Health Information Administration Frequently Asked Questions

General

1. Is the Stephens’ HIA program accredited?
2. If I am a full time employee, how can I find time to complete the requirements of this course?
3. What is the course format?
4. What is the test format?
5. Will I need special equipment to take exams in Proctor U?

Costs

6. Will it cost me anything to use Proctor U?
7. How much is out-of-state tuition?
8. Is Financial Aid available?

Credits & Transferability

9. What about transfer credit from other institutions?
10. Do you accept “life experience” for credit?
11. Can I obtain a second bachelor’s degree rather than the post-bachelor’s certificate?

Clinical & Site Information

12. What is the required length of time that I will spend in clinical sites for my professional practice experience during the semester?
13. Am I responsible for finding my clinical sites or does the HIA program staff find the sites for me?
14. What options can I choose from in determining my clinical sites for this course?
15. What documentation is required before I go to a clinical site?
16. Am I allowed to do my professional practice experience in a clinical site where I am employed?
17. If I have been employed in healthcare as a director of an HIM department, do I still have to complete the professional practice requirements of this course?
18. Does the director of the HIM department have to be an RHIA?

1. Is the Stephens’ HIA program accredited?

Yes. The Health Information Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). Stephens College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association.

2. If I am a full time employee, how can I find time to complete the requirements of this course?

Students are encouraged to plan in advance for the time needed to complete the course requirements. This may include taking vacation time or rearranging work schedule hours. The HIA program director will work with students to help them meet the course requirements.

3. What is the course format?

The HIA program is in a distance format comprised of online courses. HIA courses are full semester courses (16 weeks) and Liberal arts and business courses are 8-week courses.

4. What is the test format?

Our school policy is to use Proctor U for testing.  Generally, it is the discretion of the professor how many exams are given per class, but all exams will be proctored online.  In most cases, there are two proctored exams per course: 1) a midterm and 2) a final.

5. Will I need special equipment to take exams in Proctor U?

All you need is a webcam with a microphone and a reliable, high-speed internet connection. A live proctor will assist you with set up. To learn more, please visit the Proctor U website.

6. Will it cost me anything to use Proctor U?

Exams proctored through ProctorU have rates that can vary according to the test. Students are billed when they schedule their exams. The fee covers the entire testing experience regardless of how much actual time it takes to complete the exam. For more information, please visit Proctor U .

7. How much is out of state tuition?

We are a private school, there is no tuition differential for in-state and out-of-state tuition. Current tuition rates can be found in our catalog.

8.  Is financial aid available?

Federal financial aid is available for the bachelor’s degree program. The first step to receiving financial aid is by completing the FAFSA. Our school code is 002512. Certificate programs are not available for federal financial aid.

9. What about transfer credit from other institutions?

All HIA required courses are available at Stephens. However, students may take 100 and 200 level classes at local colleges and transfer credit to Stephens. It is strongly recommended that students submit course descriptions before enrolling at another institution. Upon submitting your application fee to Stephens, we will review unofficial transcripts for preliminary assessment of transfer credit

10. Do you accept “life experience” for credit?

No. We do not award credit for "life experience." However, challenge exams are available for foundation courses (excluding Anatomy & Physiology).

11. Can I obtain a second bachelor’s degree rather than the post-bachelor’s certificate?

Absolutely! Students who already have a bachelor’s degree may apply for either a second bachelor’s or a certificate. Although, all HIA required courses are the same for both. Students who opt for a second bachelor’s degree may be eligible for federal financial aid. Certificate students are only eligible for alternative loans. In addition, bachelor’s students may need one or two additional liberal arts courses, depending on previous coursework.

12. What is the required length of time that I will spend in clinical sites for my professional practice experience during the semester?

All students will complete a total of 160 hours of professional practice experience.

13. Am I responsible for finding my clinical sites or does the HIA program staff find the sites for me?

Students are responsible for finding and contacting their own clinical sites. The HIA program director will assist in helping to secure a site, as needed.

14. What options can I choose from in determining my clinical sites for this course?

Students have three options available for completing the 160 hours.

 Option 1: Three (3) weeks at an acute care site PLUS one (1) week at an alternative care setting.

Option 2: Two (2) weeks at an acute care site PLUS two (2) weeks in a minimum of three (3) alternative care settings.

Option 3: Two weeks at an acute care site PLUS one (1) week at an alternative care setting PLUS one (1) week with a program director of an HIT or HIA academic program.

15. What documentation is required before I go to a clinical site?

Students must purchase and furnish a professional liability insurance policy and a copy of their latest physical exam and immunization record before beginning any phase of the professional practice experience.

16.  Am I allowed to do my professional practice experience in a clinical site where I am employed?

This is only allowed if the student activities in the professional practice assignments are different than their own work duties in the department. Also, students must not be substituted for paid staff.

17.  If I have been employed in healthcare as a director of an HIM department, do I still have to complete the professional practice requirements of this course?

Yes, it is an accreditation requirement that students complete this course and obtain the exposure to those clinical sites where they have an opportunity to learn a variety of approaches in management and use of technology.

18.  Does the director of the HIM department have to be an RHIA?

In the acute care facility, the director of the HIM department must be either an RHIA or RHIT.