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. The health care industry relies on these professionals to manage, analyze, integrate and secure this tremendously valuable asset. This information is changing the future of health care.

Health information management professionals are experts in managing health data, regulations, compliance, patient safety, privacy, and confidentiality while advocating for patients’ knowledge and involvement in their health care.

• SLU's HIM program is located in the Doisy College of Health Sciences at the Med. As such, students from all health care disciplines have the opportunity to learn together and work together just as graduates will in the health care industry.
• Our health information management students have the ability to network with numerous alumni both locally and nationally.
• Flexible curricular tracks are available for students that wish to specialize.
• Students can integrate a semester abroad into the health information management curricular pattern.

Many program graduates also pursue graduate degrees in:

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

Students are encouraged to participate in the Health Information Management Student Organization. All health information management majors are automatically members of the organization. The mission of this organization is to:

• Provide opportunities for students to network with working professionals
• Explore the many opportunities available to health information management professionals

In addition to the traditional four-year degree, the department also offers a B.S. in health information management second degree track 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 on the medical campus, so HIM students have the opportunity to interact with others majoring in numerous health care professions, including medicine, physical therapy, physician assistant education, occupational therapy, nuclear medicine, nutrition and dietetics, and biomedical laboratory science.

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

The HIM program offers several curricular options to allow the student to create a specific concentration to complement their health information management foundation. These emphases could include a minor in business administration, information technology management or business analytics. Information in health care is now a tremendously valuable asset to both administrator and clinicians. The health information management program can also establish a strong foundation for students interested in pursuing:

• Pre-medicine, pre-dental, pre-optometry
• Pre-physician assistant degrees

The college has affiliations with more than 50 clinical sites for students to complete their professional practice experience. Each student will complete a project based professional practice experience in their last year of study. The program prepares the student for many exciting job opportunities such as:

• Electronic health record analysts
• Patient data integrity coordinators
• Clinical data analysts
• Consultant
• Revenue cycle application analysts
• Quality assurance analysts
• Coding and compliance specialists

Students are qualified to sit for the Registered Health Information Administrator national credentialing examination.

Clinical and Research Opportunities

Students in SLU's health information management program will have access to more than 50 clinical sites in preparing for professional practice.

Students will automatically become a member of the Health Information Management Student Organization, which will allow them to further professional knowledge and connect with health information professionals.

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. Whether building, managing or searching medical databases for the latest treatments, assessing the quality care provided to patients, managing health care costs or influencing legislative issues, health information management is at the heart of health care.

• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of health services managers is expected to have faster than average growth through 2022.
• The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of health information technicians will grow 13% from 2016 - 2026 as an aging population needs more medical attention.​

• The Bureau of Labor Statistics cites medical records and health information technicians as one of the 20 fastest growing occupations in the US. 

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

Health information management graduates are primed for a tremendous variety of rapidly growing employment opportunities in all venues of the health care industry. Typical earnings for health information management professional range from about $35,000 to $130,000 and above.

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

Admission consideration for the health information management program is initially based on a strong overall academic background.

Freshman Admission

• High school diploma or an acceptable score on the General Educational Development Test (GED)
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 on a 4.00 scale
• Minimum ACT score of 20

Transfer Admission

Transfer applicants are encouraged to meet with the program director of the health information management 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)
233 N. Michigan Avenue
21st Floor
Chicago, IL 60601-5800
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 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 problem 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 JD Track

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.

HIM to JD Track

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:
Katie Smialek
Recruitment Specialist
314-977-2570
dchs@health.slu.edu