HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT (AAS OR AS TO BS)
Effective Date: 8/15/2017 - 8/15/2019
Completion of the following curriculum will satisfy the requirements for an Associate in Science degree at KCTCS and related baccalaureate HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT (AAS OR AS TO BS) degree at Western Kentucky University. This pathway
meets the general education, pre-major, and program requirements.
The suggested courses in this pathway leads to an Associate and Baccalaureate major. The course
recommendations for the first two years are required for the Baccalaureate degree, but also apply to the
associate degree. The completion of these courses will enable a student to move efficiently into the last
two years of the baccalaureate program.
It is important to discuss revisions to the plan, graduation requirements, entrance requirements, and other
important program requirements with your advisor. Students who complete the associate degree in this pathway are
guaranteed acceptance into the pathway as stated, unless otherwise noted on the pathway.
Sample 1st & 2nd Year Progression
Pre-Transfer Notes
This agreement allows KCTCS graduates to transfer AAS or AS coursework from KCTCS into the Health Information Management (HIM) program at WKU. The following courses are required: HIM 100, HIM 225, HIM 230, HIM 250, HIM 251, HIM 252, AH 290 or HIM 290, HIM 291,HIM 292, HIM 330, HIM 350, HIM 351, HIM 421, HIM 422, HIM 430, HIM 450, HIM 495, HCA 340, PH 383, CSCI 145C or CIS 141, CIS 243 or CSCI 157, CIT 350 or BDAN 330, and 12 credit hours selected from the following: CIT 310, CIT 330, CIT 332, CIT 492, BDAN 310, BDAN 410, BDAN 420, BDAN 430. BIOL 131 must be completed prior to full program admission. Enrollment in the program is limited. A students’ application will be considered following successful completion of the introductory course, HIM 100 or following successful completion of an associate degree in HIM from a Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM*) accredited program or successful completion of the HIM 100 departmental examination.
An associated degree in a focused health area transfers nicely into this program. Students with an A.S. degree from a KCTCS college have completed WKU general education requirements. Students with an A.A.S. degree from a KCTCS college are encouraged to become KCTCS general education certified. Courses from a Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management (CAHIIM) accredited KCTCS program, such as health information technology, are utilized to replace core courses as determined by the program coordinator. Graduates from KCTCS programs, such as medical information technology, that are not CAHIIM accredited are eligible to take WKU HIM departmental exams.
A student who makes below “C” in any Health Information Management core course is required to repeat the course. Additionally, in accordance with university policy, an overall grade point average of 2.0 or better must be attained upon completion of WKU program and graduation requirements.
Additional KCTCS Graduation Requirements
| 1. | Completion of minimum of 60 credit hours, |
| 2. | Minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA, |
| 3. | Minimum of 15 credit hours earned at the institution awarding the degree, |
| 4. | Cultural studies course, (Refer to the KCTCS catalog.) |
| 5. | Demonstration of computer/digital literacy, (Refer to the KCTCS catalog.) |
| 6. | One science course must include a laboratory experience, and |
| 7. | Two disciplines must be represented in Social & Behavioral Science courses and must be different than those in the Heritage and Humanities categories. |
Sample 3rd & 4th Year Progression
Program Notes
WKU Health Information Management advisors will assist students in selecting electives including upper-division, to support major courses while ensuring WKU graduation requirements are completed in a timely manner. Please contact the WKU advisors before enrolling and throughout the degree program.
Those with questions about the WKU Health Information Management program may contact:
Public Health Department
College of Health and Human Services
Phone: 270-745-4752
Email: public.health@wku.edu
