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Entry-Level MHIIM

The UT program awards a Master of Health Informatics and Information Management. This program has been in existence since 1954 when it started as a post- baccalaureate program at the Baptist Hospital in Memphis. It transitioned to baccalaureate in 1972 when the program transitioned to the then College of Allied Health. The program consistently has excellent outcomes and results on the national certification examination are above the national average. The program at UT is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).

Students utilize the course management system via the Internet to attend classes, complete assignments, and interact with classmates and faculty members. Students may continue to work full time and choose to complete the program in either a full-time or part-time option.

The program has outstanding faculty members who have served or are currently serving in numerous leadership positions in national, regional, state and local levels of the professional organization. Adjunct faculty and guest speakers for classes include hospital administrators, attorneys, physicians, and other health care professionals who provide valuable, real-world insights.

The Health Informatics and Information Management degree program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). For more information about CAHIIM, go to www.cahiim.org to verify the accreditation status of the programs.

 cahiim logo

Admission Requirements for Entry-level MHIIM

Prerequisite Course Work Credit Hours
Human Anatomy and Physiology 8
Principles of Management 3
Personnel Administration 3
English Composition and Literature 12
Social Science 6
Statistics 3
Medical Terminology 3
Management Information Systems 3
Systems Analysis and Design 3
Database Management 3
Electives 45
(12 Upper Division)
  1. A baccalaureate degree and complete prerequisite courses;
  2. Minimum grade point average of 2.75;
  3. Three pre-professional evaluations forms and letters of recommendation from previous college instructors or immediate supervisors;
  4. Foreign applicants whose native language is not English must submit results of TOEFL, with minimal score of 550, 213 on the computerized version;
  5. Official transcripts;
  6. Personal interview with the admissions committee;
  7. Ability to meet published technical standards of the College of Health Professions and the Department of Health Informatics and Information Management (applicants should contact Disability Services for questions about reasonable accommodations);
  8. A completed application form including an essay describing the applicant’s career goals;
  9. A non-refundable application fee must accompany the application.
  10. Applications are accepted online

The early deadline for applications to the entry-level MHIIM program each year is March 1 and the late deadline is July 1 for the fall semester start date. A personal interview is granted to an applicant by invitation only. For more general information, please visit the Admissions Office or apply online and follow the directions for admission.

Registration and Fee payment for each semester are done by mail. Each semester, students must pay fees to the Bursar's Office by the deadline to avoid late fee penalties. Students must pay fees to be considered "enrolled" in a course. Information about financial aid and fees are available from the Financial Aid office or from the Costs/Financial Aid page.

The curriculum for the Entry Level MHIIM degree is shown in the table below.

Course # Course Name Credit hours
511

HIM Health Information Science I
Introduction to the field of health information management, including history of patient records, and functions of a health information/medical record department. In-depth study of components, development and use of the record and flow of patient information through the facility; design of forms and computer views; Survey of related systems for other health facilities included.

3
513

Organization & Administration I
Application of principles of organization, administration, supervision, and human relations to the health information/medical record department. Includes utilization of financial and physical resources, financial management of health care facilities, development of systems, procedures, services, and equipment; controlling quality of departmental functions, and professional ethics.

