Online Certificate in Trauma Registry Management
Certified Trauma Registry Specialists are among the most in-demand health information technology professionals. Whether you're new to the healthcare field or are looking to upskill, the University of Cincinnati's Certificate in Trauma Registry will prepare you to be a difference maker from the moment you step into a trauma registry related role.
Program Overview
The University of Cincinnati's Certificate in Trauma Registry Management prepares students for careers in trauma data collection, analysis, and reporting. This certificate prepares individuals to contribute to their organizations right away by reducing the amount of time needed to train and onboard individuals working in this high demand field.
Our rigorous curriculum is aligned with the competencies required for the Certified Specialist in Trauma Registries (CSTR) credential offered by the American Trauma Society (ATS). Upon graduation from this program, students will be prepared to sit for the CSTR certification exam.
Trauma Registry Management Certificate Program Highlights
High Quality Education
Students in this program will gain the necessary skills to manage trauma registries in compliance with national standards and support trauma center accreditation and performance improvement initiatives. The academic coursework for this program covers topics such as:
- Medical terminology
- Anatomy and physiology
- Human disease
- Pharmacology
- Medical and trauma coding
- Trauma systems and quality assurance
Flexibility
- Complete the program 100% online with no required on-campus visits
- With only 35 credit hours, this program can be completed in as little as 4 semesters
- Part-time flexibility to avoid career disruptions as you further your education
- Multiple program start dates across spring, summer and fall semesters
Support from Application through Graduation
At UC, you’ll have a full support team behind you:
Enrollment Services Advisor: Your go-to resource during the application and enrollment process
Student Success Coordinator: Helping you stay on track through graduation from the program
Access to Resources: Access to university resources that will support you through your program including online learning expectations and resources, health and wellness resources, and academic support
Curriculum
The online Certificate in Trauma Registry Management program at the University of Cincinnati is 35 credit hours and designed to prepare students to be effective contributors to trauma registry teams from day 1 without needing extensive training.
Prior to registering for courses, please consult with your Academic Advisor to determine how to navigate this course carousel. The Academic Advisor will be able to highlight when courses will be offered and in which order you should register for courses.
| Course | Title/Description | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL1015 | Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology This course discusses the basic anatomy and physiology of the human body, basic current medical information on common clinical disorders encountered in the health field, the nomenclature used in describing anatomy, physiology, and disease of the human body. Students will apply the scientific method to physiological processes. |
3 |
| BIOL1015L | Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology Lab This laboratory course accompanies Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology (BIOL1015). Activities provide a deeper and practical understanding of the basic principles of human anatomy and physiology. Many of the activities utilize laboratory simulation software. Topics include histology, blood analysis, skeletal muscle physiology, nerve impulse physiology, respiratory mechanics, chemical and physical properties of digestion, cardiovascular dynamics and endocrine physiology. |
1 |
| ALH1015C | Human Disease This course will provide students with an overview of current medical information on common clinical disorders encountered in health care. Topics include principles of diseases of the various organ systems. |
2 |
| HCMT10001 | Medical Terminology for the Health Professions This course is designed to introduce the student to medical terminology, including roots, prefixes,and suffixes, with emphasis on spelling, definition and pronunciation. The course consists of the basic rules for interpreting, constructing,and spelling medical terminology. The course includes common terminology, definitions and pronunciations for prefixes, suffixes, general body terms, and body system terminology. Each body system lesson includes terms for anatomy, pathology, pharmacology, radiology, procedures, and tests. Emphasis is upon learning word roots, prefixes and suffixes and how they are combined to form medical words. |
3 |
| HCMT1003 | Introduction to Medical Coding This course covers an introduction to medical coding including an overview of ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, CPT, HCPCS, DSM-IV and SNOMED. The role that medical coding plays in the billing and claims management processes will be discussed. Rules and regulations, ethics and compliance effecting medical coding, including official coding guidelines and clinical documentation improvement are discussed. The National Correct Coding Initiative, global packages, and unbundling will be covered. |
3 |
| HCMT1100 | Introduction to Trauma Systems This course introduces students to the fundamentals of trauma registry systems, including the purpose, structure, and function of trauma registries. Topics include trauma registry basics, inclusion/exclusion criteria, and the role of registries in trauma care and research. |
3 |
| HCMT1110 | Introduction to Trauma Abstraction This course introduces students to the principles and practices of trauma abstraction, including case finding and data collection for trauma registries. Emphasis is placed on the accurate identification of trauma cases and the abstraction of relevant clinical data. |
3 |
| HCMT2000 | Foundations of Pharmacology This course will introduce students to the names and uses of the major classes of drugs. The purpose of this course is to develop a foundation for health professionals on how drugs work, potential interaction, and risks and benefits of Rx drugs. |
2 |
| HCMT2015 | Healthcare Applications This course covers health information systems and their design, implementation, and application. Topics include spreadsheets, databases, electronic health records, data integrity, data modeling, and warehousing to meet departmental needs. Data dictionaries, data sets and the exchange of health information will also be covered. |
3 |
| HCMT2100 | Advanced Trauma Coding and Abstraction This course focuses on intermediate-level trauma coding using ICD-10-CM/PCS and advanced abstraction methodologies. The course will build on foundational skills to address complex coding scenarios and abstraction challenges in trauma registry management. |
3 |
| HCMT2110 | Trauma Quality Assurance The course explores data validation and quality assurance processes essential for trauma registry management. Emphasis is on preparing and submitting data to TQIP and NTDB, and strategies for maintaining high data quality standards. |
3 |
| HCMT2120 | Advanced Trauma Registry Systems The course focuses on benchmarking, performance improvement, registry leadership, mentorship, and advanced coding challenges. Emphasis is on leading registry teams and implementing best practices for continuous improvement. |
3 |
| HCMT2130 | Trauma Registry Practicum Students will engage in a practicum experience, applying learned concepts in real-world trauma registry settings. The course covers future trends in trauma registries and provides hands-on experience in registry operations. |
3 |
Admission Requirements
The Trauma Registry Management program is open to all students with a high school diploma/GED and the desire to succeed. The program accepts students six times per year – twice in the fall, spring and summer.
