Health Information Management (HIM)

HIM 2360. Medical Terminology.

This course focuses on building a strong foundation in medical terminology by exploring commonly used prefixes, suffixes, and word roots. Students develop the ability to interpret, construct, and apply medical terms in both oral and written contexts. Emphasis is placed on strengthening comprehension, improving professional communication skills, and increasing confidence when engaging with medical language in clinical or academic settings. Recognizing and understanding the specialized vocabulary used across healthcare professions is essential for clear and accurate communication.

HIM 3301. Hospitals and Health Systems.

This course examines the organization, structure, and delivery of healthcare services within hospitals and health systems in the United States. Students explore how healthcare organizations operate across a variety of care settings, including hospitals, physician practices, long-term care facilities, public health agencies, and mental health systems. Emphasis is placed on healthcare stakeholders, workforce roles, and the functions of health information management professionals. Students also examine healthcare financing, insurance, government payment programs, technology, research, and ethical issues influencing the healthcare industry.

HIM 3350. Legal and Ethical Aspects of HIIM.

This course will examine the legal framework governing health information management, emphasizing statutory and regulatory requirements, case law, and practical application in healthcare settings. Students analyze legal processes affecting health information, including privacy, security, access, disclosure, documentation standards, fraud and abuse, and compliance programs. Through case analysis, applied assignments, and examination of federal and state laws such as HIPAA, learners develop skills to evaluate risk, support legally defensible health records, and promote ethical, compliant practices aligned with the practice standards of a health information and informatics professional.

HIM 3364. Medical Coding I.

This course will introduce students to the principles and application of the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) and Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-PCS). Students learn to apply the Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting and assign accurate diagnosis and procedure codes to inpatient cases based upon the analysis of clinical documentation. Emphasis is placed on coding conventions, healthcare documentation, and accuracy. Through hands-on exercises and case studies, students develop the foundational skills needed for careers in health information management. Prerequisite: HIM 2360 and BIO 2430 and HIM 3463 and HIM 3367 all with a grade of a "C" or better or instructor approval.

HIM 3367. Pathophysiology and Pharmacology for HIIM.

This course will explore the general disease process emphasizing pathophysiology and pharmacology. Students analyze how diseases develop, progress, and affect the body. Emphasis is on the occurrence of disease, the characteristic signs and symptoms that help identify various conditions, and the significance of diagnostic test values and clinical findings. Students also examine therapeutic treatments, focusing on how different interventions address underlying causes, manage symptoms, and support recovery. Students build a foundation for understanding health, illness, and effective clinical decision‑making. Prerequisite: HIM 2360 and HIM 3463 with grades of "C" or better.

HIM 3380. Quality Management for HIIM.

This course will provide an in-depth overview of regulatory requirements, performance measurement frameworks, and continuous quality improvement practices used across healthcare organizations. Students investigate utilization and risk management strategies, accreditation and compliance standards, and data driven approaches for assessing and enhancing care delivery. Through applied assignments, statistical analysis, visualization projects, case studies, and professional engagement activities, students build practical competencies in data interpretation, quality assessment, performance reporting, and process improvement, preparing them to support safe, effective, and compliant healthcare operations.

HIM 3390. Principles of Management in HIIM.

This course will examine the principles and organizational responsibilities of managing Health Informatics and Information Management departments within hospitals and various healthcare delivery systems. Management topics addressed include communication, planning, time management, organizing , delegation and reorganization, staffing, employee selection, performance appraisal and discipline, budgeting, controlling and benchmarking. Presentation skills, interview techniques and soft skills are also studied. Students apply management theory through case studies and scenario-based analysis to link conceptual frameworks with practical HIIM decision-making. Students develop analytical skills that enable them to evaluate managerial challenges, interpret health information resources, and support evidence-based administrative and strategic decisions.

HIM 3463. Foundations of Health Information Management.

This course will introduce foundational principles of health information management, including health record organization, maintenance, retention, numbering and filing systems, forms control and design, and imaging technologies. Students examine the structure and functions of health records within various healthcare delivery settings and analyze the administrative responsibilities of health information professionals. Through case-based analysis and applied exercises, students evaluate health information management practices against industry standards and regulatory requirements, developing competencies essential for entry-level professional practice.

HIM 4101. Problems in Health Informatics and Information Management.

