The Health Informatics and Information Management program offers preparation for a professional area of service in hospitals, clinics, and related health facilities and agencies. Graduates are prepared to serve as entry level health information administrators. The health information administrator is responsible for the management of health information systems consistent with medical, administrative, ethical and legal requirements of the health care delivery system. The profession combines knowledge of health care systems and business administration.
The Health informatics and Information Management program is designed to provide flexibility for the student. It consists of the Associate of Science in Health Informatics and Information Management program plus two years of prescribed work. A progression policy has been developed to facilitate entry into the BS in HIIM Program. Students should consult their advisors for evaluation of possible credits earned through successful completion of the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) exam or previous work experience.
The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). Following graduation, students may apply to write the registration examination administered by AHIMA. Individuals who pass the examination are entitled to use the designation RHIA (Registered Health Information Administrator). The Health Information Management Programs Student Handbook supplements the information outlined herein the catalog and identifies additional program specific requirements.
Location(s): Madison Main Campus and Online
Articulation Agreements
Learning Outcomes
Plan of Study Health Informatics and Information Management (BS) 22-23
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Admission to the Program
Formal application to the BS in HIIM major is made during the spring semester while completing the second year courses in the AS in HIIM major. Timing will vary among transfer students without the AS in HIIM degree, but should coincide with the spring semester while completing the second year courses in the AS in HIIM major. Progression students (RHIT’s returning to complete the BS in HIIM degree) will apply during their first semester of enrollment. Those students who demonstrate a potential for achievement are admitted to the BS HIIM major. The application process requires the student to:
- Complete a questionnaire.
- Obtain two letters of reference from non-family members and non-AHIMA credentialed faculty.
- Be interviewed, during which time the applicant will be presented with a problem dealing with ethics, management or professional skills to which the student will respond verbally. For distance education students, this will be done by video conference interview. Students on campus will complete their interview in person at a scheduled time and site at Dakota State University.
- Complete a release form authorizing information to be reviewed by the BS in HIIM Admission Review Committee.
- Possess a current RHIT certification or a cumulative GPA of 2.7 in all HIM courses within the AS in HIIM program as well as an overall cumulative GPA of 2.25 or above. The academic summary will be used to calculate the HIM GPA.
All documentation is to be emailed to the HIM Program Director. Forms are available from the HIM Program. Transcripts, letters of recommendation, and questionnaires can be faxed to 605-256-5060.
The BS in HIIM Admission Review Committee will complete an assessment in which the student is expected to obtain an overall satisfactory rating of 30 points out of a maximum of 45 points.
Grade Requirement
All students enrolled in the HIM programs must maintain a grade of at least a “C” in each HIM course. (Please refer to the HIIM Admission Assessment Procedures for further details regarding GPA requirements through the spring semester of the sophomore year. Students will notice that they will not meet the minimum HIM GPA with only “C” grades - it will be necessary to earn A and/or B grades in at least a portion of the HIM 100-200 level classes)
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