Do you want a great job when you graduate?
Launch your health-care career by applying to the online Bachelor of Applied Health Information Science degree. Help fill a skill shortage for in-demand jobs as data analysts, business intelligence specialists, privacy professionals, and clinical informatics specialists.
The Bachelor of Applied Health Information Science (Honours) degree is an innovative four-year, online program focusing on health informatics and health information management. You will experience a variety of real-life learning opportunities that will enrich your learning experience. You will be challenged to use creativity and problem-solving skills to design, implement and evaluate a broad range of projects with community partners. You will design health informatics and information management solutions while learning to maintain security, privacy, and confidentiality.
A paid co-op term prepares you for a number of in-demand career opportunities in the health-care industry. Our graduates enable the health-care system to achieve its goals of person-centred, safe, high- quality and sustainable health care through data-informed problem solving. By using applied and integrated knowledge and skills from health information science, biomedical and health sciences, information technology and management sciences, you can make a positive impact to the health-care system.
The Bachelor of Applied Health Information Science degree offers you opportunities to develop critical thinking and communication skills that enable you to work successfully on inter-professional teams. With small class sizes, dedicated professors, leading-edge course design, and the flexibility to study any time or place, this online degree program makes continuing your education and advancing your career possible.
Graduates will qualify to challenge the national certification examination of the Canadian Health Information Management Association (CHIMA).
Note:
- Advanced standing pathways are available for graduates with diplomas in health information management or in Conestoga’s Health Office Administration program.
- Successful completion of a pre-health sciences program may be considered as meeting the admission requirements.
Admission requirements
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent, OR 19 years of age or older
- A minimum of six (6) Grade 12 courses with a minimum cumulative average of 65%, including three (3) required U level courses and three (3) additional U or M level courses (Higher averages are often required for admission due to competition for available spaces in the program.)
- The following Grade 12 U courses are required:
- English (ENG4U), with a minimum average of 65%
- One (1) Grade 12 Mathematics course with a minimum average of 65% from the following: Advanced Functions (MHF4U) OR Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U) OR Mathematics of Data Management (MDM4U)
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- Grade 12 Biology with a minimum average of 65% (SBI4U)
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- Three (3) other Grade 12 U or M courses
Note re: admission requirements
- Successful completion of a pre-health sciences degree pathway program from an Ontario College of Applied Arts and Technology (CAAT) with two semesters of the required science and mathematics will be considered acceptable as meeting the U level requirements. Minimum averages will apply.
- Advanced standing pathways are available for graduates with diplomas in Health Information Management or in Conestoga’s Health Office Administration program.
- Applicants possessing degrees/diplomas from institutions where the language of instruction was not English will be required to provide test scores as evidence of their English language proficiency. Test scores, if required, would be a minimum of TOEFL iBT 88 (effective January 2024 with no individual skill less than 22; IELTS 6.5 with no bands less than 6.0; CAEL 70 with no sub-test band scores less than 60; PTE Academic 58; Conestoga English Language Test (CELT) Band 6; Cambridge Exams 180 with no individual score less than 170; or equivalent scores in other recognized standard tests of English.
- We offer a language program for students whose English language skills are below the standard required for admission but who have met all other admission criteria. You will be eligible for admission to the degree program after completion of level 4 of the General Arts and Science – English Language Studies (ELS) program with an overall grade average of 80% and no grade less than 75%. Your placement in the ELS program is determined by scores on an in-house English language test or TOEFL or IELTS.
Canadian admissions contact
International admissions contact
Admission procedures
- Academic strength is calculated by averaging marks from the three required courses (see Admission Requirements) and the three additional U or M courses. If more than three additional courses are submitted, the courses with the highest marks will be used.
- A sound English background is important for success in this program and is considered during the admission selection process. Minimum cutoffs may apply.
- Graduates of Conestoga’s Health Office Administration diploma may be eligible for admission into third year with a modified timetable of courses. Minimum averages apply. Applicants will be ranked based on an assessment of academic performance (grades). Please apply to program 4131C.
- Graduates of a Health Information Management diploma may be eligible for admission into third year with a modified timetable of courses. Minimum averages apply. Applicants will be ranked based on an assessment of academic performance (grades). Please apply to program 3131C.
- Graduates of relevant health or science degree programs may be eligible for admission into second year with a modified timetable of courses. Minimum averages apply. Applicants will be ranked based on an assessment of academic performance (grades). Please apply to program 5131C.
Program requirements
- Applicants must have basic computer literacy.
- Starting in fall 2020, students in this academic program are required to participate in the Lease Your Own Device (LYOD) program offered by Conestoga College.
- Applicants should display integrity, reliability, maturity, self-direction, determination, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, ability to work in teams and leadership.
- Mandatory work-integrated learning (WIL) document requirements must be completed by students prior to student WIL experiences. Successful WIL completion is required for students to progress to program completion. To qualify for WIL experiences, students must present the following practicum requirements by the deadline indicated on the practicum package which will be distributed in class at the beginning of year two:
- A complete immunization record including MMR, Tdap, varicella, polio, COVID-19 and hepatitis B. Seasonal flu vaccination is required during flu season (October – March).
