Dakota State University

Master Degree in Health Information Management in Madison, SD

CAHIIM Initial Accreditation Online Enrollment: Active

Program information

Address: 820 N. Washington Ave., Madison, SD, 57042
State: South Dakota (SD)
Degree level: Master Degree
Subject area: Health Information Management
Content delivery: Online
Program Director: Renae Spohn , PhD, MBA, RHIA, CPHQ, CPHI, FAHIMA, FNAHQ
Phone: (605) 215-5777
Email: renae.spohn@dsu.edu
Last accreditation date: 09/10/2020
Next review cycle: 2027-2028
Progress report status: Progress Report satisfactory and completed

What this means

Dakota State University is accredited and your degree counts.

Because Dakota State University holds Initial accreditation from CAHIIM, graduates of this master's degree are eligible to sit for AHIMA's RHIA (Registered Health Information Administrator) exam. That eligibility is the whole reason CAHIIM accreditation matters: without a CAHIIM-accredited degree, the exam is closed to you.

"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 South Dakota picture

Where Dakota State University sits among South Dakota's 1 CAHIIM-accredited programs.

South Dakota has 1 active CAHIIM-accredited program, and this is the only one at the master's degree level. 1 of the 1 offer online delivery, and this one is fully online.

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

SD programs

At this level

Online capable

900

HIM jobs in SD

What the work pays

Medical records specialist pay in South Dakota.

The occupation most RHIA-track graduates enter is Medical Records Specialist (SOC 29-2072). In South Dakota the median is $51,610 a year, right at the national median. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

South Dakota

Median annual: $51,610
10th percentile: $36,920
90th percentile: $76,950
Employed: 900

National (for reference)

Median annual: $51,140
90th percentile: $81,150

Accreditation history

Recent CAHIIM actions on this program

September 2020

Grant ten years of Initial Accreditation with a Progress Report. The following Standard is Partially Met: Standard 9. Program-Specific Curriculum. The curriculum does not build on the required minimum Health Information Management (core) competencies as specified in the AHIMA Competencies for HIM Education at the Master's Degree Level. Three competencies remain Partially Met until implemented: VI.5, VI.6, VI.10. New Degree Program Search New Certificate Program Search

Source: CAHIIM Program Directory listing for Dakota State University. Refreshed quarterly.

FAQ

Dakota State University HIM program: common questions.

Is the Dakota State University health information management program CAHIIM-accredited?

Yes. The master's degree in Health Information Management at Dakota State University holds Initial accreditation from CAHIIM, most recently affirmed 09/10/2020, with its next review scheduled for the 2027-2028 cycle.

Does Dakota State University qualify me to sit for the RHIA exam?

Yes. Graduating from this CAHIIM-accredited master's degree makes you eligible for AHIMA's RHIA (Registered Health Information Administrator) exam. CAHIIM accreditation is the eligibility gate; without it the exam is not available to you.

Is the Dakota State University program online?

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

What do medical records specialists earn in South Dakota?

Medical records specialists in the South Dakota earn a median of $51,610 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025), right at the national median. The national median is $51,140.

How many CAHIIM-accredited programs are in South Dakota?

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

Keep going

Next steps.

Best HIM programs in South Dakota, ranked

How Dakota State University stacks up on our seven-factor methodology.

Health information management degree guide

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

RHIA certification guide

The exam this degree qualifies you for: structure, prep, wage impact.

Also in South Dakota

Other CAHIIM-accredited programs in South Dakota

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 Dakota State University, last refreshed May 13, 2026, and BLS OEWS May 2025. Accreditation status can change between refreshes. Always verify directly with CAHIIM before enrolling.