Application Process
Complete the online application and submit the application fee.
Standard Application Fees:
- $50.00 for domestic applicants to most degree programs
- $100.00 for international applicants to most degree programs
- Application fees for UC Online programs are waived through Summer 2026 for all applicants
- Fee waivers are automatically applied for applicants who:
- are currently serving in the US armed forces
- are veterans of the US armed forces
Applications are accepted continuously throughout the year. Our staff will review your application based on the following:
After submitting your application form, all applicants are required to have official transcripts sent directly to University of Cincinnati in order to be eligible for admissions review.
- First-Year and Transfer Applicants with Fewer Than 24 Completed Semester Hours at a Prior College:
- Order official transcripts from your high school and all prior colleges (if applicable) for delivery directly to University of Cincinnati.
- Transfer Applicants with 24+ Completed Semester Hours at a Prior College:
- Order official transcripts from all prior colleges for delivery directly to University of Cincinnati.
- You are exempt from the High School transcript requirement, this item will be removed from your application checklist once your college documents are received.
Please review the section below for guidance on how to submit your transcripts.
Online transcript request systems are the preferred method to deliver official transcripts electronically. To see if your transcript(s) can be ordered electronically, visit the links below and search for your previous school(s).
- Parchment
- Please select “University of Cincinnati – Main Campus” as the recipient of your transcript.
- National Student Clearinghouse
- Please have your transcript sent directly to admissions@uc.edu.
If you do not see your past school(s) listed on either site, please contact the school(s) directly to determine their ordering process.
If a physical copy must be sent, DO NOT request it be delivered to you. It must be sent directly from your prior school to the following address:
University of Cincinnati
Office of Admissions
PO Box 210091
Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0091
Application Deadlines
| Term | Application Deadline | Classes Start |
|---|---|---|
Spring 27 Summer 27 Fall 27 |
November 15, 2026 March 15, 2027 July 15, 2027 |
January 11, 2027 May 10, 2027 August 23, 2027 |
Tuition and Fees
The University of Cincinnati's online programs allow students to pursue degrees without having to quit their jobs. Our online courses offer the same quality education found on campus in a modern format that fits students’ tight budgets and busy schedules.
The University of Cincinnati's online course fees differ depending on the program.
To view tuition information and program costs, visit the Online Program Fees page.
Careers & Outcomes
Who Is This Program For?
This program may be a good fit for:
- Students interested in trauma data and healthcare quality
- Health information professionals seeking a registry specialization
- Medical coders expanding into trauma-related work
- Healthcare employees interested in data collection and reporting
- Professionals preparing for the Certified Specialist in Trauma Registries credential
Career Opportunities
Trauma registry professionals collect, validate, code and report information about patients who receive treatment for traumatic injuries. Their work supports trauma-center accreditation, performance improvement, patient-safety initiatives, clinical research and injury-prevention programs.
Depending on employer requirements and professional certification, graduates may pursue roles such as:
- Trauma registrar
- Trauma registry specialist
- Trauma data specialist
- Trauma data abstractor
- Registry data coordinator
- Trauma quality-assurance specialist
- Trauma program data assistant
Graduates may find opportunities with hospitals, trauma centers, healthcare systems, state or regional trauma registries, public health agencies, government organizations and healthcare consulting companies.
With experience and additional education or credentials, professionals may advance into positions such as senior trauma registrar, registry auditor, trauma data quality analyst, trauma program coordinator or performance-improvement specialist. Longer-term opportunities may include trauma registry manager, trauma program manager, health information manager or registry operations leader.
Management positions generally require related experience and may require an associate, bachelor’s or graduate degree.
Career Outlook
BLS does not report employment data specifically for trauma registrars. Health information technologists and medical registrars provide a related occupational benchmark.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that health information technologists and medical registrars earned a national median annual wage of $68,020 in May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 16% from 2025 to 2035, with approximately 3,000 openings projected each year.
These figures cover a broader occupational group and should not be interpreted as salary or employment outcomes specifically for trauma registry certificate graduates. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars.
Build Your Credentials
UC’s curriculum is aligned with the competencies required for the Certified Specialist in Trauma Registries, or CSTR, credential offered by the American Trauma Society. Graduates will be prepared to sit for the CSTR certification examination.
Depending on their responsibilities and career goals, professionals may also benefit from credentials related to health information, coding, data analytics or healthcare quality. Examples may include RHIT®, RHIA®, CCS® or healthcare quality credentials.
Certification requirements vary, and completion of the certificate does not guarantee certification. Students should review the applicable credentialing organization’s current eligibility and examination requirements.
Continue Your Education at UC
Students interested in broader preparation involving medical records, coding and health data may continue into UC’s Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Systems.
Professionals preparing for health information management and administrative advancement may consider UC’s Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management. Those pursuing graduate-level education in healthcare data, technology, analytics and leadership may later consider UC’s Master of Health Informatics. Admission and transfer-credit requirements vary by program.
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