Finding quality health informatics programs in Missouri is simple thanks to the abundance of higher learning institutions accredited by the CAHIIM.
As the 18th most populous state in the United States, Missouri is often underestimated when it comes to higher education. But this Midwestern hidden gem has plenty of opportunity to offer. Missouri has one of the fastest-growing biotechnology fields nationwide in addition to:
- agriculture
- aerospace
- manufacturing
- food processing
Our country’s demand for health information technicians is skyrocketing by over 22 percent. There will be plenty of job openings in Missouri’s diverse healthcare settings.
If you’re ready to receive the training needed to keep patient data safe and accurate, the following are the several health informatics programs in the “Show Me State.”
Crowder College
Business Division
Crowder College was named in honor of World War I veteran General Enoch Crowder in 1963. Crowder College is a comprehensive public two-year community college serving more than 5,800 students. Most are from Newton and McDonald counties of southwestern Missouri in Neosho. It has a low student/faculty ratio of 17:1. Crowder has seen enrollment increase by 65 percent over the last decade to become one of Missouri’s fastest-growing higher learning institutions. In the Business Division, Crowder students can choose from six different degrees centered on providing quality preparation for in-demand careers.
A.A.S. in Health Information Technology
At Crowder, the Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Health Information Technology degree program prepares students for entering the thriving healthcare industry as highly skilled information technicians. It’s a 66-credit curriculum. Students spend two years full-time or more part-time developing the fundamental knowledge necessary to organize patient’s critical health information with the latest technologies. Graduates go on to become:
- clinical data specialists
- patient information coordinators
- data quality managers
- physician office managers
- compliance officers, and more.
Accreditations
- Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
601 Laclede Avenue
Neosho, MO 64850
(417) 451-3223
kalibard@crowder.edu
Program Link
East Central College
Division of Education and Social Sciences
East Central College is headquartered on a main 200-acre urban campus in Union with satellite locations in:
- Sullivan
- Rolla
- Warrenton
- Washington.
It’s a comprehensive state-supported public community college offering career-oriented education since 1968. It enrolls more than 4,400 students in the booming St. Louis metropolitan area. ECC offers over 25 associate’s degrees and certificates as well as transfer bachelor’s programs. In the Division of Education and Social Sciences, students can choose from a wide array of academic options ranging from anthropology and physical education to culinary arts.
A.A.S. in Health Information Management
The A.A.S. in Health Information Management at ECC builds on a broad foundation of general education coursework. It’s structured to deliver valuable career-oriented preparation for students wishing to manage patient data in health-related organizations. It’s a 64-credit program. Students learn the latest practices for collecting, storing, securing, retrieving, analyzing, and transmitting health records used daily by clinicians. The curriculum follows curriculum competencies created by the AHIMA. Graduates are qualified to sit for the exam to become a Certified Coding Associate (CCA).
Accreditations
- Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
1964 Prairie Dell Road
Union, MO 63084
(636) 584-6613
mary.huxel@eastcentral.edu
Program Link
Metropolitan Community College – Penn Valley
Health Sciences Institute
Metropolitan Community College – Penn Valley is the oldest comprehensive public two-year community college in the Greater Kansas City area. It was founded in 1915. It enrolls more than 21,000 students each semester on its multiple campuses in:
- Kansas City
- Independence
- Lee’s Summit
It’s well-known for being one of the first institutions in America to award an associate’s degree. MCC-Penn Valley now provides:
- two-year degrees
- certificates
- transfer programs
These cover over 90 different academic fields. The Health Sciences Institute (HSI) is the centralized location for finding all of the college’s health career programs in one building.
A.A.S. in Health Information Technology
It uses state-of-the-art equipment and cloud-based lecture capture. These allow student access to learning materials 24/7. The A.A.S. in Health Information Technology program is focused on preparing learners for managing all critical components of health record systems. In a two-year format, students earn 75 credits of coursework. They learn how to effectively maintain the accuracy, privacy, confidentiality, and security of patient data in diverse healthcare settings. Graduates are qualified for becoming a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) and/or a Certified Coding Associate (CDA) through the AHIMA.
Accreditations
- Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
3201 Southwest Trafficway
Kansas City, MO 64111
(816) 604-1000
joel.shaw@mcckc.edu
Program Link
Missouri Western State University
Department of Nursing & Allied Health
Enrolling more than 6,100 students, Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive public co-educational teaching institution located on a beautiful 744-acre urban campus in the mid-sized city of St. Joseph along the Missouri River. Celebrating 100 years of transforming lives since 1915, Missouri Western is focused on student-centered, experience-based education at the associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degree levels. In the Department of Nursing & Allied Health, students are prepared through personalized instruction to promote healthy communities through standards-based practice.
