anatomy
- physiology
- pharmacology
- medical coding
- health record systems
- quality analysis
They then participate in an internship. Either online or on-campus, students can also choose to receive the Coding Specialist Diploma or the Healthcare Informatics Certificate.
Accreditations
- Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
851 30th Avenue SE
Rochester, MN 55904
(507) 285-7210
admissions@rctc.edu
Program Website
Saint Paul College
Health Science Programs
Saint Paul College is one of the nation’s fastest-growing and more diverse schools. It’s a comprehensive two-year publicly supported community college located in the heart of downtown St. Paul. It was founded in 1910 as a vocational school for boys. SPC has expanded to serve the educational needs of over 10,000 men and women in nearly 40 different associate’s degree programs. Washington Monthly magazine named SPC as the #1 community college in the United States for student engagement and collaborative learning. In the Division of Health Science Programs, students can expand their career-oriented knowledge in:
- esthetics
- health information technology
- medical office management
- nursing
- massage therapy
- phlebotomy
- pharmacy
- respiratory therapy
- personal training
A.A.S. Health Information Technology
The A.A.S. Health Information Technology program at Saint Paul College has a 100% pass rate on the RHIT exam. It’s designed to produce competent technicians who can play an important role in patient care. This includes the creation, collection, distribution, and maintenance of medical records. It’s fully approved by the CAHIIM. The program gives students practical experience working with specialized software for:
- record tracking
- billing
- coding
- grouping
- quality improvement using ICD-9-CM
Graduates will have the knowledge base needed to manage information systems for:
- physician offices
- clinics
- hospitals
- long-term care centers
- rehabilitation facilities
- government agencies
- insurance carriers
- dental offices, and more.
Accreditations
- Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
235 Marshall Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55102
(651) 846-1600
admissions@saintpaul.edu
Program Website
St. Catherine University
Henrietta Schmoll School of Health
St. Catherine University is renowned for being the nation’s largest private comprehensive Roman Catholic liberal arts institution for women. It enrolls more than 5,000 students on its sprawling 110-acre urban campus in the Twin Cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis. It’s a national leader in recruiting non-traditional female students. St. Catherine University was named the 13th best regional college and 14th top value school in the Midwest by the U.S. News and World Report. It’s also acclaimed for having the country’s 161st best nursing school. The Henrietta Schmoll School of Health provides healthcare programs at all degree levels with an emphasis on socially responsible, relationship-centered care.
A.A.S. Health Information Specialist
On the pathway towards becoming credentialed as a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT), the A.A.S. Health Information Specialist program is delivered by St. Catherine University to teach students how to utilize computer systems for organizing critical patient care information. Available in a two-year or three-year format in St. Paul, the program includes late afternoon and evening courses to ensure convenience of scheduling. The CAHIIM-accredited curriculum includes classes in medical terminology, information technology, ICD coding, health statistics, quality assurance, health record systems, pharmacology, reimbursement systems, human ecology, and advanced coding with a practical capstone project. There’s also a basic medical coding program and a coding specialist program offered leading to certification.
Accreditations
- Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
2004 Randolph Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55105
(651) 690-7795
mkholey@stkate.edu
Program Website
St. Cloud Technical and Community College
Division of Health Sciences
Founded in 1948, the St. Cloud Technical and Community College is a comprehensive two-year technical school. It’s in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system and provides associate’s degrees and diplomas to more than 2,700 full-time students. It’s located in the state’s central region on an urban campus in St. Cloud. SCTCC has achieved an average job placement rate of 90% for the past five years among graduates from its over 50 academic programs. In particular, the Division of Health Sciences aims to prepare graduates for rewarding work in:
- cardiovascular technology
- dental assisting
- dental hygiene
- paramedicine
- surgical technology
- health information technology
- sonography
- nursing
Health Information Technology A.A.S. Degree
The Health Information Technology A.A.S. Degree program blends healthcare with information technology into a rewarding career with tremendous potential. The program helps students develop the technical skills needed to maintain solid connection from physicians to patients and insurance providers. Using cutting-edge technology in the classroom, the 64-credit program ensures that graduates can:
- code diagnoses
- compile registries
- verify health records for accuracy
- assure data security
- properly enter electronic patient data
Students have the chance to become members of the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and network with professionals in healthcare facilities.
There’s also a 36-credit Office Technology Assistant/Medical-DIP program available for learning other medical office procedures.
Accreditations
- Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
1540 Northway Drive
St. Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 308-6155
rjaenisch@sctcc.edu
Program Website
Are you looking for a career in the dynamic medical field without directly treating patients? Then it may be the perfect time to sharpen your technical skills and start a career in health informatics. However, you’ll first need to find a high-quality academic degree program at the associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree level to ensure you have the knowledge necessary for managing essential patient information correctly.
Through the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM), you’ll find numerous accredited programs. They have enriching professional opportunities and hands-on learning experiences to qualify you for the RHIT or RHIA credential. Make certain you include these top-notch health informatics programs in Minnesota to polish your skills in information technology for working in healthcare.