Department of Health Informatics & Information Management
Nursing Building, Suite 204
Round Rock Campus
T: 512-716-2840 F: 512-716-2827
www.health.txst.edu/HIM
Health Information Management (HIM) improves the quality and efficiency of healthcare delivery through the management and application of information and technology. HIM programs prepare students to work in a digital health profession which focuses on health data, analytics, information governance, health informatics, compliance, privacy, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and the management of associated resources and technology. The HIM profession addresses the structure, application, and translation of data into usable forms of information such as the electronic health record (EHR), required by interdisciplinary healthcare teams to improve patient outcomes.
Graduates from the Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management (BSHIM) program work in multiple settings throughout the healthcare industry and beyond. These settings include the continuum of care delivery organizations such as hospitals, clinics, physician practices, long-term care, mental health, and other ambulatory care facilities. The profession has recently seen significant expansion in nonpatient care settings, with careers in managed care, insurance companies, electronic health record systems vendors, cybersecurity firms, consulting services, government agencies, higher education institutions, and pharmaceutical companies. With a strong component of online information exchange, many HIM professionals can work remotely either part-time or fulltime.
BSHIM graduates are well prepared to continue their studies in graduate-level programs in HIM, health informatics, data analytics, or other related disciplines. The department offers a fully online Master of Health Information Management (MHIM) degree with a variety of options and concentrations.
The BSHIM program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). Upon completion of the degree, graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) examination offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
The department is also recognized by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) as an Approved Education Partner.
The department offers a Minor in Health Information Management and a Minor in Health Informatics. The minor programs fit well with majors in Health Sciences and other disciplines in the College of Health Profession and across university. The minor programs do not establish eligibility for the RHIA credential. Students completing the BSHIM degree automatically qualify for the Minor in Health informatics which is comprised of courses built into the major.
The BSHIM degree is offered in multiple delivery format options: traditional in-person, face-to-face courses on the Round Rock Campus and fully online. All options lead to the same degree and have the same academic requirements. Fulltime students may complete the BSHIM degree in four years.
The curriculum is organized as a two-plus-two program with completion of general education core curriculum and program prerequisite coursework prior to beginning the two-year professional phase. Once qualified for the professional program, the final two years consist of the required HIM coursework reinforced with a professional practice experience assignment at an appropriate affiliated site. Students who have achieved the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) credential or graduated from a CAHIIM accredited HIT program may qualify to receive academic credit toward the BSHIM degree for previous coursework.
Immunization Requirements
It is a policy of the College of Health Professions that each student must provide a Health Report form completed by a physician or licensed healthcare provider, providing evidence of specific immunizations before the student can be placed in a professional practice experience assignment. Information on these requirements and forms may be obtained through the Department of Health Informatics & Information Management.
Background Checks and Drug Screening
As a condition for placement in professional practice experience sites, students may be required to have a background check and/or drug screening and/or meet other specific requirements as set by individual sites. Information on these requirements may be obtained through the Department of Health Informatics & Information Management.
Courses in Health Informatics (HI)
HI 3310. Health Informatics.
This course provides an introduction to health informatics and information management to include hardware components, systems architecture, operating systems, languages, software applications, tools, electronic health record systems, and related concepts.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Dif Tui- Health Professions
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
HI 3311. Databases in Healthcare.
This course provides an overview and introduction to healthcare databases and data management. Topics in the course will include database theory, information infrastructure, and data analytics. Implementing healthcare information systems and decision making will also be examined.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 2 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Dif Tui- Health Professions
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
HI 4401. Advanced Health Informatics and Security.
This course includes the integrated use of health information technology throughout the healthcare organization. Students will evaluate how technology impacts the overall hospital operations from both clinical and administrative perspectives. Students will also use planning and assessment tools to simulate health information technology system implementation and explore securing those systems.
4 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 2 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Dif Tui- Health Professions
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Courses in Health Information Management (HIM)
HIM 2360. Medical Terminology.
Recognizing and understanding the vocabulary of the health care professions. Emphasis on medical prefixes, suffixes, and word roots as used in oral and written communications.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Dif Tui- Health Professions
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
HIM 3301. Hospitals and Health Systems.
This course will explore the organizational structure and delivery of healthcare in hospitals and health systems and the associated roles of HIM professionals.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Dif Tui- Health Professions
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
HIM 3350. Legal Aspects of HIM.
A study of the legal issues of Health Information Management with focus on statutory and regulatory requirements, case law and practical applications. Special legal problems associated with access to patient information, disposition of records, confidentiality and privacy, reporting requirements and compliance with current state and federal legislation are emphasized.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Dif Tui- Health Professions
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
HIM 3364. Coding and Classification Systems.
This course provides an introduction to ICD, CPT and other classifications and nomenclatures. Emphasis will be placed on the assignment of diagnosis and procedure codes. Management and use of encoding systems is examined. Prerequisite: Instructor approval.
3 Credit Hours. 2 Lecture Contact Hours. 2 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Dif Tui- Health Professions|Lab Required
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
HIM 3367. Disease and Medical Science.
This course provides an introduction to the general disease process. Stress is placed upon the occurrence of disease, the signs and symptoms of disease, the test values and findings of disease, and the therapeutic treatment of disease.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Dif Tui- Health Professions
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
HIM 3380. Quality Management for HIM.
