Health Informatics and Information Management, B.S.
School of Medicine
The WVU School of Medicine's Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics and Information Management program is designed to equip you with the skills to lead the transformation of healthcare. By developing innovative methods for managing health information, you will enhance patient care through trusted data, positioning yourself at the forefront of the healthcare industry.
Cost:
$530 / Cost per credit hour *
Courses and Credits:
21-22 Courses / 60 Credits
Duration:
Two to four years, dependent on transfer credit and enrollment type
Dates:
Next Start: August 18, 2025 Admission Term: Fall, Spring, Summer
Learning Format:
Mix: Online asynchronous, online synchronous
Program Overview
Lead the Transformation of Healthcare
The online Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics and Information Management (HIIM) at WVU School of Medicine combines business, science, and information technology to create a unique undergraduate degree. If you hold a current RHIT® credential, you can complete the degree in approximately 60 credits, fully online, and at the in-state tuition rate regardless of residency. For those without the certification, the program requires 120 credit hours.
This program empowers you to revolutionize healthcare by leveraging cutting-edge techniques for managing health information and improving patient care through reliable data. Upon graduation, you can pursue diverse opportunities in various healthcare settings, equipped with the skills and knowledge to excel in the dynamic field of health informatics and information management.
- Diverse Curriculum: Gain comprehensive training in compliance and risk management, healthcare privacy and security, health informatics and data analysis, information governance, and more.
- Hands-On Experience: Engage in 400 hours of tailored professional practice* through two specialized courses, preparing you thoroughly for real-world healthcare challenges.
- Flexible Learning: Complete your degree fully online, allowing you to balance your studies with personal and professional commitments.
Discover how health information professionals work behind the scenes in this insightful article featuring alumna Erin Smith. Learn about their vital role in healthcare.
*Well-qualified applicants with significant experience may petition to waive some or all of this requirement.
Pursuing the B.S. in HIIM is a great opportunity for personal and career growth. The program gives students the opportunity to step outside of health information and opens new doors in various settings."
Erin Smith
B.S. in Health Informatics and Information Management
Curriculum
Learning Outcomes
After completing this degree, you will be well-versed in the following subject areas:
- Data Structure, Content, and Information Governance
- You will be able to ensure data integrity, privacy, and security of health
record content
- Information Protection: Access, Disclosure, Archival, Privacy and Security
- You will be able to recommend privacy and security strategies for health information.
- Informatics, Analytics, and Data use
- You will be able to conduct research and perform data analysis on healthcare
issues.
- You will be able to present findings using data visualization for decision-making.
- Revenue Cycle Management
- You will be able to code health records using ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, and CPT
classifications in accordance with official guidelines and policies.
- You will be able to verify that documentation in the health record supports
the diagnosis and reflects the patient’s prognosis, clinical findings, and
discharge status.
- You will be able to evaluate revenue cycle processes and reimbursement methodologies.
- Health Law and Compliance
- You will be able to comply with healthcare legal processes, policy, and compliance, using an ethical perspective.
- You will be able to analyze components of risk management, quality improvement,
and health policy.
- Organizational Management and Leadership
- You will be able to oversee fundamental and change leadership activities, such
as performance improvement, financial processes, training needs, and project
management.
- Professional Preparedness
- You will engage in 400 hours of unique, customized, professional practice experience.
- You will create a professional portfolio.
General Education Foundations*
- F1 - Composition & Rhetoric
- ENGL 101 AND ENGL 102: Introduction to Composition and Rhetoric/Composition, Rhetoric, and Research, 6 credit hours
- OR ENGL 103: Accelerated Academic Writing, 3 credit hours
- F2A/F2B - Science & Technology, 4-6 credit hours
- F3 - Math & Quantitative Reasoning, 3-4 credits
- F4 - Society & Connections, 3 credit hours
- F5 - Human Inquiry & the Past, 3 credit hours
- F6 - The Arts & Creativity, 3 credit hours
- F7 - Global Studies & Diversity, 3 credit hours
- F8 - Focus (may be satisfied by completion of a minor, double major, or dual degree), 9 credit hours
*Please note that not all of the GEF courses are offered at all campuses. Students
should consult with their advisor or academic department regarding the GEF course
offerings available at their campus.
Degree Requirements
- University Requirements, 23 credit hours
- Program Requirements, 25 credit hours
- Health Informatics and Information Management Major Requirements, 72 credit hours
Total: 120 credit hours
University Requirements
- General Education Foundations (GEF) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 (31-37 credit hours)
- Outstanding GEF Requirements 1, 4, 6,7, and 8, 21 credit hours
- HIIM 191: First Year Seminar, 1 credit hour
- General Electives, 1 credit hour
Total: 23 credit hours
Program Requirements
- BIO 102 AND BIO 102L: General Biology 2 and General Biology 2 Laboratory (GEF 2), 4 credit hours
- CS 101: Intro to Computer Applications (GEF 8), 4 credit hours
- PHIL 331: Health Care Ethics (GEF 5), 3 credit hours
- STAT 111: Understanding Statistics (GEF 3) , 3 credit hours
- PALM 200: Medical Terminology, 3 credit hours
- PALM 205 AND PALM 206: Introduction to Human Anatomy and Human Anatomy Laboratory, 4 credit hours
- PSIO 241: Elementary Physiology, 4 credit hours
Total: 25 credit hours
Health Informatics and Information Management Major Requirements
A grade of C- or higher must be earned in all graded courses required for the major.
