Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management

Format: Online
Application Deadlines
  • Spring 2024 Priority Deadline: November 6, 2023
  • Spring 2024 Regular Deadline: December 4, 2023

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

CAHIIM seal of accreditationThe 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.

Admissions Criteria

Applicants must possess at least 24 transferrable credits from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants need to demonstrate basic proficiency in reading, writing, and math.

Application Deadlines

  • Spring 2024 Priority Deadline: November 6, 2023
  • Spring 2024 Regular Deadline: December 4, 2023
Apply Now

Student/Alumni Profiles

Natanya Dewar

BS in Health Information Management 2018

"I have been very successful professionally as a result of graduating from CUNY SPS. So much so, I came back and now work for the program I graduated from.”

Finny Beulah

BS in Health Information Management 2019

"Learning is a process that continues with no age restrictions and serves as a lifetime experience with enormous opportunities. "

Jose Fernandez

BS in Health Information Management 2018

"Earning a degree in Health Information Management has helped me attain a promotion at work.”

Romona Betton

BS in Health Information Management

"CUNY SPS provided me the opportunity to broaden my scope within the [health care] field. This has helped me be more versatile in my career and is still helping me today in shaping my career path.”

Recent News About Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management

Teaching Science Online Worldwide

June 26, 2023

International Higher Education Teaching & Learning Association

Dr. James W. Brown, a science educator and adjunct faculty member in the CUNY SPS health information management program, presented at the 2023 International Higher Education Teaching & Learning Association conference in Scotland. His talk, "Teaching Science Online Worldwide," explored how online science courses can help re-invent the science experience.

Honoring the Legacies of Professionals From Around the World

March 31, 2022

Marquis Who's Who Millennium Magazine

Dr. James Brown, a microbiologist and adjunct faculty member in the CUNY SPS health information management programs, has been featured in the 9th edition of Marquis Who's Who Millennium Magazine.

CAHIIM Updates

January 19, 2022

CAHIIM

Ellen Karl, the academic director of the CUNY SPS health information management programs, has been selected to participate on several upcoming events and committees for the Council on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). First, it was announced that Karl will serve a second three-year term as a 2022 Health Information Management Accreditation Council Member. She will also be the guest speaker in the January 26 installment of the 2022 CAHIIM Town Hall Series, where she will discuss the topic "Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) - What are the Components and How Can I Work Toward Implementation?"

AHIMA Foundation Announces 2021 Scholarship Recipients

January 19, 2022

AHIMA Foundation

Aeman Rabbani, a student in the CUNY SPS BS in Health Information Management program, has received a Career Step Academic Scholarship from the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) Foundation.