Health Information Management

Health Information Management is a profession that combines health data, information technology, and management. Health Information Management professionals play a critical role in managing the collection, maintenance, and analysis of the medical data that healthcare professionals rely on to deliver, manage, and finance quality patient care.

Practical experience is an integral part of our Health Information Management curriculum. Students complete two internship experiences (professional practice) before they graduate.

Why Study Health Information Management?

Health Information Management professionals are credentialed by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) as Registered Health Information Administrators (RHIA). This credential requires a bachelor's degree (4 years) and successful performance on the RHIA certification exam.

RHIAs are skilled in the collection, interpretation, and analysis of patient data. In addition, they receive the training necessary to assume managerial positions related to these functions. RHIAs interact with all levels of an organization—clinical, administrative, financial—that employ patient data in decision making and everyday operations.

Related Skills

• Extremely accurate and pay close attention to details
• Confidential with the information
• Strong computer background
• Good judgment and organizational skills
• Good communication skills
• Get along with others and work in teams
• Work well under pressure
• Ability to collect data
• Ability to make sound predictions
• Works well in an environment of constant change
• Critical thinker

Being Successful in the Field

• Bachelor’s degree is required
• Successful completion of the Registered Health Information Administrators (RHIA) certification

Related Fields

• Chief information officer
• Coding and revenue cycle management
• Data mining
• Department director or assistant director
• Documentation specialist
• Data quality manager
• Indexer
• Information access and disclosure specialist
• Medical coder
• Medical record consultant
• Organizational privacy/security officer

Career Advising

Internship Coordinator

Applying to Illinois State

Illinois State's preferred filing period for freshman students for the fall semester is September 1-November 15. Applying early is encouraged, as the University must limit enrollment due to space at the University and in specific majors/programs. Visit the Office of Admissions to apply today!

Plan of Study

This information is based on requirements for the academic year(s) indicated. Students should consult the catalog year they were admitted under for their academic requirements.

• Plan of Study

Applying to Illinois State

Illinois State's preferred filing period for fall transfer students is September 1-January 15. For the spring semester, the preferred filing period is from April 1-August 1. You are encouraged to apply early in the preferred filing period for best consideration for admission into competitive majors. Visit the Office of Admissions to apply today!

Minimum GPA

2.25

Middle 50% GPA

2.81 - 3.54

Required Courses

None

Recommended Courses

• Medical Terminology (HSC 105)
• Anatomy & Physiology I (BSC/KNR 181)
• Anatomy & Physiology II (BSC/KNR 182)

Plan of Study

This information is based on requirements for the academic year(s) indicated. Students should consult the catalog year they were admitted under for their academic requirements.

• Plan of Study (2018-2019 Catalog)

Academic Advising

Middle 50% GPA

2.81 - 3.54

Plan of Study

This information is based on requirements for the academic year(s) indicated. Students should consult the catalog year they were admitted under for their academic requirements.

• Plan of Study

Application Period

February 1 - February 28, May 1 - May 31

Application Information

Current students can use the Apply to Your Program tool on My.IllinoisState.edu.

Major Requirements

Preference will be given to applicants who have completed, with grades of C or higher, the following courses, or their equivalents:

• HSC 105 (Medical Terminology)
• KNR or BSC 181 (Anatomy & Physiology I)
• KNR or BSC 182 (Anatomy & Physiology II)

Both Anatomy & Physiology courses should be completed in the same department. Applicants with preferred courses in progress at the time of application will be held in review until grades are posted for those courses.

Academic Advising