Health Information Management (BS)

Description

The environment of the HIM professional is rapidly changing with the emphasis on electronic health records, new coding systems, patient privacy, and innovations in reimbursement and regulation. The Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Health Information Management (HIM) at Detroit Mercy prepares students to become leaders in this changing environment and to develop the attitudes and principles which will encourage continuing growth in the profession that is constantly expanding in scope and responsibility.

Projected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to be one of the 20 fastest growing occupations in the United States, health information management (HIM) is an excellent career choice for the person who is seeking a health care profession that combines interest in computer sciences, business, management, legal procedures, and health care research.

Health Information Management improves the quality of health care by providing the best information available to make health care decisions. HIM professionals manage health care data and information resources. The profession encompasses services in planning, collecting, aggregating, analyzing, and disseminating individual patient and aggregate clinical data. It serves the health care industry including: patient care organizations, payers, research and policy agencies, and other health care related industries.

Detroit Mercy graduates who obtain the Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Health Information Management may hold positions such as hospital HIM supervisor or director, data quality manager, project manager, analyst, compliance officer, privacy/security officer, standards manager, or reimbursement manager within the health care industry.

Consistent with the Detroit Mercy Mission, the HIM program emphasizes service and skills to support the provision of quality health care to address current and future needs in the local community and beyond.

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  • Admission Criteria

    In order to be admitted to the Health Information Management program, applicants must meet the entrance requirements of the University. In addition, to gain acceptance to the program students must fulfill the following criteria:

    Freshmen

    First-time college students must have a minimum high school GPA of 2.50 and have completed two years of high school mathematics with a grade of C or higher and must complete Detroit Mercy placement tests in English composition and mathematics. Scores on the College Entrance Examination Board (SAT) or the American College Test (ACT) will also be examined. High school graduates who are properly prepared to undertake the Health Information Management program should have a college preparatory program as outlined in the section of this catalog titled "Admission to the University." (see section "Recommended High School Preparation")

    Transfer

    Transfer students must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.00 and must complete Detroit Mercy placement tests in English composition and mathematics.

    Conditional Admission

    Conditional admission may be granted to those students whose academic achievement falls below the standards required for full-admission status. In such cases, the applicant may be required to fulfill course work and/or conditions before full-admission status is granted.

  • Academic Standards

    Students in the Health Information Management program must attain a minimum grade of "C" or better in all HIM courses. In addition, students must maintain a cumulative 2.0 grade point average. The academic policies in the Student Handbook govern academic conduct, progression, withdrawal and dismissal.

  • Degree Requirements

    HIM Major Courses - 34 to 36 credits

    • HIM 1090 Clinical Informatics (3 credits)
    • HIM 2050 Medical Terminology (3 credits)
    • HIM 2600 Epidemiology and the Management of Vital Health Data (3 credits)
    • HIM 2800 Pharmacology for Health Professionals (3 credits)
    • HIM 3100 Pathophysiology for Health Professionals (3 credits)
    • HIM 3650 Healthcare Reimbursement Management (3 credits)
    • HIM 3700 Classification Systems and Nomenclatures (3 credits)
    • HIM 3800 Healthcare Accreditation and Compliance (3 credits)
    • HIM 4200 Healthcare Quality Improvement and Outcomes (3 credits)
    • HIM 4600 Leadership & Strategic Planning for Health Professionals (3 credits)
    • HIM 4900 Health Information Management Internship (168 contact hours) 3 credits
    • HIM 4910 Health Information Management Capstone (1-3 credits)

    HIM Supportive Courses - 43 credits

    • BIO 2300 Principles of Human Anatomy & Physiology Lecture I (3 credits)
    • BIO 2320 Principles of Human Anatomy & Physiology Lecture II (3 credits)
    • HSA 3010 Overview of the U.S. Health Care System (3 credits)
    • HSA 3585 Health Services Organization Management (3 credits)
    • HSA 4925 Synthesis of Management Applications (1 credit)
    • HSA 3000 Accounting for Health Professions (3 credits)
    • HSA 4700 Evidence-Based Research for Health Services Administrators (3 credits)
    • HSA 3100 Health Care Law & Regulations (3 credits)
    • HSA 4650 Health Service Financial Management (3 credits)
    • CIS 4060 Software Requirements and Design (3 credits)
    • CIS 4505 Software Project Management (3 credits)
    • CIS 4560 Database Design (3 credits)
    • CIS 4850 Information Assurance (3 credits)
    • ETH 3580 Health Care Ethics (3 credits)
    • STA 2250 Statistics (3 credits)
  • University Core Curriculum

    All undergraduate degree students at the University of Detroit Mercy are required to fulfill the objectives of the University's Core Curriculum. The curriculum consists of courses designed to meet objectives which ensure that students received an overall education consistent with the mission of the University. See the Core Curriculum section for more details.

  • Electives

    Students may need to complete additional electives in order to reach the minimum total required credits of 126. Although not required, students could consider combining electives in order to also obtain up to two Detroit Mercy Minors.

  • Health Information Management (HIM) Student Handbook 2017-2018

  • Program Contact Information

    McNichols Campus
    Telephone: (313) 578-0411
    Fax: (313) 993-1271