The HIHIM undergraduate program, administered by the Department of Health Services, has a diverse student population in ethnicity, gender and age. Eighty-five percent of students are non-white, while the number of international students has doubled in the last two years.

“I attribute the diverse student population to the job outlook for a career in the health care industry and the global need for professionals trained in health informatics and information management,” says Kathleen Peterson, lead lecturer and director of the HIHIM program.

The program provides students with worldwide perspectives and innovative learning experiences that keep pace with the changing health care industry and emerging technologies.

“The faculty presents data encouraging students to think critically about health care systems across the world, as well as improving the health care system in the U.S.,” Peterson says.

Graduates of HIHIM are qualified to work in a variety of in-demand roles, including health information managers, data analysts, electronic health record implementation specialists, privacy specialists and compliance analysts.

“The need for health informatics and information management professionals is predicted to be strong through 2022, with job projections ranging from 15 to 22 percent,” Peterson says. “Much faster than the average growth of jobs.”

The School also offers a Master’s in Health Informatics and Health Information Management and partners with UW’s Professional & Continuing Education to provide a post-baccalaureate certificate program.