About

Health Information Management professionals are educated and trained to manage systems that collect, store, retrieve, disseminate and communicate time-sensitive and protected patient health information to support clinical and business decision making for large, multi-state health systems and independent health care practices alike.

The BS HIM curriculum is designed to help students develop the knowledge and tools necessary to become effective and efficient leaders in the health care industry. The HIM program is 120 semester hours and is be offered both on campus and through distance education. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be eligible to sit for the Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) credentialing examination which is one of the most sought-after credentials offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

The entire program can be completed online or on campus.

ECU Advantage

ECU’s BS in HIM is the only Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM) accredited 4-year program in North Carolina. For the 2023-24 year, the HIM program had a 100% graduation rate and retention rate. 100% of graduates reported being satisfied with the program and were employed in a healthcare or related field or were enrolled in a master’s level program within one year of graduation.

Additionally, ECU has bilateral agreements with a number of North Carolina Community Colleges which allows students who complete an AAS degree in Health Information Technology programs to potentially enter ECU as a junior upon acceptance to the HIM Program.

East Carolina University’s Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management prepares students to be competent leaders, managers, and consultants in a vast array of roles in the health care field.

What You Will Study

Program Coordinator: Susie Harris (4340-F Health Sciences Building; 252-744-6173; harrissus@ecu.edu)

The Health Information Management, BS emphasizes the development of skills for managing health information and the systems that collect, store, retrieve, disseminate, and communicate said information to support organizational operations and clinical and business decision making. The curriculum is designed to help students develop the knowledge and tools necessary to become effective and efficient leaders in health information management. The program is offered both on campus and through distance education. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be eligible to sit for the Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) credentialing examination offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

The Health Information Management, BS program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management (CAHIIM).

A minimum 2.5 GPA is required for admission to the professional phase (junior and senior levels) of the health information management curriculum. See health information management admission packet for specific admission information. Majors must earn a minimum grade of C (2.0) in all foundations, cognate and core courses before progressing on to subsequent courses in the curriculum. A student earning a grade below C (2.0) in any of these courses must petition the Department of Health Services and Information Management for probationary continuation and may be required to repeat the course. Three grades below C (2.0) will result in dismissal from the Health Information Management, BS program. Appeals of dismissals must be made in writing to the Student Affairs Committee of the Department of Health Services and Information Management.

The degree requires a minimum of 120 s.h. as follows:

1. General education requirements including those listed below - 40 s.h.

(For information about courses that carry general education credit view the General Education Program section.)

  • BIOL 2130 - Survey of Human Physiology and Anatomy
  • BIOL 2131 - Survey of Human Physiology and Anatomy Laboratory
  • MATH 1065 - College Algebra
    • Recommended:
    • ECON 2113 - Principles of Microeconomics
2. Core - 66 s.h.
  • HIMA 3000 - Medical Terminology for Health Professionals
  • HIMA 3120 - Health Care Delivery Systems
  • HIMA 4030 - Quality Management in Health Care
  • HIMA 4075 - Applied Health Services Research
  • HIMA 4138 - Health Data Structures
  • HIMA 4145 - Classification Systems in Health Care
  • HIMA 4153 - Management of Health Information Services Department
  • HIMA 4160 - Concepts in Health Information Technology
  • HIMA 4170 - Privacy and Security in Health Information Systems
  • HSMA 2000 - Professional Roles and Environments in Health Care
  • HSMA 3020 - Health Care Payment Systems
  • HSMA 3025 - Professional Ethical Codes and Law in Health Care
  • HSMA 3030 - Written Communication and Documentation in Health Care
  • HSMA 3040 - Managing the Health of Populations
  • HSMA 3045 - Health Data Management
  • HSMA 3050 - Leadership in Health Care
  • HSMA 3115 - Human Diseases
  • HSMA 4010 - Health Information Management
  • HSMA 4050 - Human Resource Management for Health Care Organizations
  • HSMA 4055 - Health Care Finance and Accounting
  • HSMA 4905 - Allied Health Management Experience
3. Cognates - 6 s.h.
  • BIOS 1500 - Introduction to Biostatistics
  • MIS 2223 - Introduction to Computers
4. Electives to complete requirements for graduation.
    For more information about this degree visit the university's academic catalogs.
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