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 play a vital role in modern healthcare, acting as guardians of patient information and facilitators of efficient care. They meticulously manage both traditional and digital medical records, ensuring accuracy, security, and accessibility for all authorized users. Their expertise in coding, data governance, and technology helps optimize information flow and bridge the gap between clinical, operational, and administrative functions. Ultimately, HIMs empower physicians, patients, and other healthcare professionals with readily available, accurate data, contributing to improved care coordination, quality, and overall patient outcomes (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2023).

HIM Mission Statement

The mission of the CUNY School of Professional Studies BS in Health Information Management degree program is to meet the demand for bachelor's prepared HIM professionals in the healthcare ecosystem in New York City, New York State, and the nation. This program aims to meet this demand by preparing HIM professionals to implement and manage health information in complex healthcare environments.

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. Employment of HIM professionals is projected to grow 16 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023).

Beyond strong job prospects, HIM careers boast competitive salaries that rise sharply with experience and specialization. Starting pay often falls within the $30,000-$60,000 range, but can quickly climb to $50,000-$90,000 within five years. Specialization or leadership roles can unlock even higher salaries, making HIM a financially secure and rewarding career path with excellent growth potential. While individual figures may vary, the trend is clear: HIM offers a promising future for those seeking a fulfilling career with strong earning potential (PayScale, 2024).

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 provides a detailed look 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 2033-2034. 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.

Program Outcomes

The reporting period for these outcomes is Aug. 1, 2022-July 31, 2023.

• 91% of graduates responding to the annual BS in HIM graduate survey are employed within one year of graduation
• 64% of students complete the BS in HIM program in the normal calculated average completion time
• 93% of graduates responding to the annual BS in HIM graduate survey are acknowledged that their overall academic experience met their expectations
• 46.2% of our 2023 graduates continued their studies towards a graduate degree
   

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)

Additional Resources

• Credit for Prior Learning