The University of Toledo offers a bachelor of science degree in health information administration (HIA). This degree requires 120 credit hours for graduation and can be completed 100% online or in a combination of online HIA classes, on-campus electives, and foundation classes. UToledo’s HIA program offers practical, hands-on experience. It encompasses a broad range of disciplines, including medicine, health, business, informatics, and information management. Graduates serve in various healthcare managerial and administrative roles, including planning, organizing, controlling, and evaluating health information systems; applying legal principles, policies, regulations, and standards and analyzing their impact on risk management; and supervising personnel in various healthcare settings. Health information managers are responsible for health records and must assure adequate documentation for accurate classifying and indexing of diagnoses, treatments and procedures for the purpose of planning and reimbursement. Health information administrators are responsible for planning, engineering, workflow applications, research, reporting, and policy administration.

The UToledo HIA program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM) and has been recognized as one of the country’s best. The HIA program is the first undergraduate program at the University to have all core courses certified by Quality Matters (QM). QM certification demonstrates that it produces learning outcomes that can be measured.

Health information administration jobs are rising faster than the national average. UToledo graduates are highly marketable as the healthcare industry relies on health information administrators for their expertise in legally and accurately collecting, analyzing, documenting, storing patient data, complying with applicable healthcare rules and regulations, securing/protecting patient data, privacy, and release of information.

The HIA program prepares students for the national Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) credentialing examination, one of the top 20 credentials in the U.S. The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) grants successful examination candidates with Registered Health Information Administrators (RHIA) credentials. Health information administrators work in various settings, from acute-care facilities (hospitals), long-term care facilities, physician group practices, and healthcare insurance companies to healthcare consulting companies, information technology corporations, and federal, state, and local government agencies. HIA program graduates are employed in the following positions: cancer registrar, trauma registrar, or revenue cycle manager; case management director; compliance; health data analyst; data integrity manager; and director of health information or information governance.

HIM positions aligned with STEM occupation categories are Medical Coder, Clinical System Analyst, Clinical Data Developer, Clinical Data Specialist, Health Data Analyst, and Clinical Data Manager.

The United States is expected to add more than 50,000 health information administration jobs in the next decade (U.S. Department of Labor). 

Professional practice experience (PPE) is an integral part of the health information administration curriculum. The PPE is project-oriented, with students acting as project managers, creating a proposal letter and project forms, deliverable(s), presentation, survey, and follow-up analysis. Sites and projects vary by location. 

Although this degree program is available online, students are required to complete the PPE onsite at an approved healthcare organization in their local area.  Students are responsible for completing 220 onsite hours for the PPE. Students are required to meet all site requirements, including immunizations and background checks. Students must provide their own transportation to the site.

BS in Health Information Administration

Below is a sample plan of study.  Consult your degree audit for your program requirements. Grades of "C" or better required in all EXSC and HIM courses.

Courses noted with FL or SP are only offered in those semesters. 
All HIM courses are offered online only.

• PLO 1. Students are able to examine significant debates and questions
• PLO 2. Students are able to demonstrate an understanding of discipline specific knowledge
• PLO 3. Students are able to apply knowledge in the field to solve unique problems
• PLO 4. Students engage in critical thinking, actively conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information
• PLO 5. Students demonstrate proficiency in information literacy and the ability to use information resources
• PLO 6. Students will demonstrate the ability to engage in ethical reasoning
• PLO 7. Students will demonstrate the ability to communicate both orally and in writing
• PLO 8. Students will demonstrate interpersonal skills that support effective communication, i.e., emotional intelligence
• PLO 9. Students will evaluate their role and profession in the community and globally
• PLO 10. Students will demonstrate knowledge of their ethical responsibility when conducting research in terms of the rights of human subjects and proper scientific conduct
• PLO 11. Students will demonstrate the integration of knowledge by creating a unique group presentation or project
• PLO 12. Students will demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively with others
• PLO 13. Students will apply their knowledge and skill to effectively meet the expectations of their internship or co-op supervisor