Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management

The only CAHIIM accredited baccalaureate program in North Carolina

The BS in Health Information Management (HIM) emphasizes the development of skills for managing health information and the systems that collect, store, retrieve, disseminate, and communicate said information to support organizational operations and clinical and business decision making. The curriculum is designed to help students develop the knowledge and tools necessary to become effective and efficient leaders in HIM. The HIM program is 120 semester hours, and will be offered both on campus and through distance education. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be eligible to sit for the Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) credentialing examination offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

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What is Health Information Management?

HIM professionals work across a vast array of roles from analytical to project management to healthcare system management and governance roles. Learn more about the fast-growing, versatile field of the HIM profession at ahima.org.

Mission

Our mission is to prepare future health information management professionals for the challenges faced tomorrow through didactic and professional education. To accomplish this, we will:

  • Equip our students with mastery of the tools for health data and information management that include clinical documentation improvement, classification systems, information governance, informatics, quality assessment, and research methods;
  • Instill leadership and professionalism into the students through curricular and extracurricular activities; and,
  • Facilitate student opportunities to participate in practicum in health information management to prepare for real-world employability.

Vision

Our vision is to be the program of choice for future professionals who will be trusted and competent to manage health data and information to support the improvement of health and health care in the state of North Carolina and beyond.

Accreditation Information

The Health Information Management accreditor of East Carolina University 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 2027-2028. 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.

2021-2022 CAHIIM Program Outcomes

  • For the reporting period of 2021-2022, the Health Information Management program had an 100% graduation rate.
  • For the reporting period of 2021-2022, 100% of graduates were employed in a healthcare or related field or were enrolled in a master’s level program within one year of graduation.
  • For the reporting period of 2021-2022, the Health Information Management program had an 100% retention rate.
  • For the reporting period of 2021-2022, 100% if the graduates were satisfied with the program.

Program Goals

The goal of the BS in HIM program is to prepare students with the knowledge, skills, and characteristics needed to successfully earn the Health Information Management (HIM) credential, the Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA).

Upon completion of the professional HIM curriculum, graduates will be prepared to:

  1. Accurately collect, analyze and report healthcare data;
  2. Apply healthcare statistics and research to comprehensive health information analysis, including quality assessment and performance improvement;
  3. Apply legal and ethical standards to healthcare information requirements and standards;
  4. Demonstrate appropriate application of health information technology and systems to professional practice; and,
  5. Apply principles of organization and management to human resources and health information services decision making

Community College HIT Associate in Applied Sciences (AAS) Bilateral Agreements with ECU’s HIM Program

ECU has bilateral agreements with the listed community colleges. This allows students who complete an AAS degree in HIT at one of these community colleges, and if eligible, enter ECU as a junior upon acceptance to the HIM Program. East Carolina University’s Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management prepares students to be competent leaders, managers, and consultants in a vast array of roles in the health care field.  Admission to the Health Information Management Program is competitive. A completed application does not guarantee admission to the program.

Craven Community College – https://cravencc.edu/program/health-information-technology-aas

Edgecombe Community College – https://edgecombe.edu/programs/health-sciences/health-information-technology/accreditation/

Pitt Community College – https://pittcc.edu/academics/academic-programs/health-sciences-division/health-information-technology/

For more information, contact Dr. Susie Harris at harrissus@ecu.edu or Lauren Allen-Joyner at allenjoynerl21@ecu.edu.

Careers

AHIMA’s Certification & Careers site features in-depth information about the many career options for HIM professionals. Topics include industry background, certifications, job boards, compiled salary statistics, and an interactive career map.

Job Outlook for HIM Professionals

Health informatics and information management (HIIM) is a fast-growing field in the health care industry. It is a program that combines clinical knowledge with information technology, business management, law, and finance. Because of this, degree-holders can choose from a range of job domains across the healthcare industry. If you are eyeing to take this program, an exciting career awaits you in the future as the demand for professionals in this field is expected to rise soon. In fact, the United States’ Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts that jobs related to this degree will rise by 32 percent between 2019 and 20291.

1Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm. Accessed April 21, 2021.

Institutional and Professional Licensure Disclosures for Enrolled and Prospective Students

ECU Health Information Management (HIM) satisfies the professional licensure and/or certification requirements in North Carolina and prepares students to sit for these exams. However, requirements in other states may be different.

If you are considering the HIM program that may, would, could, or potentially lead to a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) credential, please note that at this time ECU may or may not be able to advise whether a program meets requirements outside of North Carolina. Prior to enrolling in HIM, please discuss this important topic with your program of interest.