School of Health and Social Services, College of Health and Human Services • Bowling Green, KY • Online • $551/Credit (online)
Western Kentucky University offers 2 Health Informatics programs:
- BS in Health Information Management
- Health Informatics and Data Analytics Certificate (undergraduate)
Program Overview
| Program | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| BS in Health Information Management | $66.1K online (all residencies); $61.4K KY campus | 4 years, or about 2 after an HIT associate | 120 |
| Health Informatics and Data Analytics Certificate | $8.3K online | Not clearly stated | 15 |
WKU’s CAHIIM-accredited HIM bachelor’s is fully online and has a “Plus 2” path built for graduates of HIT associate programs, so RHITs can finish an RHIA-eligible degree without starting over. CAHIIM has named it a Program of Distinction.
Quick Facts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Program Types | BS in HIM (Finish-in-Four or Plus 2); undergraduate certificate |
| Format | Online, or hybrid; internship required |
| Practicum Hours | HIM 495 capstone professional practice (3–6 credits); hours not stated |
| RN License Required | No |
| Who It’s For | RHITs completing a bachelor’s, and new students targeting HIM management |
| Distinctive Coursework | Payment systems, EHR systems, health data management and analytics, data modeling |
| Certification Pathway | RHIA exam eligibility |
| Tuition | $551 per credit for online courses, any residency (2026-27) |
| Accreditation | CAHIIM, next review 2032-33 |
BS in Health Information Management
The estimated tuition for the BS in Health Information Management at Western Kentucky University is approximately $66,120 online (120 credits at $551/credit).
The program can generally be completed in about four years, or about two years for HIT associate graduates on the Plus 2 path.
BS Curriculum
The 61- to 64-hour major covers HIM operations and coding systems, then adds a data and analytics layer, including a business data analytics course.
- HIM 230 Computer Systems and Applications in HIM (3)
- HIM 252 Healthcare Payment Systems (3)
- HIM 330 EHR Systems (3)
- HIM 350 Health Informatics Research (3)
- HIM 353 Management of Clinical Classification Systems (3)
- HIM 421 Health Information Leadership and Management (3)
- HIM 430 Health Data Management and Analytics (3)
- HIM 450 Application and Analysis of HIM Theory (3)
- BDAN 305 Data Modeling and Analysis (3)
More curriculum details are available here.
You Should Know
- The Plus 2 path accepts HIT courses only from CAHIIM-accredited associate programs.
- The Finish-in-Four plan totals 120 to 123 credits and starts in fall.
BS Practicum and Capstone
- HIM 495 Capstone Professional Practice Experience (3–6 credits).
- A background check, immunizations, drug screen, and liability insurance are required first.
- Clock hours and how sites are found are Not clearly stated.
Because the credits range from 3 to 6, the time commitment varies. Students already working in HIM may be able to complete parts of the experience close to home.
BS Admissions
Admission to the major has a low GPA bar and accepts associate graduates directly.
- Admission to WKU and a 2.0 GPA.
- C or better in HIM 100 (or an equivalent course or department exam), or an HIM/HIT associate degree.
- Criminal background check.
Health Informatics and Data Analytics Certificate
The estimated tuition for the Health Informatics and Data Analytics Certificate at Western Kentucky University is approximately $8,265 (15 credits at $551/credit).
The program’s length is not published; it is fully online.
Certificate Curriculum
- BDAN 250 Introduction to Analytics (3)
- BDAN 305 Data Modeling and Analysis (3)
- HIM 230 Computer Systems and Applications in HIM (3)
- HIM 330 EHR Systems (3)
- HIM 430 Health Data Management and Analytics (3)
You Should Know
- Three of the five courses are also BS major courses. Admission requirements and start terms are Not clearly stated.
Tuition
WKU’s 2026-27 distance learning rate is $551 per credit for exclusively online courses, regardless of residency, and campus mandatory fees do not apply to it.
| Rate (2026-27) | Per Credit | 120 Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Distance learning, any residency | $551 | $66,120 |
| Campus, Kentucky resident | $511.50 | $61,380 |
| Campus, Tuition Incentive Program | $589 | $70,680 |
| Campus, nonresident | $1,125 | $135,000 |
- Rates come from WKU’s 2026-27 tuition and fees page.
Be aware that:
- Plus 2 students pay only for the credits they still need; WKU does not publish a total for that path.
- Background checks, insurance, and placement travel are extra.
For an RHIT finishing roughly 60 credits online, tuition would be about $33,000; out-of-state students pay the same online rate as Kentuckians.
Why Choose This Health Informatics Program?
The pathway is the selling point: a direct online route from an HIT associate degree to the RHIA.
Pathway selection. RHITs can transfer their accredited HIT coursework, finish online, and sit for the RHIA. New students can follow the four-year plan instead.
Outcomes. WKU reports 100% graduation, employment, and satisfaction for 2024-25. RHIA pass rates are not published.
The trade-offs. The online rate is slightly higher than the in-state campus rate, and the practicum hours are not published.
Accreditation
The BS in Health Information Management is accredited by CAHIIM, with continuing accreditation granted for seven years in July 2025 and the next review in 2032-33. WKU describes it as a CAHIIM Program of Distinction.
Western Kentucky University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Graduates of CAHIIM-accredited HIM bachelor’s programs are eligible for AHIMA’s Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) exam. The certificate is not separately accredited.
Keep Exploring Health Informatics Programs
See all Kentucky health informatics programs, browse the health informatics and HIM bachelor’s directory, or read the health informatics degree guide.