This course will provide a comprehensive study of contemporary problems in health informatics and information management, emphasizing professional practice issues, organizational change, and applied problem solving. Students will analyze challenges involving data governance, privacy, security, regulatory compliance, health information technologies, and information systems. Using management, analytical, and technical skills, they will evaluate real-world healthcare scenarios, develop evidence-based solutions, and formulate professional recommendations that improve data quality, information governance, and decision-making. The course may be repeated with permission of the department chair.

HIM 4320. Principles of Information Governance.

This course will introduce students to the frameworks, policies, and practices that guide the management of electronic health information across complex healthcare environments. It examines data governance, architecture, quality, security, and interoperability while emphasizing the health information professional’s expanding role in ensuring data integrity and supporting organizational decision making. Through quizzes, applied assignments, case studies, discussions, and competency based activities, students develop the analytical, technical, and leadership skills required for effective and responsible information governance in modern healthcare settings.

HIM 4331. Research and Data Analytics for HIIM.

This course will examine research methods and data analytics within the health informatics & information management domains. Students investigate research design, probability, and inferential reasoning while developing applied skills in descriptive and inferential statistics, confidence intervals, correlation, and linear regression. Through programming exercises in Python and statistical software, students compile, preprocess, and analyze healthcare datasets to produce evidence-based findings. The course culminates in a collaborative research project in which students formulate a research question, apply appropriate statistical methods, and present data-driven conclusions using professional visualizations relevant to healthcare practice.

HIM 4363. Comparative Record Systems.

This course will examine the structure, management, and regulatory requirements of patient health records across acute and non-acute healthcare settings. Emphasis is placed on documentation standards, data governance, compliance, and operational practices within acute care, long-term care, ambulatory care, behavioral health, rehabilitation, and correctional health environments. The student analyzes variations in record systems and regulatory frameworks and applies professional standards to support accurate, secure, and compliant health information management across the continuum of care delivery systems.

HIM 4364. Medical Coding II.

This course will introduce students to the principles and application of the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) and the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS). An overview of the healthcare revenue cycle and the importance of correct and complete code assignment for medical necessity to justify charges is discussed. Students learn to analyze medical documentation and assign accurate diagnosis, procedure and supply codes for professional and outpatient medical records in accordance with official guidelines for coding and reporting. Prerequisite: HIM 3364 with a grade of a "C" or better or instructor approval.

HIM 4370. Finance and Reimbursement Methodologies for HIIM.

This course will examine healthcare finance and reimbursement methodologies across the revenue cycle, from patient registration through claims billing and payment adjudication. Students analyze prospective and retrospective payment systems, federal and commercial insurance plans, compliance strategies, chargemaster management, and case mix analysis. Through electronic health record simulation and applied billing exercises, students evaluate revenue cycle processes against federal regulatory requirements and assess the financial impact of coding accuracy on reimbursement outcomes. Students also examine budgeting principles and cost-benefit analysis as tools for informed financial decision-making in healthcare organizations.

HIM 4383. Seminar in Health Information Management.

This course will integrate knowledge and skills acquired throughout the Health Information Management program. Emphasis is placed on professional communication, leadership, self-reflection, interprofessional collaboration, and career readiness. Students apply problem solving, time management, and virtual workplace skills while completing RHIA practice exams and a professional digital career portfolio. The course prepares graduates to transition from academic study to professional practice and lifelong learning in health information management across diverse healthcare settings and emerging technologies.

HIM 4385. Practicum for HIIM.

This course will examine the competencies expected of entry-level Health Informatics and Information Management professionals through structured, practice-oriented assignments. Students explore the scope of administrative, management, and problem-solving skills required for professional readiness, project completion, and portfolio development aligned with industry expectations. Applied learning methodologies, including written projects, case-based exercises, and portfolio-focused assignments, to reinforce professional standards and written communication skills are completed. Students develop analytical skills to demonstrate skill competency, evaluate HIIM scenarios, synthesize information, and present professional-quality work suitable for academic and workforce assessment (WI).

HIM 4388. Administrative Practicum for HIM.

This course will examine administrative and operational functions within health information management practice. Emphasis is placed on the analysis of personnel roles, interdepartmental relationships, and the use of health information technology to support organizational workflows. Students explore committee participation, communication processes, and coordination across healthcare departments as they relate to effective health information operations. Through structured administrative training experiences, students analyze organizational practices, professional responsibilities, and operational decision-making within healthcare environments to support readiness for advanced professional practice. Prerequisite: Department approval.

HIM 4389. Experiential Learning in HIIM.

