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Web-Based Courses Target Nurses, Health Information Administrators

Christine Hurley Deriso
August 2004

Two new Web-based programs make it easier than ever to earn Medical College of Georgia degrees in nursing and health information administration.

The programs, approved by the University System of Georgia Board of Regents Aug. 4, will lead to a bachelor's degree in nursing for registered nurses and a bachelor's degree or post-baccalaureate certificate in health information administration.

The nursing curriculum includes eight courses that can be completed in two semesters for full-time students or up to eight semesters for part-time students. The courses include some clinical and laboratory work, but most coursework can be completed via the Internet, minimizing disruption to registered nurses' current careers and/or family obligations.

"This program has demonstrated successful outcomes in providing accessibility, increasing enrollment and providing an opportunity for registered nurses to obtain advanced-degree training without the workforce depletion required with traditional instructional delivery," according to MCG School of Nursing Dean Lucy Marion.

MCG anticipates enrolling 18 to 20 students a year in the Web-based health information administration course through its School of Allied Health Sciences Department of Health Informatics. Graduates will be eligible to take the national credentialing examination to become a registered health information administrator. The professionals manage personal health information and other vital health care information in hospitals, clinics, private industry and other settings.

"By making its program offerings available by way of distance education, MCG will be able to tap into the segment of population that cannot commit to full-time enrollment in a campus-bound program," said Dr. Carol Campbell, chair of the MCG Department of Health Informatics. "Because there are no state, national or international boundaries to the delivery of training content over the Internet, students could potentially access MCG's online courses from anywhere in the world."

For more information about the nursing program, call Dr. Marion's office at (706) 721-3771. For more information about the health information administration program, call Dr. Campbell's office at (706) 721-3436.

April 03, 2006