Healthcare runs on data — and the professionals who manage, analyze, protect, and leverage that data are in extraordinary demand. GCU's B.S. in Health Information Management is a joint degree program with Rutgers University's CAHIIM accredited Health Information Management program, preparing you for careers in health data management, informatics, analytics, medical coding, compliance, and healthcare leadership. Graduate eligible to sit for the national RHIA examination — the gold standard credential in health information.
Placeholder Image
The Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) is the nationally recognized professional credential for health information management leaders — and GCU/Rutgers graduates are eligible to sit for the national RHIA examination upon completing the program. Employers across hospitals, health systems, insurance companies, and government agencies specifically seek RHIA-eligible candidates for health data management, informatics, compliance, and revenue cycle roles. This credential, combined with your joint degree, positions you at the top of the HIM hiring pool.
Rutgers University's Health Information Management program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management (CAHIIM) — the specialized accrediting body for HIM programs nationally. CAHIIM accreditation is required for RHIA examination eligibility and is the standard that healthcare employers use to evaluate the quality of HIM programs. When you earn your GCU/Rutgers HIM degree, you're earning one backed by the field's most respected accreditation.
Health Information Management sits at one of the most dynamic intersections in modern healthcare: where clinical care, health data, technology systems, and regulatory compliance meet. HIM professionals work in health data management, electronic health record (EHR) systems, data analytics, medical coding (ICD-10, CPT), revenue cycle management, clinical documentation improvement, compliance, and privacy/security. These roles are in every type of healthcare organization — from community hospitals to insurance giants to government agencies — and they're growing fast.
One of the most practical features of this program is that the Rutgers professional phase (61 credits over years 3 and 4) is delivered primarily online — 58 of 61 credits are offered remotely, with just 3 credits of in-person Professional Practice experience. This makes the program exceptionally flexible for students who are balancing work, family, or other commitments during the professional phase — while still providing the real-world applied experience that healthcare employers require.
Rutgers University’s Health Information Management program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM) — the national accrediting body for HIM education programs. CAHIIM accreditation is required for RHIA exam eligibility and reflects the program’s alignment with national professional standards.
Health information is the lifeblood of modern healthcare — and the people who manage it ensure that patient care is documented, reimbursed, analyzed, protected, and continuously improved. GCU’s B.S. in Health Information Management prepares you to be one of those essential professionals, through a carefully designed joint degree program with Rutgers University’s School of Health Professions.
The program is structured in two distinct phases. In the first two years at GCU, you complete General Education requirements and the prerequisite science and technology courses required by Rutgers SHP, including Human Anatomy & Physiology I and II, college algebra, statistical thinking, and at least 3 credits of CS or IS coursework. In the second half of the program, you transition to Rutgers SHP — completing 61 credits of specialized HIM coursework over two academic years (fall and spring of years three and four). The Rutgers SHP phase covers health data management, medical coding (ICD-10, CPT), healthcare informatics, data analytics, compliance, revenue cycle management, clinical classification systems, and leadership — the full professional skill set of the modern HIM professional.
The vast majority of Rutgers SHP coursework (58 of 61 credits) is offered online, providing exceptional schedule flexibility during the professional phase. The remaining 3 credits are a Professional Practice course in which you apply your learning in a real healthcare setting.
Upon completing both phases, the B.S. in Health Information Management is jointly awarded by both institutions — and you become eligible to sit for the national Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) examination. Passing the RHIA establishes you as a Registered Health Information Administrator — the credential that opens doors at every level of healthcare.
GCU’s B.S. in Health Information Management is a great fit if you:
| Career | Entry Salary | Mid-Career Salary | Experienced Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health Information Managers | $52,000–$68,000 | $82,400 | $100,000–$130,000+ |
| Medical Records / HIM Specialists | $42,000–$55,000 | $57,800 | $72,000+ |
| Health Informatics Analysts | $58,000–$75,000 | $91,200 | $115,000–$145,000+ |
| Medical Coders / CDI Specialists | $46,000–$62,000 | $68,400 | $85,000+ |
Job Outlook
Medical records and health information specialists are projected to grow 13% from 2023 to 2033 — much faster than average — with approximately 15,800 openings per year nationally. Healthcare’s accelerating transition to digital systems, combined with expanding regulatory requirements, creates exceptional long-term demand for skilled HIM professionals.
To earn this degree, students must successfully complete at least 120 credits, including General Education requirements and the major requirements below.
