Health Information Management Schools in Florida with Accredited Degree Programs
Did you know? A 16% growth is expected for health information technologists and medical registrars by the end of 2032, reports the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a lot faster than the average of all occupations.
With healthcare systems becoming increasingly reliant on digital data and records, Health Information Management (HIM) professionals are in demand more than ever, especially in states like Florida where healthcare infrastructure is significantly expanding.
While there are many schools and universities offering programs in Health Information Management, it is essential to choose the best amongst them – specifically one that is CAHIM-accredited (Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education). Whether you’re aiming for a bachelor’s associate or a master’s, there are multiple programs offered around health information management degree in Florida and that too with CAHIM accreditation. These programs also support flexible online learning options as well.
Whether you’re exploring what is a health information management degree, wondering what are the health information management degree requirements or finding the best amongst many, this guide helps you explore everything you’d want to know alongside enlisting all the top universities in Florida offering an HIM degree with accredited programs.
Dive in to explore and pick the one that suits your career goals.
What Accreditation Means
Accreditation is an important filter when choosing a health information management program, it means the program or the school offering it follows a certain set of standards and protocols. However, not every accreditation is equal.
For example:
- Institutional accreditation ensures the college meets a generic set of standards related to quality.
- Programmatic accreditation such as CAHIM, ensures the program offered by an institution meets the specified criteria of HIM degree programs.
Why Does CAHIM Matter?
- It helps determine the eligibility for RHT or RHIA certification exams.
- Employers prefer hiring candidates who have graduated from accredited programs.
- It ensures the curriculum you’ve studied is aligned with the latest industry standards.
If you want to check a certain HIM program’s accreditation, it is often available at the CAHIM’s official directory.
Associate Degree HIM Programs in Florida
If you’re eager to enter the HIM workforce, getting a health information management associate degree online is the quickest path. It helps you qualify the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) exam and the coursework usually revolves around:
- Health data requirements and standards
- Legal aspects of health information
- Medical terminology
- Coding and classification systems
- Supervised practicum
- Legal aspects of health information
Top CAHIM-Accredited Associate Degree Programs in Florida
Some of the best associated degree programs in HIM offered in Florida that are also CAHIM-accredited includes:
- Broward College (Fort Lauderdale) – Campus only
- College of Central Florida (Ocala) – Campus & online
- Florida South Western State College (Fort Myers) – Campus & online; notable for 100% job placement rates in some cohorts
- Florida State College at Jacksonville – Fully online AS, detailed practicum requirements and CAHIIM-accredited
There are some other notable Florida colleges offering associate degrees in HIM, they include:
- Indian River State College
- Seminole State College
- St. Petersburg College
- Santa Fe College
- Daytona State College
- Palm Beach State College
- Pensacola State College
Spotlight: Ultimate Medical Academy (UMA)
They offer an 18-months online associate program which includes preparation for RHIT exam and practicum. The institution has been accredited until 2033-2034 and is popular for strong rates of retention and job placements.
Bachelor’s (RHIA-Track) HIM Programs
Securing a bachelor’s degree in HIM helps in positioning you for data management and leadership roles. It makes you eligible for the Registered Health Administrator (RHIA) certification, further enhancing your portfolio so you can get placements at reputable organizations.
The best and top-tier CAHIM-accredited programs offering health information management degrees in Florida include:
University of Central Florida (UCF) – They offer both on-campus and online options for a BS in Health Informatics & Information Management with excellent employment outcomes and RHIA passing percentage.
Florida A&M University (FAMU) – The University offers s BS in Health Informatics and Information Management with a 100% graduation rate and guaranteed employment opportunities for the graduates. The institution is also accredited until 2029 alongside offering a comprehensive curriculum in healthcare information management to support your career goals.
Master’s and Graduate-Level HIM Programs in Florida
If you’re a working professional in the field of HIM and pursuing a health informatics leadership role, enrolling into a master’s of health information management degree program can be your next strategic step. Take a look at some of the best universities offering accredited master’s program in health information management:
University of South Florida (USF Health) – It is a 100% online master’s program in health informatics, powered by a strong medical school. The program covers all the standard coursework requirements and guarantee strong job placements and alumni outcomes.
Florida International University – They offer an MS in Health Informatics and Analytics, a CAHIM-accredited program with thorough curriculum design and quality oversight.
Comparison among Programs and Formats
The table below helps you compare programs at a glance so you can make the right decision. You can pick a program on the basis of needs. For example, if you’re a working professional, moving forward with an online/hybrid option can be a logical move.
| Degree Level | School Examples | Delivery | Accreditation | Certification | Outcomes |
| Associate (AS) | FSW, CF, UMA, and FSCJ | Online/Campus | CAHIM | RHIT | high job placement ratio |
| Bachelor’s (BS) | FAMU and UCF | Online/Campus | CAHIM | RHIA | Above 90% employment and retention |
| Master’s (MS) | USF, FIU | 100% Online | CAHIM | Advanced leadership roles | 85% employment rate |
Certification Eligibility and Career Pathways
You can qualify for different HIM certifications on the basis of your degree level. Each different credential makes you eligible for a different career option. Here’s a clear description:
- An associate degree makes you eligible for RHIT, which is a great credential to add to your profile if you’re seeking a technical HIM role or entry-level job after graduation.
