Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Certificate vs Degree Admission
	Certificate	Degree
UW Bothell/Tacoma Classes?	No	No
Online classes?	No	No
Evening Classes?	Yes	Yes
Day classes?	No	No
Financial Aid (FAFSA)	TBD*	Yes
One-year Cost	Certificate 1yr	Degree 1yr
Two-year Cost	Certificate 2yr	Degree 2yr
Waive Course via Ext. Wk. Exp.	Yes	No
Books - 1yr	$1,500	$1,500
Books - 2yr	$1,500	$1,500
U-PASS	$76/quarter	$76/quarter
Immunization Review Fee	See web site	See web site
Student Medical Insurance	No	Yes
Services & Activities Fee	No	Yes
Technology Fee	Yes	Yes
Bachelors Degree Required?	Yes	No
General Ed Reqs	No	Yes

*Federal aid is not available, however a completed FAFSA application is required for HIHIM Program need-based aid.

The HIHIM program accepts applications annually.
The Early Admission Deadline is February 15th.
The General Admission Deadline is April 15th.
See "Admission" for more information.

The 2013-2014 HIHIM academic year begins on June 24, 2013.
See the HIHIM Admission page for more information.

Number of questions:	120
Type of questions:	T/F, Matching, statements etc...
Minimum passing score:	84/120
Maximum attempts:	You can only take the test once.

If you miss more than 36 questions, you must register for a course at:

• a community college (classroom or online)
• AHIMA.org
• or an other entity (provide HIHIM with link to course description)

$390 per credit with the majority of our courses being five credits each. Since our program is not state funded, we can charge all students (in state, out of state and international) the same amount.

In addition, there is an "Immunization Reivew" fee applied to all Health Sciences students. For more information, visit: Required Immunizations for Health Sciences Students.

Certificate - Federal financial aid is not available for students who apply for the post-baccalaureate certificate in HIHIM. However, need-based aid may be available from the HIHIM Program. A completed FAFSA application is required. Submit your FAFSA early.
Contact the Office of Student Financial Aid

Degree - Federal financial aid is available for students who have applied for the undergraduate degree in HIHIM. Submit your FAFSA early.
Contact the Office of Student Financial Aid
Need-based aid is not available from the HIHIM Program.

Courses completed in an accredited RHIT program may be used to waive out of an HIHIM core course. However, the University of Washington does not accept the credits earned as transfer credit. An applicant for the HIHIM degree may need to make up the credit difference prior to application if the anticipated credit loss puts them below the minimum credits required to apply to the major. This credit loss may also impact anticipated credits needed (180 credits) for graduation. This credit loss is unlikely to impact applicants for the HIHIM certificate.

International students not currently in the U.S. are eligible to apply to the HIHIM certificate one-year program. Contact the University of Washington Professional & Continuing Education Immigration Services Office (PCE-IS) regarding Optional Practical Training.

Both degree and certificate students who successfully complete respective requirements are eligible to take the national RHIA certification exam. The only difference is that Certificate students do not earn a Bachelor's (undergraduate) from the University of Washington.

Certifiate or Degree?

Since most international students do not have the 90 U.S. credits required to apply to HIHIM for the bachelors degree, international students usually complete their college degree (4 years) in their country and then make application to the Certificate Program.

Document Translation and Evaluation

A credential/transcript evaluation translation may be needed. The evaluation translates the program level and scores from the standard of the country of origin to the equivalent standard in the USA.

The following services provide translation and evaluation of international transcripts:
The Foundation for International Services, Inc. (FIS)
World Education Services (WES)

VISAS

The HIHIM department does not advise or manage visa issues for applicants or students. Please visit the UW's International Students and Scholars web site.

The HIHIM program does not operate paid internships. However, HIHIM curriculum includes a final Capstone Project (HIHIM 462) where students are matched up with sites to work on real-world projects.