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Health Informatics and Information Management B.S.

Health Informatics and Information Management B.S.

Jan. 8, 2024

Next Start Date

Courses Required

$465

Cost Per Credit Hour ($1,303 for non-residents)

120

Total Credit Hours

Online Asynchronous/Hyflex

Learning Formats

Develop an understanding of the current and emerging healthcare industry trends and issues

Do you enjoy business, law, technology, and science? Health Informatics and Information Management (HIIM) operates at the intersection of these fields to ensure that patients’ vital health information is secure.

HIIM professionals have a direct and valuable impact on patients without being in the physical clinic. They ensure that vital health information is complete, accurate, and protected – and that it is used to effectively promote optimal patient outcomes.

The HIIM program at WVU prepares qualified professionals who are committed to improving health and transforming healthcare and who demonstrate respect, excellence, leadership, and integrity. Students receive training in distinct but complementary areas: informatics; data analytics; privacy, risk, and compliance; data quality; revenue cycle management; and more. They are also trained in the operations and workflow of a variety of healthcare organizations, from large healthcare systems to physician practices of all sizes, from health centers and clinics to skilled and long-term care facilities.

Stock close-up photo of a mature man surrounded by monitors and a holographic display which he is reading.

Contact

Kayla Poling
Senior Academic Advisor and Transfer Specialist
Phone: (304) 293-3611
Email: Kayla.poling@hsc.wvu.edu

Program Website

CAHIIM Accredited Program badge.

Health Informatics and Information Management B.S. Admission Requirements

Freshman and transfer applicants must meet the minimum WVU general admission requirements for admission to the program.

Current WVU students must have a 2.0 overall grade point average to be admitted.

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Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid

Financial aid is available. Students are encouraged to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to determine their eligibility for federal and state funds as well as scholarships. WVU’s FAFSA Code is 003827.

Health Informatics and Information Management B.S. total degree cost: $44,640 – Residents; to $125,088 Non-Residents

Credits	Residents	Non-Residents
1	$465	$1,303
3	$1,395	$3,909
6	$2,694	$7,818
9	$4,041	$11,727

Tuition and fees are usually not the only educational expenses you may have while pursuing a degree. You may have other costs such as books, supplies and living expenses. Please see the Estimate Costs and Aid webpage for how to estimate and plan for other potential expenses.

Courses and Curriculum

Through a combination of classroom instruction and extensive professional practice experience, our accredited curriculum prepares students for immediate employment or further study.

Entry-level health informatics and information management (HIIM) courses introduce students to basic aspects of the profession and expose them to the wide variety of careers in the HIIM profession. 200-level courses introduce individual aspects of HIIM with the intent of building a solid foundation for the student in areas that closely interact. 300-level courses offer an in-depth view of subjects utilized in managerial positions as well as more specific technical positions. Students in 400-level courses focus on applying the knowledge gained in the first three years and building their knowledge level to demonstrate value in the workforce as an HIIM professional.

While there are no formal areas of emphasis within the major, students can use assignments and/or projects in several of the courses as well as the advanced professional practice to focus on an area or two of particular interest.

Program Requirements

Students completing the Bachelor of Science (BS) in health informatics and information management must complete the General Education Foundations (GEF), prerequisite, and major requirements as outlined in the West Virginia University Academic Catalog. Each student will have a personalized plan of study located in DegreeWorks, including any previously-completed college coursework that is approved as transfer credit.

To be eligible for graduation, students must earn a grade of C- or better in all required graded courses and must complete a minimum of 120 hours.

Hyflex Teaching Model

The Health Informatics and Information Management (HIIM) program now offers all courses in the Hyflex model. Hyflex is a student-directed, multi-option approach to learning. Each student can decide how to participate in class for each class or activity, and can select the option that works best for them every day.

All classes are offered face-to-face and online during the class time and are also recorded for viewing at a later time. Want to attend in person today? Do it. Not feeling well? Attend online. Unexpected shift at work? Attend later by viewing the recording at your own time. What works for each student today may not work tomorrow and Hyflex allows students to select how they attend each day.

