How many students do you admit? What are my chances of being admitted?
Each year we receive an average of 35-40 applications to the MS degree program. We admit and can reasonably accommodate 15 students per year and plan on admitting this number in the foreseeable future. Each applicant is evaluated on their scholastic aptitude and personal characteristics. Following the interview, applicants are ranked based on these qualifications. The Department's Admissions Committee recommends to the Graduate College that the top 15 candidates be admitted and the remaining qualified candidates be named as alternates.

How do the program officials determine who to admit to the program?
The department's Admissions Committee evaluates each applicant on scholastic aptitude and personal characteristics. The scholastic aptitude is based on GPA, GMAT or GRE general and writing assessment, TOEFL scores (international students only), and art aptitudes based on the submitted portfolio of visual imagery. The applicant's personal characteristics are based on letters of recommendation, personal statement and the interview. In prescreening, the Admissions Committee reviews all candidates' application materials to decide which candidates meet the scholastic aptitude admission criteria. Candidates who do not meet the minimum criteria are denied admission. Those candidates who meet the minimum criteria are invited in for a personal interview and portfolio review. Following the interview, applicants found qualified by the Committee are recommended to the Graduate College for admission.

Is it possible to enroll part-time in the program?
Only full-time students are admitted to the program. The curriculum is designed so that courses are offered once a year and are sequenced to build one on another; for example, gross anatomy is necessary before taking surgical illustration. A student enrolled part-time would have numerous scheduling problems and possibly take four years to complete the program. The program does not have the resources to accommodate students over such a long period of time.

How much does the GRE factor into the selection process?
Test results from the GRE general/writing assessment and the GMAT contribute up to 20% of the total selection index points used in our admission point system; however, nonacademic indicators are also considered that can outweigh performance on this exam. Applicants may take the test after the application deadline, but the department must have the scores before the candidates' acceptance status is determined.

Do I still need to take the TOEFL, if English was the main language of school I attended?
The TOEFL examination is not required for students who have completed at least two academic years of full-time study in a country where English is the native language or in a school where English is the language of instruction within five years of the proposed date of enrollment in the University.

Do I need to finish all the prerequisite course work before I apply to the program?
No, students may be admitted with deficiencies that must be remedied prior to beginning the program or concurrent with registration within the first year.

How do I find out if the courses that I've already taken transfer? Is there a time limit on the transferability of courses?
If you would like an unofficial evaluation of the courses you have taken before applying to the program, that can be accomplished by mailing a copy of your transcripts and, if necessary, a copy of the course descriptions to the UIC Biomedical Visualization program, attention Program Director. We will not ask you to repeat all of the prerequisites, but may recommend brushing up on certain art skills based on a preliminary review of your artwork. Also, you may want to repeat certain science courses where content has changed substantially in the past 10 years. We want you to be adequately prepared for the graduate-level science and professional courses in our program.

What if one of the prerequisites is not offered at a school in my area?
Sometimes students cannot find a course in embryology or histology at their university. Only in these cases will we admit students and allow them to complete the course at the University of Illinois at Chicago while enrolled concurrently in the master's program. This results in very heavy course loads, however.

Besides the minimum prerequisites, what additional courses would you recommend I take?
The more life science courses you have had, the better prepared you will be for the field of medical illustration. Additional science courses you might take are: human anatomy, cell biology, neuroscience and genetics. Additional graphic design, photography, and computer graphic courses would help you as well. If you are interested in a career in illustration, we recommend taking painting and illustration courses. If you are interested in three-dimensional model design or prosthetics, we recommend courses in computer animation, multimedia, authoring and/or a computer programming language (preferably C or C++).

Do I have to declare an area of concentration when I enter the program?
It is not necessary to make a decision about an area in which to concentrate until the second year of the program when the elective courses are offered. Some students apply to the MS program at the University of Illinois at Chicago specifically to study prosthetics, computer visualization, or illustration and design because our program is known for its excellent resources in these areas.

