Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management
Arkansas Tech University
Key Information
Campus location
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
4 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
USD 13,186 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Request info
* tuition per year. Personal expenses: $10,087
Introduction
The degree program in health information management prepares the student for a professional career as an active member of the modern health-care team. In this age of increased computerization and data analysis, the health information management field is an exciting new area with virtually unlimited possibilities.
The health information management administrator is an expert in the world of health record systems. He/she is responsible for obtaining complete health records for use in research; for gathering statistical information on which to base long-range health planning goals; for determining the legitimacy of requests for confidential medical information; for controlling the circulation and integrity of health records; and, as department head, is responsible for the efficiency of the health information department employees in the performance of daily activities.
About Health Information Management
The health information department in a medical facility has in its care all the documentation regarding patient-care, physician as well as ancillary information. Responsibility for data validity and integrity play a major role in the health information profession. He/she must be progressive, conscientious, tactful, and knowledgeable, as much work is accomplished in cooperation with other allied health professionals. Above all, the health information professional must adhere to the Code of Ethics of the American Health Information Management Association and to the appropriate institutional behavioral codes that apply. Professional practice is scheduled at affiliated hospitals in nearby cities for a period of six hours per week during the fall and spring semesters for senior HIM majors. The management affiliation may be assigned to a hospital in a distant city for four weeks (40 hours per week) and normally occurs in the summer immediately following the senior year. Students are responsible for all transportation and lodging expenses during these assignments; however, every effort will be made to minimize such costs. Students must make at least a “C” in each of the professional courses and demonstrate their proficiency in professional practice and management-affiliation. Upon successful completion of the program, the student is granted a Bachelor of Science degree in health information management and becomes eligible to write the national certification examination.
The student already holding a baccalaureate degree may apply for the HIM program as specified in the Application Guidelines and work toward another baccalaureate degree provided the pre-professional course of study has been completed to establish eligibility to write the national certification examination. Registered health information technicians are urged to contact the Program Director for information regarding RHIA progression. The national certification examination is offered year-round by the American Health Information Management Association. Special instructions for transfer students: transfer of courses to meet specific Health Information Management Program requirements have a grade of at Least C. Lower-level courses (numbered in the 1000"s and 2000"s) from other institutions cannot be transferred to meet upper-level (3000-4000) HIM course requirements; however, they may be used as general electives. Transfer of upper-level courses to meet HIM requirements is subject to validation by the HIM Program.
Program Application Guidelines
- Application for upper-level professional HIM courses must be on file with the HIM Program Director by March 15th prior to the year you wish to take HIM courses.
- To be eligible for application interview, the following must be on file: Application, a current copy of all applicable transcripts, including a cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, and COMPASS/ACT scores.
- Applicants may be required to complete an interview with an interview team. Consideration will be given to areas such as:
- Dedication and perseverance
- Aptitude
- Knowledge of HIM profession
- Professional appearance
- Flexibility
- Realistic career goals
- True desire to enter HIM profession
- Ability to finish HIM program within the prescribed time
- Candidates will be ranked based on GPA and the number of prerequisite courses completed. The top twenty will be selected. A ranked order waiting list will be maintained by the HIM Program Director.
- Candidates will be notified prior to pre-registration for the fall semester. If accepted, candidates must return a signed statement acknowledging acceptance. Candidates must register for courses indicated on the degree plan. Any change in degree plan requires the approval of the student’s HIM faculty advisor. Candidates must notify the program director of change in degree choice.
- A late application deadline of August 15th will be observed if positions are available. Late applicants will be notified as soon as possible or during the week of late registration.
- If a candidate fails a course that would preclude graduation or does not earn at least a “C” in HIM courses, reapplication to the HIM Program will be required.
The Health Information Management Program is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM) in cooperation with the American Health Information Management Association’s Council on Accreditation.
Unconditional Admission Requirements
Arkansas Tech University does not discriminate on the basis of color, sex, race, age, national origin, religion, or disability in any of its practices, policies, or procedures.
This includes, but is not limited to, admission, employment, financial aid, or educational services. Arkansas Tech University complies with all applicable state and federal laws including, but not limited to, Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 as amended, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1974, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Civil Rights Act of 1991. The Affirmative Action Office, Administration Building, Suite 212, has been designated to coordinate compliance efforts.
Important Dates
- Priority Spring Application Deadline: November 1
- Priority Fall Application Deadline: June 1
Entering Freshman / New Student:
New students to Arkansas Tech University must submit an application for admission, college entrance exam scores, a record documenting completion of secondary requirements, and proof of immunization documenting 2 MMR. If you have concurrent college credit, an official transcript from that institution is required. For Advanced Placement (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), or International Baccalaureate (IB) credit, original score reports or a certified copy from your high school will need to be submitted prior to credit being awarded.
A minimum criterion for exam scores and grade point average is listed below:
- Composite ACT score of 19 or above, composite SAT score of 990 or above on the RSAT scale of 1600 or a composite SAT score of 1330 on the former SAT exam with a scale of 2400, or a composite Next-Generation ACCUPLACER score of 246. Note: The ACT Writing exam is not required for admission purposes.
- Completion of graduation requirements from a public secondary school, private secondary school, or a homeschool program documenting a minimum 2.0/4.0 cumulative grade point average, and completion of the university’s secondary school core curriculum, OR a minimum GED score of 600.
Students who have scored accordingly on an Advanced Placement (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), or International Baccalaureate (IB) can earn credit toward graduation at Arkansas Tech University by receiving a qualifying score on the examinations. These credits can satisfy general education requirements. AP, CLEP, and IB scores should be documented on your application for admission. Submit official score reports or readable copies embossed by your high school to the Office of Admissions. Students who have earned an International Baccalaureate (IB) should submit their IB transcript for evaluation. Students who successfully complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program can earn credit toward graduation at Arkansas Tech University.
