Overview
Apply now for the new Health Information Fundamentals Diploma program! Applications are open for the Fall 2023 cohort.
Fall/Winter enrolment opens Tuesday, July 18, 2023. You must have applied and been accepted into the program prior to enrolling in a course.
If you are a returning student in the Health Information Fundamentals Certificate program, you can find your courses listed on the Courses tab.
If you have any questions, please contact the program team at mcehif@mcmaster.ca.
Become a key player in the delivery of quality healthcare with the unique and in-demand skills of a Health Information Management professional
Health Information Management professionals bridge clinical knowledge by ensuring the accuracy, completeness, and security of patient health information crucial in delivering quality patient care. Through the Health Information Fundamentals program, you will attain a strong foundation in the essential theories and principles of health information management and governance, while gaining a deep understanding of the Canadian healthcare system and data repositories. By leveraging valuable insights in privacy, health laws and technology systems, you’ll learn how you can contribute to improving the quality of healthcare services.
- 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)
- Gain the required knowledge to be prepared to achieve your Certified Health Information Management (CHIM) designation and become a certified professional
- Position yourself to take advantage of new career opportunities as you acquire in-demand skills and experience in information, data quality, clinical knowledge, analytics, privacy, technology and more
Information Box Group

Program highlights Learn More
- In-demand skills to achieve your CHIM designation and advance your career
- Accredited and fully online program to fit your life
- Earn a Diploma while networking with industry expert instructors
Health Information Fundamentals program features:
- Earn a Diploma as you work toward your CHIM designation
- Flexible online courses teach in-demand skills preparing you to write the CHIM national certification exam
- Learn from instructors with industry expertise
- Grow your network as you learn alongside professionals from various disciplines

What you'll learn Learn More
- How to present patient health data to tell a holistic story through data analytics in the healthcare sector
- In-demand skills in the latest health information management technology and systems
- Health information standards that inform provincial and federal policies
Through our Health Information Fundamentals program, you’ll learn to:
- Apply health analytics and business intelligence tools, including cloud storage, blockchain and virtual care technology, to support the management and presentation of evidence-based health information
- Communicate professionally and collaboratively with stakeholders and as a member of a diverse professional team to enhance the quality of health information and its impact on patient care
- Interpret key Canadian health legislation as it applies to policies and processes related to health information, security, privacy, confidentiality, external data sharing and access
- Navigate project management concepts in the technology system development lifecycle and the standards related to the exchange of health information within and across systems
- Assess the accuracy of patient health information using knowledge of medical terminology, the anatomical body structures and their physiological functions, pathological conditions, risk factors, diagnostic interventions and available treatment options
- Recognize how equity, diversity, inclusion and ethics influence healthcare settings and patient well-being
Learn more about the Health Information program
- University graduates from any discipline who are interested in a career in health information management
- Healthcare, Health Information, or Health Informatics professionals seeking career advancement
- Any Health Information or Health Informatics professional 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
Health information professionals are on the frontline of health data – collecting, protecting and transforming it into the information needed in our healthcare system and beyond.
Earning a Diploma 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
Upon completion of the program, learners will:
- Describe the Canadian Health Information Management Lifecycle and how it is used to promote data and information governance, inform healthcare policy and procedures, and develop leading practices and principles related to managing health information across the continuum of care
- Apply knowledge of ethical data collection and preparation, quality and conformance, and standards policies and processes to ensure that data is linkable and fit for use in analysis and care and to foster data literacy
- Articulate clinical knowledge of medical terminology, anatomical body structures, physiological functions, and pathological conditions for the purpose of identifying risk factors and/or diagnostic interventions and/or treatment options in healthcare
- Manipulate and interpret health data and statistics using measurement, analysis, and statistical software systems, and utilize analytics, business intelligence, financial analyses, and informatics to support reporting and decision-making across the healthcare continuum
- Interpret federal, provincial, and territorial privacy and health legislation as it applies to policies and processes related to health information, security, privacy, confidentiality, external data sharing and access
- Summarize types of healthcare information systems, information flow, health information exchange standards and specifications, and the supporting principles, policies, and processes for health sector technologies
- Recognize and articulate how equity, diversity, inclusion, and ethics influence healthcare settings and patient outcomes
The Health Information Fundamentals Diploma is an intensive program which will help you succeed in your future career goals. You should plan on spending 4-6 hours per week on each course.
