From Associate to Master’s: Advancing Your Education in Health Information Field
Key Steps in Advancing Your Health Information Management Education
Health information management is undoubtedly one of the fastest-growing fields in the nation. Over the next decade, data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests that demand for roles like health information technologists will grow at nearly four times the rate of all other occupations. Discover the steps you need to take to obtain the knowledge and skills sought by practitioners in the field.
Associate’s Degree: Laying the Foundation
An associate degree in an area such as healthcare administration can help you build core skills in multiple areas of the healthcare field, including finance, technology, leadership, and law.
This degree can act as a stepping stone to give you basic knowledge while preparing you for success in more advanced degree programs.
Bachelor’s Degree: Expanding Knowledge and Leadership Skills
A bachelor’s degree in health information management will help you take those foundational skills a step further. This degree covers basic coding systems in the healthcare industry, effective design and analysis of information management systems, data security and privacy law compliance.
You’ll also come to understand the software systems that drive the industry and how to use them to improve healthcare services and health outcomes. In the end, you’ll learn how to identify and solve intricate challenges using the latest technology.
Master’s Degree: Mastering Advanced Concepts and Management
Individuals in leadership roles in this field often have earned a master’s degree in healthcare administration.
In this type of program, students dive deep into healthcare business and operations topics, learning the skills to ensure clinics and institutions run smoothly and deliver excellent care. This includes coursework in finance, human resources, marketing and strategic management.
What Follows Obtaining Health Information Management Degrees?
Students who graduate with a health information management degree possess an enhanced understanding of challenges in the health information management field, and how to address them.
For example, those who work in traditional healthcare settings such as hospitals, long-term care facilities or physicians’ offices learn how to handle patient records, ensure data accuracy, and maintain compliance with all applicable regulations.
Because graduates have completed foundational coursework in many different areas, such as finance, marketing and management, their degree may also be sought by employers outside the traditional healthcare environments; these may be insurance companies, for example, who are focused in analyzing medical data to assess risks and improve claims processing.
Professionals are also found in software companies developing electronic health record applications, at consulting firms providing expert advice to institutions, or even at government agencies developing healthcare policies and regulations.
Which Degree Program Is Right for Me Based on My Interests?
You have many choices when it comes to obtaining the education you need to build your skillset and enhance your knowledge. Consider how a degree at various levels can help you reach your professional goals.
Associate Degree: Health Data Management
An associate degree offers foundational skills in a number of critical areas, including medical coding, data entry and patient record handling.
This degree is ideal for those who want to learn more about traditional healthcare settings, or about completing hands-on tasks with patient data.
Bachelor's Degree: Health Information Systems Professionals
Bachelor’s degree graduates may also work with healthcare data in a more strategic capacity. In this degree program, students further develop skills in health information management, data analytics, regulatory compliance and systems management.
These skills give graduates the know-how to ensure healthcare systems are equipped with the technological systems to handle patient data and effectively analyze it to produce better outcomes. A bachelor’s degree is ideal for those whose roles feature a broader focus on IT systems and regulatory compliance in healthcare settings.
Master's Degree: Leadership and Strategic Management
The master’s degree is often earned by those aiming for leadership roles, either in traditional healthcare settings or healthcare-adjacent industries and agencies. In a master’s program, students learn skills in advanced data privacy, healthcare leadership, policy development and strategic management.
This is ideal for those individuals and students who want to make a greater impact in healthcare organizations, influence health information management policy, or enhance data governance.
Take the Next Step in Health Information Management With UA Grantham’s Educational Programs
At UA Grantham, we understand that our students need opportunities to advance their education and build careers they truly love. To help you get there, we are proud to offer one of the lowest costs per credit hour in the nation, according to data from collegecost.ed.gov.
We also offer a no-cost application, and a complimentary laptop is included for all students enrolled in our degree program.
If you’re looking for flexibility, we can provide that as well. All of our programs are online and offer eight-week terms with monthly start dates for your convenience. Our classes have weekly assignment due dates that allow you to fit your coursework around your personal and professional schedule so that you can keep advancing toward your goals.
We are a military-friendly institution, offering military aid to veterans, active duty service members, and their families. To further aid in your success, you’ll have access to four hours of no-cost tutoring per month and a student learning center.
We hope that, with the help of our robust resources, you will have all you need to pursue the career of your dreams.