Program Description

The program is designed for individuals from a variety of backgrounds.  Applicants who have not completed a bachelor’s degree in health information administration may be required to register for additional courses.  Those students interested in taking the RHIA certification exam upon graduation will be required to register for additional course work.  The type of additional course work will be determined after evaluation of transcripts and work experience.

Program Format

The program will be offered in a unique format that will allow students to maintain their current employment status while enhancing their knowledge and skills.  Through online study, students will take courses each year during the fall, winter, spring and summer quarters.  Students will use various forms of communication (e.g., online lectures, e-mail, electronic bulletin boards, digital drop box) to complete coursework and to communicate with each other and the faculty during the online program.

Admission Requirements

Admission is competitive; consequently applicants who meet the minimum requirements specified herein are not assured admission.  The department qualitatively and quantitatively evaluates applicants and makes selections based on performance, personal qualifications, and evidence of potential for success.  Applicants will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee after the following items have been received: application form, application fee, GRE scores, essay, reference letters, and all applicable transcripts.

Applicants must posses a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and must meet the minimum admission requirements of the Graduate School, as well as the admission requirements of the Department of Health Information Management.

Unconditional admission to the master’s program in the department requires completion of a bachelor’s degree in Health Information Administration or related area, at least 3.0 (4.0 system) overall (or last 60 hours) grade point average and a score of at least 1400 on the following formula using GPA and GRE scores:GPA x 200 + GRE verbal score + GRE quantitative score = 1400.

Conditional admission will be granted to applicants not meeting requirements for unconditional admission but who have a GPA of at least 2.50 overall or for the last 60 hours and a score of at least 1200 using the formula described above with either the overall GPA or the GPA for the last 60 hours.  Conditional status may be changed to unconditional status when a student earns a minimum of 9 hours of graduate credit at Louisiana Tech, provided he or she has a “B” average on all work pursued for graduate credit, including no grade lower than “C” and not more than one course with a grade of “C”. If a student completes 9 hours of graduate credit and is not eligible for unconditional status, the student will be dropped from graduate status.