Overview
Admission into the Health Information Fundamentals program will be open from May 1 – August 15, 2023 for the September 2023 cohort.
Returning students will find their courses listed on the course tab.
Managing information throughout the healthcare system
Learn the fundamental theories and principles of health information management and governance, the structure of the Canadian health system and data repositories. You will also explore privacy and health laws to sustain quality in health and the technology solutions that make it possible.
- Developed using the Canadian College of Health Information Management’s Health Information Fundamentals Curricular Standards and recognized by the Canadian Health Information Management Association (CHIMA)
- Achieve your Certified Health Information Management (CHIM) designation faster and become a certified professional. For Degreed professionals with a Health Care background and education, you will be on the path to CHIM designation in six courses
- Obtain in-demand skills and experience in information, data quality, clinical knowledge, analytics, privacy, technology and more
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Program highlights Learn More
- Convenient online platform fits your life
- Streamlined accredited program that expedites certification
- Earn a Certificate
Health Information Fundamentals program features:
- Accredited, streamlined, fully online program
- Prepares you to write the CHIM national certification exam and achieve your certification faster
- Network with other professionals from various disciplines

What you'll learn Learn More
- Master theories of health information management
- In-demand skills in data governance, privacy, data quality and analytics.
- Preparation, collection and processing of electronic health records using the latest technology and systems
Through our Health Information Fundamentals program, you’ll learn to:
- Understand the fundamental theories and principles of health information management
- Understand the structure of the Canadian health system and health data and information repositories
- Prepare, collect and process health data for analysis using statistical software
- Understand the development of data standards, their application within health information management and organizational practices for maintaining data quality and data integrity
- Assess key Canadian federal and provincial privacy and health laws that affect policies and processes related to health information
- Navigate project management concepts in the technology system development lifecycle and the standards related to the exchange of health information within and across systems. Technologies such as cloud storage, blockchain, virtual care will be highlighted
- Comprehend the medical terminology used in a healthcare environment, the anatomical body structures and their physiological functions, pathological conditions, risk factors, diagnostic interventions and available treatment options
Learn more about the Health Information program
- University graduates from any discipline interested in a career in management or health analytics within the health information industry
- Healthcare professionals seeking a second career or a new career pathway
- Health information managers, health informatics or information professionals looking to upgrade their education and acquire a designation
- International professionals seeking Canadian education in health information management
- Data analysts, business analysts, researchers and managers looking to work in the healthcare industry
- Professionals responsible for the privacy, security and confidentiality of client records and information
Earning a Certificate in Health Information Fundamentals could provide a pathway to rewarding careers, including:
- Health Information Manager
- Healthcare Security and Privacy Specialist
- Clinical Documentation Specialist
- Clinical Data Specialist
- Electronic Medical Records Specialist
The Canadian College of Health Information Management is a national, not-for-profit corporation that sets the accreditation standards for educational institutions and certification standards for health information professionals in Canada.
The College, incorporated in 1972, protects the public interest by governing and regulating the professional practice of more than 4,300 certified health information member registrants. In enhancing the status as a regulatory body, the College advances the professionalization of the health information industry and acknowledgement of its professionals as a key driver of policy, funding, and the care that Canadians receive.
Check out our latest Health Program Preview webinar to learn more about the Health Information Fundamentals program
What Our Recent Graduates Say

Krystal
Health and Social Service Skill Development graduate

Tyson
Business Administration - Marketing graduate
“I wanted to reinvent myself and change my career path and I was able to do that.”
I wanted to be able to reinvent myself and change my career path and I was able to do that because of McMaster Continuing Education. Being a nurse, there are so many different avenues of nursing that I can try new things and continue to learn. The instructors were really understanding. When you’re working full-time, having someone that will promptly answer your questions and make time for you when you need it, they made it really easy.
Krystal
Health and Social Service Skill Development graduate
“The flexibility of the course helped me a lot to balance my work.”
The flexibility of the course helped me a lot to balance my work. Our field in data is continuously changing. I found that sweet balance in terms of the focus of the course. It’s a life cycle of how the data is coming in all the way to make it a service or a product. The course gives you that 360 spectrum.
Zaki
Big Data graduate
“The instructors worked in the marketing field and taught us real-life experiences.”
Obtaining an education with McMaster Continuing Education helped me reinvent my career. I was a former banker and I wanted a career in marketing. Through this program, I was able to bridge that gap and get into the career that I wanted. The instructors were working in the marketing field, teaching us real-life experiences and that was very valuable to me.
Tyson
Business Administration - Marketing graduate
Other programs you may be interested in
Certificate of Health Information Fundamentals
CERTIFICATE in Health Information Fundamentals
Earn a Certificate in Health Information Fundamentals with McMaster Continuing Education
- Achieve your Certified Health Information Management (CHIM) designation faster and become a certified professional. For Degreed professionals with a Health Care background and education, you will be on the path to CHIM designation in six courses
- Plan to study at your own pace, students will start with the first course in the program HIF 101, which is a prerequisite to HIF 102, 103, & 104. Students must also take HIF 104 in advance of HIF 105 and 106. Take one course each term, or double up your courses as permitted to be eligible to write your CHIM NCE exam in as little as a four academic terms. Subject to meeting program admissions and course availability.
Explore the requirements below and apply to the program today!
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Certificate in Health Information Fundamentals
Earn the Certificate in Health Information Fundamentals by successfully completing all 6 specialist courses listed below.
Students who complete the certificate are eligible to sit the CHIM exam through the Canadian College of Health Information Management.
Certificate in Health Information Fundamentals Requirements
Academic Credit – 18 Units
Note: Students must be accepted to the program prior to enrolling. Please visit our Admission and Application Requirements page for complete details.
Courses (Complete all 6)
3.0 UNITS
HIF 103
Privacy & Health Law
3.0 UNITS
HIF 104
Quality in Health
3.0 UNITS
HIF 105
Information Technology
3.0 UNITS
HIF 106
Statistics & Analytics
Health Information Fundamentals Courses
Health Information Fundamentals Courses
Advance your career with online Health Information Fundamentals courses
Explore course options below and apply to the program today!
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*HIF 101 is a prerequisite for HIF 102, 103, & 104.
*HIF 104 is a prerequisite for HIF 105 and 106.
3.0 UNITS
HIF 103
Privacy & Health Law
3.0 UNITS
HIF 104
Quality in Health
3.0 UNITS
HIF 105
Information Technology
3.0 UNITS
HIF 106
Statistics & Analytics
Health Information Fundamentals Schedule
Health Information Fundamentals Schedule
This schedule table displays courses planned to be offered this year and is a guide to planning your courses for the academic year. Please note: Spring term registration opens mid-March and Fall/Winter term registration opens mid-July. The schedule table is subject to change. Please visit the course pages to browse classes currently available for registration and the latest cost information. The cost for Health Information Fundamentals courses is $870.08 per course.
Learning format definitions:
- VC = Virtual Classroom learning format
- O = Online learning format
- OSS = Online Self-Study learning format
For more information about our learning formats and to choose a format that works best for you, please visit our Learning Formats page.
Course Name (Course Code) | Winter 2023 | Spring 2023 |
---|---|---|
Information Governance, Finance and Research (HIF 102) | Date: Jan 9 – Mar 19
Format: O |
|
Privacy & Health Law (HIF 103) | Date: May 8 – Jun 16
Format: O |
|
Quality in Health (HIF 104) | Date: Feb 7 – Apr 17
Format: O |
|
Information Technology (HIF 105) | Date: May 8 – Jun 16
Format: O |