SRU’s health information management program receives CAHIIM accreditation
Slippery Rock University is one of 10 schools in the U.S. with a master’s degree program in health information management that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education.
March 18, 2021
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. — Slippery Rock University's health information management master's degree program is now accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education. The program, now in its third year, was awarded initial accreditation for seven years by CAHIIM, the national accrediting body that monitors academic programs in health information management and health informatics.
The CAHIIM accreditation council and board of directors voted last month to include SRU's program among the 10 current CAHIIM-accredited health information management master's degree programs in the country. SRU's program is the first of its kind in Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education. The first cohort started in fall 2018.
"We are honored to receive this distinguished accreditation," said Lawrence Shao, dean of SRU's College of Business. "Only a few universities in our state have this specialized accreditation, and this milestone is evidence that we've pursued a path of continuous quality improvement for this program."
SRU's 30-credit curriculum for the program can be completed by students in 12-24 months and is offered 100% online for professionals pursuing careers in the health care and/or computer information systems fields. The fast-growing field requires skills related to health care, project management, data analysis, and information technology, as well as the accompanying legal, social, and security issues.
The CAHIIM accreditation allows graduates of SRU's program to sit for the American Health Information Management credentialing exam to become Registered Health Information Administrators. RHIAs are certified professionals who manage patient health information and medical records, administer computer information systems, collect and analyze patient data for quality improvement and ensure compliance with regulations related to health information.
"This accreditation is required for preparing our students to become RHIAs," said Abel Gyan, SRU associate professor of health information management and MSHIM program director. "Our program is among the few cost-effective programs in the country where students can complete the required courses within a year and still meet the RHIA examination requirements."
MEDIA CONTACT: Justin Zackal | 724.738.4854 | justin.zackal@sru.edu