About

Health information management (HIM) and health informatics (HI) are two of the most dynamic health fields today. Health information management professionals create and manage the systems that enable patient medical data to be obtained, evaluated and protected. Health informatics professionals study how health information is electronically created and communicated between health care providers to improve the quality of patient care. 

The UW Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics & Health Information Management program is designed to address the rapidly changing landscape of health information technology and data management. Working with industry professionals and other expert faculty, students will learn to develop and promote IT solutions and advance urgent goals such as improved health outcomes, patient safety and disease prevention.

The HIHIM program is offered by the Department of Health Systems and Population Health in the UW School of Public Health, which ranked fourth in the nation among publicly funded schools in a 2022 survey by U.S. News & World Report. This self-sustaining, fee-based degree is administered in partnership with Continuum College, which extends the reach of the UW with a range of online and on-campus programs for working professionals and other learners of all ages. 

Accreditation

UW's HIHIM program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). Graduates are eligible to take the national certifying exam, offered by the American Health Information Management Association, to become a registered health information administrator (RHIA). RHIA certification is an industry-recognized credential and a proof of expertise in the field.

Highly Skilled Grads

Among 2017 graduates, 91 percent found employment within a year of completing the program. Our graduates enter the job market with a versatile skill set that positions them for a variety of careers within the industry. A survey of employers who had hired our graduates within a year of graduation, 100 percent rated the quality of UW HIHIM graduates as satisfactory to excellent.

To learn about HIHIM career paths, see the Careers page.

Our Mission

The HIHIM program is dedicated to serving our students and partners by: 

• Providing educational excellence to prepare competent professionals
• Leading information governance initiatives
• Conducting research to advocate and improve health information and health care 
• Fostering professional practice leadership 
• Promoting diversity and respect 
• Advancing the quality and integrity of health information 
• Applying technology to effectively deliver health information