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Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics & Health Information Management

Academic Experience

student at her computerThe UW Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics & Health Information Management program is designed to help you develop the knowledge and skills needed to govern and manage data and administer information technology systems in health care settings. With its expert-designed curriculum and professional emphasis, the program prepares graduates to launch careers in this cutting-edge field. 

If you already have a bachelor's degree and want to enter the health informatics and health information management field, we also offer the Master of Health Informatics & Health Information Management. This part-time program is designed for working professionals who want to prepare for senior leadership roles in health informatics and health information management at the enterprise level.

Curriculum

Because our program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM), our curriculum is continually evaluated to make sure it meets or exceeds the commission's rigorous standards. Accreditation also ensures that the curriculum addresses the fundamental competencies needed to become a registered health information administrator (RHIA).

Each course in the HIHIM program maps to specific RHIA entry-level competencies, as well as to competencies of the UW School of Public Health. The program of study incorporates the disciplines of management, informatics, information technology, finance, law, medicine and health sciences. Students acquire a versatile yet focused skill set of clinical, IT, research, analytical, teamwork and management skills. You'll learn how to support a health care organization and have an understanding of health care protocols, legal requirements and ethical considerations.

Program Format

You can earn the HIHIM degree through a two-year study plan. The program is offered in person with hybrid format components; you'll attend classes on the Seattle campus two evenings each week.

Teams

The HIHIM program employs a team-based approach to learning in which many of your activities are completed with assigned teammates. Health care employers prefer workers who develop effective working relationships with others; you'll improve your working relationship skills while you learn from your teammates.

Mentorship Program

As part of the HIHIM program’s professional and leadership emphasis, you're assigned a mentor who's an active health information management professional in the field. The mentorship program is designed to provide you with opportunities to network and get practical career and job-seeking advice from experienced HIM professionals.

Capstone Project

The HIHIM program places a strong emphasis on practical experience to prepare you for your professional career.

In a culminating capstone project, you're matched with a Seattle-area health care provider, vendor or organization to gain experience in areas such as management, problem-solving, systems analysis, health information systems implementation, change management and regulatory compliance.

Sample Capstone Projects

  • Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Plan – UW Records Center
  • Enterprise Content Survey – UW Records Center
  • Improving Patient Care and Communication Through Online Patient Portal Use – UW School of Dentistry
  • Improving Patient e-Portal for Prenatal Care – MultiCare Health System
  • Information Governance Toolkit for Opioid Treatment Services – Evergreen Treatment Services
  • Quality Metrics in Cancer Screening – Northwest Hospital
  • Reduce Recurring Record Requests in ROI – Swedish Medical Center 
  • Retrospective Analysis of Clinic Adherence to Patient’s End of Life Wishes – UW Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine