Program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education, opening up job opportunities for graduates
New York, N.Y. (August 4, 2026) – Guttman Community College’s Health Information Techology program has been awarded full accreditation without conditions. With this status, graduates of the program are RHIT eligible, which means they can sit for the national Registered Health Information Technology exam after graduating from Guttman. Successful completion of the exam demonstrates verified competence in the field of health information technology and management and increases job opportunities for graduates in a high-demand industry.
“Guttman is honored to have been accredited by Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). Their meticulous review confirms that our program meets rigorous standards, ensuring that students are well prepared for work in an ever-shifting field,” said Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Paul Reifenheiser. “In particular, kudos go to Professor Laquan Black, who liaised with CAHIIM, providing core leadership to ensure our program meets standards for curriculum, planning, and governance.”
Led by Black with the support of Interim President Elizabeth de León Bhargava, Provost Reifenheiser and Business Administration, Human Services and Information Technology Chair Marcia Edwards, securing accreditation required extensive work, including: aligning courses with updated curriculum standards; resolving programmatic challenges; strengthening assessment processes; and leading the full accreditation review from start to finish. Their dedication to the process represents a sustained investment in student success.
“Accreditation is not the end; it is the beginning of a long-term commitment to maintaining excellence, supporting students, and guiding the program as it grows into a mature, nationally recognized online offering,” said Black.
Students enrolled in the Health Information Technology program include those who are currently employed and seeking career advancement as well as traditional students who will seek employment after earning their degrees. When Ariana Khan ‘26 applied to the program, she was specifically seeking a degree program rather than a certificate. Working toward a career in medical billing and coding, she plans to take the RHIT exam now that the program is accredited by CAHIIM.
For her, a degree from Guttman represents stability. “It means a lot to me as someone who has switched schools midyear twice — once in elementary school and once in middle school,” said Khan. Equipped with her Associate of Applied Science degree and RHIT eligibility, she is ready to take the next step toward her career in the health information technology sector.
The Health Information Technology program is fully online and prepares students to support communities with the knowledge and skills needed to keep patient health information accurate and safe. Eligible students can attend the program for free through the CUNY Reconnect program. Learn more at guttman.cuny.edu/reconnect.
The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM) is a programmatic accreditor that has served the public since 2011. CAHIIM is dedicated to quality education in health informatics and information management to ensure a high-quality health workforce.
Stella and Charles Guttman Community College is CUNY’s first new community college in more than forty years. Reimagining what community college could be, Guttman opened its doors in Manhattan in August 2012 to create a research-based, innovative model focused on moving students efficiently toward graduation. Offering associate degree programs in a nurturing environment, the College provides holistic support and advising to ensure timely degree completion, and most graduates transfer to senior colleges. Guttman was named the best community college in America in 2020 and the top community college in New York State in 2020 and 2021 by Niche.com, and WalletHub ranked Guttman the #1 community college in New York State for 2025.