Professional Practice Experience

Typically, students are required to complete 400 hours of professional practice experience (PPE) to fulfill program requirements and be eligible to graduate. However, non-traditional students holding a significant level of work experience and/or certification relevant to HIIM may be eligible to create a professional portfolio to reduce the total amount of PPE hours needed. Qualifying experiences will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

The future in Health Informatics and Information Management

Students who graduate with a Health Informatics and Information Management degree may be prepared for the following careers. These are only a few examples of some of the many opportunities that will be open to you with this degree. Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for some positions.

Medical and Health Services Managers (Projected Growth: 11% or higher, Bright Outlook / Median Salary: $104,830)
Clinical Data Managers (Projected Growth: 11% or higher, Bright Outlook / Median Salary: $103,500)
Health Informatics Specialists (Projected Growth: 8% to 10%, Bright Outlook / Median Salary: $102,240)
Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars (Projected Growth: 11% or higher, Bright Outlook / Median Salary: $58,250)
Medical Records Specialists (Projected Growth: 4% to 7% / Median Salary: $47,180)

The benefits to pursuing a Health Informatics and Information Management (HIIM) degree at WVU

The program - which is the first and only baccalaureate degree of its kind in West Virginia - is offered via the HyFlex format, with all HIIM classes offered face-to-face and online during the class time and also recorded for viewing later. HyFlex is a student-directed, multi-option approach to learning which allows each student to decide on a day-to-day basis how to participate in each class and activity.

Students graduating with this degree are prepared for leadership roles in a wide variety of job settings, or for graduate study in fields related to healthcare management, data analytics and informatics, or business. Career opportunities are available in the areas of compliance and risk management; medical and health services management; healthcare privacy and security; health informatics and data analytics; clinical documentation improvement; information governance; operations and administration; and revenue cycle management (clinical coding and billing).

Career outlook for Health Informatics and Information Management

Employment of health information technologists and medical registrars is projected to grow 17 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the Health Informatics and Information Management program delivered?

All HIIM courses are offered via HyFlex, giving each student the opportunity to decide each day how to participate in class – face-to-face, online during class time, or via recording for viewing later. Students are able to complete the degree fully online, including General Education Foundations (GEF) courses and other program requirements.

How do online students gain experience in the field?

HIIM requires students to complete 400 hours of professional practice experience (PPE) over the four-year program, which ensures they graduate well-prepared to transition directly into the workforce. Many of our students complete these experiences remotely, working with clinical partners like WVU Medicine, Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC), and Mon Health. Alternatively, students who want to work with a clinical partner close to home can work with our faculty to identify and establish partnerships.

I bring a significant amount of work experience with me. Can that count towards my required PPE hours?

Absolutely! Students who already have significant experience in the workforce or who hold certification relevant to HIIM can submit a professional portfolio which, after review, may reduce the total number of PPE hours needed.

What opportunities do I have to participate in student or professional organizations?

Because our program is offered via HyFlex, all of our students – campus-based and online – are part of the same community and, eventually, professional network. The WVU Student HIM Association (WVUSHIMA) meets virtually, allowing all students to participate fully, regardless of location. Students can also network with professionals via student membership in the American Health Information Management Association, the West Virginia Chapter of HIMSS, and the West Virginia Health Information Management Association.

What will my courses cover? Are there any minors that would complement my studies?

Students complete courses across the spectrum of job domains identified by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA): data privacy, quality improvement, data analytics, revenue cycle management, healthcare registries, and more. Students also receive foundational training in leadership, legal, and project management principles in HIIM, as well as an overview of the U.S. healthcare delivery system more broadly. Many minors are offered that complement HIIM, including general business and health promotion, both of which are offered fully online.

Become a problem solver.

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Occasionally a student will encounter an issue with an online course that he or she doesn’t know how to resolve. Should this occur, please visit the link below.

Internal Student Complaint Process

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PO Box 6800
Morgantown, WV 26506-6800

Phone: (800) 253-2762
Email: WVUOnlineInquiry@mail.wvu.edu

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