SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. - Western Nebraska Community College's Health Information Technology program is excited to announce the Medical Coding Certificate program.

The certificate is designed to be completed in two semesters (23 credit hours) and prepare students to complete the Certified Coding Associate exam through the American Health Information Management Association. All credits earned toward the certificate can also be applied toward an Associate of Applied Science degree in HIT.

WNCC's HIT program is proud to be one of just two Medical Coding Certificate programs in the state of Nebraska. Additionally, both the certificate and the associate's degree in HIT are offered entirely online and fully asynchronous, allowing students to complete either program from anywhere and at their own pace.

"This flexibility is ideal for working professionals, as many of our students balance full-time jobs while completing coursework," Nicole Danielzuk, HIT program director said.

In recognition of its commitment to innovation and excellence, WNCC’s HIT program has also been selected as a Future Education Model demonstration site by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Health Information Management (CAHIIM).

As an early adopter of the 2026 CAHIIM accreditation standards, WNCC is implementing an innovative, competency-based curriculum designed to prepare students for the rapidly evolving health information industry and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

"We are excited to play a leading role in implementing the Future Education Model initiative by CAHIIM," Danielzuk said. "We are confident that this new era of competency-based education will fully prepare students to meet current industry standards while embracing emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. These curricular advancements will equip our students with the knowledge and adaptability required to become influential leaders in the rapidly evolving field of Health Information Technology."

The CAHIIM Future Education Model emphasizes experiential learning through project-based work and real-world applications. This approach improves student engagement, promotes deeper learning, and enhances knowledge retention.

To learn more about WNCC's HIT program, visit go.wncc.edu/hit. Fall 2025 classes begin August 18.