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Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management


Health information management (HIM) is a diverse yet evolving field that incorporates medicine, management, finance, information technology, and law into one dynamic career path.  The Baccalaureate Degree can be completed online.  

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The Mission of the Health Information Management Program at Western Kentucky University is to provide a comprehensive education, providing students with the skills needed to meet the demands of the healthcare industry and community.

What is HIM? 

Health information management (HIM) is a diverse yet evolving field that incorporates medicine, management, finance, information technology, and law into one dynamic career path.  The major in health information management is designed to prepare students with skills and competencies in health data management, data analytics and informatics, information governance, privacy and security, compliance, clinical documentation improvement, revenue cycle management, medical coding, administering health information technology and administrative and clinical work flow.

Job opportunities for baccalaureate degree graduates exist in multiple settings throughout the healthcare industry. These organizations include hospitals, multi-specialty clinics and physician practices, long-term care, mental health, and other ambulatory care settings. The profession has seen significant expansion in non-patient care settings, with careers in managed care and insurance companies, software vendors, consulting services, government agencies, education, and pharmaceutical companies. Jobs may include medical coder or biller, data analyst, revenue cycle analyst, clinical documentation improvement specialist, tumor registrar, office manager, HIM director, and many more. Visit AHIMA's Career Map for additional information on job titles, descriptions, salaries, and career pathways.

Since acceptance of transfer credit for a particular major is subject to approval by the appropriate academic department, the HIM program director is responsible for the determination of transfer credit for HIM courses.  For students transferring from CAHIIM Accredited programs, as appropriate, HIM courses will be accepted as equivalent to WKU HIM program courses within the same course level (lower levels: 100-200 and upper level: 300-400) courses.  HIT/HIM courses from regionally accredited schools that are non-CAHIIM accredited may be accepted as equivalent to WKU HIM program courses within the same course level (lower levels: 100-200 and upper level: 300-400) courses.  Articulation agreements are in place between WKU and many universities and colleges.  All others will be reviewed for course equivalency on a case-by-case basis.  

A student can petition for acceptance of credit from HIT/HIM courses from non-regionally accredited schools by completing the Petition for Acceptance of Credit form.  If the program was a CAHIIM Accredited Program, please contact jan.hunt-shepherd@wku.edu.    

A student may be required to provide a description and syllabus for each course; the transferring institution may be contacted for additional information.  Credit may be given for each approved equivalent course if the University minimum residence requirement for the baccalaureate degree is maintained.   

Student Achievement & Outcomes

2022-2023 Student Outcomes:

  • Student Satisfaction Rate: 100%
  • Graduation Rate: 88%
  • Employment Rate: 100% (one unknown)

CAHIIM

The Health Information Management accreditor of Western Kentucky University is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).

The College’s accreditation for BACCALAUREATE degree in Health Information Management has been reaffirmed through 2026.

All inquiries about the program’s accreditation status should be directed by mail to CAHIIM, 200 East Randolph Street, Suite 5100, Chicago, IL, 60601; by phone at 312.235.3255 or by email at info@cahiim.org.



Scholarships & Financial Aid



  • Jan Hunt-Shepherd, MHA, RHIA, CCS, CDIP, CPHQ

  • Phone: (270) 745-3548

  • jan.hunt-shepherd@wku.edu
  • Academic Complex 138

 

 


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 Last Modified 9/20/24