Multiple Pathways
Health Information Management
Degree Programs for Montana Residents
CLASSES START
Jan 6th
20-36 Mo. Program Length | CAHIIM Accredited1 |
Online Format | AS, BS Degree Pathways |
Multiple Pathways
Health Information Management
Degree Programs for Montana Residents
Earn a career-focused education in health information management online
| Degrees | Choose our 20-month associate degree program or 36-month bachelor’s degree program |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Students residing in the state of Montana are eligible to apply for either online program |
| Accreditation | CAHIIM accredited,1 Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission |
| Certification | Preparation for RHIT (associate level) or RHIA (bachelor’s level) certification |
| Format | 100% online courses, in-person internship |
| QuickPaths | Transfer credit, stackable credentials, and adaptive learning technology build a faster pathway to a higher education with Herzing University; future master’s degree options include an MS in Healthcare Administration or MBA |
Ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best online bachelor's programs in 2024
Find your place in healthcare as a health information management professional
Students residing in Montana may choose a 20-month associate degree or 36-month bachelor’s degree program in health information management with Herzing University. You can potentially transfer credit from prior college coursework to reduce the time and cost of the program you choose.
We can help you develop the educational building blocks to become a key contributor to delivering and maintaining quality patient care. Discover a new rewarding career path in the field of health information technology and management.
Our roots in online learning
Herzing University has been providing online learning to students throughout the United States since 2003. Every year we work to improve our processes to create strong, supportive online communities of HIM students and faculty eager to help each other succeed in their education and work.
You can become a part of our vibrant online community—we’re thrilled to open our online health information management programs to Montana residents.
Career-focused curriculum
Discover the crucial knowledge and skills required to succeed in your work and build a foundation for continued career growth.
Flexible schedule
You can take classes during the day or in the evening. We strive to be as flexible as possible for busy non-traditional students.
Virtual services
Access to extensive virtual services, including academic advising, tutoring, support services, technical support and library services.
Lifelong support
We support your ongoing career advancement by providing comprehensive, personalized student services with lifelong career coaching.
Rolling admissions
No application deadlines to worry about. Apply when you’re ready and prepare to get started soon.
Classes Start January 6th
Learn More Today
Degree pathways in health information management
- Program length: 20 months
- Semester credits: 63
- Aligned certification: RHIT
- Program length: 36 months
- Semester credits: 124
- Aligned certification: RHIA
Careers
Career opportunities in health information management and technology in Montana
You don’t need to work directly with patients to significantly impact positive patient health outcomes. Health information professionals in Montana work behind the scenes to manage and improve the processes supporting the doctors, nurses, and additional healthcare staff responsible for delivering clinical care.
Earning a degree in health information management can help you pursue a variety of different types of jobs in the field, including the following as categorized by the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
Medical Records Specialists
These types of professionals organize and maintain patient files and information. Some RHITs may work as a medical records specialist.
Average salary in MT: $49,020 average salary per year ($23.57 per hour)*
Job outlook in MT: 17.1% increase from 2022-2032, 140 jobs added**
Health Information Technologists
Health information technicians or technologists create, maintain, and manage health information systems, and may play a role in health data analysis.
Average salary in MT: $70,130 average salary per year ($33.72 per hour)*
Job outlook in MT: 27.8% increase from 2022-2032, 50 jobs added**
Medical and Health Services Manager
This comprises managerial and administrative leaders in healthcare, including those directly involved in health information management and technology.
Average salary in MT: $144,990 average salary per year ($69.71 per hour)*
Job outlook in MT: 40.3% increase from 2022-2032, 890 jobs added**
Courses & curriculum details
| Program | Monthsi | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Associate of Science in Health Information Management | 20 | 63 |
| Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management | 36 | 124 |
i. Average number of months for students to complete program
Associate of Science in HIM curriculum
Required Health Information Management Courses
All courses, 30.00 semester credit hours, are required.
Required Anatomy and Physiology Courses
All courses, ◊8.00 semester credit hours, are required. (3.00 of these credit hours satisfies Science General Education Requirement).
Required Internship Experience
2.00 semester credit hours are required.
* Enrollment in a student readiness training is required two terms prior to internship course. Successful completion of training is required prior to internship course enrollment.
Required General Education Courses
Students enrolled in this associate degree must complete a minimum of 24.00 semester credit hours in general education (◊ includes 3.00 credit hours from Anatomy and Physiology listed in above required) distributed among the following disciplines. Refer to the General Education section of the catalog for specific information about courses within each discipline. 9.00 Semester Credit Hours in Communications 6.00 Semester Credit Hours in Humanities (must include 3 semester credit hours of cultural diversity) 3.00 Semester Credit Hours in Mathematics 3.00 Semester Credit Hours in Social and Behavioral Sciences ◊ Science Semester Credit Hours are satisfied through Anatomy and Physiology requirement listed above.
Personal and Professional Development Courses
2.00 semester credit hours are required.
Bachelor of Science in HIM curriculum
Required Management Core Courses
All courses, 24.00 semester credit hours, are required.
or BU 600 Leadership and Organizational Behavior 3.00 semester credit hours
or BU 630 Project and Operations Management 3.00 semester credit hours
or BU 550 Research Methods and Decision Making 3.00 semester credit hours
Required Courses in Health Information Management Core
All courses, 45.00 semester credit hours, are required.
Required Anatomy and Physiology Courses
All courses, ◊8.00 semester credit hours, are required. (3.00 of these credit hours satisfies Science General Education Requirement).
Elective Courses
A minimum of 8.00 semester credit hours is required. Students may take any healthcare or health information management, business management, or human resources course. At least 3.00 semester credit hours must be at the 300- or 400-level.
