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School of Health Sciences

Health Information Management

Online Master of Science in Health Information Management (MS)

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$0 Application Fee
$0 Transfer Credit Evaluation

0 Entrance Exams
No GRE/GMAT Required

About This Program

Discover how to better manage health information systems and people and lead change management strategies with the master’s in health information management (HIM) from American Public University (APU).

APU’s online master’s in health information management program examines healthcare data analytics and informatics and allows you to build your leadership, critical thinking, written and verbal communication, and problem-solving skills.

You will expand your understanding of health data management, clinical and administrative decision-making, strategic planning, IT deployment, and outcomes management. This HIM master’s degree also probes systems planning as well as safety and quality issues related to e-health and electronic medical records.

The curriculum’s components are based on current standards set forth by nationally recognized HIM professional organizations.

What You Will Do

  1. Interpret government regulations for managing patient data, quality data reporting, and ethical use of protected health information
  2. Assess change management strategies for organizational leadership in health IT systems
  3. Interpret clinical terminologies, standards, and classification systems for data management, reimbursement methods, and compliance strategies
  4. Examine data to assess performance, reporting, and evidence-based protocols

View Program Outcome Assessment Results

Degree at a Glance

Number of Credits
40
Transfer up to 15 credits1
Cost Per Credit
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*with Preferred Military Rate
**with Veteran Grant
***with APUS Opportunity Grant
Courses Start Monthly
Online
and vary from 8 to 16 weeks

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Program Requirements Printable Catalog Version

Must take all courses for this section.

Course ID: 4764

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This is the first course required for students enrolled in the MS in Health Information Management degree program. This course addresses the theoretical and practical applications that information technology (IT) plays in the administration of health information. Students will study how the management and synthesis of healthcare data across a variety of levels within the healthcare system plays an integral role in strategic and tactical decision making. The course provides students with an overview of systems planning, grant and contract development, as well as e-health and electronic medical records. Students will gain a foundational knowledge of IT deployment, adoption, data security and interoperability, privacy, confidentiality, and information management planning. In addition, students will examine the legal and ethical aspects of health information management.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 08/05/24 - 09/29/24 Summer 2024 Session I 8 Week session

Course ID: 4765

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This course addresses the nomenclature of healthcare vocabulary and medical terminology for administrators in the health information management (HIM) field. Vocabulary used in the healthcare field provides a common language for practitioners, positively addressing global, as well as safety issues. Students will examine the issues of competing standards, and the different goals and criterions in which terminology and codes were created to address. The course will provide an advanced overview of medical terminology and anatomy used in classification systems in health information management (HIM). Students will study the structures and organization of bodily systems as they relate to the appropriate terminology.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 06/03/24 - 07/28/24 Spring 2024 Session D 8 Week session
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 Summer 2024 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 4766

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This course focuses on the research methods, tools, instruments, and devices used in health information management. It concentrates on the logic of the scientific method, research design, and qualitative and quantitative analysis. This course evaluates methods to collect, classify, categorize, evaluate, assess, and report research data, to formulate valid research questions, and to derive logical conclusions. In addition, the course emphasizes the proficient development of research and writing skills necessary in academic and professional settings. Lastly, students will utilize all of these methods to demonstrate competence in data collection and analysis, as well as strategic and tactical decision making. The principles, practices, tools, and methodologies presented in this course are applicable throughout the program of graduate studies.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 06/03/24 - 07/28/24 Spring 2024 Session D 8 Week session
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 Summer 2024 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 4767

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This course addresses processes in the administration of health information management as they relate to performance, bottlenecks, delays, duplication of effort, and other issues in order to identify areas of improvement. Students will study process mapping and examine how auditing the information content can increase productivity via information technology and automation. Issues related to computerized provider order entries (CPOE) and electronic health records (EHR) will be analyzed associated with safety and quality. Students will examine the symbiotic nature of clinical workflow and process redesign.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 Summer 2024 Session B 8 Week session

Course ID: 4768

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This course provides students with a foundation in financial management skills and principles applicable to the health care field. Students will examine the difference between accounting and financial management, different reimbursement methodologies, accounting and financial statements, revenue cycle management, and avenues for financing major capital investments. They will learn areas related to managing cash, billings, and collections, alternative forms of ownership, as well as using cost information in decision-making. Additionally, students will be exposed to the laws and regulations that affect health care financial reporting and performance such as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 and the expansion of health care services into new fields.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 06/03/24 - 07/28/24 Spring 2024 Session D 8 Week session
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 08/05/24 - 09/29/24 Summer 2024 Session I 8 Week session

Course ID: 4770

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This course will provide students with an overview of the legal issues that influence the management of health information. Students will examine areas related to the impact of electronic health records, ethical standards, bioethics, confidentiality, informed consent, and access to health related information. In addition, students will study legal issues related to risk, quality, and utilization management, as well as health care fraud and abuse, through various federal legislation such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 08/05/24 - 09/29/24 Summer 2024 Session I 8 Week session

Course ID: 4769

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This course will prepare the students to collect, analyze and present the data through the understanding of basic concepts, principles, and techniques/methods of statistics as applied to knowledge management in health care. Major topics will include data collection, sharing, and analysis. Students will study the terminology, concepts, models, processes and tools associated with decision support and knowledge management systems. The lab portion of the course will focus on data, statistical and qualitative analysis, explanatory, and predictive modeling where students will evaluate how to leverage data into information and knowledge to enhance systems, quality, cost effectiveness and strategic decision making. (Prerequisite: HIMA600)
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 Summer 2024 Session B 8 Week session

Course ID: 4771

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This course will prepare students to navigate the area of corporate compliance within the health care industry by identifying risks and avoiding possible liability by examining a myriad of laws, regulations, policy guidance, enforcement initiatives, and certifications (e.g. HIPAA, Stark laws). The course will provide students with a foundation in the core elements of corporate compliance. Students will evaluate various tools and strategies necessary for an effective corporate compliance program to protect a health care organization and avoid penalties as a result of non-compliance.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 08/05/24 - 09/29/24 Summer 2024 Session I 8 Week session

Course ID: 2679

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This course addresses information systems, to include their nature and role as key management resources. This course covers the information systems infrastructure, to include databases, knowledge management systems, enterprise information portals, telecommunications, the Internet, and wireless technology. It examines the topics of e-commerce, information systems in the global economy, managing global systems, securing information systems, and ethical and social issues in information systems.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 06/03/24 - 07/28/24 Spring 2024 Session D 8 Week session
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 Summer 2024 Session B 8 Week session
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 08/05/24 - 09/29/24 Summer 2024 Session I 8 Week session
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 Summer 2024 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 3874

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Information Security includes an evaluation of the techniques, policies and strategies to ensure that data stored in an organization's computers cannot be accessed or processed without the consent of the organization. Also included, is an analysis of Information Security & Risk Management, Access Control, Physical Security, Security Architecture & Design, Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery Planning, Telecommunications & Network Security, Application Security, Operations Security, Law, Compliance & Investigations. This course also reviews the building blocks of information systems and cryptography is provided to reinforce the scope of security management.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 06/03/24 - 07/28/24 Spring 2024 Session D 8 Week session
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 Summer 2024 Session B 8 Week session
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 08/05/24 - 09/29/24 Summer 2024 Session I 8 Week session
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 Summer 2024 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 2708

|
This course covers the elements of contemporary leadership and delineates the principles that are important in the development of a leader for the 21st century. Discussion of the role and function of leadership will include an in-depth analysis and study of needs impacting individuals, organizations and society. The course provides students with a set of leadership skills and competencies on which to build a unique model for effective leadership that can be tested over time.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 06/03/24 - 07/28/24 Spring 2024 Session D 8 Week session
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 Summer 2024 Session B 8 Week session
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 08/05/24 - 09/29/24 Summer 2024 Session I 8 Week session
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 Summer 2024 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 2758

|
This course is an examination of individual dimensions of global executive leadership, organizational behavior, inter-group relations, and strategies for internal corporate communication. Course topics include management and global trade, individual aspects of operating successfully in the global environment, the executive's role in solving conflicts and creating corporations in the world marketplace, cultural aspects of international operations management and international ethical corporate strategies
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 06/03/24 - 07/28/24 Spring 2024 Session D 8 Week session
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 Summer 2024 Session B 8 Week session
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 08/05/24 - 09/29/24 Summer 2024 Session I 8 Week session
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 Summer 2024 Session D 8 Week session
Select any courses that have not been used to fulfill major requirements. Credits applied toward a minor or certificate in an unrelated field may be used to fulfill elective credit for the major.

Must take all courses for this section.

Course ID: 4772

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Students will examine organizational performance measures and outcomes, strategic management and planning, and the leadership and management competencies associated with success in a healthcare environment. The final project will encompass program competency model and requires students to demonstrate an understanding and application of healthcare management and administration communication skills, critical thinking, and problem solving.(Prerequisite: Students may only take this course after the completion of all CORE courses)
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 06/03/24 - 09/22/24 Spring 2024 Session C 16 Week session
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 07/01/24 - 10/20/24 Summer 2024 Session A 16 Week session
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 08/05/24 - 11/24/24 Summer 2024 Session K 16 Week session
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 09/02/24 - 12/22/24 Summer 2024 Session C 16 Week session

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Admission Requirements

All APU master's degree and graduate certificate programs require a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an institution whose accreditation is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

The following is required for admission into this program.  All documentation must be provided prior to course registration:

  • Official transcript showing a conferred bachelor’s degree in business, management, or any health-related fields, or any degree with a minimum of two years of work experience in any health-related, business, information systems, or management occupation.
  • Resume/CV
  • Statement of purpose and interest

Please read all graduate admission requirements before applying to this program and be prepared to submit the required documentation including a legible copy of your valid government-issued photo ID (civilian students) or government-issued JST or CCAF transcript (military students).

There is no fee to complete the APU admission application. View steps to apply.

An APU admissions coach will contact you via email or phone to assist you with the enrollment process, review your documentation, and notify you when you have been admitted into the program and may register for courses.

Materials Cost

Technology fee: $85 per course 

Need Help?

Selecting the right program to meet your educational goals is a key step in ensuring a successful outcome. If you are unsure of which program to choose, or need more information, please contact an APU admissions coach at 877-755-2787 or [email protected].

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Consumer Information

Disclosures

Maryland Residents learn more about costs, completion rates, median debt, and more.

 

1The University reserves the right to accept or deny credits according to policies outlined on our University website. Please see the University's transfer credit policy webpage for complete information.

*Cost Per Credit Hour

The Preferred Military Rate is $250 per credit hour for undergraduate and master's-level courses. This rate is available to all U.S. active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members, Reservists, and military families, including parents, spouses, legal partners, siblings, and dependents.

See all military student benefits.

Cost of Attendance

Learn more about American Public University's cost components and full cost of attendance.