Government regulations mandate that healthcare providers will need to convert their written medical records into an electronic format. As a result, many college programs online and on campuses across the country are beginning to include software training into their healthcare curricula to ensure students are prepared to launch careers in emerging fields, such as medical coding and billing.

For instance, two schools recently announced they would be among the first to introduce their students to QuandraMed Quantim, the country's first integrated coding software for classroom-based and online college degree programs.

Students who choose to enroll in similar courses of study may be better prepared to become medical billing and coding specialists, as they will be abreast of emerging trends in their industry. In addition, this type of software could link them to additional resources, such as reference books from the American Hospital Association.

Individuals who have the most up-to-date knowledge of electronic health records systems are expected to see high career prospects in the coming years, as many healthcare providers will need the help of specialists who can revamp their databases.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job opportunities for medical records and health information technicians is expected to increase by 20 percent over the next eight years.