Commonly called the “Heart of Dixie,” there is an array of Health Informatics Programs in Alabama.
Alabama sits in the southeastern region of the country and is the 23rd most populous state. The state is a leader in banking, health care, aerospace, and education. Alabama is home to a variety of higher education options; in fact, many schools are classified as the biggest employers of the state.
Individuals who are seeking to pursue careers in health informatics will find the following high rated degree programs in Alabama that are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education.
Alabama State University
Residing in Montgomery, Alabama, Alabama State University is a public institution educating more than 5,600 students. It was founded in 1867, as an institution for African Americans, and is one of the oldest schools of higher education in the country. Today, it educates a diverse student body through its nearly 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Alabama State University is committed to attaining excellence in instruction, public service, and research. The university prides itself on its 20 to 1 student-faculty ratio to offer students personalized attention, support, and guidance to meet their professional and personal goals.
B.S. in Health Information Management
The B.S. in Health Information Management program provides students with the necessary information needed to succeed in the health information management field. Students will gain a solid background that prepares them for success. Students are required to complete at least 128 credit hours to complete the program.
The credits include:
- general education courses
- health information management core courses
- elective courses
The health information management core courses include:
- language of medicine
- anatomy and physiology for health sciences
- the study of diseases
- healthcare statistics and research methods
- healthcare information technology
- legal aspects of healthcare
The program also provides year-long clinical affiliations in health information management departments at local healthcare facilities. These provide students with practical experience. Upon completion of the program, students will be experts in handling:
- health records
- patient information
- medical research
Accreditation
- The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
Contact
Alabama State University
College of Health Sciences
Office of the Dean
P.O. Box 271
Montgomery, AL 36101
334-229-5053
bdawson@alasu.edu
Program Website
Bishop State Community College
Situated in Mobile Alabama, Bishop State Community College is an open admission urban community college that is state supported. Bishop State Community College offers programs for students seeking to enter the workforce immediately or continue their education at four-year institutions. The college’s mission is to provide affordable and superior educational opportunities and services that respond to the needs of students and the community. The college offers academic programs through its academics and technical divisions:
- education
- humanities
- natural science and mathematics
- social sciences
- business and economics
- health-related professions
Associate in Applied Science in Health Information Technology
the Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology program is focused on preparing students for certification and practice as a Registered Health Information Technician. It provides students with a well-rounded education, which includes:
- general education courses
- health information technology core courses
- synchronized clinical affiliations
The clinical experiences are offered in various settings, such as:
- hospitals
- long-term care facilities
- rehabilitation centers
The program requires a total of 74 credit hours for graduation. The health information technology core courses include:
- medical terminology
- pathology and pharmacology
- operational standards for health care delivery systems
- health data consent
- health care statistics
- medical coding system
- clinical care statistics laboratory
Upon completion of the program students will be prepared to:
- handle electronic health record systems
- manage medical records
- code information for insurance and other financial purposes.
Accreditation
- The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
Contact
Bishop State Community College
351 North Broad Street
Mobile, Alabama 36603
251-405-7000
lwright@bishop.edu
Program Website
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Sitting in the heart the largest city in the state, the University of Alabama at Birmingham is a public university established in 1969. It educates more than 11,000 undergraduate students through its various programs. The University of Alabama at Birmingham is dedicated to becoming a well-known research institution. It benefits the Birmingham area and the state in the areas of:
- academic
- economic
- social
- cultural
It also offers students a wide array of hands-on learning opportunities. The U.S. News & World Report ranked the University of Alabama at Birmingham at number 152 in its 2014 publication of Best Colleges is National Universities.
B.S. in Health Information Management
The B.S. in Health Information Management program prepares students to assess and enhance the quality of health information resources. Students learn the necessities to develop the performance of information health information resource management systems. The program requires a total of 124 semester credit hours, including general education courses and health information management professional courses.
The general education courses are divided into five areas:
- written composition
- humanities and fine arts
- natural sciences and mathematics
- history
- social and behavioral sciences
- preprofessional, major, and elective courses
The health information management courses include:
- human resources management
- clinical information
- health data concepts
- law for health care professions
- financial management in health care organizations
- coding and classification systems
- clinical research methods
- data management
Students must also complete two clinical experiences and an internship before embarking upon a career as a health information manager.
Accreditation
- The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
Contact
University of Alabama at Birmingham
School of Health Professions
1720 2nd Ave South
Birmingham, Alabama 35294
205-934-5173
bshim@uab.edu
Program Website
Wallace State Community College
Wallace State Community College is in Hanceville, Alabama, and it is part of a community college system that services more than 300,000 people. It is one of the largest colleges in the Alabama Community College System. It enrolls over 7,000 students every semester. Wallace State Community College is committed to excellence in instruction and service. It offers a technologically advanced academic atmosphere to make sure students receive the best possible education. It strives to provide education that changes the lives of students and the community. It focuses on an innovative, student centered, and supporting educational environment that respects diversity.
Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology
The Health Division of Wallace State Community College offers the Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology program. The program prepares students to work as health information professionals who play an essential role in today’s healthcare system. The program requires a total of 76 credit hours, including:
- 30 hours of general education
- 46 hours of major required courses
The health information technology major courses include:
- diagnostic and pharmacology
- legal and ethical issues in health information technology
- health data content and structure
- health care delivery systems
- medical coding systems
- organizational improvement
Students have the opportunity to spend a time in a simulation laboratory or clinical setting to utilize the skills they learned in the classroom. Upon completion of the program, students will be proficient in:
- medical coding
- billing processes and procedures
- computer concepts
- quality management
Accreditation
- The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
Contact
Wallace State Community College
801 Main Street NW
P.O. Box 2000
Hanceville, Alabama 35077
256-352-8000
helen.marks@athens.edu
Program Website
The state of Alabama is home to a thriving education industry. It’s a great choice for those seeking a career in health informatics. With the wide range of top choices for Health Informatics Programs in Alabama, students are able to select the school that will help them succeed both professionally and personally.