Leading the Future of Healthcare IT

The University of Illinois at Chicago delivers some of the most innovative and comprehensive Health Informatics and Health Information Management programs in the country. Our advanced degree and certificate programs can prepare you to make an immediate impact within your organization and play a vital role in the evolution of the healthcare industry as a whole.

  • Online programs designed to fit your busy schedule
  • No GRE exam required
  • Graduate from a university with the nation’s largest medical school
  • Learn advanced skills in a growing industry

UIC now offers a PhD in Biomedical and Health Informatics. Applications are now being accepted.

Rankings & Accreditations

CAHIIM Accredited Program Logo

The Master of Science in Health Informatics and Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).

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Ranked #132 out of nearly 1,000 US colleges and universities by Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College

U.S. News & World Report badge

Ranked #61 Top Public Schools, #129 National Universities, #52 Best Medical Schools — Research, and #5 Best Online Bachelor’s Programs by U.S. News & World Report (2019).

Higher Learning Commission badge

Regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Degree Programs

By enrolling in our CAHIIM-accredited Master of Science in Health Informatics (MSHI), Post-Master’s Certificate (PMC) in Health Informatics, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in HIM (RHIA) or Bachelor of Science in HIM (RHIA), you can increase your potential for career advancement, help transform the use of healthcare information and improve the overall quality of patient care.

Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management (BS HIM)

Based on our traditional campus-based bachelor’s program, UIC’s online BS HIM program was designed to prepare graduates to take the prestigious Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) exam. This dynamic degree program provides skilled instruction in the management and use of information and information systems for healthcare planning and provision, resource allocation, and executive decision making. As you work your way through the challenging curriculum presented 100 percent online, you will also explore essential topics, such as coding, systems analysis, data quality management and health information research. One hundred percent of graduating students receive “satisfactory” ratings or above from employers as surveyed one year following graduation. Selected comments regarding strengths of our graduates include: “Able to think critically, problem solver.” “Solid knowledge of HIM domains.” “Collaborates well with colleagues.”

Read more about the details of the bachelor of science in health information management.

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Master of Science in Health Informatics (MSHI)

Built on the business school model, the online Master of Science in Health Informatics program at UIC offers an advanced education designed to provide you with the technical knowledge, real-world experience and leadership skills to improve access to health data, define the processes that are revolutionizing the healthcare industry and advance the overall delivery of patient care around the world. Through completion of this 100 percent online, comprehensive degree program, you can gain a fresh perspective on the dynamic role health information technology will play in the future of the healthcare industry as a whole. Graduates of this program are poised to lead their respective organizations in the development and implementation of health informatics strategies to improve patient care and ensure access to information. A recent survey of program graduates indicated that 88% of all responding health informatics program alumni who graduated during the period of 2009-2014, and 100% of responding 2014 MSHI graduates, felt that their overall academic experience prepared them for the workplace as a health informatics professional.

Read more about the details of the Master of Science in Health Informatics.

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Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Health Information Management (PBC HIM)

The online Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Health Information Management is specifically designed to expand on your bachelor’s degree education and develop your expertise in the field of health information management. The thought-provoking coursework imparts a solid foundation of knowledge in the methods for using technology to collect, record and analyze healthcare data and prepares you to become an influential leader today’s healthcare system. This 13-course certificate program, offered completely online, also allows experienced professionals to become eligible for the highly valued Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) Certification. One hundred percent of graduating students receive “satisfactory” ratings or above from employers as surveyed one year following graduation. Selected comments regarding strengths of our graduates include: “Able to think critically, problem solver.” ” Solid knowledge of HIM domains.” “Collaborates well with colleagues.” Gainful employment disclosure (https://docs.financialaid.uic.edu/51.0706mg-Gedt.html) for Post-Bacc Certificate in Health Information Management.

Read more about the details of the Post-baccalaureate certificate in health information management.

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Difference Between Health Informatics & Health Information Management

The Health Informatics and Health Information Management terms are often interchanged, but UIC distinguishes between the two disciplines by using the following analogy: imagine health informatics as building the highway (information system) on which data is sent long distances and health information management as the vehicle of information (electronic health records) that travels from one destination to the next.

Health Informatics

Knowledge Applied Through Technology

Definition: The intersection of IT, computer science and healthcare; the science of defining how health information is captured and utilized for the advancement of medicine

Responsibilities: Design, develop, implement, evaluate, assimilate into operations, analyze patient data information systems and processes, conduct research using patient care data

Core concepts: Organizational change leadership, strategic planning, project management, database design, programming, data mining and analysis, comprehensive reporting

Opportunities: Director of clinical informatics, healthcare chief information officer, health information systems manager, database analyst/administrator, systems analyst, consultant, supplier, systems implementation specialist, data research specialist

Health Information Management

Health Records and Data

Definition: The practice of acquiring, organizing and managing a patient’s personal medical information for use in hospitals and healthcare organizations to enable quality care

Responsibilities: Collect, input and ensure accuracy of individual patient data

Core concepts: Health records management, coding, data analysis

Opportunities: Compliance officer, privacy manager, data quality manager, health information management director, coding supervisor, project manager, revenue cycle manager

Why UIC?

The University of Illinois at Chicago is the leader in educating health informatics and health information professionals. UIC offers four 100% online, accredited degree programs in Health Informatics and Health Information Management through the College of Applied Health Sciences. With the nation’s largest medical school, UIC sets the standard of excellence in healthcare faculty, curriculum and application.

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Industry Outlook

There is a growing need for trained informaticians. Graduates of the UIC informatics program are well-equipped to move into a career in this field, whether the focus is on computers, technology and implementation or clinical and medical data research and analysis. UIC encompasses all of the major areas, enabling graduates to qualify for a broader range of informatics positions.

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FAQs

1. What is the importance of CAHIIM accreditation?

In order to be eligible to take any of the AHIMA professional HIM certification exams, including the RHIA, you must be a graduate of a CAHIIM-accredited program. Also, graduating from these CAHIIM-accredited programs assures your employer that you have the professional skills and knowledge from a curriculum that is relevant to the current electronic health record (EHR) environment.

2. What are some of the skills needed in the informatics profession?

The demand in this profession is for talented, polished and business-savvy professionals who have the ability to manage advanced clinical systems, project management, implementation of electronic health records and patient safety procedures. Beyond developing the technical skills, employers are looking for the ability to build and maintain working relationships, challenging yourself and others to focus on using technology to improve knowledge management for improved patient care.

3. What type of jobs are becoming available to graduates of the health informatics program?

New titles and roles are being created within the health informatics industry. The job titles of some graduates of the UIC MSHI program reported in a recent survey include: Director of Clinical Operations; Senior Technical Consultant; Manager, Pharmacy Informatics Specialist; Director, Client Programs, Senior Director of Technology; Healthcare Application Analyst; and Chief Medical Information Officer.

4. Are employers looking for experience in healthcare technology over education?

Education is essential in the field of healthcare technology. While experience is important, proper education provides you with an advantage over other job applicants in the eyes of employers. Education from the right institution provides you with the knowledge, training and skills that employers are looking for.

5. What courses are available at UIC for privacy and security as it relates to healthcare?

There are several courses available in the HI and HIM curricula that cover privacy and security, including: BHIS 517, Healthcare Information Security; BHIS 505, Ethics & Legal Issues in Health Informatics; and HIM 454, Legal Aspects, Risk Management and Security of Health Information.