COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management Informatics at Southeast Missouri State University is a 54-hour major designed to prepare students for careers at the intersection of healthcare, management, and information technology. The program focuses on improving healthcare delivery systems through the effective use of data, digital tools, and organizational management strategies. Students build a strong foundation in healthcare operations by studying healthcare performance improvement, quality and value in healthcare, budgeting and reimbursement systems, and healthcare policies and issues. These courses help students understand how healthcare organizations function financially and administratively while ensuring high-quality patient care. In addition, students complete management-focused coursework in principles of management, human resource management, and management skills, which develop leadership abilities needed to supervise teams, improve organizational efficiency, and support decision-making in healthcare environments. A major component of the program is healthcare informatics, where students gain technical expertise through courses in healthcare informatics, healthcare database systems, and management information systems. These classes train students to work with electronic health records, healthcare data systems, and digital platforms used for data analysis, reporting, and operational decision-making. The program also integrates behavioral and communication sciences, including psychology, psychological research, community health, and health communication, allowing students to understand patient behavior, public health challenges, and effective communication strategies within healthcare systems. Students gain valuable real-world experience through a required healthcare internship, where they apply classroom knowledge in professional healthcare settings and develop practical skills in data management, analysis, and organizational operations. Supporting coursework in economics, biology or anatomy, mathematics, and computer applications strengthens their analytical, scientific, and technical background. Graduates of the program are prepared for careers in healthcare data management, health informatics, healthcare operations, and administrative roles in hospitals, clinics, insurance companies, and public health organizations. Overall, the degree equips students with the interdisciplinary skills needed to improve efficiency, data use, and decision-making in modern healthcare systems.