A.A.S. in Health Information Technology
Following a 73-credit curriculum, the A.A.S. in Health Information Technology program at Missouri Western is designed to provide the high-quality career preparation necessary to become certified as a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) through the AHIMA. With significant practical experiences, students are challenged to develop the skills for becoming a pivotal team member in the use of electronic health records, including:
- planning
- designing
- implementing
- managing
- evaluating
Graduates often go on to find entry-level positions in health information, but all of the credits earned can also be transferred into the university’s baccalaureate-level program.
B.S. in Health Information Management
The B.S. in Health Information Management program at Missouri Wester is available in either a full-time or part-time format for flexibility. It provides undergraduate students a chance for advancing beyond entry-level technician jobs to manage the creation of our nation’s health information exchange network. In the on-campus AHIMA Virtual Lab, students gain hands-on experience with specialized software to integrate their classroom learning in actually working with electronic health records. The program produces confident, innovative IT professionals. They can focus on managing information resources in the healthcare industry with the RHIA credential.
Accreditations
- Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
4525 Downs Drive
St. Joseph, MO 64507
(816) 271-5913
dolan@missouriwestern.edu
Program Link
Ozarks Technical Community College
Allied Health Department
Ozarks Technical Community College is the region’s newest college. It was established in 1990 by 13 surrounding public school districts. It’s a comprehensive two-year higher learning institution serving more than 15,000 students on its main urban campus in the city of Springfield and online from anywhere. It offers associate and certificate programs in more than 65 different academic areas. OTC is committed to delivering high-quality, accessible workforce training at an affordable price. The Allied Health Department provides 13 accredited degrees and a 2,000-square foot simulation center to develop proficient graduates for the healthcare industry.
A.A.S. in Health Information Technology
The A.A.S. in Health Information Technology program at OTC has a 100 percent pass rate on the national Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) certification exam. It has the goal of preparing graduates for rewarding careers in any organizations that use patient data or health information in their operations. Students are trained to apply their critical knowledge in health data to:
- collecting
- analyzing
- monitoring
- maintaining
- securing health data
All this is done in accordance with the ever-changing regulatory standards. In the 65-credit curriculum, students take courses including:
- quality management
- medical terminology
- pathophysiology
- healthcare statistics
Accreditations
- Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
1001 East Chestnut Expressway
Springfield, MO 65802
(417) 447-8803
pritchad@otc.edu
Program Link
Saint Louis University
Doisy College of Health Sciences
Saint Louis University is well-known for being the second-oldest private non-profit research institution rooted in the Roman Catholic and Jesuit faith. The University enrolls more than 13,500 students on its spacious 271-acre urban campus in St. Louis. It was named fourth in the nation for community service in Washington Monthly magazine. SLU is ranked the 99th best university and 20th best college for veterans in the United States by U.S. News and World Report. The Doisy College of Health Sciences is based in the nation’s 57th best medical school to deliver faith-based preparation for clinical work.
B.S. in Health Information Management
The B.S. in Health Information Management at SLU is delivered in a traditional four-year or accelerated 18-month format for those already possessing a bachelor’s degree in another field. It’s the oldest university-based program of its kind in America with roots back to 1936. Along with having an above-average national certification pass rate on the RHIA exam, the program has historically maintained a 100 percent job placement rate within just three months. Students become recognized experts in administering computer information systems that can effectively harbor patient data.
Accreditations
- Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
1 North Grand Avenue
Saint Louis, MO 63103
(314) 977-8701
dseale@slu.edu
Program Link
St. Charles Community College
Health Sciences Department
Since its inception in 1986, St. Charles Community College has become the fourth largest of the state’s public two-year institutions. It enrolls over 11,600 students. On its 235-acre campus in the suburban heart of Cottleville, SCC delivers accredited associate’s degree programs in the fields of:
- arts
- business
- sciences
- technical fields
The Health Sciences Department offers the opportunity to delve deeper into:
- emergency medical science
- occupational therapy
- health information management
- nursing
- victimology
- pharmacy
- exercise science, and more.
