Photo: Hospital colleagues checking medical records database
Many healthcare professionals reach a point where they are ready to move into management, healthcare technology, analytics, compliance, or leadership roles.
The online Health Informatics and Information Management (HIIM), B.S. program offered by West Virginia University’s School of Medicine is designed for students who have completed an accredited associate degree in Heath Information Technology (HIT) and want to build on that foundation.
As associate professor and interim program director Megan McDougall explains, the bachelor's degree expands on the technical skills students already possess.
"The two-year degree program is health information technology. It leans into the technical side of things," she said. “The bachelor's degree focuses more on administration, management and leadership."
Building on Your Healthcare Experience
Many students start the program after spending time in the workforce as coders, coordinators, or other healthcare technology or support professionals. Others transition directly into the undergraduate program after completing an associate degree.
According to McDougall, both pathways are common.
The program features coursework that builds on existing healthcare knowledge to develop in-demand skills in areas like health informatics, data analytics, privacy and security, project management, regulatory compliance, and organizational leadership.
The curriculum also reflects and responds to how healthcare has evolved. What was once a profession centered on paper records has become increasingly driven by technology, data, compliance requirements, and strategic decision-making.
More Than One Career Path
One reason students are drawn to HIIM is the variety of opportunities available after graduation.
"Our field has such a large diversity of where students can go," McDougall said. "It's not just one pathway, which is fantastic."
Graduates work in healthcare systems, insurance organizations, government agencies, consulting firms, technology companies, and other healthcare-adjacent industries.
Some move into leadership positions overseeing health information departments. Others pursue careers in healthcare IT, compliance, privacy, security, project management, clinical research, or data analytics.
For students who enjoy solving problems, improving processes, and using data to support better healthcare delivery, the field offers an opportunity to play a critical role behind the scenes. Health information professionals help ensure clinicians have access to accurate information, organizations remain compliant with regulations, and healthcare leaders can make informed decisions that improve patient care.
Their work powers many of the systems and processes that support direct patient care every day.
Learning Through Real-World Experience
The program emphasizes hands-on learning that mirrors the work graduates encounter in the field.
"Pretty much every course is hands on," McDougall said. "We're always doing online simulations or hands-on projects."
Students gain experience with the same tools and technologies used throughout the profession, including R, Solventuem (3M) Encoder, Clintegrity 360, SQL, Access, EHR simulation systems, and data visualization tools.
Through professional practice experiences that can be customized to fit their backgrounds and career goals, students apply classroom concepts to real-world healthcare environments while building skills employers value.
They also complete a capstone research project, allowing them to explore a topic of personal interest and present their findings to professionals in the field.
For many students, these experiences help clarify which career path they want to pursue after graduation. A single project, course, or professional practice experience often helps them discover where their interests fit within the profession.
Preparing for RHIA Certification
One of the program's key advantages is eligibility to sit for the Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) certification exam upon graduation.
The RHIA credential is widely recognized throughout the health information profession and is often associated with management, leadership, and advanced professional opportunities.
For students looking to move beyond technical roles, earning a bachelor's degree and pursuing RHIA certification can help demonstrate both knowledge and readiness for greater responsibility.
What's Next?
Whether your goal is leading a health information department, working in healthcare technology, improving clinical documentation, supporting compliance efforts, or helping organizations make better use of healthcare data, the field offers multiple pathways for advancement.
For professionals who already hold an associate degree in HIT, WVU's online Health Informatics and Information Management, B.S. program can help you push your career forward by bridging the gap between technical application and leadership opportunities.
If you’re ready to take the next step, connect with assistant director of undergraduate enrollment management, Timmy Eads, to learn more about the program’s curriculum and objective to help you achieve your goals.