What is the student body like?
At any one time, 30 students are enrolled in the program. Each class of 15 is very close and establishes ties that last throughout their professional careers. Although each class presents a different demographic profile, overall the students are bright, creative, talented, and motivated individuals; they share an interest and aptitude for both art and science. They range in age from 22 to 45 years. The male to female ratio can vary from 1:1 to 1:3. While the majority of students are single, we also have married students, some with children. We draw students from all over the United States and some foreign countries; for example, we've had two Chinese surgeons go through our program. About 66% of the students have their undergraduate degrees in art and 33% have degrees in science. Several doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals have completed the program.

When should I apply for financial aid?
Financial aid at the University of Illinois at Chicago is awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. Visit the UIC Financial Aid web site for further information.

Does the program offer financial aid in the form of teaching assistantships, research assistantships, or tuition waivers?
Annually, biomedical visualization awards two Graduate College-supported tuition and fee waivers; a Lillian B. Torrance Scholarship to a student pursuing a career in maxillofacial prosthetic rehabilitation; and a limited number of teaching and research assistantships, which include a stipend plus a tuition and fee waiver in return for work assignments in biomedical visualization either related to funded research or instructional support. Students interested in applying for assistantships, tuition waivers, fellowships, etc. must fill-out the Application for Graduate Appointment form.

Is financial aid available for international students?
There is no financial aid available for international students. In order to qualify for financial assistance, a student must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen.

What is the job outlook for graduates of the MS in BVIS program?
On average, it takes graduates two months to find their first job. In some areas like prosthetics where jobs are limited, it may take up to 12 months to find a position and may require taking a temporary job in the field while waiting for an available position in prosthetics. Graduates who want to be competitive in the job market must be willing to relocate.

What role does the computer play in the field of medical illustration today?
The computer has created new avenues of employment for our graduates in designing computer graphics, animation, multimedia programs, and web sites. Job announcements for traditional medical illustration positions require some degree of computer skills. The computer has displaced traditional production processes in graphic design and layout, 35 mm slide production, animation, and some textbook illustration. Office management tasks such as record keeping, billing, and scheduling projects are handled more efficiently by computer. Computer networks allow artists to send imagery electronically to clients for approval and to printers for reproduction.

How can I check my application/admission status?
To check the status of your application, transcripts, TOEFL scores, etc., please contact Graduate Admissions via telephone at (312) 996-4350 or by email at uicgrad@uic.edu. To check your admission status, please contact the program office via telephone at (312) 996-6317 or by email at BHIS@uic.edu.

HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT, BS

How many apply to the health information management undergraduate program each year?
The health information management program receives approximately 75 applications each year. Of these, 23 are accepted for admittance.

How does the program decide who to admit?
The department's admission committee evaluates each program candidate on scholastic aptitude, personal characteristics and writing ability. Those candidates who meet the admission criteria and have complete applicant files are invited to a personal interview with a faculty member. Following the interviews, candidates are ranked based upon their qualifications. The admission committee then chooses the top applicants to be accepted into the program.

What are my chances of being admitted?
Each year the applicant pool is different, so this is difficult to predict. The average GPA of applicants accepted into the program in fall 2005 was 2.95 (on a 4.0 scale). A cumulative GPA of 2.0 is the minimum GPA for which a candidate can be considered. Grades count for half of the points that are used to evaluate candidates.

Is it possible to enroll part time?
A progression program is available for RHITs who have completed course work through a community college. These students are not required to enroll in certain junior-level courses if they possess passing scores on required validation exams and, therefore, may attend part time. All other students must enroll on a full-time basis.

What tests are required for admission? How much do they count? Must I take them before I apply to the program?
There are no tests required for the health information management program application. Oral and written communication skills will be assessed during the personal interview.

Do I have to finish all the prerequisite courses before I apply to the program?
No. All courses must be completed by the time the student enrolls in the health information management program in the fall. Students are accepted with the stipulation that they must complete all prerequisite courses by the time they enter the program.