This course will provide supervised experiential learning in a healthcare or related setting designed for Health Information Technology progression students and post-graduates transitioning into the Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management program. Students participate in administrative, management, technical, and problem-solving activities while demonstrating professional conduct and compliance with organizational policies. Emphasis is placed on integrating prior technical knowledge with baccalaureate-level expectations, strengthening communication skills, and applying industry language correctly. Through structured projects, presentations, and evaluation by a site preceptor, students enhance workplace readiness and prepare for advanced professional roles. (WI) Prerequisite: Department approval.

HIM 4390. Contemporary Leadership Principles for HIIM.

This course introduces foundational leadership theories and principles for health informatics and information management professionals. Topics include leadership characteristics and styles, influence, teamwork, coaching and mentoring, motivation, conflict management, and communication skills. The course addresses workforce expectations for professionals who can lead digital health initiatives, manage teams, and navigate organizational change in complex healthcare environments. Students apply leadership theories and principles to demonstrate the competencies expected of HIIM graduates and early-career health professions supervisors.

HIM 4393. Project Management for HIIM.

This course will prepare students to lead and manage health informatics and information management projects across clinical, administrative, and IT settings. Emphasizing practical tools and methodologies, the course covers project lifecycle planning, scope definition, schedule and cost estimation, risk and quality management, stakeholder communication, negotiation, proposal development, technology assessment, and regulatory considerations. Students produce progressive deliverables using industry project management tools and complete a capstone deliverable that may involve evaluating current technologies, proposing new applications, or recommending alternative solutions to improve HIIM operations and data governance.

HIM 4501. Advanced Experiential Learning in HIIM.

This course will provide supervised experiential learning in a healthcare or related organization for HIIM students. Learners engage in complex administrative, management, technical, and problem-solving activities while independently completing projects aligned with entry-level HIIM practitioner standards. Emphasis is placed on informed decision-making, operational evaluation, and proposing improvements consistent with industry standards. Students integrate knowledge from across the curriculum, collaborate with organizational leaders, and deliver a comprehensive final presentation demonstrating professional readiness for practice. (WI) Prerequisite: Department approval.

HIM 5199B. Thesis B.

This course provides continued enrollment and faculty supervision for students who have completed the required thesis hours but have not yet finished, defended, or submitted their thesis. Students must remain continuously enrolled in a thesis course each fall and spring semester—and summer if receiving supervision or using university resources—until the thesis is approved by The Graduate College. HIM 5199 provides ongoing supervision and structured progress expectations while students complete remaining research, analysis, revisions, or formatting requirements.

HIM 5300. Advanced Independent Study in Health Information Management.

This course provides a graduate-level independent study experience focused on the in-depth examination of complex and emerging issues in health information management and health informatics. Students conduct advanced scholarly investigation of a selected problem related to health data governance, health information technologies, healthcare analytics, regulatory compliance, or information management strategy. Emphasis is placed on critical evaluation of current research, synthesis of theory and professional practice, and development of evidence-based recommendations that address organizational or industry challenges. The course requires substantial independent inquiry, scholarly writing, and faculty-guided project development. May be repeated for credit with a different emphasis.

HIM 5301. Health Information Technology for Managers.

This course introduces core concepts and competencies in health information technology for healthcare professionals and managers. Topics include healthcare information systems, data governance, privacy and security, systems analysis, project management, clinical informatics, and leadership. Through applied case studies and scenario-based analysis, students examine the use of health information technology to support digital health initiatives and organizational performance. Emphasis is placed on developing strategic, technical, and operational understanding of health IT across healthcare settings.

HIM 5302. Clinical Foundations of Health Information Management.

This course will provide a clinical foundation in essential health informatics and information management principles and concepts. Students learn and apply concepts related to medical terminology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, anatomy and physiology, basic statistics, and microcomputer applications used in healthcare. Creation of graphical representations of healthcare data utilizing pie charts, bar graphs, and histograms is included. Students acquire the core knowledge needed to understand health data, utilize microcomputer and information systems to support clinical workflows, and develop competence as health informatics and information management professionals.

HIM 5311. Health Informatics and Data Visualization.

This course provides an introduction to the fundamental concepts of data analytics and decision support. Students learn how data is collected, organized, analyzed, and transformed into meaningful insights that guide strategic decisions. A major focus is on quality‑driven, data‑based decision‑making systems applied in business intelligence, consumer informatics, and health information exchanges. Students build practical skills for evaluating health data quality, interpreting analytical results, creating data visualizations and applying findings to provide information for effective organizational decision-making processes.

