University of Cincinnati and Compass Knowledge Group Launch 4th Distance Learning Program

A fourth fully online degree program with the University of Cincinnati is successfully implemented with Compass Knowledge Group.

Orlando, FL, January 2005 - The University of Cincinnati (UC), ranked a top 100 public university by U.S. News & World Report college rankings, and Compass Knowledge Group, Inc. ("CKNO" or "Compass"), a premier provider of e-learning solutions launched this winter a progressive online program, the Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management designed for working Registered Health Information Technicians (RHITs) this winter.

UC's Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management was introduced to meet the growing education demands of the Health Information Management profession. The program is headed by Gail Smith, (MA, RHIA, CCS-P), American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) board member and nationally recognized leader in the field of health information management. "We believe this is a great opportunity for RHITs to take advantage of the tremendous number of career advancement opportunities that are now available," says Smith, who was also recently named the 2005 Distinguished Ohio Health Information Management Association (OHIMA) member of the Year. "Our curriculum prepares students for management positions."

Health Information Management careers are among the fastest growing professions with expanded career options according to US Department of Labor. An AHIMA-sponsored study indicates that a Health Information Manager with a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) certification earns nearly $15,000 more in annual median salary than an RHIT.

UC's vision is to make their leading curriculum and faculty more accessible through cutting-edge distance learning delivery. Compass provides the distance learning expertise with support services that have already made a positive difference with other online programs at UC, the Master of Education in Educational Administration, the Master of Science in Criminal Justice, and the Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science. Compass has built a positive track record in e-learning solutions for four diverse programs with UC and applies their successful end-to-end services as needed to assist the University of Cincinnati in reaching their strategic program goals.

"The needs assessment, marketing, and recruitment services provided by Compass gave us the quick jump start we needed to implement our dream of a high quality distance learning program," said Elizabeth King, Ph.D., Dean, College of Allied Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati. The Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management program is undergoing the self study to seek accreditation by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) at the earliest time possible for new programs. AHIMA is the professional accrediting agency for Health Information Management and other health information related educational programs.

About Compass

Founded in 1993, Compass Knowledge Group, Inc. is a premier provider of distance education and e-learning solutions for working professionals in niche areas of the global distance learning marketplace. Through collaboration with fully accredited colleges and universities, the Company improves lives by “bringing distance learning closer,” through its divisions and subsidiaries.