San Diego's Mesa College is now offering a new four-year degree in health information management.
Mesa was one of 15 community colleges selected for a state pilot program to offer four-year degrees.
Jack Beresford, director of communications for the San Diego Community College District, said this is not unlike other four-year degree programs.
"Other than than the fact that there's no other public university in California that offers a four-year degree in health information management, the only ones that are offered are at private universities that are charging upwards of $60,000 to complete the program," Beresford said.
Beresford said the cost of Mesa's four-year program, not including books, is just about $10,000.
Previously, Mesa College President Pamela Luster said there is demand for those with degrees in health information management.
"There is a robust labor market need for medical records managers," Luster said. "We have tremendous student demand, superior faculty, and overwhelming support from our healthcare industry partners who stand ready to employ our graduates."
The college previously offered an associate degree in health information management.
MiraCosta College in Oceanside was also selected for the state's pilot program and is offering a bachelor's in bio-manufacturing beginning in 2017.
The chosen community colleges were required to propose programs that don't duplicate existing programs offered at nearby University of California or California State University campuses.
