Health Information Management

Apply to Health Information Management

To join this program, you must apply for admission. This minimally competitive program accepts 35 students every fall term. We usually receive about 35-45 applications for these 35 spots. Most applicants will work with the admissions advisor and apply through Guaranteed Admission. If we don’t have more than 35 Guaranteed Admission seats filled by the time admission opens, we will also offer Standard Admission. This is uncommon. For Standard Admission, depending on the number of applicants, we may use a point system for admission. See details below.

Questions? Schedule a visit or talk with a program advisor.

How to apply

  1. Apply to PCC

    Applying to PCC is free and only takes a few minutes. Complete this step as soon as possible so you can start using PCC resources.
    Apply to PCC

  2. Application timeline
    Term you want to start Apply to Health Info Management
    Fall 2024 Admission is closed
    Fall 2025 March 3 – April 25
    Ask about the Guaranteed Admission plan

    Contact healthca@pcc.edu to see if you qualify for Guaranteed Admission. With Guaranteed Admission, you’ll work with the HIM Advisor to map out a plan to complete any remaining prerequisites and possibly some graduation requirements before admission. If the plan is followed, you’ll have a reserved spot in the upcoming cohort.

  3. Complete prerequisites

    All prerequisite classes must be passed with a grade “C” or above before formally being admitted. If you have met the core requirements of any of these classes at other colleges, contact healthca@pcc.edu to have your transcripts unofficially evaluated.

    • WR 121: English Composition
    • MP 111: Medical Terminology
    • MTH 58: Math Literacy I, or MTH 65: Introductory Algebra – 2nd term
    • CIS 120: Digital Literacy Skills
    • CIS 121: Info Systems and Programming, BA 131: Intro to Business Technology or BA 205: Business Communication
  4. Check basic qualifications

    This program includes educational experiences that take place in clinical/field environments. The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Public Health Division requires students in clinical/field environments to comply with vaccination requirements, including COVID-19 vaccination. Students are also required to pass a criminal background check and drug screenings. If you have questions, contact healthca@pcc.edu.

  5. Prepare essays
    (Standard Admission only)

    Standard Admission students will submit essays with their application. Essays should be 200-400 words. Need help with essays? Contact connect2@pcc.edu or 971-722-5600 and ask for Tanya Maldonado.

    • Essay question 1: Attention to detail, task management/multitasking, and communication are important attributes for success in the HIM program. Choose one of these attributes you consider a strength and explain why you consider it a strength and how you believe this will help you to be successful in the program.
    • Essay question 2: Describe your experience related to healthcare and how this experience led you to apply to this program.
  6. Submit application

After you apply

You’ll be notified about your application status by the end of May. Check your MyPCC email: all communication is done through your PCC email account.

If you have been accepted into the program, you will be invited to a mandatory orientation.

How are Standard Admission applicants selected?

At this time the program is not competitive and we don’t anticipate needing to admit any students through Standard Admission. In the unlikely event this happens – here is what to expect:

Standard Admission students receive points for grades in prerequisite classes and essay question responses:

  • Prerequisite coursework GPA – 20 points max
  • Essay question 1: Program success attributes – 25 points max
  • Essay question 2: Experience/interest – 25 points max

For detailed information on the point system, see the printable admissions advising guide.

Applicants who qualify, but do not have the top points for admission, will be notified of their status as a program alternate. Often, alternates are eventually selected for the program. Alternates will be listed in order of points, and in the case of students receiving the same points, the order the applications were received by admissions.

Recommended

This program requires students to use applications during the second year of the program that do not formally support Mac. If you use a Mac, you will be responsible for your own application access support or you may need to use Parallels Desktop or a similar application that supports Windows programs on a Mac.

Since the program is fully online, applicants also need strong computer skills and must be comfortable using Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.