- TB Testing: Evidence of current 2-Step or previous 2-step + current 1-step if more than one year has passed since 2-step testing.
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- A Police Check for Venerable Sector Screening (VSS) or Police Information Check (PIC) to be completed prior to year 2 work term; type of Police Check to be confirmed by your Program Coordinator. Police checks must be clear of any unpardoned criminal offences. An unclear criminal record may result in the inability to participate in WIL experiences which will jeopardize progress in the program. Acceptance for WIL is at the discretion of the agency; some agencies may request students to provide a VSS completed within six months of WIL start date. Students with criminal records are advised to meet with the program chair for academic counselling to determine program suitability.
- The academic requirements to be eligible for a co-op work term in a degree program are as follows:
- Minimum 65% session weighted average in the eligibility term two academic semesters prior to any co-op work term
- Maximum two failures or withdrawals during the academic semester that occurs in the eligibility term two academic semesters prior to any co-op work term
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- Must have successfully completed all but two core courses, according to the program design, by the eligibility term prior to any given work term (regardless of the level the student was placed in advanced standing)
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- Students (even those on special timetables) will not be permitted to complete a co-op work term until conditions above are met and all but two core course deficiencies, according to the program design, are cleared
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- Co-op work terms may need to be re-sequenced to allow academic deficiencies to be cleared or in the event a student changes cohorts (i.e. graduation is delayed by one year or more). Students may not repeat a passed work term
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- Should a student’s academic performance decline considerably during the term just prior to any work term, the college reserves the right to withdraw the student from the upcoming work term
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- In the case of back to back work terms eligibility to participate in consecutive work terms will be granted upon approval to participate in the initial work term
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- Where two or more work terms occur back to back, should a student fail to achieve academic eligibility for the first work term, their eligibility for the second work term will be based on the term that occurs two terms prior to the second work term
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- Students in degree programs may only fail/defer each work term in their program design once
Pre-Workplace-Integrated Learning (WIL) FAQ
You are taking the first steps to becoming a professional through your program at Conestoga College.
Realizing your vision of having a high-performing career in your field of choice requires that you start your program having met the document requirements that are mandatory for new employees in your field. The WIL document requirements that are mandatory for your program can be found in the Student Portal under the Services tab (scroll down the page and select the Login to H.S.Trax button).
Level-1
[accordion_inner] [accordion-item_inner title=”Conestoga 101 CON0101m”]Description: This self-directed course focuses on introducing new students to the supports, services, and opportunities available at Conestoga College. By the end of this course, students will understand the academic expectations of the Conestoga learning environment, as well as the supports available to ensure their academic success. Students will also be able to identify on-campus services that support their health and wellness, and explore ways to get actively involved in the Conestoga community through co-curricular learning opportunities.
- Hours: 1
- Credits: 0
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Description: This course introduces the students to the College, the School, the program, and the profession of health informatics and health information management. Students will be provided with an overview of the program structure, its curriculum, and policies. Students will be introduced to team dynamics, personality traits, self regulated learning, project management strategies and ePortfolios. Students will also be encouraged to connect with senior students in the program to learn more about co-ops careers and success strategies.
- Hours: 42
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Description: Students will gain a comprehensive and critical understanding of the planning and delivery functions of health care, including the Canadian health care system, factors affecting health policy formulation, health economics, and funding sources. These concepts will be discussed at the federal, provincial, regional, and organizational levels to prepare students for leadership roles as health informatics professionals.
- Hours: 56
- Credits: 4
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Description:
This is the first of three biomedical concepts courses. This course will introduce students to the biomedical terminology typically encountered in health care documentation. The students will become familiar with the structural units of the body and associated physiological functions, as well as pathological processes involving these units. Different pathological conditions will be discussed in relation to their clinical manifestations, and current methods of diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. The students will explore the relationship between clinical information, its documentation in health records, and its importance in health informatics and information management in health care. The systems covered in this course will be: the integumentary system, the body membranes, and the musculoskeletal system.
- Hours: 56
- Credits: 4
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Description: This breadth course provides a foundation to the technical aspects of Health Information Science. Students install and use a variety of operating systems and computer software applications, practice basic computing hardware and software troubleshooting skills and engage in discussions of more advanced computing topics such as computer programming, data networking, analytics, decision support and artificial intelligence.
- Hours: 56
- Credits: 4
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Description:
This course provides a foundation for students to query data in healthcare and focuses on the development and use of the SQL language to access, analyze and present meaningful data to stakeholders. Students will write basic queries to extract useful data, and will develop more complex queries to address increasingly complex use-cases and contextual requirements. Students will apply their knowledge by analyzing data from the Canadian healthcare industry through the use of SQL and integrated development environments.