During the first two years, the student completes the GCU General Education requirements and prerequisite courses for Rutgers University. GCU courses required as prerequisites for the Rutgers University portion of the program include:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BI213 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 4.0 |
| BI214 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 4.0 |
| MA103 | Introduction to Statistical Thinking | 3.0 |
| MA109 | College Algebra | 3.0 |
| At least 3 credits of CS or IS courses | 3.0 | |
| Total Credits | 17.0 | |
Students must have an overall GPA of at least 2.75 to be eligible for admission to Rutgers University (requirements subject to change). At the beginning of the student’s last semester at Georgian Court University, the student applies to the Rutgers University’s School of Health Professions B.S. in Health Information Management program. Students should apply at the beginning of the spring semester since admission is competitive and is not guaranteed. All Georgian Court General Education requirements and the prerequisite courses for the Rutgers University program must be completed prior to enrolling at Rutgers University, except for Georgian Court University’s second experiential learning requirement, which can be fulfilled by professional practice experiences that are part of the Rutgers University phase of the program. Students admitted to Rutgers University spend the fall and spring semesters of the junior and senior year taking 61 credits of Rutgers University health information management courses, comprised of 55 credits of required courses and 6 credits of electives. Of these 61 credits, 58 are online and the other 3 credits are a Professional Practice course that is onsite at a health care facility (curriculum subject to change; consult the Rutgers University website at https://shp.rutgers.edu/health-informatics/bachelor-of-science-health-information-management/ for current curriculum) at Rutgers University’s School of Health Professions campus in Newark. Students pay GCU tuition and fees while enrolled at GCU, and Rutgers University tuition and fees while enrolled at Rutgers University.
Admissions Requirements GCU Admission (First-Year Students)
Note: HIM students do not need an intensive science background at the high school level — the GCU phase requirements are more accessible than those of CLS or the Biology programs. Strong math, English, and technology skills are the most useful preparation.
GCU to Rutgers SHP Admission (Professional Phase)
Transfer Students
GCU Phase: Students completing the GCU pre-professional phase will demonstrate foundational knowledge of human anatomy and physiology, statistical reasoning, and technology skills that prepare them for the rigors of the Rutgers SHP professional curriculum.
Rutgers SHP Phase (CAHIIM-aligned outcomes): Upon completing the joint degree, graduates will be able to:
Q: What exactly does a Health Information Manager do? A: Health Information Managers oversee the systems and processes that capture, organize, protect, analyze, and use patient health information. In practice, this means managing electronic health records (EHRs), ensuring accurate medical coding (ICD-10, CPT) for billing and reimbursement, maintaining HIPAA compliance, overseeing clinical documentation improvement, and providing data analytics support to clinical and administrative leadership. It’s a role that sits at the intersection of clinical operations, technology, data, and compliance — making HIM professionals indispensable in every type of healthcare organization.
Q: What is the RHIA credential, and how do I earn it? A: The Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) is the premier national certification for HIM professionals, awarded by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). To be eligible to sit for the RHIA exam, you must graduate from a CAHIIM-accredited program — which is exactly what this joint degree provides. After earning your degree, you apply to AHIMA to sit for the examination.
Passing establishes you as a Registered Health Information Administrator — a credential that healthcare employers actively seek and reward.
Q: Is most of the Rutgers SHP coursework really online? A: Yes — 58 of the 61 professional phase credits at Rutgers SHP are offered online. The only in-person component is 3 credits of Professional Practice, where you apply your learning in a real healthcare setting. This makes the professional phase extremely flexible for students who are managing work, family, or geographic constraints during years 3 and 4.
Q: What happens if I don’t get into Rutgers SHP? A: Admission to Rutgers SHP is competitive and not guaranteed — even students who meet the 2.75 GPA minimum may not be accepted. If you are not admitted to Rutgers SHP, speak with your GCU advisor about alternative paths. Because the GCU phase coursework includes substantial General Education credits, you may be able to complete a different GCU degree with the credits already earned. This contingency should be discussed with your advisor from the beginning of your program.
Q: Do I need a strong science background to succeed in this program? A: The HIM program’s science requirements at GCU — Human Anatomy & Physiology I and II — are health sciences courses rather than rigorous research science. A strong high school science background helps but is less critical than in the Biology, Biochemistry, or Chemistry programs. More important for HIM success are strong organizational, analytical, and technology skills, comfort with data and detail-oriented work, and good communication ability.
Q: What is medical coding, and is it part of this career? A: Medical coding is the process of translating clinical diagnoses, procedures, and services into standardized code sets (ICD-10-CM for diagnoses, CPT for procedures, HCPCS for medical supplies and services) that are used for insurance billing, reimbursement, data reporting, and research. Accurate coding is essential to healthcare revenue and compliance — and it’s a core skill developed in the Rutgers SHP professional phase. Many HIM graduates begin their careers as medical coders or CDI (Clinical Documentation Improvement) specialists before advancing into management roles.
Q: When should I apply? A: GCU uses rolling admissions — apply any time. Priority deadlines are November 1, January 1, and March 1. Given that the Rutgers SHP application is submitted at the beginning of your last semester at GCU, you must complete all GCU prerequisites and maintain your GPA throughout your first two years. Starting on time and following the prescribed curriculum sequence is essential.
Welcome to the new georgian.edu!
We've redesigned our website to make it easier to explore Georgian Court. Some sections are still being finished and will be completed in the coming weeks. Thanks for your patience as we continue to improve your experience.
