Master’s in Health Informatics

There are over 100 hospitals in the U.S. alone that utilize 3D printing technology, with more than 100 more worldwide. These printers are used to create prosthetics and artificial bones for surgical reconstruction, and are just one of the many technological innovations clinicians are using to improve the quality of care they provide as well as patient outcomes.

Medical technologies not only have the potential to help patients, but they can also lead to enhanced clinical productivity, according to a “The era of exponential improvement in healthcare?” article published by McKinsey and Company in 2019. The authors note that technology-driven improvements in clinical productivity, consumer satisfaction, and health outcomes could deliver net savings equal to 2.6 to 3 percent of national health expenditures by 2025.

For those with an interest in both healthcare and computer science, these statistics may intrigue or excite you, or make you want to learn more about how the two disciplines overlap. One way to launch a career in health informatics is to earn an advanced degree in the subject. A master’s in health informatics can offer a range of professional opportunities across the clinical and public health sectors, from discovering new ways to efficiently store, receive and assess electronic medical records to overseeing the technological infrastructures that store those records.

Admissions Requirements

You have quite a number of master’s in health informatics programs to choose from. While program admission requirements vary between schools, there are some similarities. A bachelor’s degree in health informatics, health information technology, health care administration, or a related field accompanied by transcripts are sometimes preferred for many master’s in health informatics programs.

Applicants may also be asked for GRE scores, but not always. Some programs may require that students have one to two years or more of work experience in a related field prior to enrolling. Having that background may help you when you get started with the program’s foundational courses. You can also expect to submit a personal statement detailing your career objectives with your other application materials.

Curriculum

The curriculum of an online health informatics master’s program is usually broken out into two areas: core and elective coursework.

Core or foundational classes focus on the aspects of the medical informatics profession that involve technical, administrative and business functions. They may also cover ethical, legal, and regulatory issues. Examples of core topics include:

  • Introduction to Health Informatics
  • Medical Information Systems Security
  • Statistical Methods in Biomedical Informatics
  • Health Data: Theory and Practice
  • Computer Science

Elective courses tend to concentrate on specific areas of medical informatics that are not discussed in great detail in the core coursework and give students room to develop in-depth expertise in a specific area. These courses may include the following:

  • Healthcare Project Management
  • Emerging Technology in Healthcare
  • Data Sciences

In addition to core and elective coursework, some health informatics master’s degree programs require some kind of advanced research project centered on the health informatics industry or internship.

Online Master’s in Health Informatics Programs

Online master’s in health informatics programs may be suitable for professionals with a full-time work schedule who are looking to advance their careers, as well those who are employed by the information technology sector and want to transition to the healthcare industry. Web-based programs usually follow the same rigorous curricula as traditional options, leading to similar advancement opportunities for graduates.

There are often opportunities to specialize with an online health informatics master’s program. One concentration could be clinical informatics, which focuses on the medical informatics systems and tools used in hospitals, physicians’ offices, and other care facilities. Another specialization option is health technology informatics which allows students to explore IT beyond the traditional healthcare setting.

Arizona State University

  • Program Name: Master of Advanced Studies in Health Informatics
  • Coursework Credits:
  • 30 credits
  • Minimum Length of Program: N/A
  • Admissions Requirements: Bachelor’s or master’s degree in a related field of study with a minimum GPA of 3.0, resume, two letters of recommendation, statement of purpose

Boston University

Brandeis University

  • Program Name: Online Master of Science in Health and Medical Informatics
  • Coursework Credits: 30 credits
  • Minimum Length of Program: N/A
  • Admissions Requirements: Official transcripts from all past universities, resume, statement of goals, letter of recommendation, TOEFL or IELTS [if applicable]

Chatham University

  • Program Name: Online Master of Healthcare Informatics
  • Coursework Credits: 30 credits
  • Clinical Practice Hours: Required 120-hour internship
  • Minimum Length of Program: N/A
  • Admissions Requirements: Bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA, resume, essay on professional goals, two letters of recommendation

The College of Saint Scholastica

  • Program Name: Online Master of Science in Health Informatics
  • Coursework Credits: 42 credits
  • Minimum Length of Program: 2 years
  • Admissions Requirements: Bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA, past coursework in statistics, all past official transcripts

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DePaul University

  • Program Name: Online Master of Science in Health Informatics
  • Coursework Credits: 52 credits
  • Minimum Length of Program: N/A
  • Admissions Requirements: Bachelor’s degree with a minimum 2.5 GPA, all official transcripts, optional letters of recommendation or professional experience

Drexel University

  • Program Name: Online Master of Science in Health Informatics
  • Coursework Credits: 45 credits
  • Minimum Length of Program: 2 years
  • Admissions Requirements: Bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA, GRE scores above the 50th percentile in all sections

