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What Prospective Students Should Look for in an HIM Program

By Amy Watters, EdD, RHIA, FAHIMA, and Katie Kerr, EdD, RHIA

Pursuing a master’s degree in HIM is one way to build a better future for yourself and meet the needs of this dynamic profession. Choosing to attend graduate school is a significant undertaking that requires time, money, commitment, and a lot of reflection. The process of reflection, although often overlooked, is a critical component of the decision-making process, helping to clarify your thinking, identify priorities, and ultimately better understand yourself; it has been described as a process of guided personal change. Taking time to reflect on your personal, professional, and academic goals will help you make a decision that you won’t regret.

The first question to ask yourself is, “Why do I want to pursue a master’s degree?” To answer this question, you must consider your personal, professional, and academic goals. These goals will be unique to you and your personal needs, skills, talents, and interests. When you consider your personal goals, think about your strengths, your passions, and where you see yourself in three to five years. Consider the career you envision for yourself and whether it requires a focused area of study, or a master’s degree, a graduate certificate, and/or credentials. If you’re seeking credentials through AHIMA, then it’s important to select a program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education, or CAHIIM.

If you decide that pursuing a master’s degree is right for you, the next step is to consider which school and program will meet your needs. When looking at the various colleges and universities, you’ll find both public schools and private schools, with one of the major differences between them being cost. Tuition cost is a primary factor to explore when selecting a graduate program. Unfortunately, scholarships for master’s degree programs are not prevalent, which means that you’ll need to pay for your degree out of pocket, through student loans, or a combination of both. If you’re currently employed, it’s a good idea to check with your employer about any tuition reimbursement programs.

The size of the graduate school can also be a factor. Private schools can often offer smaller class sizes and the ability to form closer relationships with your classmates and faculty. Public schools are often larger and may offer more opportunities for research and networking.

It’s also important to consider the time commitment required for the program, both on a daily basis and to complete the program. Consider your learning preferences and whether you learn best in an in-person or online environment and whether you prefer accelerated courses vs nonaccelerated courses (for example, eight weeks vs 16 weeks).

Master’s programs are offered in several different formats: hybrid, online, and classroom. A hybrid program will offer courses both online and in-person, whereas an online program will be fully online, whether synchronously or asynchronously, and a program offered in the classroom will be face to face, usually on the campus of the college or university. If you need a lot of flexibility in regard to when you complete your schoolwork, and you’re an independent, self-directed learner, then an online program might be a good fit. If you need more structure and scheduling, consider hybrid or classroom learning. Since the hybrid and classroom formats require time away from home and work, it’s important to consider whether you have the time available to be in the classroom regularly or will be away for an extended period of time. On average, it takes 1.5 to two years for full-time students to complete a master’s degree program.

Some graduate schools may offer an internship program. If gaining experience in the field is of interest, then you may want to look for a program that offers experiential learning opportunities.

Are you interested in research? If so, look for a program that offers research courses and provides opportunities to conduct research independently or collaboratively with faculty or classmates. Most graduate programs require some sort of capstone experience, paper, or project at the culmination of the program. Schools take various approaches to these requirements; however, the intent is the same: to apply what the student has learned throughout the program. Thesis papers and experiential projects are the most common approaches, but other options include internships, research studies, and travel abroad experiences. The capstone experience may be prescriptive, or you may have an opportunity to choose which approach you prefer.

Considering a graduate program’s admission requirements and application process is also important. Graduate programs will have an application form to complete in order to be considered for admission. The application will ask for demographic information, as well as your educational history (be prepared to request and submit official transcripts from the undergraduate schools and program[s] you attended) and work history (much of which can be found on your résumé or CV [curriculum vitae]).

You may also be asked to supply reference names or supporting letters from references and/or sit for an interview with faculty/staff at the institution. Some programs require applicants to take the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) or GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) exam and include the exam results with the admission application. Depending on the program, you may be required to submit an essay or a statement of purpose. Lastly, there may be an application fee that must be paid at the time of application.

A college’s reputation may be the first thing that grabs your attention, but it isn’t always the deciding factor. This is where the time you took to reflect on your goals really pays off. For example, your goals will dictate whether it’s important that a faculty member in the program conducts research in your area of interest, or whether you need opportunities to engage in grants or fellowships, or serve as a teacher’s assistant. This sometimes means you need to go to various sources for counsel and advice. Information from college recruiters, faculty, and staff is invaluable, but sometimes hearing from alumni and/or current students can provide you with the “insider” perspective to help you make your decision.

Contact family members, friends, and others in your community—you never know who may have a connection with a particular college or profession. Reach out personally to HIM/health care professionals who are students or alumni from programs you’re interested in. This will not only provide you with information to make your decision but it also will connect you with practitioners who may become a part of your professional network.

— Amy Watters, EdD, RHIA, FAHIMA, is an associate professor at The College of St. Scholastica.

— Katie Kerr, EdD, RHIA, is an assistant professor at The College of St. Scholastica.