OVERVIEW
A Health Information Management Degree Preparing You to Change Lives
With a health information management (HIM) degree from WGU, you’ll be a valuable asset in the high-demand field of healthcare information technology and management. This CAHIIM-accredited health information management degree offers robust courses and a simulation experience that will give you a glimpse into the real-world health information management operations and functions. You'll learn about the business and technology side of healthcare and how health information management impacts patients, providers, and payers. This will prepare you to successfully work in the growing field of health information management, becoming a vital member of the healthcare community and improving the future of healthcare. With this health information management degree, you'll also be eligible to apply for the RHIA® credentialing exam—a key credential that can set you apart in the industry.
Compare this degree: The B.S. Health Information Management program is not WGU's only undergraduate degree focused on building leadership skills in the business and administration of healthcare. You may also be interested in our B.S. Business – Healthcare Management degree program. This article can help you compare the two programs.
61% of HIM graduates finish within
36 Months*
WGU lets you move more quickly through material you already know and advance as soon as you're ready. The result: You may finish your teaching degree online faster.
*WGU Internal Data
Tuition per six-month term is
$4,210
Tuition charged per term—rather than per credit—helps you control the ultimate cost of earning your teaching degree online. Finish faster, pay less!
Average salary increase
$13,473*
Graduates of this program report an average salary increase of $13,473 after completing their WGU degree.
*WGU Internal Data
COURSES
Health Information Management Courses
Program consists of 36 courses
At WGU, we design our curriculum to be timely, relevant, and practical—all to help you show that you know your stuff. This program features scaffolded learning throughout the standard path, requiring the standard path order to be followed for optimal student success outcomes.
The WGU Bachelor of Science Health Information Management curriculum was designed, and is regularly updated, with input from the experts on our Health Professions Program Council, ensuring you learn best practices in health information management and keep up with the latest trends in the healthcare industry—the kind of HIM expertise you need for a successful career as a health information administrator. And after you complete this online program, you'll be qualified to sit for the AHIMA RHIA credentialing exam.
This health information management program provides a solid foundation in computer information systems and technology for healthcare organizations including healthcare regulation, project management of health systems, databases, and security. In addition to the health information management content, the degree program includes general education courses. The health information management component includes topics like healthcare data, health information technology, medical terminology, and healthcare compliance and coding.
This program consists of the following courses. Some may be waived through transfer from your previous college experience. The rest you will typically complete one at a time as you make your way through your program, working with your Program Mentor each term to build your personalized Degree Plan. You’ll work through each course as quickly as you can study and learn the material. As soon as you’re ready, you’ll pass the assessment, complete the course, and move on. This means you can finish as many courses as you're able in a term at no additional cost.
An unofficial estimated 14 courses are fulfilled by your associate degree leaving 27 courses.
This is an unofficial estimate of your transfer credit. You may recieve more or less credits depending upon the specific courses taken to complete your degree and other credits you may have.
Below are the anticipated courses that will be fulfilled based on your indication that you have earned an associate degree. During the enrollment process this information will be verified.
36 Courses
Program consists of 36 courses
At WGU, we design our curriculum to be timely, relevant, and practical—all to help you show that you know your stuff.
Capstone Project
Special requirements for this program
At the end of your program, you will complete a capstone project that represents the culmination of all your hard work—a research project applicable to the field of health information management that aims to expand the body of knowledge in the profession.
Skills For Your Résumé
As part of this program, you will develop a range of valuable skills that employers are looking for.
- Resource Management: Gathered all necessary resources to successfully execute tasks or projects, ensuring optimal project outcomes.
- Leadership: Developed strategies in collaboration with organizational team leads, fostering cohesive and effective teamwork to achieve organizational goals.
- Electronic Medical Record: Maintained electronic medical records (EMR) in compliance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations, ensuring confidentiality and security of patient information.
- Coordinating : Identified available resources across the organization capable of contributing to project objectives, facilitating efficient resource allocation and utilization.
- Communications: Leveraged appropriate communication techniques to effectively persuade and guide outcomes, influencing stakeholders and achieving desired results.
- Problem Solving: Identified factors influencing difficult or complex problems or issues.