This course provides an overview of regulatory agency requirements for quality improvement, utilization management, and risk management. Methods for integrating these procedures for credentialing and peer review are explored.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Dif Tui- Health Professions
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
HIM 3390. Principles of Management in HIM.
This course provides a study of the principles of management in healthcare and related organizations. The course provides the opportunity to apply the fundamentals of management including ethical decision making and human resources in the expanded role of the HIM Professional.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Dif Tui- Health Professions
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
HIM 3463. Foundations of Health Information Management.
This course is an introduction to the foundational principles of health information management. The content, structure, processing, use, analysis, and management of the health record will be explored. Instruction will include the use of the electronic health record and other common health information management software applications.
4 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 2 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Dif Tui- Health Professions
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
HIM 4101. Problems in Health Information Management.
Comprehensive study of selected problems related to professional practice issues and changes in the health information management field. Emphasis will be on problem solving and application of management skills. May be repeated with permission of department chair.
1 Credit Hour. 1 Lecture Contact Hour. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing|Dif Tui- Health Professions
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
HIM 4320. Principles of Information Governance.
This course applies the principles of Information Governance to guide the HIM professional's evolving role in the transition from paper to electronic health records and managing the increasing volume of electronic health data. Topics include data architecture, analytics, integrity, quality and decision support; enterprise content management; and consumer informatics. Prerequisite: Instructor approval.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing|Dif Tui- Health Professions
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
HIM 4331. Research and Data Analytics for HIM.
This course provides an introduction to research methods and experimental inquiry to acquaint the student with skills to critique and conduct studies in the health information management domains. The course will also provide the foundation for compiling, analyzing, and displaying statistics related to the delivery of healthcare.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Dif Tui- Health Professions
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
HIM 4363. Comparative Record Systems.
Theory and procedures for the maintenance and regulation of patient health information records in non-hospital medical care facilities to include long term care, ambulatory care, psychiatric care, rehabilitation and prison record keeping systems.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Dif Tui- Health Professions
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
HIM 4364. Coding and Compliance for HIM.
This course provides a continued study of coding and classification systems including the role of mapping among clinical terminologies. Compliance activities and methods will be covered for HIM topics to include code audits, fraud and abuse, and clinical documentation improvement.
3 Credit Hours. 2 Lecture Contact Hours. 2 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Dif Tui- Health Professions|Lab Required
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
HIM 4370. Finance and Reimbursement Methodologies for HIM.
Course will address the reimbursement cycle from patient registration to claims billing with an emphasis on federal regulations and the role of HIM regarding payment systems. Topics will include accounting principles, budget processes, cost/benefit analysis, healthcare finance, compliance strategies, charge-master and casemix management, and payment systems and plans.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Dif Tui- Health Professions
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
HIM 4383. Seminar in Health Information Management.
Problem-solving course designed to assimilate actual internship encounters and theory. Emphasis is on integration of knowledge and making transition to the applications required to function as a health information manager.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Dif Tui- Health Professions
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
HIM 4385. Health Information Management Practicum.
Assignments made to promote uniformity and competency levels required of entry-level health information management professionals with practical application of administrative, management, and problem-solving skills required to complete projects and portfolio material. (WI).
3 Credit Hours. 0 Lecture Contact Hours. 8 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Dif Tui- Health Professions|Writing Intensive
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
HIM 4388. Practicum.
Faculty-led administrative training for the associate degree health information progression student. Emphasis is placed on analysis of HIM personnel functions, interdepartmental relations, use of health information technology, and committee assignments. Full-time participation of the student is required.
3 Credit Hours. 0 Lecture Contact Hours. 8 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Dif Tui- Health Professions|Lab Required|Time Conflicts Permitted|Writing Intensive
Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit
HIM 4389. Professional Practice Experience.
Supervised management experience and training in a healthcare or related setting. Student will participate in administrative, management, and problem-solving activities in the institutional setting. Full-time participation is required. Option for health information associate degree and post-baccalaureate students. (WI).
3 Credit Hours. 1 Lecture Contact Hour. 40 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Dif Tui- Health Professions|Lab Required|Time Conflicts Permitted|Writing Intensive
Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit
HIM 4390. Contemporary Leadership Principles for HIM.
An analysis of the expanded role of the Health Information Management professional in the healthcare environment and application of the principles involved. Topics include strategic planning and forecasting, marketing, entrepreneurialism, leadership, motivation, consensus building, workforce diversity, change management, work redesign/reengineering, and project management. (WI).
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Dif Tui- Health Professions|Writing Intensive
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
HIM 4393. Project Management for Health Information Management.
This course provides pragmatic guidance in the management of HIM projects by analyzing critical success factors and skills required to organize, plan, monitor, and control projects in healthcare settings. Cost and schedule estimation techniques are presented together with proposal writing, negotiation, communication, risk management, HIM technology assessment, and quality measurement. (WI) Prerequisite: Instructor approval.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Dif Tui- Health Professions|Writing Intensive
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
HIM 4501. Professional Practice Experience.
Supervised management experience and training in a healthcare or related setting. Student will participate in administrative, management, and problem-solving activities in the institutional setting. Full-time participation is required in addition to scheduled campus visits. (WI).
5 Credit Hours. 1 Lecture Contact Hour. 40 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Dif Tui- Health Professions|Writing Intensive
Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit
