BS Health Information Management

SUNY Polytechnic Institute

SUNY Polytechnic Institute, New York’s premier public polytechnic, provides an innovative and affordable higher education for students interested in science, engineering, technology, business, healthcare, and other liberal arts offerings for a well-rounded approach to experiential learning. Our commitment to a hands-on education situates students with both the academic structure customary of undergraduate study and unique opportunities for training and cutting-edge research, ultimately providing learners an unmatched education targeted for success in our fast-changing world. SUNY Poly students enjoy public school tuition with benefits that many small, private institutions boast, including small class sizes, individualized learning experiences, and a tight-knit community.

The Program

Health information management is the practice of acquiring, analyzing, and protecting digital and traditional medical information, a task vital to the day-to-day operations of healthcare providers. Health information managers affect the quality of patient information and patient care at every touch point in the healthcare delivery cycle. Organizations rely on these professionals to make sure they have the correct information available as it is needed while still keeping that information confidential and secure.

SUNY Poly offers two degree options in the Health Information Management (HIM)program:

• Bachelor of Science (BS) - for first-year and transfer students

• Bachelor of Professional Studies (BPS) - for transfer students only

Students in SUNY Poly’s HIM program complete two professional practice experiences (PPEs). The first PPE is in a hospital setting and the second PPE, focused on management, is completed in a hospital, various non-hospital settings, or a health information services area of a healthcare or health-related organization. Graduates of accredited HIT programs transfer the equivalent of the first PPE.

Occupational Outlook

Employment of medical and health services managers is projected to grow 32 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. Health Information Managers fit into this category. (Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook)

Accelerated BS/MS Option

The accelerated BS/MS in Health Information Management (BS or BPS) and Health Informatics (MS) is an exciting opportunity for high-achieving students to complete both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in a shorter amount of time with a reduced number of required credits. Ultimately, the students in our accelerated program save both time and money, setting them up for post-graduation success. Students accepted into the BS/MS program follow the same path to receiving their bachelor’s degree as their BS-only peers; they follow the same undergraduate degree requirements and receive their degree once those requirements are complete. The benefits of enrolling in the accelerated BS/MS program include higher earning potential, a cost savings, the opportunity to take graduate courses to fulfill undergraduate degree requirements (at the undergraduate course rate), and the ability to complete the graduate degree requirements in as little as one year.

Accreditation

The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). For more information, see www.cahiim.org

Online Courses

The HIM program is a fully online program. You can, however, take your general education, liberal arts, accounting, and human resources management courses on campus. Those students who work full time should consider completing the program on a part-time basis. Tuition is reduced for out-of-state students.

Virtual Laboratory

The program uses internet-based laboratories to expose students to a variety of software applications. Students pay a fee (usually less than the cost of a new textbook) to access the laboratories.

What You’ll Study

• Health data content, structure, and standards

• Privacy and security of patient health information

• How data is turned into information, knowledge, and wisdom

• How health data is used for patient care, research, facility reimbursement, quality improvement, corporate compliance, legal aspects of healthcare, decision support, planning, and population health

• Management of health information systems and health information departments

• Health care organizations

• C onsumer needs for health information

Access the SUNY Poly catalog at https://webapp.sunypoly.edu/undergrad-catalog/ for specific courses and program requirements.

Career Opportunities

Health information managers can work anywhere health data is used, including health facilities such as hospitals, ambulatory care, long-term care, home health care, mental health care, and correctional facilities. Areas such as corporate compliance, quality management, revenue cycle/billing and privacy/security, in healthcare facilities, are other opportunities for health information professionals. Individuals with a background in health information management also find employment with cancer registries, insurance companies, software vendors, service vendors, educational institutions, government agencies, and pharmaceutical companies.

Our Campus

Located in Utica, NY, on hundreds of wooded and landscaped acres, SUNY Poly’s campus is a beautiful living and learning environment. Students live in our modern, spacious residential complexes, including the new Hilltop Hall, SUNY’s first zero-net carbon residence hall, and enjoy an expanding array of student-focused facilities that include our state-of-the-art Center for Global Advanced Manufacturing, Student Center, and Wildcat Field House. Life on campus is enriched by a wide variety of events and activities, including the Wildcats’ championship-winning intercollegiate athletics program, our Wildcat Esports team, and a weekly agenda of intramurals, concerts, comedians, and more. Students can join one of the dozens of clubs and organizations or start one with a group of friends who share an interest.