“WGU’s BSHIM program was absolutely essential for me in passing the RHIA exam, and within a couple of months after graduating it also helped me to land my dream job in health information! WGU’s competency-based learning model really appealed to me as it gives students the freedom to accelerate at their own pace through hard work, while it’s definitely not easy, having that ability motivated me to finish within two terms! I loved my time at WGU so much that I recently came back for my master’s as well!!“
—Alexa
B.S. Health Information Management
WGU vs. Traditional Universities
Compare the Difference
Traditional Universities
TUITION STRUCTURE
Per credit hour
Flat rate per 6-month term
SUPPORT
Schedule and wait days or even weeks to meet with one of many counselors
Simply email or call to connect with your designated Program Mentor who supports you from day one
EXAMS
Scheduled time
Whenever you feel ready
SCHEDULE
Professor led lectures at a certain time and place
Courses available anytime, from anywhere
TIME TO FINISH
Approximately 4 years, minimal acceleration options
As quickly as you can master the material, typically less than 3 years
TRANSFER CREDITS
Few accepted, based on certain schools and specific courses
A generous transfer policy that is based on your specific situation
Traditional Universities
TUITION STRUCTURE
Per credit hour
TUITION STRUCTURE
Flat rate per 6-month term
SUPPORT
Schedule and wait days or even weeks to meet with one of many counselors
SUPPORT
Simply email or call to connect with your designated Program Mentor who supports you from day one
EXAMS
Scheduled time
EXAMS
Whenever you feel ready
SCHEDULE
Professor led lectures at a certain time and place
SCHEDULE
Courses available anytime, from anywhere
TIME TO FINISH
Approximately 4 years, minimal acceleration options
TIME TO FINISH
As quickly as you can master the material, typically less than 3 years
TRANSFER CREDITS
Few accepted, based on certain schools and specific courses
TRANSFER CREDITS
A generous transfer policy that is based on your specific situation
Why WGU?
Affordability
WGU tuition is charged per six-month term, not per credit. That means if you want to move faster through the online health information management program, you'll pay less.
On Your Schedule
WGU students can continue working at their job, and keep up with their family responsibilities all while earning a degree. You don't have to take time off work or rearrange your shifts—at WGU you don't have to log in to classes at a certain time, and your assignments don't have deadlines. You can work any time, anywhere.
Accelerated
When you earn your HIM degree from WGU you can take your existing knowledge and put it to use. You can move through your courses as quickly as you show mastery in the material, helping you graduate faster.
Accredited, Respected,
Recognized™
One important measure of a degree’s value is the reputation of the university where it was earned. When employers, industry leaders, and academic experts hold your alma mater in high esteem, you reap the benefits of that respect. WGU is a pioneer in reinventing higher education for the 21st century, and our quality has been recognized.
COST & TIME
An Affordable Health Information Management Degree
By charging per term rather than per credit—and empowering students to accelerate through material they know well or learn quickly—WGU helps students control the ultimate cost of their degrees. The faster you complete your program, the less you pay for your degree.
A College Degree Within Reach
There is help available to make paying for school possible for you:
The average student loan debt of WGU graduates in 2022 (among those who borrowed) was less than half* the national average.
Most WGU students qualify for financial aid, and WGU is approved for federal financial aid and U.S. veterans benefits.
Many scholarship opportunities are available. Find out what you might be eligible for.
*WGU undergraduate students have approximately half the debt at graduation compared to the national average, according to the Institute for College Access and Success (2022).
FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE
How We're Different: Programs That Put You in the Driver’s Seat
Our unique approach to education allows you to move through your courses on your schedule, as quickly as you can show mastery of the material. Improve patient outcomes and influence communities with your knowledge of evidence-based practice, patient safety, technology integration, and healthcare systems and policies. Demonstrating mastery is how you pass a course, so learning what it takes to be outstanding in your career is at the heart of WGU’s health information management curriculum.
"WGU gives you the ability to complete your degree on your schedule and at the pace you choose. The staff are always there when needed, to provide assistance and support or to just cheer you on. It was truly a great experience!”
—Jennifer B.
B.S. Health Information Management
CAREER OUTLOOK
Health Information Management—Where the Art of Care Meets Data Innovation
Your career in health information management awaits. Improve patient care as the crucial link connecting medical providers, the information they gather, the technology and data systems they use to track critical patient info, and the patients themselves. Maintaining the quality of medical records is of utmost importance for individuals and for the healthcare system at large—and it is one of the areas of healthcare with the greatest opportunity for growth and improvement. As a health information management professional, you can maximize your potential and put your unique talents to good use.
Once you have completed WGU's online Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management degree program, you will have the knowledge and skills it takes to be an outstanding health information management professional. You will also be eligible to sit for the RHIA® exam and become a credentialed health information administrator.
Return on Your Investment
On average, WGU graduates see an increase in income post-graduation
Average income increase from all degrees in annual salary vs. pre-enrollment salary. Source: 2023 Harris Poll Survey of 1,655 WGU graduates.
Survey was sent to a representative sample of WGU graduates from all colleges. Respondents received at least one WGU degree since 2017.
16%
The number of positions for health information technologists and medical registrars is expected to grow 16% through 2033.
—U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
WGU's Health Information Management Grads are Working in Diverse, Fulfilling Roles
Our 500-plus Bachelor of Science Health Information Management alumni have great jobs and satisfying careers:
Job Titles
- Director of Informatics
- Information Systems Auditor
- HIMS Chief
- Health Records Manager
Diverse Industries
- Hospitals
- Doctor’s Offices and Clinics
- Laboratories
- Colleges and Universities
- Health Systems
Major Employers
- Primary Children’s Hospital
- PeaceHealth
- ARUP Laboratories
- Langley Air Force Base
- Veterans Health Administration
WGU Grads Hold Positions With Top Employers
Hospitals and clinics around the country know the benefit of a degree from WGU, so your healthcare degree is valuable.
ADMISSIONS
Admissions Requirements Unique to This Health Information Management Degree
Applicants must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent AND demonstrate program readiness through one of the following:
- Option 1: Submit transcripts documenting completion of college-level coursework with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
- Option 2: Possess a bachelors or associates degree (A.A or A.S. acceptable) from an accredited post-secondary institution.
- Option 3: Submit high school transcripts for review with a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
As a condition for placement in most professional practice sites, students are required to have a background check and/or drug screening to meet requirements set by individual sites as well as by WGU. Previous misdemeanor or felony convictions may affect eligibility for placement during Professional Practice Experience.
Students must submit to a criminal background check before engaging in Professional Placement Experiences.
Safety Notice: WGU and the Leavitt School of Health are committed to the health, safety, and well-being of all patients, community members, and key stakeholders that interact with WGU students at various clinical/host sites. Interactions might include direct patient interaction, observation experiences, laboratory experiences, project development, or conducting research. Standard compliance verification for students in applicable LSH programs is required to protect the public, meet LSH program expectations, reasonably assure compliance with state regulatory board requirements, meet WGU’s contractual and legal obligations with clinical partners, and support WGU’s mission to prepare students who will be qualified to enter their desired field. Compliance items may include, but are not limited to, background checks, immunizations, and drug screens as needed.
Get Your Enrollment Checklist
Download your step-by-step guide to enrollment.
Get Your Questions Answered
Talk to an WGU Enrollment Counselor.
Transfer Credits
More About the Health Information Management Program at WGU
- RHIA Certification
- General Program Questions
- Satisfaction Rate
- Mission
- CAHIIM
- Program Completion
- Employment Rate
Credentialed by AHIMA, Registered Health Information Administrators (RHIA) are the data-and-knowledge link between care providers and patients. Earning an RHIA credential and becoming a health information administrator is the next step for professionals with Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT®) and other allied health professionals—and often comes with significant salary bump.
And because WGU’s highly respected HIM bachelor’s degree is also accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM), it satisfies the eligibility requirement for aspiring RHIA applicants.
Additionally, if you already hold credentials from organizations such as AHIMA, HIMSS, and other HIM and IT certification programs, they may transfer to your WGU B.S. Health Information Management program—possibly allowing you to graduate faster and lowering your overall tuition costs.
Our HIM program prepares you to take the Registered Health Information Administration (RHIA) exam.
Yes. A degree in health information management can prepare you for fulfilling career opportunities with high impact and competitive salaries. Those who choose a career in health information management find a rewarding career where they improve patient care and outcomes.
Yes! There are online degree programs, like the one offered at WGU, that allow you to take health information management coursework completely online. You may be able to complete an online program more quickly than a traditional HIM program, which is an added bonus.
With a HIM degree, you may be able to work in hospitals, health systems, laboratories, doctor’s offices, and even universities. You may be qualified for the following jobs within those industries:
- Director of informatics
- Information systems auditor
- HIMS chief
- Health records manager
It will likely take four years to complete a degree in health information management at a traditional university. However, if you earn a degree from an online university like WGU, you may be able to accelerate your courses and finish much faster.
Overall, 85% of BSHIM students surveyed in a recent poll said they were satisfied with the Health Information Management program. *
* From August 1st, 2022, through July 31st 2023, 739 BSHIM students responded.
96.4% of BSHIM graduates responding to the graduate survey said they were satisfied with the Health Information Management program. **
**From August 1, 2022 to July 31st, 2023, 55 BSHIM graduates responded.
The mission of the BSHIM program is to provide a pathway of opportunity for all learners interested in the Health Information Management profession. We strive to provide quality education at a reduced cost, ensuring access for every learner, and empowering learners through personalized learning strategies in a competency-based curriculum.
The BSHIM program goals are to provide:
- A competency-based degree program that allows students to demonstrate their professional knowledge and skills.
- Broad access to education where students live and work.
- Professional preparation for new health information management practice roles
- Preparation for the Registered Health Information Administration (RHIA) examination.
The Health Information Management accreditor of Western Governors 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 2023. 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
98.5% - The percentage of BSHIM graduates who graduated before or on the expected graduation date for the year 2023.
99% of BSHIM graduates responding to the graduate survey were employed full-time within one year of graduation*
*From August 1, 2022 to July 31st, 2023.
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