Grand Canyon University

Master Degree in Health Informatics in Phoenix, AZ

CAHIIM Initial Accreditation Online Enrollment: Active

Program information

Address: 3300 West Camelback Road, Conhcp, Phoenix, AZ, 85017
State: Arizona (AZ)
Degree level: Master Degree
Subject area: Health Informatics
Content delivery: Online
Program Director: Pamela Hess , DBA, MA, RHIA, CDIP, CCS
Phone: (602) 639-6521
Email: Pamela.Hess@gcu.edu
Last accreditation date: 02/09/2026
Next review cycle: 2033-2034
Progress report status: Progress Report in process

Our take

A fully online health informatics master’s, CAHIIM-accredited in 2026.

GCU’s MS in Health Informatics earned Initial CAHIIM accreditation in February 2026 and drew a first review cycle running to 2033-2034. Initial status just means newly accredited; the accreditation itself is the same. Director Pamela Hess holds a DBA, an MA, the RHIA, CDIP, and CCS, one of the strongest credential stacks of any informatics program director, and she also directs GCU’s CAHIIM-accredited BSHIM, so the two programs stack under one roof.

The degree is fully online, but Phoenix itself is a serious health-data market: Banner Health is headquartered there and is one of the largest nonprofit systems in the country, with HonorHealth, Valleywise Health, and Mayo Clinic’s Arizona campus rounding out the metro. Informatics master’s graduates land in analytics, EHR governance, and clinical data roles rather than the traditional RHIA track.

What this means

Grand Canyon University is accredited and your degree counts.

Grand Canyon University holds Initial CAHIIM accreditation in health informatics. Informatics programs point at analytics, EHR, and clinical data roles rather than the traditional RHIA-track HIM ladder; graduates often pursue specialty credentials like AHIMA's CHDA once they have analytics experience. If your goal is the RHIA and HIM department management, compare this against the CAHIIM health information management programs in Arizona.

"Initial Accreditation" means the program received CAHIIM accreditation recently and is on a shortened review cycle to confirm continued compliance. Graduates are fully eligible for AHIMA exams. The status simply signals a newer program.

The Arizona picture

Where Grand Canyon University sits among Arizona's 6 CAHIIM-accredited programs.

Arizona has 6 active CAHIIM-accredited programs, and this is the only one at the master's degree level. 6 of the 6 offer online delivery, and this one is fully online.

We score every Arizona program on a seven-factor methodology covering accreditation maturity, director credentials, pathways, delivery, employer pipeline, cost, and reputation. See how Grand Canyon University compares in our ranking of the best HIM programs in Arizona, or browse all 3 accredited programs in Phoenix.

AZ programs

At this level

Online capable

3,750

HIM jobs in AZ

What the work pays

Medical records specialist pay in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler metro.

The core HIM occupation is Medical Records Specialist (SOC 29-2072). In the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler metro the median is $50,810 a year, right at the national median. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler metro

Median annual: $50,810
10th percentile: $38,450
90th percentile: $70,970
Employed: 2,030

National (for reference)

Median annual: $51,140
Arizona state median: $47,630
90th percentile: $81,150

FAQ

Grand Canyon University health informatics program: common questions.

Is the Grand Canyon University health informatics program CAHIIM-accredited?

Yes. The master's degree in Health Informatics at Grand Canyon University holds Initial accreditation from CAHIIM, most recently affirmed 02/09/2026, with its next review scheduled for the 2033-2034 cycle.

Is the Grand Canyon University program online?

Yes. CAHIIM lists this program as fully online, so you can complete it from anywhere in Arizona or out of state.

What do medical records specialists earn in Phoenix?

Medical records specialists in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler metro earn a median of $50,810 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025), right at the national median. The national median is $51,140.

How many CAHIIM-accredited programs are in Arizona?

Arizona has 6 active CAHIIM-accredited programs, 1 at the master's degree level. 6 of them offer online delivery. See our full Arizona ranking for how they compare.

Keep going

Next steps.

Best HIM programs in Arizona, ranked

How Grand Canyon University stacks up on our seven-factor methodology.

Health informatics degree guide

Curriculum, cost, and what the degree actually gets you.

HIM careers and certifications

Where the degree leads: roles, credentials, salaries.

Also in Arizona

Other CAHIIM-accredited programs in Arizona

Same degree level

Other master degree programs in health information management

Data on this page is sourced from the official CAHIIM Program Directory listing for Grand Canyon University, last refreshed May 13, 2026, and BLS OEWS May 2025. Accreditation status can change between refreshes. Always verify directly with CAHIIM before enrolling.