Health Informatics and Health Information Management Major

The HIHIM major admits in Summer Quarter only. Please review these pages to learn more about this major and contact Advising if you have questions or are interested in applying.

The Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics and Health Information Management (HIHIM), offered through the UW Evening Degree Program, is designed to develop skills necessary to administer information technology systems in the health care environment. This major prepares students for the Registered Health Information Administrator (R.H.I.A.) national certifying examination of the American Health Information Management Association. The UW School of Public Health, nationally recognized for its work in improving health services delivery systems, sponsors the degree program.

Health Informatics and Health Information Management is focused on the collection, organization, use and evaluation of data in health care, a necessity for primary care delivery, public health and community medicine. HIHIM graduates learn skills to manage these data in primary support of:

• Direct care
• Prevention of disease
• Reimbursement for care
• Evaluation of the outcome of care
• Organizational planning and management
• Creation of knowledge bases
• Concurrent tracking of protocols for treatment
• Allocation and utilization of resources
• Basic and applied research

HIHIM graduates are prepared to actively help providers, administrators, and others in an information-dependent health care environment.

The HIHIM bachelor's degree was developed to meet the need for health information professionals in a dynamic health care system. Health information systems are relying more on technology to become more efficient and effective. Teamwork is essential in the workplace, and is used in the educational preparation of HIHIM students. This program combines formal coursework with opportunities for community-based internships and projects. Faculty provides an atmosphere of learning, and supports professional development in the health information field. If you are ready to earn a bachelor of science degree in the information technology health care field, it's easy to take the next step.