Undergraduate Programs
Degree Programs
B.S. in Health Information Administration
Description of the Profession
Health information administrators collect, interpret, and protect health data and determine how data are used. They are managers and information specialists who frequently interact with other members of the medical, financial and administrative staffs.
This profession incorporates the disciplines of medicine, management, finance, information technology and law as they pertain to the complexities of patient care, medical research, information privacy and security, data quality assurance, reimbursement procedures and compliance issues.
Graduates of the Program
While many health information administrators are employed in hospitals, others work for insurance companies, long-term care and psychiatric facilities, computer companies, physician group practices, pharmaceutical companies and government agencies. They also coordinate quality management programs for health care facilities, teach in colleges and universities, and perform consulting activities.
The program graduate is eligible to seek registration as a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) by successfully passing a national qualifying examination offered by the American Health Information Management Association. The RHIA credential is important when seeking employment as a health information administrator.
Educational Program
Length of the Program
Four years; 55 semester hours of prerequisite course work plus two years (67 credit hours) of professional course work. The professional component of the program is offered in the junior and senior years of a Bachelor of Science undergraduate degree. The professional program begins in the fall semester only.
Structure of the Program
The prerequisites and the professional program may be taken on a part-time or full-time basis.
Design of the Professional Curriculum
The professional courses focus on the management of health information systems and utilization of computerized clinical data. The professional component of the curriculum integrates lecture and laboratory courses with technical and professional practice experiences in hospitals and other health care facilities and related settings.
Additional Cost
In addition to regular university tuition and fees, students should expect to pay program-related expenses. Detailed information about tuition and fees may be found at the Bursar website.
Program Facilities
The Health Information Administration Program is offered in the School of Informatics. Professional practice is provided by health care facilities and agencies in Indiana and surrounding states.
Accreditation
The Health Information Administration Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).
Admission
General Information
Students accepted into the program must complete the school's and the following program admission requirements. Completion of the prerequisites does not guarantee admission to the program.
Criteria used for Selection of Class
Completion of prerequisite courses, grade point average, and completion of approved application processes.
Specific Requirements
In addition to the School of Informatics admission policies and procedures found at the beginning of this section of the bulletin, the following admission policies apply to the Health Information Administration Professional Program.
Application Deadline
The application deadline is November 15 of the year preceding the planned date of entry. The total number of prerequisite credits required is 55. Remedial course work will not count toward the 55 required prerequisite credit hours.
Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average
2.5 on a 4.0 scale. This requirement is applied at the time of program application and must be maintained. Grades for remedial courses are included in the cumulative grade point average.
Minimum Grade Requirement for all Prerequisite Courses
C (2.0 on a 4.0 scale)
Other Requirements
Completion of all application requirements. Please contact the program office for current processes.
Curriculum
Prerequisites
Prior to entering the program, students must complete all prerequisite coursework. Students should consult with their academic advisors for appropriate courses and semester sequence in order to complete prerequisites. Most prerequisites may be taken at any accredited college or university.
The code "G" indicates a course that meets the school's general-education requirements.
- Oral Communication (G)
- Written Communication (G)
- Human Anatomy (G)
- Human Physiology (G)
- Medical Terminology
- Information Technology
- Business
- Analytical/Quantitative Methods (G)
- Professional Ethics
Professional Program
Courses in the professional program are sequential and, therefore, must be taken in the order specified by the program faculty. Contact the program office for the most current course schedule. A minimum grade of C (2.0) is required in each professional course. The curriculum is available via distance education.
Junior Year: Fall Semester
- ICD Coding
- ICD Coding Lab
- Medical Science I
- Healthcare Information Requirements and Standards I
- Healthcare Information Requirements and Standards Lab I
- Health Information Management
Junior Year: Spring Semester
- Hospital Organization/Management
- Medical Science II
- Healthcare Information Requirements and Standards II
- Healthcare Information Requirements and Standards Lab II
- Medicine and the Law
- Release of Information
- CPT Coding
- CPT Coding Lab
Senior Year: Fall Semester
- Quantitative Methods/Research
- Healthcare Planning/Information Systems
- Healthcare Quality Improvement
- Health Information Technology
- Professional Practicum in Health Information Management I
Senior Year: Spring Semester
- Health Information Storage/Retrieval
- Healthcare Reimbursement Systems
- Directed Study
- Health Information Administration Capstone Experience
- Professional Practicum in Health Information Management II
Scholarships
Four Van Ausdall and Farrar Scholarships are awarded to full-time students in the Health Information Administration Professional Program. Awards are predicated on demonstrated financial need and ability to successfully complete the program. Preference is given to students who plan employment in Indiana.
The Gertrude L. Gunn Memorial Fund Scholarship, established in memory of the founder of the program, is awarded to a student or students in the Health Information Administration Professional Program. They are based on scholarship and demonstrated financial need.
The Mary L. McKenzie Scholarship is awarded to a student in the Health Information Administration Professional Program. It is based on scholarship and demonstrated financial need.
The Elton T. Ridley Minority Scholarship is awarded to a student in the Health Information Administration Professional Program. The scholarship is awarded to a student who is a member of a class of individuals who are traditionally underrepresented in the program.
The American Health Information Mangement Association's (AHIMA) Foundation provides scholarships. These scholarships are awarded through application directly to AHIMA. Information will be provided to students after acceptance to the Professional Program.
Awards
Based on superior performance and in accordance with Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis policies, the program faculty will recommend that qualified students be awarded degrees with distinction.
Graduation Requirements
Satisfactory completion of 122 credit hours, including 55 credit hours of prerequisite and general-education courses and 67 credit hours of professional courses. All course work must be completed in compliance with the program's and school's academic and professional policies.