• Spring 2023 Priority Deadline: November 7, 2022

Health information management (HIM) is the practice of acquiring, analyzing, and protecting digital and traditional medical information vital to providing quality patient care. HIM professionals are highly trained in the latest information management technology applications and understand the workflow in any healthcare provider organization from large hospital systems to the private physician practice. They are vital to the daily operations management of health information and electronic health records.

HIM professionals work in a variety of different settings and job titles. They often serve in bridge roles, connecting clinical, operational, and administrative functions. These professionals affect the quality of patient information and patient care at every touch point​ in the healthcare delivery cycle. Having skilled HIM professionals on staff ensures an organization has the right information on hand when and where it is needed while maintaining the highest standards of data integrity, confidentiality, and security. (Health Information Careers, 2015)

The BS in Health Information Management online degree program provides students with the most relevant coursework needed and required by today’s health care industry. Students are equipped to develop, implement, and manage health information and data systems for quality care, reimbursement, research, planning, and evaluation.

Students will develop and demonstrate competency in the five primary knowledge domains:

1. Health Data Management
2. Health Statistics, Biomedical Research, and Quality Management
3. Health Services Organization and Delivery
4. Information Technology and Systems
5. Organization and Management

Career and Academic Prospects

Health information professionals at all levels of education and credentialing can expect to be in high demand as the health sector continues to expand. There are approximately 26,000 new jobs anticipated by 2026, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics cites medical records and health information technicians as one of the 20 fastest growing occupations in the U.S. 

On top of strong job prospects, competitive salaries also await graduates. On average, more than half of new health information graduates with bachelor's degrees start with salaries in the $30,000 to $50,000 range. By five years out, one can earn upwards of $50,000 to $75,000 annually. (Health Information Career information, 2015)

Graduates of the BS in Health Information Management degree are prepared for a variety of health information professions in traditional and non-traditional settings, including (but not limited to) health information analyst, information auditor, clinical data analyst, privacy officer, compliance specialist, health information systems trainer, and information systems director. The program also prepares students for graduate education at the master's level in health information management, health informatics, and healthcare administration.

Careers in Health Information and Planning your Career in Health Information are two detailed looks at career potential in the health information sector.  Additionally, the AHIMA Career Map has job data, salary information, promotional pathways, titles of positions, and the emerging roles most likely to be found in the field of health information management. 

Accreditation

The Health Information Management accreditor of the CUNY School of Professional Studies is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The College’s accreditation for the Baccalaureate degree in Health Information Management has been reaffirmed through 2025-2026. 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.

The following metrics are reported for the period of August 1, 2019 through July 31, 2020:

• Employment Rate: 86% of graduates reported being employed in health care after graduation.
• Six-Year Graduation Rate (150% of normal): 33.3% of students graduated within 6 years.
• Certification Exam Pass Rate: 74% of first time test takers in this period passed the RHIA exam. The national average for this period was 69%.

Articulation Agreements

Articulation agreements are formal agreements between CUNY School of Professional Studies, (CUNY SPS) and two-year colleges and universities, allowing students to transfer the maximum number of credits with ease to our BS in Health Information Management program from institutions with which we have an established transfer process in place.

• Borough of Manhattan Community College - AAS in Health Information Technology (PDF)
• Onondaga Community College - AAS in Health Information Technology/Medical Records (PDF)
• Raritan Valley Community College - AAS in Health Information Technology (PDF)