Health Information Management Degrees

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Educating the Next Generation of Industry Leaders

UIC’s Health Information Management programs equip students with an in-depth understanding of cutting-edge practices and methodologies, while applying real-world experiences to make a seamless transition from degree to profession.

Two Options Designed to Fit Your Needs

  • Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management
  • Post-Baccalaureate Certificate** in Health Information Management

Program features include:

  • 100% online to fit your busy schedule
  • Graduate from a university with the nation’s largest medical school
  • Learn advanced skills in a growing industry
  • Allows you to sit for the RHIA exam (upon completion)

**NOTICE: The IBHE Post-baccalaureate Certificate in Health Information Management will transition to a Master of Science in Health Information Management (MS-HIM)  in Fall, 2020, pending approval of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees and Illinois Board of Higher Education. Once the MS-HIM is approved, no new enrollments will be permitted in the certificate program.  Currently enrolled certificate students will be given the option to complete the certificate or change to the Master of Science degree.  Students completing requirements for either program will be eligible for the Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) exam, but there will be a delay for graduates of the MS degree until the program receives CAHIIM accreditation, which is anticipated to be within one year of the first graduating class

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.

Overview of the Programs

Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management

UIC’s online 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 curriculum presented 100 percent online, you will also explore essential topics, such as coding, systems analysis, data quality management and health information research.

Post-Bacc Certificate in Health Information Management

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 in 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. Gainful Employment Disclosure for Post-Bacc Certificate in Health Information Management.

Students walking on UIC campus

Health Information Management at UIC

UIC’s HIM programs were designed to prepare graduates to take the prestigious Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) exam. The HIM programs provide skilled instruction in the management and use of information and information systems for healthcare planning and provision, resource allocation, and executive decision-making.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical and health services managers is expected to grow by 20% from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations.

The Numbers Behind UIC’s Health Information Management Graduates:

94% of students who responded to a survey are satisfied with their academic experience in the program.

100% of employers who responded to a survey are satisfied with job performance of our graduates.

88% of graduates were employed in their field of choice within the first year of graduation.

Speaker talking about how crossover skills can transfer to the healthcare industry

Bonnie Siegel

Hear from an industry expert on how having a degree or advanced degree will put you ahead in the race to find a job, especially in the healthcare field.

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Professor speaking about what Healthcare will look like in 2024

Karen Patena, MBA, RHIA, FAHIMA

The Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) credential signifies that a person has competency in the skill sets of coding, management, technology, privacy, security and data integrity. Our program allows students to sit for the RHIA exam.

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Faculty

The HIM curriculum is taught by esteemed faculty who have held prestigious roles within the healthcare industry. UIC’s award-winning faculty members bring an unprecedented level of expertise and real-world experience into our online classrooms.

Learn How to Be an Ideal BSHIM Student
Learn How to Be an Ideal Post-Bacc Student

Curriculum

The Health Information Management programs offered by UIC are designed to impart the knowledge and critical skills important for helping organizations develop and implement effective health information management strategies, advance the quality of patient care and safeguard the integrity of electronic health records. Many areas of study are covered in this CAHIIM-accredited, 100 percent online program to help prepare students for the various roles defined by health information management.

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BS HIM Courses

Modeled after the successful on-campus program, our 100 percent online Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management program explores relevant topics, such as data coding and reimbursement systems, quality management and health information systems. The cutting-edge curriculum provides skilled instruction in the management and use of information and information systems for healthcare planning and provision, resource allocation and executive decision making.

View BSHIM Curriculum

Post-Bacc Certificate in Health Information Management

The program’s advanced curriculum presented 100 percent online offers a solid foundation in health information theory and practice. As a student, you will have the opportunity to expand upon your bachelor’s degree education and gain the coveted leadership and management skills that can help you thrive in today’s ever-evolving healthcare industry.

Gainful Employment Disclosure for Post-Bacc Certificate in Health Information Management.

View PBCertHIM Curriculum

FAQs

Frequently asked questions and answers about UIC’s health informatics programs.

1. What is the length of time it takes to complete the PBCert HIM program at UIC and how does it prepare the student upon graduation?

A student can complete the program in as few as two years. The 13-course program prepares students to sit for the RHIA exam upon graduation.

2. What does the health information industry look like today?

With changes in the coding systems, moving from ICD9 to the ICD10, the industry is becoming more focused on data and technology.

3. What does a successful online student in the HIM program look like?

A successful online student is someone who is organized and has good time management skills.

4. What are the program requirements?

A completed bachelor’s degree (or higher) with a minimum 2.75 GPA in the last 60 credit hours of undergraduate coursework. The bachelor’s degree can be in any discipline, but healthcare, IT and business tend to be better fits.

5. Can I take the RHIA exam without this program (for example, if I take just a master’s program?)

No, unless the master’s program also requires completion of the certificate classes (this is in addition, not instead). Even if you take a master’s program, you must also complete the RHIA coursework. The RHIA credential is an academic-based certification, and reflects that the individual is a graduate of a CAHIIM-accredited health information management (HIM) program. It requires an academic foundation prior to taking the credential exam.

6. Is this program 100 percent online?

Yes. There is a practicum toward the end of the program that is completed at a facility in your area, but all the coursework is online. Both programs have an initial class which requires an “observational visit/interview” which will require the student to go to an approved HIM department for a half-day (4 hours) to complete this assignment. For PBC HIM, it is in HIM 451 and in BS HIM it is HIM 317.

7. Do I have to be an RHIT to qualify for HIM programs?

No, as long as you meet the other requirements. However, if you are an RHIT, you will require fewer credit hours to graduate in the BS HIM program (63 for non-RHITs; 39 for RHITs; 32 for an RHIT who is also a CPC, CCS, CCS-P).

8. Why can’t I just go study on my own for the RHIA?

AHIMA will only allow someone to sit for the RHIA if they have completed a bachelor’s degree in HIM or a post-baccalaureate program in HIM. No matter how many degrees or how much experience someone has, he or she cannot self-study.

9. Why does it take 2 years to be eligible? If so, why is it a graduate program and why does it take so long?

This is the approved alternative to completing another 4-year degree, which means this is actually the shorter option. It is a graduate program because it is post-baccalaureate (after bachelor’s). Also, because it is a graduate program, you can use graduate student loans to fund the program. If you have an extensive background in related topics, you may be eligible to test out of a few classes and bring the program length down to about a year and a half.

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