3
515 Directed Experience I
Directed practical experience in information management procedures, management of personnel, and interdepartmental relationships in health care facilities. Prerequisite or co-requisite courses: HIM 511, Health Information Science and Laboratory I, and HIM 513, Organization and Administration.
2
521 Health Information Science & Laboratory II
Principles of coding and classification with in-depth coverage of the International Classification of Diseases, Clinical Modification, 10th Edition (ICD-10-CM/PCS) and Current Procedural Terminology/Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (CPT/HCPCS). Coverage is also included on encoders, ethical coding, and managing the coding function. Prerequisites: 511 HIM, Health Information Science and Laboratory I, and 550 HIM, Clinical Foundations.
3
523 Organization & Administration II
Includes an in-depth study of quality and performance improvement methodologies both in clinical and administrative settings. Includes use of clinical information in quality, utilization management, risk management, and peer review activities. Prerequisites: HIM 511, Health Information Science I.
3
525 Directed Experience II
This course provides the students with an opportunity to complete management projects in local health facilities, and to gain knowledge of alternative health care facilities through rotations and assignments.
2
537 Management Affiliation
The management affiliation is the capstone course in the preparation of a competent entry-level health information administrator. The purpose of the management affiliation is to provide a structured field work experience in health informatics and information management. Students complete an on-site management assignment as an intern in a healthcare facility. Student will gain experience in activities and responsibilities of department directors and other HIIM roles. This experience allows the student to synthesize all that has been learned in the professional curriculum and serves to integrate the knowledge, behaviors, and professional attributes acquired throughout the curriculum and to refine the skills needed for successful HIIM practice. Prerequisites: All of the required HIM 500 level courses.
3
541 HIM Health Information Technology and Systems
A review of information systems, the evolution and implementation of the electronic health record, including the necessary supporting information and technology infrastructure; and the application of new techniques to the handling of information in patient care situations.
3
550 Clinical Foundations of Health Information Management
Study of pathophysiology and pharmacology as utilized in health information management practice. Covers disease processes of all body systems.
3
551 Reimbursement Methodologies in Healthcare
This course provides coverage of major reimbursement systems in use in healthcare including those for hospitals, long-term care facilities, ambulatory care facilities and home health. Includes compliance, chargemaster, revenue cycle management, case mix management and the processes necessary to provide quality data for use in healthcare reimbursement. Prerequisites: 511 HIM, Health Information Science I, and 521 HIM, Health Information Science II.
3
600 Information Technology and Systems
This course provides broad coverage of technology concepts underlying healthcare computing and information management as well as survey of the field of health informatics to provide students with a foundation for health informatics and information management. Topics include overview of concepts in health informatics, information technology infrastructure, information systems management in healthcare, management IT challenges, interoperability and certification of clinical systems, Internet, basic computer security including identity and access management.
3
601 Quality Management in Health Services
This course will cover diverse perspectives in quality management concepts and its relationship to healthcare organizational performance. This class will provide an overview of lean six sigma in healthcare, DMAIC methodology, quality improvement tools and techniques, health disparities, team approach to solving healthcare problems, and pharmacy related quality improvement topics.
2
602 Legal Issues in Health Information Technology and Systems
Examination of legal issues related to electronic-based health information; the growth of computer and communication technologies, including privacy, security, electronic data interchange and compliance related issues; policy, regulatory and related concerns; interpretation and implementation of enterprise information policy. Principles of law applied to the health field with emphasis on federal, state, and local laws affecting health information management practice, confidentiality, and security of information.
3
603 Leadership for Health Information Technology and Systems
This course explores the many aspects of healthcare organizational leadership using quality improvement and organizational excellence evaluation methodologies including the Baldrige Criteria and Shingo model. This course will have two foci. The first focus is on helping the student focus on his or her role in leadership and leading changes in the healthcare organization. The second focus is on the healthcare organization and the leadership challenges that the CEO/CIO faces with solving work/process issues and with organization performance and metrics.
3
604 Financial Management for Health Professionals
This course provides an overview of financial management processes, healthcare reimbursement and the revenue cycle.  The course is organized in two units with one covering basics for financial management and the second covering reimbursement in the United States and managing the revenue cycle.
3
605 Healthcare Information Systems
This course provides the fundamental concepts of information technology applied to health care from the perspectives of providers, payers, and consumers. Major topics include the electronic health record, health information systems, enterprise-wide systems, laboratory, radiology (PACs) systems, voice recognition, physician order entry, telemedicine, decision support systems. The course presents an overview of historical, current, and emerging health information systems; concepts and knowledge involved in making strategic use of information technology (IT) in health care organizations and linkages to business, planning, and governance. The course also includes system design methodologies including systems analysis and design; systems selection and evaluation; workflow analysis and project management.
3
606 Healthcare Vocabularies and Clinical Terminologies
This course provides a review of clinical classifications, vocabularies, terminologies and standards including SNOMED, UMLS, ICD-10-CM, and ICD-10-PCS, CPT/HCPCS, National Drug Codes, RxNorm, National Drug File Reference Terminology, LOINC, CCC and other nursing vocabularies utilized in electronic health records.  The course includes data mapping, natural language processing and other data standardization efforts.
2
607 Statistics and Decision Making
This course teaches students data wrangling skills and how to use statistical R packages for observational research. Students will learn how to load, clean, transform, visualize, and statistically analyze healthcare datasets. At the end of the course, students will have the necessary skills to perform a wide variety of data manipulation tasks such as reading from and writing to various file formats, handling missing data, aggregating data, grouping data, visualizing data, using statistical R packages, using data reporting standards, and building data-driven reports.
3
608

Knowledge Management
This skills-based course exposes students to database management in healthcare. Topics include database management, data modeling, the role of I.T. professionals in healthcare, and data governance. Students will gain hands-on experience developing SQL queries on Electronic Health Record (EHR) data through exercises and project-based assignments. Additionally, students will gain insight into the use of data as a strategic resource in healthcare settings.  