- And a bachelor’s degree in health information management qualifies you for RHIA which is a great combination of your goal is to land a leadership or strategic role in healthcare information management.
- While a master’s degree allows you to land executive, analyst and consultant-level roles which are a great option if your long-term goal is to get involved in healthcare policy-making, health informatics strategy and advanced analytics.
Once you’ve achieved your desired degree in HIM, finding career paths must be your next-step. The good news is, there are multiple health information management jobs in Florida. They include:
- Privacy Officer – The role usually requires overseeing patient data and ensuring compliance with HIPAA guidelines.
- Health Data Analyst – Requires interpreting healthcare data to enhance patient outcomes and maximize operational efficiency.
- Health Records Manager – They are responsible for managing and organizing the storage, organization and accessibility of patient information.
- Informatics Consultant – The role requires offering advice about the integration of IT systems with healthcare processes for an enhanced data usage.
- Coding Auditor – They review medical billing codes to ensure accuracy and compliance
- Clinical Documentation Specialist – They are supposed to maintain the accuracy and completion of medical documents.
- EHR Implementation Specialist – The role requires managing the deployment and optimization of electronic health records.
- Compliance Manager – They are responsible for keeping a track of healthcare practices and ensuring they’re aligned with the latest laws and regulations.
- Health IT Project Manager – They’re supposed to oversee IT projects that can help improve the healthcare delivery systems.
- Data Quality Coordinator – The role requires maintaining accuracy, integrity, and reliability of patients’ data and information.
The average salary for RHIT-accredited professionals in Florida lies in the range of $45,000 to $65,000, while RHIA-certified professionals can make up to $70,000 on the basis of their experience and designation.
Factors to Evaluate When Choosing a Program
HIM programs offered at different schools and universities often vary in their scope and curriculum they offer. Therefore, it is important to evaluate certain factors before you make a choice. Let’s take a look at some of the critical factors and ease your decision-making process:
CAHIM Accreditation Status and Expiration – Make sure the program you choose comes under the CAHIM directory and their accreditation remains active throughout your degree years so that you are eligible for the certification.
Graduation and Job Placement Rates – Higher rates of post-graduation job placements and greater alumni networks represents quality and consistency of an educational institution. Always choose an HIM program that guarantees high employment and retention rates. For example, UCF reported a 48% of the graduates securing a placement within one year of graduation, making it an ideal choice.
RHIT/RHIA Certification Pass Rates – the certification pass rate of a program is critical because it shows how well the program prepares students for their certification programs. Universities with an average pass rate between 75-80% are a great voice. For example, University of Arizona Global reports an 80% pass rate in the RHIT and RHIA exams.
Delivery Format – This is another crucial factor. Ensure the program you’re choosing delivers education in the modes you’re comfortable with. For example, if you’re a working professional, attending on-campus classes can be challenging and online programs can be your ideal choice.
Internship or Practicum Availability – It is always better to choose a program that offers internship or practicum opportunities because that can help you gain hands-on experience of the market in real-world arrangements. For example:
- University of Central Florida requires you to complete a mandatory UCF-affiliated internship before the final year exams.
- Florida A&M University requires you to complete a four-week internship program as part of the bachelor’s program. FAMU also entitles you for the Mayo Clinic Internship Program so you can get hands-on experience from the industry.
Tuition and Financial Aid Availability – These are important factors to evaluate before making any decision. Make sure the tuition matches your budget and moving forward with an option that offers financial aid can help make your degree financially feasible.
Residency Status for In-State Tuition – Also check for the residency status because residents of Florida can benefit from lower tuition fees, reducing your overall educational expenses. For example, the University of South Florida charges $213.65 per credit-hour for in-state students while it’s $577.47/credit-hour for out-of-state students. Given the 30 credit-hours program they offer, it’s $6,409.50 (in-state) vs. $17,324.10 (out-of-state).
Integration with Health Informatics and Data Analytics Training – Programs that have the latest technologies and data analytics integrated in their curriculum are a great choice if you’re aiming to land evolving healthcare management roles.
Emerging Trends in Florida HIM Education
With technology evolving almost every day, health information management practices are also changing for good. Therefore, it has become important for students and professionals in this field to acquire advanced skillsets and knowledge. For instance, new regulatory guidance from HHS and the FDA is tightening data privacy and cybersecurity standards for wearable health devices and AI-enabled systems, underscoring the need for HIM practitioners to stay current with evolving protections and informatics protocols.
The HIM programs in Florida truly understand the significance of adapting to the latest trends. The emerging trends in Florida HIM education includes:
Online Learning Growth – More schools and universities are introducing 100% online HIM degrees, offering support to the working professionals and students that believe in flexible education systems.
Demand for Master’s Level Professionals – With growing dependency on digital data and records, healthcare systems are seeking professionals with master’s-level degrees alongside leadership and informatics expertise.
Curriculum Modernization – The curriculums are evolving with extended integration of cybersecurity, AI, and data analytics courses and programs to make sure the programs align with health IT trends.
Conclusion
Florida offers a wide variety of CAHIM-accredited health information management degree online programs on all levels including, associate, bachelor’s, and master’s. These programs have been designed to ensure the graduates are certification-eligible, ready to enter the workforce, and fully aligned with the future of digital healthcare.
Now that you know all the CAHIM-accredited HIM programs offered in Florida across associate, bachelor’s and master’s level, it’s time you make a decision on the basis of your career goals and requirements.
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