Master’s in Health Information Management

Program Overview

Southern New Hampshire University's online Master of Science in Health Information Management program prepares professionals for leadership roles in HIM, integrating business, data analysis, and computer science knowledge. The program's flexible format allows students to complete coursework at their own pace, and its curriculum covers topics such as data management, compliance, and strategic planning. Graduates are qualified for careers in health information management, data analysis, and consulting.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Master of Science (MS) in Health Information Management (HIM) program at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) prepares professionals to apply leadership, critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills to various leadership and management roles in HIM. The program's objectives include:

• Integrating some of today's in-demand knowledge areas – like business, data analysis, and computer science – into the ultimate healthcare technology career
• Leading your organization as the go-to for accuracy, accessibility, and security of crucial patient data
• Having access to your coursework 24/7, allowing you to work on your graduate degree during times most convenient for you
This online health information management master's degree is the ideal next step for continued study of graduates of the bachelor's in health information management program or those looking to build on their skills and experience in healthcare. Whether you're a new college graduate or a long-term healthcare system employee, understanding data systems and analysis can open up career paths that are on track for big growth in the coming years.

Outline:

The MS in HIM program consists of 36 credits and is delivered online with no set class times. The program's curriculum is designed to prepare students for the following:

• Module 1: Introduction to Health Information Management
• Topics related to health information management, including revenue management, coding and compliance, developing professional identity, terminology and classification systems, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), and current trends are explored.
Students tour a medical facility either virtually or in person.
• Module 2: Leading as a HIM Professional
• This course explores leadership roles, change management, and key topics in the health information management industry through an overview of leadership in organizations, human resource (HR) management, training and development, ethics, process improvements, work design, and developing and revising policies.
Students examine ethical concepts and learn first-hand what the role of a health information management professional entails.
• Module 3: Information Protection & Security in HIM
• Building on the HIPAA foundation established in HIM-510 students learn how to create and revise working policies and regulations within organizations based on existing laws, and how to adapt infrastructures to support these policy changes.
Students explore access of medical records and how to discern when access should be prohibited based on the policies in place.
• Module 4: Health Information Governance
• Explore compliance for HIM professionals, regulatory requirements, and the relationship of coding and compliance, to develop an understanding of data governance pertaining to the significance of data integration, interoperability, and shared data.
Learn how to assess the accuracy and standardization of data governance by reviewing various sections within the charts and their authorizations.
• Module 5: Data Management and Data Quality
• Explore meaningful use of data and the management of patient-centered health information systems.
Review data management policies, evaluate data from varying sources to create meaningful presentations/reports, design patient-centered health information systems, and manage virtual network communications. Learn how to collect data, evaluate it, and turn it into valuable information to present to various audiences.
• Module 6: HIM Informatics and Technology Infrastructure
• Explore the technologies that support health information systems by examining different patient medical records and the various uses and steps in developing medical records.
Create models of portals from a database-perspective.
• Module 7: Managing Compliance
• Review the laws and regulations that are applicable to health information management professionals in regards to compliance, medical documentation, fraud, abuse, and penalties for documentation and coding violations based on governmental guidelines.
Learn principles of medical auditing, medical record auditing skills, chart abstraction and perform a coding risk analysis.
• Module 8: HIM Strategic Planning and Financial Management
• Explore the healthcare revenue cycle and financial principles relevant to strategic planning for the healthcare organization, including analytics, reimbursement models, forecasting the revenue cycle and methods of fraud detection.
• Module 9: Research Methods and Evaluation
• Employ research methodologies, systematic processes for data collection to ensure data integrity, and data analysis to establish a framework for drafting the capstone project.
Employ research methodologies, systematic processes for data collection to ensure data integrity, and data analysis to establish a framework for drafting the capstone project.
• Module 10: Advanced Topics in HIM I
• Apply and expand on topics covered in previous courses in the MS Health Information Management program, including advanced classification systems, data governance, data management, and health information technologies such as data analytics and decision support.
Apply theories learned in consumer informatics, and information integrity, contingency planning, as well as vendor management and enterprise information management.
• Module 11: Advanced Topics in HIM II
• Apply and expand on topics covered in previous courses in the MS Health Information Management program, including strategic planning, and leadership roles in HIM.
Apply theories learned in change management, work design, and project management.
• Module 12: Health Information Management Capstone
• Integrate previous coursework and practical experience with a focus on authentic demonstration of competencies outlined by the program by synthesizing and integrating prior learning to design, develop, and execute a capstone project as a culmination of the M.S.
Health Information Management program. Develop a well-thought-out, comprehensive project that applies knowledge in a complex and operationally-charged business environment.

Assessment:

Students in the MS in HIM program are assessed through a variety of methods, including:

• Exams: Exams are typically administered at the end of each module and cover the material from that module.
• Assignments: Assignments may include case studies, research papers, and presentations.
• Capstone Project: The capstone project is a major project that students complete at the end of the program.
The capstone project allows students to demonstrate their understanding of the program's content and their ability to apply their skills to a real-world problem.

Teaching:

The MS in HIM program is taught by a team of erfahren faculty who have a wealth of experience in the healthcare field. The faculty are committed to providing students with a high-quality education and they are always available to help students with their studies. The program is also designed to be flexible and accessible to students who are working full-time. The program is offered online with no set class times, so students can complete their coursework at their own pace.

Careers:

Graduates of the MS in HIM program are qualified for a variety of careers in the healthcare field. Some of the potential career paths include:

• Health Information Manager
• Health Information Analyst
• Health Information Technician
• Privacy and Security Specialist
• Data Analyst
• Consultant