To fast-track your way to graduation we encourage you to take courses in the following order:
Term 1 | HIF 101 and HTH 200 |
Term 2 | HIF 102 and HTH 300 |
Term 3 | HIF 103 and HIF 107* |
Term 4 | HIF 102 and HIF 107* (continued) |
Term 5 | HIF 104** |
Term 6 | HIF 105 and HIF 106 |
*HIF 107 is a two-semester course (24 weeks)
**Instead of taking an additional course at this time, we recommend you start planning ahead for your CHIM national certification exam
Course availability is subject to change.
Canadian College of Health Information Management:
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. 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.
Canadian Health Information Management Association:
Canadian Health Information Management Association (CHIMA) represents more than 5,800 health information members from coast to coast to coast. It advocates for the health information profession, monitors industry trends, creates networking opportunities and facilitates continuing education for their members. CHIMA also connects members with employment opportunities at organizations within health care and beyond. Access to career opportunities is available on the CHIMA website with your CHIM membership (a student or full membership is required for the program).
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 in Health Information Fundamentals
Certificate in Health Information Fundamentals
Please note we are no longer accepting new applicants to the Health Information Fundamentals Certificate program.
If you are currently working toward the Health Information Fundamentals Certificate, you can continue taking the required courses listed below to complete your certificate.
Are you a new student? Explore the NEW Health Information Fundamentals Diploma launching Fall 2023.
If you have any questions, please contact the program team at mcehif@mcmaster.ca.
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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 have been accepted to the Health Information Fundamentals Certificate program prior to Fall 2023 to pursue the Certificate.
Are you a new student? Explore the NEW Health Information Fundamentals Diploma option and apply today!
Courses (complete all 6)
3.0 UNITS
HIF 101
Introduction to Health Information Management & Records Management
(Currently Not Available)
Diploma in Health Information Fundamentals
DIPLOMA in Health Information Fundamentals
Pursue your Diploma in Health Information Fundamentals with McMaster Continuing Education
- Gain the necessary knowledge and skills to achieve your Certified Health Information Management (CHIM) designation and become a certified professional
- Graduates and current students in any discipline will be on the path to the Certified Health Information Management (CHIM) designation in nine courses
- Take one course each term or double up your courses as permitted to be eligible to write your CHIM exam in as little as four academic terms (subject to meeting program admissions and course availability)
Explore the requirements below and apply today!
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Diploma in Health Information Fundamentals
Earn the Diploma in Health Information Fundamentals by successfully completing all nine courses listed below.
Students who successfully complete the diploma are eligible to take the CHIM exam through the Canadian College of Health Information Management.
Diploma in Health Information Fundamentals Requirements
Academic Credit – 30 Units
- To qualify for the diploma, students must complete all nine (9) core courses, 30 units of study
- We recommended the following pathway for course completion: HTH 200, HTH 300, HIF 101, HIF 102, HIF 107*, HIF 103, HIF 104, HIF 105, HIF 106
- The diploma is available to individuals who possess a three-year degree in any discipline and those who are actively pursuing their degrees while taking the Health Information Fundamentals program
- Graduates of the diploma program will be eligible to write the Canadian College of Health Information Management’s national certification examination to earn the designation of a Certified Health Information Management (CHIM) professional
*HIF 107 is a self-study 6-month online course that can be taken at any time in the program, after successful completion of HTH 200 & HTH 300
Note: Students must be accepted to the program prior to enrolling. Please visit our Application Requirements page for more information.
Courses (Complete all 9)
3.0 UNITS
HIF 101
Introduction to Health Information Management & Records Management
(Currently Not Available)
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!
The preferred order of courses and their prerequisites structure of the Health Information Fundamentals Diploma program is:
HTH 200: None
HIF 101: None
HTH 300: Strongly recommend HTH 200
HIF 107: Strongly recommend HTH 200 & HTH 300
HIF 102: HIF 101
HIF 103: HIF 101
HIF 104: HIF 101
HIF 105: HIF 104
HIF 106: HIF 104
Information Box Group
3.0 UNITS
HIF 101
Introduction to Health Information Management & Records Management
(Currently Not Available)
Health Information Fundamentals Schedule
Health Information Fundamentals Schedule
The following schedule is for students completing the Certificate in Health Information Fundamentals. Courses for the Diploma program will be listed here on July 18, 2023.
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: Jun 5 – Aug 13
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 |