Program Code: HIM.S.AAS • Credit Hours: 62
Description
Health Information Management (HIM) professionals are experts in the field of managing and protecting patient health information, administering computer information systems, and coding the diagnoses and procedures for health care services provided to patients in accordance with medical, administrative, ethical, legal, accreditation, and regulatory requirements of the health care delivery system.
The Health Information Management program is designed to be completed in five (5) semesters on a full-time basis. Students preferring to complete on a part-time basis may take longer than five sequential semesters. The degree program consists of open-enrollment courses and program-specific courses with limited enrollment. The open-enrollment courses may be taken prior to entry into the limited-enrollment courses. Most second-year HIM courses are limited-enrollment courses. All courses in the program are available online. To qualify for entry to limited-enrollment courses, please see the Applicant Information packet located on the HIM program webpage. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 and completion of prerequisite courses are required. A grade of “C” or higher is required in all program courses.
The curriculum includes a professional practice experience (PPE) that occurs virtually with HIM professionals. Students work online with professionals to experience HIM processes, projects, and “a day in the life”. Generally, these experiences occur online during daytime business hours, however, many sessions are recorded and can be accomplished asynchronously.
.Note: For students under age 18 there may be restrictions on participating in certain Health Sciences programs. Any student under age 18 must contact the program director/department chair to discuss whether he or she may enroll.
Accreditation
The Health Information Management program is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). Upon successful completion of the HIM program, students are eligible to take the national certification exam to obtain the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) credential.
Career Opportunities
Employment prospects continue to be excellent throughout the nation. HIM graduates work in hospitals, clinics, ambulatory care centers, skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation centers, long term care facilities, mental healthcare and psychiatric facilities, home healthcare agencies, hospice facilities, physician offices, managed healthcare plans, insurance companies, law firms, colleges and universities, state and federal agencies, consulting firms, medical research institutions, and companies that market health information products and services.
