Master of Arts in Health Information Management

The Health Information Management (HIM) discipline is focused on ensuring the integrity of information resources and assuring the confidentiality of that information. HIM professionals have historically focused on information in paper-based form and are now engaged within the computer-based world of health care to support the entire spectrum of users of health care information.

HIM professionals team with technology professionals and collaborate with physicians, nurses, clinicians, and administrators in developing and data collection and reporting systems. The outcome is accessible pertinent information for these health care professionals to use in patient care, education, administration, and research.

Program Description

The HIM graduate program is structured to facilitate the career advancement of practicing Health Information Management professionals. The program emphasizes quality health care data as the foundation for organizational information and knowledge management systems.

The curriculum focuses on emerging frameworks for creating integrated health care information, data management and decision support systems. It is specifically designed to prepare professionals to thrive in a technology-supported and information-driven health care environment.

This advanced education prepares the HIM professional for responsibilities in areas such as health care data resources administration, health care data security oversight, strategic and operational information resource planning, clinical data analysis, information systems development and implementation.

Outcomes

Upon completion of the Health Information Management program at The College of St. Scholastica, the graduate will be able to:

• Integrate advanced knowledge and skills in health care data and information management.
• Evaluate, select and implement information technologies to manage health care data resources.
• Leverage health care information to drive integrated clinical and administrative decision-making, strategic planning and outcomes management.
• Take the leadership role in establishing an organizational culture that embraces the ethical use of confidential information and information technologies.
• Apply effective communication skills and strategies in interactions with multidisciplinary and multi-facility professionals.
• Assume increasingly challenging administrative and leadership positions in complex provider organizations and related entities in the health care arena.
• Thrive professionally in a practice environment that is undergoing fundamental change.

Format

Intensive Location Options
January June September	Orange County, CA area Duluth, MN St Paul, MN

The program is offered in a distance learning format which allows professionals to maintain their current employment status while enhancing their knowledge and skills.  The HIM program can be completed in two years with two to three courses per semester and two one-week on-campus intensives in a retreat-like setting, starting and ending the program on-campus.  The student has the option of attending one of several sessions offered throughout the year in Minnesota or in California.

History of HIM

Since 1934, The College of St. Scholastica has been a national leader in Health Information Management education. We continue to build on this tradition by offering unique programs with flexible formats designed to accommodate working adults. St. Scholastica is the only college in the nation to offer a full complement of Healthcare Informatics and Information Management (HIIM) programs and the first in the nation to receive approval of its Master of Arts in Health Information Management (HIM) program from the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). All programs are available in a combination of online and intensive sessions offered several times throughout the year.

Coordinator, HIM Graduate Programs

Amy Watters, MA, RHIA
Director, HIM Graduate Programs
Department of Healthcare Informatics and Information Management
College of St. Scholastica
1200 Kenwood Avenue
Duluth, MN 55811