HIM 5320. Biostatistics for Healthcare.

This course will provide an introduction to biostatistics research methods and to the descriptive and inferential statistical techniques required to conduct research studies in healthcare. Students examine foundational approaches for compiling, analyzing, interpreting, and displaying biostatistical information used to report, evaluate, and monitor healthcare outcomes. Students develop practical skills for applying statistical reasoning, selecting analytical methods, and presenting results clearly to support evidence‑based decision making across diverse clinical and organizational environments that reflect current practice standards.

HIM 5340. Healthcare Informatics.

This course will examine health informatics as a discipline concerned with the acquisition, management, and application of data, information, and knowledge across healthcare settings. Students analyze health information systems, data governance frameworks, and information protection strategies within the context of individual health, population health, public health, and health-related research. Through case-based inquiry, collaborative discussion, and a culminating project, students evaluate informatics solutions for healthcare delivery challenges and assess compliance considerations across the health information life cycle.

HIM 5341. Healthcare Terminologies and Vocabularies.

This course provides a comprehensive overview of healthcare terminologies, vocabularies, code sets, classification schemes, and the standards that support their effective use in clinical and administrative settings. Students examine mapping concepts and explore how the Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine (SNOMED) relates to administrative classification systems such as the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). Students analyze the purpose, challenges, and differences encountered when mapping a detailed terminology to a broader classification structure. Students apply data interchange standards such as HL7 and FHIR in healthcare applications.

HIM 5342. Information Systems and Technology.

This course will examine the foundational concepts, structures, and strategic uses of health information systems within contemporary healthcare organizations. Students analyze how information technologies support data quality, interoperability, compliance, and organizational performance. Emphasis is placed on system design, database development, project management methodologies, and the evaluation of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence. Through applied assignments, team projects, and system focused analyses, students learn to assess requirements, recommend solutions, and support the selection, implementation, and governance of data driven health information systems.

HIM 5343. Machine Learning for Healthcare Artificial Intelligence.

This course will introduce foundational concepts of machine learning as applied to healthcare artificial intelligence, emphasizing how analytical techniques can be used to extract meaningful insights from complex clinical healthcare data sets. Students learn to evaluate and apply supervised and unsupervised learning algorithms, including decision trees, clustering methods, and related approaches commonly used in healthcare analytics. Students discover the practical considerations for preparing data, selecting appropriate models, and interpreting results to support informed and responsible decision-making processes.

HIM 5344. Healthcare Database Management Systems.

This course will introduce essential methods for healthcare database management, emphasizing how structured data supports accurate and timely decision making. Students learn principles of physical data modeling and explore techniques for creating databases, populating tables, optimizing data queries, and maintaining strong integrity controls. Additional topics include designing effective database security systems, analyzing data relationships, and generating meaningful reports that help healthcare organizations manage information responsibly to improve clinical and operational outcomes across a variety of settings and processes.

HIM 5351. Data Security, Privacy, and Confidentiality.

This course will provide an in depth examination of the legal, regulatory, ethical, and technological frameworks that govern the privacy, security, and confidentiality of protected health information across the healthcare continuum. Students analyze federal and state laws, including HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules, evaluate organizational policies, and develop strategies for compliance, risk mitigation, and fraud prevention. Through case studies, policy development, team projects, and applied assessments, students learn to identify vulnerabilities, design safeguards, and support organizational accountability in managing health information.

HIM 5352. Introduction to Healthcare Information Security.

This course will introduce foundational concepts, principles, and practices in healthcare information security, emphasizing the protection of electronic protected health information across a variety of technical and organizational environments. Students examine major security threats, vulnerabilities, and attack vectors while evaluating methods for preventing breaches, strengthening authentication, and hardening systems. Topics include confidentiality, integrity, availability, encryption, malware, ransomware, intrusion detection and prevention, social engineering, and risk management. Through applied assignments and team projects, students assess organizational safeguards and develop strategies to enhance security readiness and resilience.

HIM 5353. Risk Analysis of Healthcare Systems.

This course will focus on the methods, tools, and analytical frameworks used to evaluate and manage security risks within healthcare information systems. Students examine computer systems, networks, and security technologies to identify vulnerabilities and understand how weaknesses can compromise electronic health record environments. Coursework emphasizes risk analysis methodology, HIPAA related considerations, penetration testing concepts, wireless security, and audit requirements. Through team based assessments and applied exercises, students learn to analyze threats, determine potential impacts, prioritize risks, and recommend controls that strengthen organizational security posture.