Do the prerequisite requirements apply to RHIT progression students?
RHIT progression students are not required to enroll in many of the year one courses if they possess passing scores on required validation exams and, therefore, may be allowed to enter the program if they lack certain prerequisites. Approval must be obtained from the program director.

Do I have to take my prerequisite courses at UIC?
Students can take prerequisite courses at any community college or university that offers them. Most schools offer the required courses. Transfer guides for the health information management program are available by request from the department's undergraduate office at (312) 996-6317 or BHIS@uic.edu.

What if one of the prerequisites is not offered at a school in my area?
It is highly unlikely that any of the prerequisite courses are not offered at accredited colleges and universities. Should this occur, contact the department's undergraduate office at (312) 996-6317 or BHIS@uic.edu.

How do I find out if the courses I've taken will transfer?
The UIC Office of Admissions will evaluate your transcripts at the time of your application. An unofficial evaluation of the courses you've taken is strongly recommended before applying to the program and may be obtained by sending a request letter and a copy of your academic transcripts to the department's undergraduate office. For more information, contact us at (312) 996-6317 or BHIS@uic.edu.

Students are encouraged to meet with an undergraduate program advisor as soon as they begin to consider progression to the bachelor's program. Technical course credits are not accepted as transfer credits. RHITs, therefore, must complete 60 semester hours of course work in addition to the technical courses they have completed.

I took the prerequisite courses 10 years ago. Will they still apply?
Prerequisite work is evaluated on an individual basis. In some cases, a candidate may be asked to repeat courses taken more than five years prior to application. To request an unofficial evaluation of your transcripts, contact the department's undergraduate office at (312) 996-6317 or BHIS@uic.edu.

Besides the minimum prerequisites, in which additional courses should I enroll?
Recommended electives include speech, interpersonal communications, business writing, computer science, economics, accounting, American government, health politics and policy, and calculus (for those interested in a future MBA). Medical record technical courses do not satisfy elective hours.

Do I have to declare an area of concentration when I enter the program?
There are no specific areas of concentration in the health information management program. All students must take all required courses.

When should I apply for financial aid?
Financial aid is restricted, for the most part, to Illinois residents. For information on financial aid, contact the Office of Student Financial Aid at (312) 996-4940. Students are encouraged to contact the office at the time of application.

What characterizes health information management students?
Health information management students come from a variety of age groups and cultural backgrounds. Many are traditional college-age students with most in the 23 to 40 age group; about half of them have completed their prerequisite course work at UIC.

How large are the classes in terms of number of students?
Classes typically have 23 students. One of the frequently cited strengths of the program is the personalized instruction students receive from the diverse, qualified, and committed faculty.

How important is it to attend an accredited program in order to practice in the field?
Accreditation ensures that an educational program measures up to standards developed by a national consensus of professionals in the field. A degree from an accredited program assures prospective employers that a graduate has undertaken a course of professional preparation that meets or exceeds the national criteria established by the profession for entry into the field; hence the degree is more marketable. Periodically, professionals in the field update the educational standards to ensure that the accredited programs reflect the current training needs for the profession. The student, as a consumer, can be reasonably assured that an accredited program has appropriate resources and operational policies, and that the program includes the knowledge and skills necessary for entry into the field. The accreditation process, which is undertaken voluntarily, is evidence that an attitude and philosophy of educational quality predominates.

Only graduates of accredited baccalaureate programs are eligible to apply to take the national credentialing examination offered in health information management. The Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). Further information is available at http://www.cahiim.org.

Do all graduates find jobs?
Occupational demand continues to grow in health information management. Many students find part-time jobs while enrolled in the program that later develop into full-time positions after they graduate. Most graduates actively seeking employment have found jobs within six months of graduation.

What role does the computer play in the field today?
Health information administrators have roles that directly contribute to the development of computer-based patient records and a national health information infrastructure. A strong foundation in concepts, techniques, and tools associated with information technology and health care information systems is essential.