Health Information Management

Program Description 

The University of Kansas offers a bachelor’s degree in health information management, an exciting health profession focused on managing health data and information to improve health care delivery. This degree program includes hands-on learning in a variety of health care settings and interprofessional education opportunities with other health care professionals. The curriculum focuses on health care management, data and information management practices, health information systems and technology, health care delivery systems, and clinical concepts. 

Graduates of this program are positioned to become leaders in health care with the skills required to analyze and manage health data and information, including the systems, processes, and teams of people who work with health data and information. Those with a degree in health information management may find work in varieties of settings including at health information technology companies, hospitals, physician offices, health insurance companies, and government agencies, among others. 

The HIM program begins in August when students enter their first semester of professional coursework on the KU Medical Center campus in Kansas City, KS, and culminates in a 4-week capstone professional experience at the end of the spring semester of the second year. The online program begins both fall and spring semesters with individualized course plans. Graduates are eligible to sit for the Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) certification exam offered by the American Health Information Management Association and become credentialed in this health profession. 

Students in this degree program can pursue admission to a joint accelerated degree option, the bachelor of science in health information management + master of science in health informatics (BSHIM to MSHI Joint Accelerated Degree) offered by the department.  

Admission Requirements

Eligibility and Prerequisites

• Students enter the program after accumulating two (2) years of college course work, including prerequisite courses, totaling at least 60 hours to qualify for KU graduation with a total of 120 hours after completing this program.
• Students may apply if currently enrolled or working towards prerequisite coursework. However, all prerequisites must be completed before the start of the program.
• An overall GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for college coursework is required to be eligible to apply. No grade lower than a “C” is accepted in any prerequisite course.
• All individuals admitted to the program will be asked to verify that they can meet the technical standards with or without accommodations.
• Acceptance into the program is conditional, pending the results of the criminal background check.
• Students in this program are required to have a computer that meets the minimum software and hardware requirements.

Current KU students on the Lawrence campus should sign up to be included on the pre-health information management track. This is not the same as a major. Please contact the Undergraduate Advising Center for assistance.

Application Process

• Apply to the program and pay the application fee by the February 1 priority admission deadline at KU Admissions.
• Arrange to have one official copy of each transcript from every college and university that you have attended sent directly to KU Medical Center. Electronic transcripts may be submitted to him@kumc.edu.
• Additional application materials such as Letter of Intent, Resume, and two (2) References are also required.

Applications are reviewed upon successful completion and submission of ALL materials.

BSHIM to MSHI Joint Accelerated Degree

• Eligible students are ones admitted to the BS in HIM degree and who are in good academic standing.
• Application to begin the joint degree option occurs during the junior year spring semester; those accepted begin a modified course plan during their senior year as an undergraduate in the BS in HIM program.