UIC for an advanced education in health informatics

The University of Illinois at Chicago is ranked in the top 4% of 4,000 colleges and Universities in the US by U.S. News & World Report. Why choose UIC for an advanced education in health informatics?

• UIC features the first master-level program to be accredited by CAHIIM*
• UIC offers well-connected programs, with classmates and alumni at the forefront of the industry
• UIC enables multi-disciplinary communication among students where expertise may be expanded to include the attitudes and perceptions of other professionals
• UIC provides an online format, so you have the flexibility to earn your degree at home
• UIC incorporates a diverse list of programs, including:

o Master of Science in Health Informatics
o Post-Master Certificate in Health Informatics
o Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Health Information Management (RHIA)
o Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management (RHIA)

If you are interested in speaking with one of our enrollment advisors about continuing your education in health informatics at UIC, visit: http://healthinformatics.uic.edu

UIC receives CAHIIM accreditation

Chicago, IL (July 16) – The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) is pleased to announce that the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM) has accredited its online Master of Science degree in Health Informatics. The UIC program is the first master level degree program to receive CAHIIM accreditation. Prior to receiving accreditation, UIC was one of only six master programs to be approved by CAHIIM.

"We are thrilled to receive CAHIIM accreditation for our online Master of Science in Health Informatics program," says Department Head Dr. Larry Pawola. "The CAHIIM accreditation process requires our program to meet a very high educational standard; our accreditation status reflects both the overall quality of our online master’s program, and our ability to deliver valuable advanced education in an online format. We are pleased UIC is recognized as being the leader in health informatics education."

Master of Science in Health Informatics

I admit that it starts to get a bit confusing when you compare degrees:

• Master of Science in Health Informatics
• Master of Science in Medical Informatics
• Master of Science in Biomedical Informatics
• Master of Science in Bioinformatics

Let's talk about the Master of Science in Health Informatics today.  If you type "Master of Science in Health Informatics" into Google, several programs pop up, including:

• University of Illinois at Chicago
  
• Northeastern University
• The University of Tennessee Health Science Center
• Saint Louis University
• Northern Kentucky University
• UC Davis
• University of Central Florida
  

Only a few programs are currently approved by Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). Many of these programs are offered online so that you can obtain your Master of Science in Health Informatics and continue working your day job.

CAHIIM (health informatics and information management)

Are you familiar with the acronym CAHIIM?

The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM) recognizes degree-granting programs in Health Informatics and Information Management that have undergone a rigorous process of voluntary peer review and have met or exceeded the minimum Accreditation Standards as set by the CAHIIM. These programs are awarded accreditation status by the CAHIIM, which provides public recognition of such achievement.

CAHIIM Mission

CAHIIM advances the value of health informatics and information management through quality education by:

* Establishing and enforcing accreditation Standards
* Recognizing programs that meet the Standards
* Assessing student achievement
* Respecting educational innovation and diversity
* Recognizing academic institutions' autonomy
* Emphasizing the principle of volunteerism and peer review
* Embracing a culture of continuous quality improvement

Considering a graduate degree in health information management or health informatics? (not to be confused with medical informatics or biomedical informatics)

Definition: Health Information Management (HIM) at the master's degree level leads to executive level health information management, enterprise wide HIM leadership, administration, education or research. HIM is focused on the strategic and operational relevance and robustness of clinical information resources, workflow, and connectivity within the healthcare industry and public heath sectors.

Click here to see which academic programs are accredited by the CAHIIM.

Or, you can view this list (current as of 1/15/2010) of graduate programs that are accredited by the CAHIIM:

• Claremont Graduate University
• College of St. Scholastica
• Oregon Health & Science University
• University of Illinois at Chicago
• University of Pittsburgh
• University of Tennessee Health Science Center