Required Internship Experience
4.00 semester credit hours are required.
* Enrollment in a student readiness training is required two terms prior to internship course. Successful completion of training is required prior to internship course enrollment.
Required Courses in General Education
Students enrolled in this bachelor's degree must complete a minimum of 36.00 semester credit hours in general education (◊ includes 3.0 credit hours from Anatomy and Physiology listed in above required) distributed among the following disciplines. Refer to the General Education section of the catalog for specific information about courses within each discipline. 12.00 Semester Credit Hours in Communications 9.00 Semester Credit Hours in Humanities (must include 3 semester credit hours of cultural diversity) 6.00 Semester Credit Hours in Mathematics 6.00 Semester Credit Hours in Social and Behavioral Sciences ◊ Science Semester Credit Hours are satisfied through Anatomy and Physiology requirement listed above.
Personal and Professional Development Courses
2.00 semester credit hours are required.
Certification
One of our primary goals is to prepare you to earn the HIM certification that’s right for you
Preparing you for American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) certifications is a crucial component of our health information management curriculums.
Earning certification proves your proficiency in the subject matter and shows potential employers you’ve got the knowledge and skills to succeed at the job.
- Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT). RHITs verify the completeness and accuracy of medical and health records and ensure proper entry into computer systems. RHIT certification aligns with our associate degree curriculum.
- Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA). RHIAs manage people and operations, working closely with all parties involved in the collection and use of patient data. RHIA certification aligns with the bachelor’s degree curriculum.
Requirements
Admissions requirements
Prerequisites to enroll in the Herzing University Health Information Management associate degree or bachelor’s degree program include:
- Completed high school diploma, GED or equivalent
- Meet and interview with a Herzing University admissions advisor
- Complete an enrollment application
Classes Start January 6th
Waived Enrollment FeeFrequently Asked Questions
Health information management is the collection analysis, storage and protection of the quality of patient health information. This information can be either paper-based, a combination of paper and digital (hybrid) or as is more often the case, a fully electronic health record (EHR).
HIM professionals are using advanced technology as they perform most HIM-related functions. The HIM professional must have a wide range of knowledge, including HIPAA laws that protect patient privacy, data analysis and how to harness computer systems that collect data.
Learn more about what health information management is, including additional information regarding potential career paths.
There are many potential jobs you can pursue in health information management after earning a degree. Keep in mind every employer will have their own qualification requirements in terms of experience and education. Potential job titles include:
- Health Information Technician
- Health Information Clerk
- HIM Consultant
- HIM Director
- Medical Records Technician
- Patient Care Coordinator
- Patient Information Coordinator
Yes. Both the associate and bachelor’s degree curriculums contain coursework on diagnostic (ICD-10-CM, DSM-IV, Snomed, ICD-O) and procedural coding (ICD10-PCS, CPT, HCPCS). These are introductory courses designed to familiarize students with the relationship between the coding and reimbursement processes.
If you are interested in medical billing and coding-specific jobs, you may also consider diploma or associate degree program options in billing and coding.
If you’re looking for a faster start in HIM and pursue a job as a health information technician, the associate degree pathway may be the best choice for you.
Those who already hold a degree in another field or have ambition to pursue managerial-level positions in HIM may be more interested in the bachelor’s degree pathway. It’s all a matter of where you are now and where you want to be.
Our admissions team can help you determine the best path forward. We are here to help you find the educational pathway to your highest career goals.
There are a few primary differences between medical billing and coding and health information management.
Those who work in medical billing and coding, who may be referred to as medical records specialists, play a key role in the healthcare revenue cycle, ensuring Electronic Medical Records (EMR) are assembled accurately and entered into health information systems properly. They communicate with healthcare staff, insurance companies, and patients to best represent services provided (coding) and secure payment for those services (billers).
Health Information Management professionals (sometimes referred to as Health Information Technology – HIT) are responsible for maintaining, analyzing, and optimizing these systems. Their role is more on the backend, emphasizing informatics and Information Technology (IT). These professionals create, manage, and analyze the systems billers and coders rely on to maintain the Electronic Health Record (EHR). They can also play a wider role in data analysis, management, protection, and administration of patient health information.
With Herzing University you are never alone. It’s our goal to provide all students an affordable, career-driven education. Financial aid options include:
- Loan options – Federal & private
- Scholarships & grants
- VA / military benefits
- Other sources of financial aid
You can find an estimate for tuition and expenses by using the Herzing University tuition wizard.
The primary difference is:
- Healthcare management refers to the practices and procedures involved with operating and supervising hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
- Health information management involves the collection, analysis, maintenance and security of a healthcare facility’s billing, research, quality improvement and credentialing.
Both fields combine high-level business and day-to-day functions of a healthcare environment to support the delivery of excellent patient care.
Discover more details about the difference between healthcare management vs. health information management.
Disclosures
1. The Health Information Management accreditor of Herzing University is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The University’s accreditation for the Associate of Science degree and the Bachelor of Science degree in Health Information Management has been reaffirmed through 2030-2031. All inquiries about the program’s accreditation status should be directed by mail to CAHIIM, 200 East Randolph Street, Suite 5100, Chicago, IL, 60601; by phone at 312.235.3255; or by email at info@cahiim.org.
Herzing University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
* Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics 2023 / Occupational Outlook Handbook 2022. BLS estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geography market in which you want to work and degree field, will affect career outcomes and earnings. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the average salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, salary increase or other career growth.
** Projections Central, Long-Term Projections (2022-2032). Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geography market in which you want to work, and degree field will affect career outcomes. Herzing does not guarantee that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, or other career growth.