Please note there is no application fee for graduate applications submitted by the Priority Deadline.

Why earn your Advanced Certificate in Health Information Management online at CUNY SPS?

The Advanced Certificate in Health Information Management at the CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) offers working professionals a flexible way to build graduate-level knowledge in healthcare data, privacy, information systems, performance improvement, and the health information management profession. Through four fully online, asynchronous courses, students gain a strong foundation in how health information is collected, protected, analyzed, and used to support patient care, organizational performance, compliance, and decision-making.

This certificate is designed for professionals who want to advance in their current healthcare role, transition into the health information management field, or explore graduate study before committing to a full master’s degree. The certificate can be completed as a standalone credential or serve as a pathway into the MS in Health Information Management at CUNY SPS.

About this Program

• Format: Online, Asynchronous
• Credits: 12 total
• Time to Completion: As little as 2 semesters
• Start Term: Fall, Spring
• Tuition: NYS residents: $470 per credit

Why This Program

• Build graduate-level knowledge through a focused 12-credit certificate program
• Learn the foundations of health information management, healthcare delivery, health IT, privacy, security, legal issues, and performance improvement
• Fully online, asynchronous format offers flexibility to balance school, work, family, and other responsibilities
• Gain practical skills that can support roles in hospitals, health systems, insurance companies, government agencies, public health organizations, and technology vendors
• Learn how health information technologies can improve patient care and organizational outcomes
• Strengthen your understanding of privacy, security, ethical, and legal standards related to protected health information
• Explore how quality improvement and performance measurement support data-driven healthcare decisions

Who Is This Program For

This program is ideal for professionals who want to build a foundation in health information management without immediately committing to a full master’s degree. It is a strong fit for working adults who are interested in healthcare data, privacy, compliance, health IT, quality improvement, healthcare operations, or the management of health information.

The certificate may be especially useful for individuals looking to transition into the HIM field. It may also be a good option for students who want to explore graduate-level coursework and potentially continue into the MS in Health Information Management at CUNY SPS.

Completing a Graduate Certificate Program

Graduate certificate courses must be completed within one year with a minimum 3.0 grade point average.

Note: Students who are awarded the Advanced Certificate in Health Information Management and later apply for admission to the MS in Health Information Management will be required to meet any additional requirements for the MS HIM program.

Skills You’ll Gain

• Understand the evolving healthcare ecosystem and the role of health information management
• Analyze how healthcare organizations, regulations, and technologies shape the HIM profession
• Evaluate health information systems and their role in patient care and organizational decision-making
• Apply privacy, security, ethical, and legal concepts to protected health information
• Understand how healthcare data is used to support quality improvement and performance measurement
• Strengthen your ability to work with health information technologies
• Support data-driven decision-making in healthcare environments
• Build a foundation for future graduate study in health information management

Sample Career Outcomes

Graduates of the Advanced Certificate in Health Information Management program may be prepared for roles such as:

• Health Information Technician
• Data Integrity Analyst
• Data Quality Analyst
• EHR Coordinator
• Clinical Systems Coordinator
• Privacy and Compliance Assistant
• Health IT Support Specialist
• HIM Operations Assistant
• Healthcare Data Support Specialist
• Quality Improvement Assistant
• Health Information Systems Support Specialist
• Healthcare Compliance Support Specialist

Program FAQ and Admissions Information

What are the admission requirements for the Advanced Certificate in Health Information Management program?

To apply for the online Advanced Certificate in Health Information Management program, applicants must:

• Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• Demonstrate a GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Submit a personal statement identifying educational and professional goals and the purpose for applying to the Advanced Certificate in Health Information Management

Applicants with a GPA below 3.0 may be considered with additional evidence of readiness for graduate-level study.

What are the Advanced Certificate in Health Information Management application deadlines at CUNY SPS and how do I apply for the program?

Apply now and view application deadlines here.

What courses are included in the Advanced Certificate in Health Information Management?