- HIIM 110: Introduction to U.S. Healthcare Delivery System, 3 credit hours
- HIIM 112: Fundamentals of Health Information Management, 3 credit hours
- HIIM 231: Health Information Management Applications, 2 credit hours
- HIIM 233: Health Informatics and Information Management Disease Fundamentals and Management, 3 credit hours
- HIIM 235: Coding and Classification of Diseases, 3 credit hours
- HIIM 237: Introduction to Professional Practice, 1 credit hour
- HIIM 240: Classification of Healthcare Procedures, 3 credit hours
- HIIM 242: Healthcare Reimbursement and Revenue Cycle Management 2
- HIIM 244: Principles of Health Informatics and Information Management Quality Management 2
- HIIM 246: Fundamentals of Clinical Documentation Improvement, 3 credit hours
- HIIM 247: Registries in Healthcare, 2 credit hours
- HIIM 248: Health Informatics and Information Management Professional Practice I, 1 credit hour
- HIIM 351: Healthcare Data Privacy, Confidentiality, and Security, 3 credit hours
- HIIM 353: Healthcare Information System Analysis and Design, 3 credit hours
- HIIM 355: Health Informatics and Information Management Legal Issues, 3 credit hours
- HIIM 360: Application of Healthcare Classification Systems, 3 credit hours
- HIIM 362: Data Governance in Healthcare Systems, 3 credit hours
- HIIM 364: Healthcare Data Design 3HIIM 366 Healthcare Analytics I, 2 credit hours
- HIIM 368: Health Informatics & Information Management Professional Practice II, 1 credit hour
- HIIM 471: Health Informatics & Information Management Research, 3 credit hours
- HIIM 473: Healthcare Analytics II, 2 credit hours
- HIIM 475: Project Management in Health Informatics & Information Management, 3 credit hours
- HIIM 477: Leadership in Health Informatics & Information Management, 3 credit hours
- HIIM 480: Health Informatics & Information Management Administration, 3 credit hours
- HIIM 482: Health Informatics and Information Governance, 3 credit hours
- HIIM 484: Capstone in Health Informatics & Information Management, 3 credit hours
- HIIM 486: Advanced Professional Practice in Health Informatics & Information Management, 3 credit hours
Total: 72 credit hours
Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT®) toBachelor of Science (BS) in Health Informatics and Information Management (HIIM)
Typical Course Requirements
Total Credits: 120
Total Transfer Credits from AAS in HIM (or equivalent): 60
Total WVU HIIM Credits: 60
Transfer: 60 Credits
Required WVU Courses
All graded courses must be completed with a grade of C- of better
- HIIM 246: Fundamentals of Clinical Documentation Improvement, 3 credit hours
- HIIM 247: Registries in Healthcare, 2 credit hours
- HIIM 351: Healthcare Data Privacy, Confidentiality, and Security, 3 credit hours
- HIIM 353: Healthcare Information System Analysis and Design, 3 credit hours
- HIIM 360: Application of Healthcare Classification Systems, 3 credit hours
- HIIM 362: Data Governance in Healthcare Systems, 3 credit hours
- HIIM 364: Healthcare Data Design, 3 credit hours
- HIIM 366: Healthcare Analytics I, 2 credit hours
- HIIM 368: HIIM Professional Practice II, 1 credit hour
- HIIM 471: HIIM Research, 3 credit hours
- HIIM 473: Healthcare Analytics II, 2 credit hours
- HIIM 475: Project Management in HIIM, 3 credit hours
- HIIM 477: Leadership in HIIM, 3 credit hours
- HIIM 480: HIIM Administration, 3 credit hours
- HIIM 482: HIIM Governance, 3 credit hours
- HIIM 484: Capstone in HIIM, 3 credit hours
- HIIM 486: Advanced Professional Practice in HIIM, 3 credit hours
- PSIO 241: Elementary Physiology, 4 credit hours
Total: 50 credit hours
Electives (If needed, may be adjusted for students with greater than 60 transfer credits), 10 credit hours
Grand Total: 120 credit hours
CAHIIM Accredited Program
The Health Information Management accreditor of WVU is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). Accreditation for Baccalaureate degree in Health Informatics and Information Management has been reaffirmed through 2029-2030. View accreditation details.
Admissions Requirements and Eligibility
Prospective students seeking to enter the RHIT® to B.S. in HIIM program must meet all WVU requirements for transfer applicants. In addition:
- Applicants must have earned an associate's degree from a Health Information Management (HIM) program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).
- Applicants must hold an active RHIT® credential.
Admissions Process and How to Apply
- Pay undergraduate application fee
- Request official transcripts from all institutions attended (other than WVU), or high school transcripts if fewer than 24 college credits be sent to:
- WVU Office of Admissions P.O. Box 6009 Morgantown, WV 26506-6009
- or Email: WVUadmissions@mail.wvu.edu
- Minimum cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Provide either proof of RHIT certification or sufficient information for us to verify via AHIMA verification portal
- Last Name and either Credential Number or AHIMA ID
For additional requirements specific to first time freshman, online students, and internal/external transfer students, please connect with the admissions coach.
Tuition, Fees and Financial Aid
The University provides a comprehensive approach to helping you finance your education.
Learn more on the WVU Financial Aid Website.
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. Visit the
Estimate Costs and Aid webpage
to estimate and plan for other potential expenses.
Students are encouraged to:
- File the application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the June deadline to determine eligibility for funding and scholarships.
- Inquire with your employer about potential financial support for continuing your education.
Tuition per credit hour is listed on the page of your program of interest. Please
note, tuition and fees are reviewed and subject to change at the start
of each academic year.
Careers and Employment
You will have multiple opportunities to engage in professional practice, and many of our alums are offered full-time jobs after graduation at their professional practice site. These are a few of the career paths you will be equipped to pursue:
Career Paths
- Medical and Health Services Managers
- Clinical Data Managers
- Health Informatics Specialists