Cut Time and Cost on GCU’s BS in Health Information Management

Why GCU’s BS in Health Information Management is Perfect for Degree Hacking

GCU’s online BS in Health Information Management (HIM) degree program features short terms, flexible transfer options, and accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The program prepares you to manage healthcare data, ensure compliance, and enhance patient care through effective information management.

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Here’s why this degree lends itself to fast, affordable completion:

Flexible Structure Built for Acceleration

• Up to 90 transfer credits accepted toward the 120 required, with a 30 credit GCU residency

• Online courses typically run in 7 to 8 week sessions, helping you stack momentum

• Alternative credit options like CLEP and DSST can count toward lower level needs

Career and HIM Skill Preparation

• Curriculum aligned to data governance, coding, analytics and health systems

• CAHIIM accreeditation ensures the program meets industry standards and qualifies you for professional certification and career advancement in health information management

• Preparation for roles such as Medical And Health Services Manager, Medical Records Specialist and Health Information Technologist

Why Most People Take 3–4 Years (And How to Do It in 6–12 Months)

Students often follow the default sequence, enrolling before maximizing transfers and paying full tuition for courses that could be completed for less. With an optimized plan, much of the degree can be finished through transfer, leaving a compact, high value GCU core.

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Typical patterns that slow students down include:

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Why Most People Take 3–4 Years:

• They enroll first, plan later: Without a pre-mapped transfer plan, students discover equivalencies after they have already paid for courses they could have transferred.

• They under use ACE and exams: Skipping CLEP or DSST, or not leveraging ACE evaluated courses, leaves low cost credits on the table.

• They keep too many lower level credits at GCU: Paying per credit for general education and basic prerequisites increases both cost and time.

• They forget upper division planning: Not isolating upper level HIM and the capstone for GCU leads to rework and delays.

Here's what degree hackers do that others don't:

• Max transfers first: Bank up to 90 eligible credits before enrolling, including exams and evaluated coursework.

• Target low cost sources: Use online course providers with ACE-recommended courses and selected exams to fulfill general education and lower level requirements efficiently.

• Reserve GCU for HIM core: Keep upper division HIM, data governance and capstone courses at GCU for quality and alignment.

• Result: 12 months, for $14,550 total tuition fee.

Finishing your BS in Health Information Management should not take four years or four figures per course. A transfer first plan lets you concentrate tuition on high impact HIM classes and move into the field faster.

Strategy Guide: Tips on How to Hack GCU BS in Health Information Management Program

We’ve created a clear, step-by-step guide to help you earn your BS in Health Information Management, shaped by insights from graduates, advisors, and adult learners who’ve successfully fast-tracked their degrees.

GCU BS in Health Information Management Pre-Enrollment Hacks:

• Use online courses deliberately - Study.com's College Starter plan is $95 per month and College Saver plan is at $235/month, you can complete multiple gen ed or survey courses before enrollment

• Leverage CLEP and DSST - Exams usually run around $97 (CLEP) to $100 (DSST) each plus a local test center fee and can satisfy common lower level requirements.

• Get a custom degree map - A tailored transfer plan from DegreeHacked.org clarifies which outside credits to take first, expected costs and timing.

• Request GCU’s unofficial credit evaluation - Confirm how your prior credits and exams will slot into the BS HIM before you apply.

GCU BS in Health Information Management Degree Hacking Plan

BS in Health Information Management Transfer Credits: What Transfers and What Doesn’t

GCU accepts transfer students with any number of credits up to 90, and requires at least 30 credits completed at GCU. Alternative credit such as CLEP and DSST can apply within policy limits, and online courses  sessions to keep you moving.

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Below is a typical credit map to guide planning:

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• ~34 to 40 credits: General education courses (commonly transferable)

• 74 credits: Major HIM courses (mostly GCU only)

• 2-8 credits: Open electives (commonly transferable)

• 4 credits: Health information management capstone (GCU only)

GCU BS in Health Information Management Requirements: Course Transfer Strategy

Why Degree Hacking Works for GCU BS in Health Information Management Students:

• Lower the bill with smarter sourcing: Move general education and survey credits to low cost providers, keep upper level HIM at GCU.

• Trade time for momentum: 7 to 8 week online terms let you focus and finish faster once you transfer in the maximum.

• Aim tuition at value: Concentrate spend on HIM courses so your learning maps directly to in demand roles.

Ready for Your Complete Plan?

Here is what your personalized degree hack includes:

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✓ 120 credit map with transfer equivalencies and provider or exam IDs

✓ A costs and timeline model tailored to your pace and start date

✓ Validated backups if equivalencies shift

✓ Capstone and upper division sequencing you can follow term by term

Applying to GCU for the BS in Health Information Management

When to Apply: Best Timing for Enrollment

Apply after stacking as many transfers as possible. With rolling online start dates, you can submit once your unofficial evaluation shows you are down to the GCU residency and upper division HIM block.

GCU Admissions and Transfer Logistics

• Apply online and request an unofficial credit evaluation to preview how your credits apply

• Submit official transcripts and any exam score reports for evaluation

• Expect transfer evaluations after documents are received; confirm remaining upper division HIM and capstone

GCU Tuition and Other Aid Information

• Online tuition rate: $485 per credit  

• Use GCU scholarships, grants, and employer tuition benefits to reduce remaining out of pocket costs

• Spend less time and money on your degree with alternative course options

GCU BS in Health Information Management Career ROI

• Median annual salary: $67,310 for Health Information Technologists

• Degree payback: ~3-4 months for 30 credits

• Typical roles: Medical and Health Services Manager, Health Information Technologist, Medical Records Specialist

• Growing demand tied to analytics, quality, reimbursement and EHR governance across healthcare systems