Freshmen who do not meet unconditional admission requirements will be conditionally admitted with a minimum composite ACT score of 15, composite SAT score of 830 or above on the RSAT scale of 1600 or a composite SAT score of 1060 on the former SAT exam with a scale of 2400, or a composite Next-Generation ACCUPLACER score of 229, and by completing college core with a 2.0/4.0 grade point average or a minimum GED score of 600. Returning Student: Students who have not attended Arkansas Tech in the past year or have attended another college or university since last attending Tech must submit a new application for admission. Minimum grade point average requirements are listed below:
- Has not attended another college since attending Tech
- Cumulative Tech GPA of 2.0 or higher
- Has attended another college since attending Tech
- Cumulative Tech GPA of 2.0 or higher
- Official college transcript(s) documenting a cumulative college GPA of 2.0 or higher
- Must be eligible for re-enrollment at the last institution attended
Transfer Student:
Students who have not attended Arkansas Tech University must submit an application for admission, official transcripts from each institution previously attended, and proof of immunization. If transferring less than 24 credit hours, an official high school transcript and ACT, SAT, or ACCUPLACER scores must be submitted.
Transfer students with more than 24 hours, who have not completed college-level English or math, will be required to submit test scores. Arkansas Tech University will recognize transfer credit from a U.S. institution provided that the institution is accredited by one of the six U.S. regional accreditation associations, and for courses that are approved for transfer by ADHE through ACTS. Acceptance of course credit may depend on the date that the institution was accredited or the date that a course was approved for transfer by ADHE.
Transfer credit for coursework from institutions outside the U.S. will be considered on an individual basis. Students seeking transfer of credit from a foreign college/university must complete a credential evaluation through a company authorized by Arkansas Tech University (a list of approved service providers can be obtained in the IMSSO or in the Registrar’s Office). Transfer credit, although accepted by the university, is not guaranteed to be applied toward meeting degree requirements for the particular program of study selected by the transfer student. Once admitted, your academic advisor will determine which credits count toward your degree requirements.
Minimum grade point average requirements are listed below:
- All transfers must be eligible for re-enrollment at the last institution attended and have a cumulative college GPA of 2.0
If you do not meet the requirements for unconditional admittance or if you need further details on any of the information above, email the Office of Admissions at [email protected].
You may also reach us by phone at 800-582-6953 or (479) 968-0343. Unofficial documents can be faxed to (479) 964-0522.
All final admission documents should be mailed to:
Arkansas Tech University Office of Admissions & Student Recruitment
Brown Hall, Suite 104 105
West O Street Russellville AR 72801-2222
Non-Academic Rejection
Please note that academic performance is not the sole criterion for admission to the university. The university may evaluate a person's behavior and background to determine their ability to maintain the standards of academic and professional conduct expected at the university. An evaluation may take into consideration current behavior and performance as well as past experiences and actions. Simply qualifying for admission does not guarantee admission.
Curriculum
Curriculum
The matrix below is a sample plan for all coursework required for this program.
Freshman
Fall | Spring | ||
ENGL 1013 Composition I1 | 3 | ENGL 1023 Composition II1 | 3 |
Social Sciences1 | 3 | Science with Lab | 4 |
MATH 1113 College Algebra | 3 | BUAD 2003 Business Information Systems | 3 |
TECH 1001 Orientation to the University | 1 | COMM 2003 Public Speaking | 3 |
AHS 1023 Basic Pharmacology with an Overview of Microbiology | 3 | ||
Total Hours | 13 | Total Hours | 13 |
Sophomore
Fall | Spring | ||
U.S. History/Government1 | 3 | Social Sciences1 | 3 |
BDA 2003 Business Problem Solving | 3 | Fine Arts & Humanities1 | 6 |
BIOL 2004 Basic Human Anatomy and Physiology | 4 | COMS 2233 Introduction to Databases | 3 |
AHS 2013 Medical Terminology or Elective | 3 | AHS 2013 Medical Terminology or Elective | 3 |
Elective | 1 | ||
Total Hours | 13 | Total Hours | 16 |
Junior
Fall | Spring | ||
MGMT 3003 Management and Organizational Behavior | 3 | MGMT 4023 Personnel/ Human Resources Management or HA /RP 3113 Personnel Management in Parks, Recreation, and Hospitality Administration | 3 |
PSY/SOC 2053 Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences | 3 | HIM 3033 Basic Coding Principles | 3 |
HIM 3023 Introduction to Health Information Management | 3 | HIM 3043 Advanced Concepts in Health Information | 3 |
HIM 3153 Current Issues in Health Information Management | 3 | HIM 3132 Health Data and Statistics | 2 |
HIM 4153 Principles of Disease | 3 | HIM 3133 Alternative Health Records | 3 |
Total Hours | 15 | Total Hours | 14 |
Summer | |||
HIM 4892 Seminar in Health Information | 2 | ||
HIM 4895 Affiliation | 5 | ||
Total Hours | 7 |
Senior
Fall | Spring | ||
HIM 4034 Advanced Coding Principles | 4 | MGMT 4013 Management Information Systems | 3 |
HIM 4063 Organization and Administration | 3 | HIM 4073 Legal Concepts for the Health Fields | 3 |
HIM 4093 Research in Health Information Management | 3 | HIM 4083 Health Organization Trends | 3 |
HIM 4182 Professional Practice Experience I | 2 | HIM 4203 Healthcare Reimbursement | 3 |
HIM 4983 Systems Analysis for Health Information Management | 3 | HIM 4292 Professional Practice Experience II | 2 |
Total Hours | 15 | Total Hours | 14 |
1See appropriate alternatives or substitutions in "General Education Requirements".