HIM 5363. Health Data Content Structure and Standards.

This course will provide an in depth exploration of health data content, structure, and standards across the healthcare continuum. Students examine documentation requirements, data governance principles, interoperability frameworks, and classification systems used to support accurate, reliable health information. Through applied activities, coding technologies, and analysis of electronic health records, learners develop competencies in data integrity, health information exchange, and information governance. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking, communication, and the evolving role of HIIM professionals in advancing an interoperable health IT ecosystem.

HIM 5370. Healthcare Finance and Revenue Cycle Management.

This course will examine financial and revenue cycle management issues that affect the practice of Health Information Management in contemporary healthcare organizations. Topics include the healthcare financial environment, reimbursement methodologies, coding compliance, case mix index, and revenue cycle processes. Financial statement analysis, operating indicators, and regulatory compliance frameworks are analyzed in relation to organizational performance and financial sustainability. Emphasis is placed on the interaction between coding accuracy, reimbursement systems, and financial outcomes. The course also analyzes regulatory and payer requirements that shape revenue cycle operations and financial management practices within healthcare systems.

HIM 5380. Assessing Healthcare Quality.

This course will provide an in‑depth examination of quality improvement methodologies, including data retrieval, display, outcomes analysis, and key elements of risk management across healthcare sectors. Students explore mechanisms that encourage organization‑wide involvement in achieving high‑quality patient care aligned with accreditation and regulatory standards. Students develop and apply practical strategies for evaluating performance, interpreting quality indicators, and applying improvement tools that support safer, more efficient clinical, technical, and administrative processes throughout various healthcare environments and operational areas.

HIM 5382. Healthcare Compliance.

This course will examine the principles and practices of healthcare compliance with an emphasis on developing, implementing, and evaluating effective compliance programs across healthcare organizations. Students explore regulatory requirements, legal processes affecting health information, risk management strategies, policy implications, and methods for detecting and preventing healthcare fraud. Through applied activities, learners analyze external forces shaping compliance, design training initiatives, and recommend organizational strategies that promote ethical conduct and regulatory adherence. The course prepares graduate health information professionals to support compliance infrastructure and lead initiatives that strengthen accountability and organizational integrity.

HIM 5390. Contemporary Leadership Principles for HIIM.

This course will analyze leadership and organizational management principles relevant to health information management professionals in complex healthcare environments. Topics include leadership theory, organizational change, strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, information governance, workforce development, and professional ethics. Leadership roles and decision-making processes are examined in relation to healthcare policy, organizational strategy, and data-driven management practices. Students also analyze approaches for developing strategic alliances, managing organizational change, and integrating ethical and responsive leadership practices within health information management departments and healthcare organizations.

HIM 5397. HIIM Directed Practicum.

This course will provide structured, supervised experiential learning in a healthcare or related organization, enabling students to apply advanced health informatics and information management competencies in a real world setting. Each student participates in an orientation to the host site, engages in supervised professional activities, and completes a project that addresses an organizational need and is suitable for implementation. The practicum reinforces prior coursework, strengthens professional readiness, and supports the transition from academic learning to applied practice. Prerequisite: Department approval.

HIM 5399A. Thesis A.

This course will begin the graduate thesis sequence. Students develop a formal thesis proposal, establish a thesis committee, and initiate supervised research. Students refine their research question, conduct a literature review, and prepare the official Thesis Proposal Form required by The Graduate College. Activities include defining the study’s scope, selecting appropriate research methods, and completing any required compliance processes such as Institutional Review Board (IRB) or Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) approval. Successful completion of HIM 5399A demonstrates readiness to conduct independent research and provides the foundation for continued thesis work in HIM 5399B.

HIM 5399B. Thesis B.

This course will continue the thesis sequence in which students conduct, analyze, and complete their approved research project. Under the supervision of their thesis committee, students collect and analyze data, interpret findings, and prepare the thesis manuscript according to the Thesis & Dissertation Resource Guides. Students must demonstrate sustained progress each semester of enrollment and remain continuously enrolled in a thesis course until the thesis is defended, approved by the committee, and submitted to The Graduate College. HIM 5399B culminates in the thesis defense and final submission for Graduate College approval.