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Overview of Master Degree Programs in Health Information Management

Majors Overview May 17, 2018

This article talks about master’s degree programs in health information management and their education requirements and coursework.

Master’s Programs in Health Information Management

A Master of Science (M.S.) in Health Information Management program includes conceptual understanding of both the U.S. healthcare system and organizations, supplemented by technical training in information technologies. The primary thrust of this degree program is on research. However, the nature of the field entails some technical training. Students usually need two years to complete these programs; online classes are available through some schools. Although these programs aim at professionals in the field, a bachelor’s degree is a sufficient prerequisite for admission.

Apart from training for a career in health information management, enrollees in this program are also trained to take a certification exam. The American Health Information Management Association offers the national Registered Health Information Management exam.

Education Requirements

An MS program in Health Information Management usually aims at students with a prior educational or professional background in the field. However, students are not required to have previous experience.

Enrollees in this degree program must hold an undergraduate degree from an accredited school, regardless of the undergraduate major. Applicants are also required to submit a statement of purpose; they will showcase a grasp of the field and how it fits into the U.S. healthcare system.

Coursework

This primarily research-based program offers both theoretical and practical courses; the latter focused on the development of management skills and clinical practice in information technology. The theoretical courses incorporate organization concepts along with the role of healthcare in modern society.

Though students are not required to have formal training in information technology, they must have a basic grasp of computer technology. Students enrolled in the program would also benefit from having a basic grasp of organizations, healthcare systems, and management skill.

Core coursework may cover topic areas such as:

•Organizational systems
•Project management
•Biostatics
•Communications and networking
•Design and analysis of informational systems
•Principles and concepts of database management
•Basic to advanced techniques in information technology (IT)
•Medical informatics
•Healthcare systems

After they complete the core coursework, students may choose electives in subject areas such as tele-medicine, keeping healthcare records electronically, data mining, and healthcare economics. Before the program is finished, a thesis in a chosen research subject must be completed by students.

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