Health Information Management, B.S.

Saint Louis University's Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management (HIM) program is a unique undergraduate program for students interested in the study of medical sciences, information technology, legal concepts and health management. Health information management professionals are recognized experts in clinical and health care operational data. Department and adjunct faculty, who are professionals in the health information management field, prepare students for exciting and diverse career opportunities in health information and to take the Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) nationally recognized credentialing exam offered by the American Health Information Management Association.

Graduates are primed for a tremendous variety of rapidly growing employment opportunities in all venues of the health care industry, including working with health care leadership to optimize the use of patient and operational data to make meaningful decisions regarding quality care, patient safety and organization operations; working with patients and families to help them understand their health information; and working with health care providers to optimize their use of technology to manage their data and operational needs. 

The health information management program offers several curricular options to allow students to create a specific concentration to complement their HIM foundation. Examples include earning minors in business administration, business analytics or information technology management. Information in health care is a tremendously valuable asset to both administrators and clinicians. The HIM program also establishes a strong foundation for students interested in pursuing pre-med, pre-physician assistant, pre-dental, pre-optometry, pre-vet and scholars tracks.

Many HIM graduates also pursue graduate degrees in:

• Business administration
• Health administration
• Health data science
• Health informatics
• Law
• Public health

Students interested in advancing their academic path to graduate studies may pursue one of the following accelerated track options:

• HIM to HDS (Master of Science in Health Data Science)
• HIM to Law (Juris Doctorate)
• HIM to MHA (Master of Science in Health Administration)

In addition to the traditional four-year degree, the department also offers a minor in HIM and a second bachelor's degree in HIM option for students who already possess a bachelor's degree.

Curriculum Overview

The Doisy College of Health Sciences is located within the Allied Health Professions building at the medical center, so HIM students have the opportunity to interact with others majoring in numerous health care professions, including medicine, physical therapy, athletic training, physician assistant education, occupational therapy, nuclear medicine, nutrition and dietetics, biomedical laboratory science and others.

Information technology is integrated throughout the curriculum, providing students with hands-on exposure and experience with typical systems utilized in the health care industry. Use of an educational-based electronic health record, encoding systems, database management and statistical software comprise just some of the systems students use in the program.

Clinical and Research Opportunities

The HIM program has affiliations with local clinical sites for students to complete their professional practice experience. Each student will complete a project-based internship in their last year of study. The projects provide an opportunity to experience roles such as:

• Electronic health record analyst
• Patient data integrity coordinator
• Clinical data analyst
• Consultant
• Revenue cycle management analyst
• Quality assurance analyst
• Coding and compliance specialist

Careers

Information drives the health care industry. A career in health information management offers graduates tremendous and diverse opportunities to make an impact and improve the health care delivered throughout the industry. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of health services managers is expected to experience an 18% average growth through 2028.

Employment opportunities for graduates include:

• Ambulatory care clinics
• Governmental agencies
• Health care companies
• Health care consulting
• Home health care
• Hospitals
• Information system companies
• Insurance companies
• Law firms
• Managed and long-term care facilities
• Mental and behavioral health facilities
• Physician practices
• Research associate

In 2018, the average salary in the U.S. for health services managers was $99,730, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Salaries are generally higher for graduates working in sales or consulting, and second-baccalaureate graduates may have a slightly higher salary range depending on their previous work experience and degree.

Admission Requirements

Freshman Applicants

Solid academic performance in college preparatory coursework is primary consideration when we review your freshman application.  

• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 on a 4.00 scale.
• Saint Louis University has moved to test optional admission process for all undergraduate programs. Applicants may submit standardized test scores, but those who choose not to will not be disadvantaged in any way in the admission process.

Transfer Applicants

Transfer applicants are encouraged to meet with the program director of the HIM program for evaluation of their transcript. A 2.50 cumulative GPA is required along with a demonstrated aptitude in business, science and information systems coursework.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:

• Scholarships: Awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need. In addition to University scholarships, the Doisy College of Health Sciences offers a scholarship to sophomores, juniors and seniors.
• Financial Aid: Provided in the form of grants and loans, some of which require repayment.

For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, applicants should apply for admission by Dec. 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.

For more information, visit the student financial services office online at http://finaid.slu.edu.

Accreditation

Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
200 E. Randolph Street
Suite 5100
Chicago, IL 60601
http://www.cahiim.org

For more information on the SLU Health Information Management program professional and technical standards and program outcomes, please see Additional Accreditation Information.

Additional Accreditation Information

1. Graduates will be able to demonstrate Jesuit values of "Cura Personalis" as they engage in the management of health information.
2. Graduates will be able to use effective communication skills to manage patient health information.
3. Graduates will be able to incorporate critical thinking to solve complex problems related to management of health information.
4. Graduates will be able to demonstrate the application of research that incorporates health information.
5. Graduates will be able to formulate examples of ethical professionalism when managing health information.

Select a track to view required courses. 

Standard Track

Business Administration Minor Track

Business Analytics Minor Track

Information Technology Management Minor Track

HIM to M.S. Health Data Sciences.

HIM to Juris Doctor (Law)

HIM to Master of Health Administration (MHA)

• Students apply a maximum of 30 MHA credits completed in their first year to their undergraduate degree program and receive their Bachelor’s Degree after the succesful completion of the first year of the SLU MHA Program.
• Students must maintain a 3.4 cumulative GPA to continue in the Accelerated Program. After completing 75 credits, students will submit an application to SLU’s MHA Program. If admitted to SLU’s MHA Program, these students will begin their MHA program in their fourth year.
• Please note that the SLU MHA program is competitive and enrollment in the Accelerated HIM to MHA 3+2 track does not guarantee admission to the SLU MHA program.

Medical Scholar Track

Pre-Medicine Track

Pre-Physician Assistant and Physician Assistant Scholar Track

Second Baccalaureate Track

Total semester credits vary based on applicable courses complete in undergraduate program. Specific course plan is individually designed for each applicant.

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a minimum 2.50 grade point average (GPA).

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester.  Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Standard Track

Program Notes

Professional Practice is scheduled at affiliated healthcare facilities in the St. Louis area or by special arrangement elsewhere in the United States. Students are responsible for transportation and other expenses during these assignments.

Business Administration Minor Track

Program Notes

Business Administration Minors: Total of 30 credits.

Required Business Administration electives must include:

Professional Practice is scheduled at affiliated healthcare facilities in the St. Louis area or by special arrangement elsewhere in the United States. Students are responsible for transportation and other expenses during these assignments.

Business Analytics Minor Track

Program Notes

The following courses (9 credits) required are also counted towards the HIM major:

Required for a total of 18 credits for the Business Analytics minor:

Professional Practice is scheduled at affiliated healthcare facilities in the St. Louis area or by special arrangement elsewhere in the United States. Students are responsible for transportation and other expenses during these assignments.

Information Technology Management Minor Track

Program Notes

Information Technology Management minor: ITM 2000 Information Technology with Supply Chains and ITM 3300 Database Management Systems are also counted towards the HIM major. ITM 3550 Introduction to "Big Data" is required by HIM for the ITM minor. Choose two additional courses for a total of 15 credits. Recommended courses are:

Professional Practice is scheduled at affiliated healthcare facilities in the St. Louis area or by special arrangement elsewhere in the United States. Students are responsible for transportation and other expenses during these assignments.

Medical Scholar Track

Program Notes

Courses substituted in place of electives or added to curriculum as required courses for post-baccalaureate programs for Medical School are not guaranteed to meet all prerequisite requirements of all institutions. It is the responsibility of the student to contact their desired institution for post-baccalaureate study to identify the specific prerequisite courses required for their area of study.

Professional Practice is scheduled at affiliated healthcare facilities in the St. Louis area or by special arrangement elsewhere in the United States. Students are responsible for transportation and other expenses during these assignments.

Pre-Medicine Track

Program Notes

Courses substituted in place of electives or added to curriculum as required courses for post-baccalaureate programs for Medical School are not guaranteed to meet all prerequisite requirements of all institutions. It is the responsibility of the student to contact their desired institution for post-baccalaureate study to identify the specific prerequisite courses required for their area of study.

Professional Practice is scheduled at affiliated healthcare facilities in the St. Louis area or by special arrangement elsewhere in the United States. Students are responsible for transportation and other expenses during these assignments.

Pre-Physician Assistant Track

Program Notes

Courses substituted in place of electives or added to curriculum as required courses for post-baccalaureate programs for physician assistant are not guaranteed to meet all prerequisite requirements of all institutions. It is the responsibility of the student to contact their desired institution for post-baccalaureate study to identify the specific prerequisite courses required for their area of study.

Professional practice is scheduled at affiliated healthcare facilities in the St. Louis area or by special arrangement elsewhere in the United States. Students are responsible for transportation and other expenses during these assignments.

Physician Assistant Scholar Track

Program Notes

Upon completion of the bachelor's degree, students will proceed directly into SLU’s graduate-level PA program.

Professional Practice is scheduled at affiliated healthcare facilities in the St. Louis area or by special arrangement elsewhere in the United States. Students are responsible for transportation and other expenses during these assignments

Second Baccalaureate Track

Departmental Courses

Program Notes

Total semester credits varies based on applicable courses complete in undergraduate program.

Specific course plan is individually designed for each applicant.

Professional practice is scheduled at affiliated healthcare facilities in the St. Louis area or by special arrangement elsewhere in the United States. Students are responsible for transportation and other expenses during these assignments.

Apply for Admission

For additional admission questions please contact:
Julie Miller
Recruitment Specialist
314-977-2570
dchs@health.slu.edu