The certificate consists of four graduate-level courses:

• HIM 600 – U.S. Healthcare Delivery
• HIM 605 – Healthcare Information Systems
• HIM 610 – Health IT Privacy, Security and Legal Issues
• HIM 620 – Performance Improvement Strategies in Healthcare

Together, these courses provide a foundation in healthcare delivery, health information systems, privacy and security, legal and ethical issues, and performance improvement. You can view the full course catalog here.

How many credits is the Advanced Certificate in Health Information Management?

The Advanced Certificate in Health Information Management is a 12-credit graduate certificate made up of four courses.

How long does it take to complete the certificate?

The certificate can be completed in as little as two semesters. To support student success, CUNY SPS recommends enrolling in no more than 6 credits for this graduate certificate per semester.

Can I complete this certificate as a standalone credential?

Yes. The Advanced Certificate in Health Information Management can be completed as a standalone graduate certificate for students who want to build knowledge in HIM, healthcare data, privacy, health IT, and performance improvement without immediately committing to a full master's degree.

Can this certificate lead into the MS in Health Information Management?

Yes. The certificate can serve as a pathway into the MS in Health Information Management at CUNY SPS. Students who earn the Advanced Certificate in Health Information Management and later apply for admission to the MS HIM program will need to meet any additional requirements for the master’s program.

Is this certificate CAHIIM-accredited?

No. The Advanced Certificate in Health Information Management is not CAHIIM-accredited. However, it can serve as a valuable steppingstone toward the MS in Health Information Management at CUNY SPS, which is CAHIIM-accredited.

Does this certificate make me eligible to sit for the RHIA exam?

No. Completion of the Advanced Certificate in Health Information Management does not make students eligible to sit for the Registered Health Information Administrator,(RHIA), exam. Students interested in RHIA eligibility may transfer all four completed certificate courses into the CAHIIM-accredited MS in Health Information Management program at CUNY SPS.

What is health information management?

Health information management focuses on the collection, organization, protection, analysis, and use of health information. HIM professionals help ensure that health data is accurate, secure, accessible, and used responsibly to support patient care, compliance, quality improvement, operations, and organizational decision-making.

What HIM topics will I study?

Students study U.S. healthcare delivery, healthcare information systems, health IT privacy and security, legal and ethical issues, protected health information, performance improvement, and healthcare data-driven decision-making.

Can this certificate help me transition into the HIM field?

Yes. The certificate provides a graduate-level introduction to the HIM profession and may help students build foundational knowledge for roles related to healthcare data, privacy, compliance, health IT, and HIM operations.

General FAQ

Is this program fully online?

Yes. The program is delivered 100 percent online.

Are courses asynchronous and what does that mean?

Yes. The program is asynchronous. This means there are no required live class sessions. Students complete coursework online on a set schedule with flexibility around timing.

Is this program designed for working professionals?

Yes. The fully online format and focused certificate structure are designed for individuals balancing school with work and other responsibilities.

How do I request information about the program or contact admissions?

You can request program information here or reach out to Admissions

Text: (646) 517-7876
Email: admissions@sps.cuny.edu
Phone: (646) 664-8544

When can I start?

You can start during the Fall or Spring terms.

Is financial aid available?

Students enrolled in graduate certificate programs do not qualify for financial aid. Students may wish to contact Financial Aid or the Bursar Office to discuss payment options.

Are there scholarships that I can apply for?

Learn more about CUNY SPS scholarships, CUNY-wide scholarships, external scholarship opportunities, scholarships and grants for veterans, and general scholarship information here.

What support services are available for students?

Students have access to academic advising, career services, professional development resources, counseling, disability services, veteran services, writing support, tutoring, library resources, and a range of student support services.

How do I learn more about student life?

You can learn more about student life here, and view our list of student clubs and organizations here.

Is CUNY SPS accredited?

Yes. CUNY SPS is part of the accredited City University of New York system.