ISU now offers health care information systems major

In response to an urgent need for information technology specialists in the health care industry, the Idaho State University College of Business is now offering a four-year academic program leading to the Bachelor of Business Administration in health care information systems management.

It is the only Idaho program offered by an Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)-accredited business school and is delivered in cooperation with the Department of Health Care Administration in the Kasiska College of Health Professions at ISU.

The degree is designed to enable graduates to enter careers in information systems support in health care organizations. Upon graduation, students will receive a minor in computer information systems in addition to the health care information systems management major. Information systems are playing an increasingly important role in the burgeoning healthcare field.

The program will develop skills necessary to manage information systems in health care environments by combining courses in health care administration, general business and computer information systems. Graduates will be prepared to work in hospitals, health clinics, physician offices and other health-related organizations of all sizes in communities throughout the state and nation.

An April 2008 study by the Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) pointed out that a forty percent hike in the national Information Technology workforce will be needed to move U.S. health care to a paperless system. That translates to 40,000 additional health IT professionals, nearly forty percent more than U.S. hospitals are now estimated to employ.

“We are very pleased to offer this timely degree program,” said Kenneth A. Smith, Ph.D, CPA, dean of the ISU College of Business. “Graduates can immediately assume general and information systems management roles at health care facilities of all sizes and provide immediate leadership in electronic medical record keeping and paperless prescribing,” he said.

Visit http://www.isu.edu/academic-info/current/business.html#HISMMajor for complete information on the program, entrance requirements and the course of study; or call the College of Business advising office at (208) 282-3448, or send an e-mail to advising@cob.isu.edu.