East Carolina University

  • Program Name: Online Master of Science in Health Informatics and Information Management
  • Coursework Credits: 39 credits
  • Minimum Length of Program: 2 years
  • Admissions Requirements: Bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA, Competitive GRE or GMAT scores, GRE and GMAT scores may be waived for applicants with a master’s in a similar discipline or with the health informatics certificate from ECU accompanied by a 3.5 GPA or higher

Florida International University

George Mason University

  • Program Name: Online Master of Science in Health Informatics
  • Coursework Credits: 39 credits
  • Minimum Length of Program: 22 – 28 months
  • Admissions Requirements: Bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.35 GPA, all official transcripts, statement of purpose, resume, letters of reference

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Harrisburg University

Johns Hopkins University

  • Program Name: Online Master of Science in Bioinformatics
  • Coursework Credits: 11 courses
  • Minimum Length of Program: N/A
  • Admissions Requirements: Bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0, provisional coursework as per admissions case

Liberty University

  • Program Name: Online Health Informatics Master’s Programs
  • Coursework Credits: 36 credits
  • Minimum Length of Program: 2 years
  • Admissions Requirements: Bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA, official transcripts, proof of English proficiency [if applicable]

Logan University

  • Program Name: Online Master of Science in Health Informatics
  • Coursework Credits: 36 credits
  • Minimum Length of Program: 18 – 24 months
  • Admissions Requirements: Bachelor’s degree with a minimum 2.5 GPA, coursework prerequisite of 6 credits in business, accounting, management, math, statistics, healthcare, or computer science

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Louisiana Tech University

  • Program Name: Online Master’s in Health Informatics
  • Coursework Credits: 45 credits
  • Minimum Length of Program: N/A
  • Admissions Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in Health Information Management or related area with a minimum 3.0 GPA, two or more years of work experience in industries that can directly translate to health informatics, essay or GRE for applicant with a non-healthcare background, resume, personal statement, three letters of recommendation, interview

Mercer University

  • Program Name: Online Master’s in Health Informatics
  • Coursework Credits: 30 semester hours
  • Minimum Length of Program: 2 years
  • Admissions Requirements: Bachelor’s degree, resume, one letter of recommendation, one a relevant professional experience document, interview

Michigan Technological University

  • Program Name: Online Master of Science in Health Informatics
  • Coursework Credits: 30 credits
  • Minimum Length of Program: N/A
  • Admissions Requirements: Bachelor’s degree, resume, personal statement, statement of purpose, two recommendation letters

Northeastern University

  • Program Name: Online Master of Science in Health informatics
  • Coursework Credits: 39 credits
  • Minimum Length of Program: 2 – 3 years
  • Admissions Requirements: Bachelor’s degree, statement of purpose, resume, three confidential letters of recommendation

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Northern Kentucky University

  • Program Name: Online Master’s in Health Informatics
  • Coursework Credits: 33 credits
  • Minimum Length of Program: None listed
  • Admissions Requirements: Bachelor’s degree with a minimum 2.5 GPA, resume, personal statement

Northwestern University

  • Program Name: Online Master of Science in Health Informatics
  • Coursework Credits: 12 courses
  • Minimum Length of Program: One year
  • Admissions Requirements: Bachelor’s degree, Statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, writing samples

Nova Southeastern University

Regis University

  • Program Name: Online Master of Science in Health Informatics
  • Coursework Credits: 36 credits
  • Minimum Length of Program: 2 years
  • Admissions Requirements: Bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0, healthcare experience or understanding of the healthcare delivery system is recommended

Roberts Wesleyan College

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Rochester Institute of Technology

  • Program Name: Online Master’s in Health Informatics
  • Coursework Credits: 30 credits
  • Minimum Length of Program: 18 months – 2 years
  • Admissions Requirements: Bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA, applicants from international universities must to submit GRE scores, interviews may be requested

Rutgers University

  • Program Name: Online Master of Science in Biomedical Informatics
  • Coursework Credits: 36 credits
  • Minimum Length of Program: 18 months
  • Admissions Requirements: Bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA, three letters of recommendation, resume, personal statement

Sacred Heart University

  • Program Name: Online Master of Science in Healthcare Informatics
  • Coursework Credits: 36 credits
  • Minimum Length of Program: 2 years
  • Admissions Requirements: Bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA, personal statement, two letters of recommendation, resume, TOEFL or IELTS [if applicable]

Samford University

  • Program Name: Online Master of Science in Health informatics
  • Coursework Credits: 40 credits
  • Minimum Length of Program: 2 years
  • Admissions Requirements: Bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA, competitive GRE, GMAT, or MAT scores, or 3 years or more of work experience in a relevant field

Slippery Rock University

  • Program Name: Online Master’s in Health Informatics
  • Coursework Credits: 33 credits
  • Minimum Length of Program: 10 months
  • Admissions Requirements: Bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA, official transcripts

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Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville

  • Program Name: Online Master of Healthcare Informatics
  • Coursework Credits: 36 credits
  • Minimum Length of Program: N/A
  • Admissions Requirements: All official transcripts, bachelor degree with 2.75 minimum GPA, statistics coursework completion with grade C or better, statement of purpose, TOEFL or IELTS scores [if applicable]

Stanford University

State University of New York (SUNY) at Oswego

  • Program Name: Online Master’s in Health Informatics
  • Coursework Credits: 33 – 36 credits
  • Minimum Length of Program: 2 years
  • Admissions Requirements: Bachelor’s degree, GRE scores encouraged, resume, statement of purpose, two recommendation letters

Temple University

  • Program Name: Online Master’s in Health Informatics
  • Coursework Credits: 30 credits
  • Minimum Length of Program: 2 years
  • Admissions Requirements: Bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA, GRE scores in the 50th percentile or higher

University of Cincinnati

  • Program Name: Online Master’s in Healthcare Informatics 
  • Coursework Credits: 33 credits
  • Minimum Length of Program: 2 years
  • Admissions Requirements: Bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA, all transcripts, two letters of recommendation, letter of intent, resume

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University of Denver

University of Illinois at Chicago

  • Program Name: Online Master of Science in Health Informatics
  • Coursework Credits: 38 credits
  • Minimum Length of Program: 2 years
  • Admissions Requirements: Bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA, 2 letters of recommendation, personal statement, resume

University of Massachusetts

  • Program Name: Online Master’s in Health Informatics
  • Coursework Credits: 36 credits
  • Minimum Length of Program: N/A
  • Admissions Requirements: Bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.5 GPA, GREs are waived with a relevant degree

University of Minnesota

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University of Missouri

  • Program Name: Online Master of Science in Health Informatics
  • Coursework Credits: 33 credits
  • Minimum Length of Program: 2 years
  • Admissions Requirements: Bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA, College-level course completion in statistics and algebra, 3 years of work experience in healthcare

University of North Carolina

University of San Diego

  • Program Name: Master of Science in Health Informatics
  • Coursework Credits: 37 credits
  • Minimum Length of Program: 2 years
  • Admissions Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree with a 3.0 or better and one year of work experience in related field

University of Scranton

University of South Florida

  • Program Name: Online Master of Science in Health Informatics
  • Coursework Credits: 32 credits
  • Minimum Length of Program: approximately 2 years
  • Admissions Requirements: Bachelor’s degree with 3.0 minimum GPA, official transcripts, resume, two professional or academic recommendations, statement of purpose

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University of Texas

  • Program Name: Online Master of Science in Biomedical Informatics
  • Coursework Credits: 39 credits
  • Minimum Length of Program: None listed
  • Admissions Requirements: Bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA, competitive GRE, GMAT, or MAT scores, or 3 years or more of work experience in a relevant field, resume, three letters of reference, goal statement

University of Utah

  • Program Name: Online Master of Science in Biomedical Informatics
  • Coursework Credits: 35 credits
  • Minimum Length of Program: 2 years
  • Admissions Requirements: Bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA, resume, personal statement, three letters of recommendation, all transcripts

University of Washington

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Why Pursue a Master’s in Health Informatics?

As automation evolves and administrative tasks increase, the need for individuals with IT proficiency in health care is growing. The modern age of cybersecurity and privacy has helped to create newer and bigger job opportunities. The 2019 Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society U.S. Leadership and Workforce Survey found that advancements in technology are a significant contributor to the increased need for health informatics professionals to fill important roles in decision-making arenas and beyond.

Healthcare occupations will grow 14% from 2018 to 2028, including nuclear medicine technologists, surgical technologists and more, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data. Employment of medical records and health information technicians in particular is projected to grow 11 percent during the same time period, exceeding the national average growth rate for all jobs.

A master’s in health informatics may be a good fit for you if you’re interested in working in healthcare but not necessarily directly with patients, you have an aptitude for science or an interest in management, law and computers, or if you enjoy working with a variety of professionals such as physicians, computer administrators and executives.

What Can I Do with a Master’s in Health Informatics?

There are many ways to put a master’s in health informatics to use in today’s IT-driven healthcare systems. According to the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS), opportunities can be found within healthcare communities of all sizes.

Health Informatics Careers

Having a master’s in health informatics can qualify a professional for a range of positions. One common job title is a Medical or Health Services Manager. As of 2018, 406,100 people worked as medical or health services managers, according to the BLS.

Your degree may also pave the way for you to pursue clinical, advanced or managerial positions such as:

  • Clinical Informatics Manager
  • Clinical Analysts
  • Clinical Applications Specialist
  • Health Information Management Director
  • Nursing Informatics Specialists

Salary for Health Informatics

Salaries within health informatics careers vary greatly, depending on location, employer, years of experience and other factors.

The median annual salary for medical and health services managers was $99,730 in May 2018, with the highest 10 percent in the field earning more than $182,600, according to the BLS. On the other hand, the highest 10 percent of medical records and health information technicians earned more than $66,260 in 2018.