3
609 Concepts of Research Methodology
Discussion of the elements of research, evaluation methodologies including the research process, study design, methods of data collection with emphasis on preparation and evaluation of data collection instruments, statistical analysis of data including use of statistical packages, literature searches, and scientific writing. Prerequisite: 607 MHIM, Statistics and Decision Making.
3
610 Issues in Health Information Technology Seminar
An exploration of current issues related to health informatics including healthcare policy analysis and development, ethical issues, structure of healthcare delivery systems, assessment of population health, models of health care delivery, access and quality of care issues. Prerequisites: 600 MHIM, Information Technology and Systems, and 605 MHIM, Health Information Systems.
2
613 Applied Research Project
Rigorous project focused on a real-world informatics setting and application of problem-solving methods for development of solutions. May include original research in the area of health information management, information systems and/or health informatics. Oral and written reports required, including oral presentation and defense of project. Prerequisite: permission of course director.
3
Total Hours
61
 
  • Is the program available online?

The entry-level MHIIM program is offered on-line. One week per semester students are required to be either on campus or to attend classes virtually using video technology. For the rest of the semester, students utilize the course management system via the Internet to attend classes, complete assignment and interact with classmates and faculty members at a time convenient to their schedules.

  • Do I have to attend full time?

Students may attend either full-time or part-time. Part-time students must take a minimum of six credit hours per semester.

  • Will I be able to work while in school?

The part-time option is for students who need to continue to work full-time. The program is demanding and takes time and energy to complete assignments and participate in classes. Many students work part-time during the program.

  • What kinds of jobs do graduates get after completing the program?

There are many opportunities available to new graduates. The majority of graduates work in hospitals. There are many health information management professionals at the larger hospitals in Tennessee with a variety of responsibilities.

  • Is it difficult to get into the UT HIM program?

Students with a minimum 2.0 on a 4.0 scale are eligible for consideration although the average GPA for entering students is well above this minimum. We also consider the following in determining admissions to the program: academic record, pre-professional evaluations or letters of recommendation, past work experience, knowledge and understanding of the HIM profession, and the information gained from the personal interview with members of the admissions committee.

  • What sort of electives should I take?

It is important to have a well-rounded background. We strongly recommend that you take electives that will enable you to complete a degree in another area if you are not accepted. Management courses, computer courses, database management, decision support courses are helpful. Liberal arts courses in English, history, social sciences, other disciplines are also helpful. Courses which require writing assignments help prepare students for the important written communication aspects of the profession.

  • What courses do students take at UT?

Professional course content includes health information science, quality management, pathology, health information systems, coding and classification systems, legal aspects, research methods, data analysis, health statistics, organization of health care facilities, and personnel administration. Students complete clinical assignments in the health information departments of health care facilities and complete a final management affiliation.

  • Is the HIM program difficult?

It is challenging and fast-paced. Mature, independent students do well. All students gain organizational and time management skills. Students report that moving from a general university academic program into a professional program is a big transition and requires adjustments in their personal lives.

  • Do you accept out of state residents?

While priority must be given to Tennessee residents who meet the admission requirements, out-of-state residents are encouraged to apply. We have accepted out-of-state students in all of the recently admitted classes. The Financial Aid Office will have more information about tuition.

  • How much does the program cost?

The cost of the program is calculated by the credit hours you take each term.  For more information, refer to the Cost of Attendance estimate for Health Professions. Or you may contact the Office of Financial Aid Counselor for College of Health Professions, Gloria Dobbs.
Skype: glor.dob90

  • How long does it take to complete the program?

The program may be completed full-time in two years. However, most students take 2 courses per term and it takes 5 or 6 terms to complete the program. The majority of students graduate in 3 years or less.

  • Where do I send my transcripts and letters of recommendation?

UTHSC Transcript Verification Department
P.O. Box 9141
Watertown, MA 02471

Jul 29, 2024