A.S. in Health Information Management
The Associate of Science (A.S.) in Health Information Management program at SCC prepares students for improving the quality of medical services by ensuring that patient data is collected and disseminated accurately. Students receive the guidance of an expert, caring faculty. They’re dedicated to producing competent health professionals for earning the RHIT credential. Over two years, students will complete 67 credits of coursework, including:
- medical terminology
- pharmacology
- human anatomy
- healthcare statistics
- quality improvement
- health law
- reimbursement
- medical coding
These are followed by an applied practicum.
Accreditations
- Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
4601 Mid Rivers Mall Drive
Cottleville, MO 63376
(636) 922-8292
knilson@stchas.edu
Program Link
St. Louis Community College
Department of Health Services
With a headcount of over 21,200 students system-wide, St. Louis Community College is the state’s second-largest two-year higher learning institution. It’s based on a main 377-acre urban campus in St. Louis with extension centers in:
- Ferguson
- Kirkwood
- Wildwood
It’s fully accredited by the NCA. STLCC awards certificates of proficiency as well as associate degrees in over 40 academic fields. The Department of Health Services is dedicated to developing the knowledge, technical skills, and values students will need to deliver competent care in our changing healthcare industry.
A.A.S. in Health Information Technology
At the Forest Park campus or online, the A.A.S. in Health Information Technology program at STLCC is available to produce HIT professionals. They can expertly:
- collect health data,
- analyze the content of medical records
- maintain effective patient information systems
The program adheres to the AHIMA’s framework for education. The program is focused on fulfilling the qualifications necessary to reach RHIT certification and become a guardian of critical health information. In the 69-credit curriculum, students will be prepared to become:
- clinical coders
- clinical data managers
- cancer registrars
- health information technicians
- data integrity specialists
- coding managers
- reimbursement specialists
Accreditations
- Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
5600 Oakland Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63110
(314) 644-9233
fp-admissions@stlcc.edu
Program Link
State Fair Community College
Department of Allied Health
State Fair Community College is based on a main campus in Sedalia just 30 miles from the Missouri River. It has satellite locations in:
- Clinton
- Warsaw
- Lake of the Ozarks
- Whiteman AFB
It’s a public state-supported two-year institution enrolling around 5,000 students. Offering more than 65 associate and certificate programs, SFCC follows a “Doing Quality Right” culture. In the Department of Allied Health, students can choose from in-demand career training options in:
- nursing
- radiologic technology
- health information technology
- diagnostic medical sonography
- dental hygiene
- pharmacy technology
- occupational therapy
A.A.S. in Health Information Technology
The A.A.S. in Health Information Technology program was created at SFCC to deliver the latest training needed to successfully build a medical records career in today’s digital world. In the two-year curriculum of 70 credits, students develop the knowledge and skills necessary to maintain the security and integrity of health information systems. Students who aren’t seeking the qualifications to become certified as an RHIT can simply pursue the Professional Certificate in Medical Coding.
Accreditations
- Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
3201 West 16th Street
Sedalia, MO 65301
(660) 596-9276
bmarquez@sfccmo.edu
Program Link
Stephens College
School of Health Sciences
Stephens College is situated on an 86-acre urban campus in the vibrant Midwestern college town of Columbia in central Missouri. It’s a comprehensive private non-profit women’s institution educating more than 850 young females with intellectual rigor. Included in the Princeton Review’s “Best 378 Colleges,” Stephens is ranked the 23rd best regional college in the Midwest. It’s ranked 184th best online bachelor’s degrees by the U.S. News and World Report. The School of Health Sciences is devoted to giving women the opportunity to reach their leadership goals in the country’s fastest-growing industry.
B.S. in Health Information Administration
The B.S. in Health Information Administration at Stephens is delivered 100 percent online. It’s dedicated to provide:
- academic challenge
- practical real-world learning
- one-on-one faculty advising
All these are necessary to succeed as an RHIA in today’s high-demand medical field. Students take courses at a distance to develop understanding in:
- business administration
- healthcare systems
- medical ethics
- health law
It’s a 122-credit program. Students will expand their career potential by completing a supervised internship at local health agencies across Columbia.
Accreditations
- Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
1200 East Broadway
Columbia, MO 65215
(573) 442-2211
info@stephens.edu
Program Link
If you have interests in both the health sciences and information technology, then HIT could be the perfect blend of the two for a rewarding career. Earning an associate or bachelor’s degree in health information technology or management will help you develop the technical expertise necessary for joining this fast-growing field. Get your start by attending one of these top-notch accredited health informatics programs in Missouri.