There are three health informatics programs in Oklahoma accredited by the CAHIIM for excellence.
Lying in the south-central United States, Oklahoma is the nation’s 28th most populous state with over 3.9 million residents. Although it’s best known for natural gas and oil production, Oklahoma has a diversified, fast-growing economy. The health services sector is particularly strong with more than 60,000 employees in Oklahoma City alone.
Oklahoma ranks 21st nationally in medical funding from the federal government. Health informatics majors can gain experience at:
- OU Medical Center
- Integris Baptist Medical Center
- Oklahoma Heart Hospital
- St. Francis Hospital, and more
Oklahoma employs 3,690 health information specialists with an average yearly salary of $33,670.
The following are the accredited health informatics programs granted to Oklahomans interested in medical records.
Rose State College
Health Sciences Division
Rose State College was named in honor of Mid-Del School District’s former superintendent. It was founded in 1970 as an accredited public community college to serve over 13,000 students annually. Nestled on a 116-acre suburban campus in Midwest City just eight miles from Oklahoma City, RSC grants associate degrees. It has a student/faculty ratio of 20:1. RSC is well-known for its Ticket to Rose Program, which allows free tuition to local high school graduates. In the Health Sciences Division, students can select from eight allied health degrees including:
- dental hygiene
- nursing
- phlebotomy
- respiratory therapy
Associate in Applied Science in Health Information Technology
The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Health Information Technology program is fully accredited by the CAHIIM. It prepares undergraduates to find gainful employment as registered health information technicians. Students must complete all general education courses before entering the two-year professional program. Courses will address topics like:
- medical terminology
- data display
- physiology
- statistics
- microcomputer applications
- health information law
- medical coding
- pharmacology
RSC offers flexible learning formats with daytime, evening, hybrid, and online class sessions. Three professional practice experiences are built within the curriculum. For three straight years, 100 percent of graduates have passed the AHIMA credentialing exam. There’s also an HIT Coding Specialist certificate program.
Accreditations
Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA)
Contact
6420 Southeast 15th Street
Midwest City, OK 73110
(405) 733-7673
lwhaley@rose.edu
Program Link
Southwestern Oklahoma State University
School of Allied Health Sciences
Southwestern Oklahoma State University is one of six public state-funded institutions in the Regional University System of Oklahoma. It’s home to over 6,300 students on its scenic 73-acre rural campus in Weatherford near the Stafford Air & Space Museum. Since its founding in 1901, SWOSU has grown to offer 15 nationally accredited academic programs. According to the U.S. News & World Report, Southwestern Oklahoma State has the 92nd best online bachelor’s degrees nationwide. The School of Allied Health Sciences is dedicated to giving students real-world experience in:
- athletic training
- health administration
- health information management
- occupational therapy
- physical therapy
B.S. Health Information Management
With an average class size of 20, the B.S. Health Information Management program at SWOSU is available fully online. It’s for undergraduate students seeking to combine their technology skills with health information science. The 2+2 program involves completing two years of pre-professional curriculum before beginning the HIM major. Students take courses in the four focus areas of:
- bioinformatics
- nursing informatics
- public health informatics
- applied informatics
There’s an option to declare a second major in Health Care Administration and complete an eight-week internship. After finishing the 123-credit curriculum, graduates are qualified for Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) credentials. The program has an average job placement rate of 90 percent within three months.
Accreditations
Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA)
Contact
100 Campus Drive
Weatherford, OK 73096
(580) 774-3067
him@swosu.edu
Program Link
Tulsa Community College
Allied Health Division
Enrolling over 29,300 students, Tulsa Community College is Oklahoma’s largest public state-funded junior college. It has four campus locations across Tulsa, the 47th most populous city in the United States. It’s well-known for educating diverse underrepresented minorities. TCC currently ranks first nationally in granting associate degrees to Native American students. Tulsa Community College also contributes over $1.5 million in service learning outreach each year. In the Allied Health Division, students can pursue degrees in:
- cardiovascular technology
- dental hygiene
- diagnostic medical sonography
- health information technology
- phlebotomy
- respiratory care, and more
Health Information Technology Associate Degree
At the Metro Campus, the Health Information Technology Associate Degree is for TCC students interested in linking healthcare providers to insurance companies and patients with electronic medical record systems. Fully accredited by the CAHIIM, the program fulfills the requirements for taking the national RHIT certification exam. Over six semesters, students are transformed into:
- coding specialists
- clinical data analysts
- patient information coordinators
- data quality managers
- health information technicians
The 69-credit curriculum leads to an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. Students are required to pass criminal background checks and drug screening for their two field practicum experiences. Some courses may be delivered online or in interactive TV classrooms.
Accreditations
Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA)
Contact
909 South Boston Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74119
(918) 595-7201
ssmith@tulsacc.edu
Program Link
Health informatics jobs require you to master the computer software and coding systems used to maintain patient records. That’s why most employers prefer candidates with at least an associate degree. Attending a college accredited by the CAHIIM is recommended to ensure your curriculum is:
- academically rigorous
- industry relevant
- compliant with AHIMA certification guidelines
Investing in college tuition can be expensive, but the degree will pay off. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts faster-than-average job growth by 15 percent through 2024, thus creating around 29,000 openings. Prepare yourself for this in-demand medical profession by earning one of these accredited health informatics programs in Oklahoma.