Online Degrees in Health Information Administration: Program Overviews

Online health information administration degree programs are typically offered at the bachelor's and master's levels. These programs, which generally are designed for practicing health care professionals, often require completion of some on-campus coursework.

Overview of an Online Health Information Administration Bachelor's Degree Program

An online health information administration bachelor's degree program prepares students to manage health care information resources and data. Working closely with health care providers and other health care administrators, graduates should be able to ensure adequate documentation of procedures and treatments, in addition to supervising health care personnel. Emphasis is often placed on legal principles in the field, as well as budgeting and management skills. Additional areas covered might include clinical classification systems, resource allocation, patient coding and quality assurance.

Program Information and Requirements

Online health information administration bachelor's degree programs are sometimes offered as degree completion programs through partnerships with community colleges. They also may be designed for practicing registered health information technicians who hold an associate degree in health information technology. Some programs are hybrid in nature, requiring students to complete some courses on campus. Students also may have the opportunity to take part in community-based internships.
Course material is generally offered via online learning systems, such as Blackboard. Students typically need an updated operating system and cable or DSL Internet connection in order to view the video components of some programs. Students also may need a video card and DVD drive.

Sample Bachelor's-Level Health Information Administration Coursework

A health information administration curriculum incorporates a number of disciplines, including information technology, business and medicine.

Health Care Informatics Course

A health care informatics course focuses on the implementation of health care information systems. Topics covered include security requirements, basic system concepts, electronic health records and regulations.

Health Care Financial Management Course

This course explores fundamental financial concepts within health care units and departments. Areas covered include budgeting, revenue management and financial tools.

Disease Principles Course

A disease principles course emphasizes the diagnosis and documentation of commonly encountered diseases. Surgical therapies, disease symptoms and communication of disease information are covered.

Health Care Reimbursement Course

Principles and methodologies of reimbursement compliance are covered in this course. Topics explored might include case management and claims auditing.

Career Information for Graduates

Graduates of an online bachelor's degree program should be eligible to seek certification as a registered health information administrator through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). They are prepared to serve in a range of administrative or managerial roles in settings such as hospitals, insurance companies, mental health facilities, medical centers, ambulatory care centers, state agencies and pharmaceutical companies. Other than health information administrator, additional job titles might include medical staff coordinator, patient information coordinator and clinical data specialist.

---

Overview of an Online Health Information Administration Master's Degree Program

An online master's degree program in health information administration or health information management prepares students for a career working with the collection and reporting of health care data. Graduates should be ready to assist nurses, physicians and other health care professionals in health care management and delivery. Emphasis is often placed on strategic management and emerging technologies in decision support systems. Topics covered might include computerized health information systems, system development theory and classification systems.

Program Information and Requirements

Master's-level health information administration programs are typically two years in length, and online courses are often combined with campus-based instruction. A bachelor's degree, often in a health care field, is typically required for admission.
With courses delivered via online learning platforms such as Blackboard, students can view assignments and communicate with professors online. Computer requirements might include ample hard drive space and memory, a DVD drive, an updated Web browser and a sound card.

Sample Master's-Level Health Information Administration Coursework

A master's-level health information management curriculum includes business and managerial courses related to the health care industry.

Health Care Information Security Course

This course looks at methods of designing and implementing health information security systems. Topics covered might include legal issues in health care systems, technical components of health information systems and security-related standards.

Health Care Databases Course

This course explores database theory, health information system architecture requirements and data integrity. Additional areas covered might include secure information management, health care enterprise information systems, access techniques and information storage.

Career Information for Graduates

Master's-level programs generally are often designed for health information administration professionals looking to advance in their careers. Programs prepare graduates for advancement in areas such as health care data security oversight, clinical data analysis and health care data resources administration.