- Hours: 56
- Credits: 4
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Level-2
[accordion_inner] [accordion-item_inner title=”Academic Communications ENGL71000″]Description:
This course is intended to develop the communication skills required in academic studies, which will translate into useful writing and presentation skills in Canada’s increasingly intercultural professional and technical domains. Students will practice planning, drafting, and revising documents. The complex process of researching, creating, and revising arguments will encourage critical thinking, grammatical writing, and appropriate citation skills. Correct formatting of research papers and effective oral presentation skills will be emphasized.
- Hours: 42
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Description:
This course introduces students to the profession of Health Information Management (HIM). Foundations of data and information management in Canadian health care will be a core focus of the course. Health care documentation, in both paper-based and electronic formats, and the steps of the health information life cycle will be discussed. Students will begin to apply biomedical terms, abbreviations, and acronyms to health care documentation. Students will be introduced to ethics, legal, regulatory, privacy, and confidentiality issues related to information management in Canadian health care.
- Hours: 56
- Credits: 4
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Description:
This course will provide students with an opportunity to enhance their problem solving skills in health informatics through application of systems and process improvement methodologies. The students will analyze selected cases from local, national, and international health informatics projects. The course will expose students to a variety of tools to improve their problem solving strategies, ability to work in teams, leadership and interpersonal conflict management skills.
- Hours: 56
- Credits: 4
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Description:
This course builds on the foundation students have in SQL queries and report generation by introducing concepts of database design, data modeling and database normalization. Students will understand use-cases and business requirements and transform their understanding of the healthcare system into meaningful data models and database schemas that efficiently store information while meeting the business and technical requirements of our complex healthcare system. Students will apply their knowledge by manipulating data from the Canadian healthcare industry through the use of SQL.
- Hours: 56
- Credits: 4
- Pre-Requisites: COMP71038 AND PROG71000
- CoRequisites:
Description: This course introduces students to problem-solving techniques, programming logic and programming fundamentals. Topics include basic components of computer programs such as built-in functions, variables, data types, sequences, program flow control and iteration.
- Hours: 56
- Credits: 4
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Description: This course will focus on comprehensive theoretical understanding of group process, personal skill development and application through intensive team work. These skills are of critical importance in both professional and social settings. Through guided exploration and application of theoretical paradigms and practical strategies, students will achieve the necessary skills to succeed in and lead effective teams. The course consists in an intensive experiential approach – learning by doing – enabling participants to become effective, practiced team members with experience applying skills necessary for leadership, analysis and evaluation, problem solving, and conflict management. Individual and team activities enhance participants’ skills to work with a variety of personalities in diverse situations, and to effectively assume various professional roles within a team.
- Hours: 42
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Level-3
[accordion_inner] [accordion-item_inner title=”Data Analysis I HIM72015″]Description:
The students will be introduced to types of data and common statistical measures used in health care. They will develop skills in applying data quality frameworks to health data in order to improve processes. The course will give students an opportunity to perform data analysis using different statistical approaches, and to present data in various formats to specific audiences. The students will discuss proper uses of statistics in health care and their impact on decision-making.
- Hours: 56
- Credits: 4
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Description:
This is the second of three biomedical concepts courses. This course will reinforce students’ knowledge of the biomedical terminology typically encountered in health care documentation. The students will advance their familiarity with the structural units of the body and associated physiological functions, as well as pathological processes involving these units. Different pathological conditions will be discussed in relation to their clinical manifestations, and current methods of diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. The students will continue exploring the relationship between clinical information, its documentation in health records, and its importance in health informatics and information management in health care. The systems covered in this course will be: the nervous system, the endocrine system, blood, the cardiovascular system, the lymphatic and immune systems, and the respiratory system.
- Hours: 56
- Credits: 4
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Description: In this course students gain exposure to health information systems by researching and documenting typical clinical workflows, scenarios and use-cases. Some of the clinical and administrative functions that are explored are: scheduling, admission, discharge and transfer (ADT), inpatient and outpatient pharmacy management, lab test order management, patient vitals collection and analysis, eMAR/BCMA and CPOE. Students are encouraged to think inter-professionally and required to research and document the information needs and roles of various healthcare team members and in a variety of different care settings, such as primary care, acute care, home care, community care, and long term care.
- Hours: 56
- Credits: 4
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Description:
This course will prepare health care professionals to manage projects within their own area and across disciplines. The course will identify the skills and competencies of an effective project manager. The students will develop a major project using project management software specific to health project management for clinical research, health information, and health care quality management.
- Hours: 42
- Credits: 3
- Pre-Requisites:
- CoRequisites:
Description: Students will plan, write, test, and debug computer programs using more advanced computing concepts, data structures and programming methodologies. Existing frameworks and libraries for event-handling and graphical user interfaces will be used to build more advanced software applications that solve healthcare problems.
- Hours: 56
- Credits: 4
- Pre-Requisites: PROG71880
- CoRequisites:
Careers – September 2024
Our graduates have careers as data analysts, clinical analysts, project managers, software developers, privacy officers, implementation coordinators, data scientists, business intelligence consultants, decision support specialists, and consultants.
On average, 78% of graduates from the last three years (2018 to 2020) found employment within six months of graduation.