Health Information Management
(Joint Program with Rutgers University, Formerly UMDNJ)
Program Liaison, Dr. Roxie James
C-112, (908) 737-3662
Program Director, Prof. Barbara Manger, Rutgers University (formerly UMDNJ)
(973) 972-4356
The Health Information Manager is a member of the health care team and is the professional responsible for management of health information systems consistent with medical, administrative, ethical and legal requirements. Health Information Management professionals are currently in high demand and this trend is expected to continue. The Bureau of Labor Statistics cites health information as one of the fastest growing occupations in the US.
The need for accurate and up-to-date health data is not confined to health care facilities. Registered Health Information Administrators (RHIAs) are also being employed by Health Maintenance Organizations, insurance companies, law firms, physician offices, government agencies, consulting firms, software companies and in the pharmaceutical industry. Future health information opportunities involve planning for and implementing computerized patient record systems. As we transition to the electronic health record, professionals with technical expertise, problem solving skills, knowledge of clinical medicine and superior communication skills are needed to develop and implement new systems as well as new policies and procedures in health care documentation and to protect patient confidentiality and data security.
The Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM) currently accredits the Health Information Management (HIM) Program. Upon satisfactory completion of course requirements, the graduate is eligible to apply to write the national registry examination. A passing grade on the examination establishes the graduate as a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA).
The HIM program is a joint program with Rutgers Newark which admits both undergraduate and second degree students. The undergraduate completes all the pre-professional coursework at Kean University including program prerequisites. Second degree candidates should contact Rutgers University (formerly UMDNJ) for further information.
For entering freshmen, the program involves two years of pre-professional coursework at Kean and two professional years at Rutgers University (formerly UMDNJ) The professional component includes didactic, laboratory and clinical experiences. Transfer students are accepted to the university as pre-professional Health Information Management majors.
For information regarding College/program mission and student learning outcomes please see http://www.kean.edu/KU/CNAHS-Mission-and-SLOs
Admission Requirements and Procedures:
In addition to the general college admission requirements, the Health Information Management program requires:
- Usually, completion of all pre-professional requirements with a “C” or above.
- Junior standing (completion of 56 semester hours) as of the Fall semester of intended enrollment at Rutgers University (formerly UMDNJ).
- An overall grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale. This requirement is subject to change. Once in the program, students must maintain an overall GPA of 2.75 in all courses and a GPA of 2.5 in HIM courses.
- Official transcripts of all previous college courses. Students who have attended a foreign college or university are required to submit an official English Translation of the academic credits.
The Health Information Management application form and official transcripts for student admission to the program must be submitted by May 1st immediately preceding the intended Fall semester enrollment.