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.
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. This list was updated in January 2022, please be sure to check with your preferred university for the most current information.
Arizona State University
College of Health Solutions
Master of Advanced Studies in Health Informatics
Scottsdale, Arizona
Name of Degree: Master of Advanced Studies in Health Informatics
Enrollment Type: N/A
Length of Program: N/A
Credits: 30
Concentrations:Health Informatics
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in a related field of study
- GPA of 3.0
- Resume
- Two letters of recommendation
- Statement of purpose
Boston University
School of Nursing
Master of Science in Computer Information Systems (MSCIS)
Boston, Massachusetts
Name of Degree: Master of Science in Computer Information Systems (MSCIS)
Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program: 2 years
Credits: 40
Concentrations:Health Informatics
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Resume
- Personal statement
- 3 letters of recommendation
Brandeis University
Brandeis Graduate Professional Studies
Master of Science in Health and Medical Informatics
Waltham, Massachusetts
Name of Degree: Master of Science in Health and Medical Informatics
Enrollment Type: Part-Time
Length of Program: 2+ years
Credits: 30
Concentrations:Health Informatics
Admission Requirements:
- Official transcripts from all past universities
- Resume
- Statement of goals
- Letter of recommendation
- TOEFL or IELTS [if applicable]
Chatham University
School of Nursing
Master of Science in Health Informatics
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Name of Degree: Master of Science in Health Informatics
Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program: N/A
Credits: 30
Concentrations:Health Informatics
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- 3.0 GPA
- Resume
- Essay on professional goals
- Two letters of recommendation
The College of Saint Scholastica
The College of St. Scholastica
Master of Science in Health Informatics
Duluth, Minnesota
Name of Degree: Master of Science in Health Informatics
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 2 years
Credits: 42
Concentrations:Health Informatics
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- 3.0 GPA
- Past coursework in statistics
- All past official transcripts
DePaul University
Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media
Master of Science in Health Informatics
Chicago, Illinois
Name of Degree: Master of Science in Health Informatics
Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program: N/A
Credits: 52
Concentrations:Health Informatics
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- 2.5 GPA
- All official transcripts
- Optional letters of recommendation
- Professional experience
Drexel University
School of Nursing
Master of Science in Health Informatics
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Name of Degree: Master of Science in Health Informatics
Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program: 2 years
Credits: 45
Concentrations:Health Informatics
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- 3.0 GPA
- GRE scores above the 50th percentile in all sections
East Carolina University
Health Services & Information Management
Master of Science in Health Informatics and Information Management
Greenville, North Carolina
Name of Degree: Master of Science in Health Informatics and Information Management
Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program: 2 years
Credits: 39
Concentrations:Health Informatics
Admission 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
- 3.5 GPA or higher
Florida International University
School of Business
Master of Science in Health Informatics and Analytics
Miami, Florida
Name of Degree: Master of Science in Health Informatics and Analytics
Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program: 1+ years
Credits: 39
Concentrations:Health Informatics
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- 3.0 GPA
- GRE or GMAT
- Statement of Purpose
- Two letters of recommendation
- Resume
George Mason University
Office of Digital Learning
Master of Science in Health Informatics
Fairfax, Virginia
Name of Degree: Master of Science in Health Informatics
Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program: 2+ years
Credits: 39
Concentrations:Health Informatics
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- 3.35 GPA
- All official transcripts
- Statement of purpose
- Resume
- Letters of reference
Harrisburg University
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
Master of Science in Healthcare Informatics
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Name of Degree: Master of Science in Healthcare Informatics
Enrollment Type: N/A
Length of Program: N/A
Credits: 36
Concentrations:Health Informatics
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- personal goals statement
- resume
Johns Hopkins University
Krieger School of Arts and Sciences
Master of Science in Bioinformatics
Baltimore, Maryland
Name of Degree: Master of Science in Bioinformatics
Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program: N/A
Credits: 11 Courses
Concentrations:Bioinformatics
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- GPA of 3.0
- Provisional coursework as per admissions case
Liberty University
School of Business
Health Informatics Master’s Programs
Lynchburg, Virginia
Name of Degree: Health Informatics Master’s Programs
Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program: 2 years
Credits: 42
Concentrations:Health Informatics
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- 3.0 GPA
- Official transcripts
- Proof of English proficiency [if applicable]
Logan University
College of Health Sciences
Master of Science in Health Informatics
Chesterfield, Missouri
Name of Degree: Master of Science in Health Informatics
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 2 years
Credits: 36
Concentrations:Health Informatics
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- 2.5 GPA
- Coursework prerequisite of 6 credits in business, accounting management, math, statistics, healthcare, or computer science
Louisiana Tech University
College of Applied and Natural Sciences
Master’s in Health Informatics
Ruston, Louisiana
Name of Degree: Master’s in Health Informatics
Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program: N/A
Credits: 45
Concentrations:Health Informatics
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in Health Information Management or related area
- 3.0 GPA
- two or more years of work experience in industries that can directly translate to health informatics
- essay
- GRE for applicant with a non-healthcare background
- resume
- personal statement
- three letters of recommendation, interview
Mercer University
College of Professional Advancement
Master’s in Health Informatics
Columbus, Georgia
Name of Degree: Master’s in Health Informatics
Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program: 2 years
Credits: 30
Concentrations:Health Informatics
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- resume
- one letter of recommendation
- one a relevant professional experience document
- interview
Michigan Technological University
Michigan Tech Global Campus
Master of Science in Health Informatics
Houghton, Michigan
Name of Degree: Master of Science in Health Informatics
Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program: N/A
Credits: 30
Concentrations:Health Informatics
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degre
- resume
- personal statement
- statement of purpose
- two recommendation letters
Northeastern University
Khoury College of Computer Sciences
Master of Science in Health informatics
Boston, Massachusetts
Name of Degree: Master of Science in Health informatics
Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program: 2+ years
Credits: 39
Concentrations:Health Informatics
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- statement of purpose
- resume
- three confidential letters of recommendation
Northern Kentucky University
College of Informatics
Master’s in Health Informatics
Highland Heights, Kentucky
Name of Degree: Master’s in Health Informatics
Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program: 1+ years
Credits: 33
Concentrations:Health Informatics
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- 2.5 GPA
- resume
- personal statement
Northwestern University
School of Professional Studies
Master of Science in Health Informatics
Chicago, Illinois
Name of Degree: Master of Science in Health Informatics
Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program: 1 year
Credits: 12 courses
Concentrations:Health Informatics
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Statement of purpose
- letters of recommendation
- writing samples
Nova Southeastern University
Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine
Master of Science in Biomedical Informatics
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Name of Degree: Master of Science in Biomedical Informatics
Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program: 2 years
Credits: 44
Concentrations:Biomedical Informatics
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- 3.0 GPA
- GRE or GMAT scores
- One letter of recommendation
Regis University
Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions
Master of Science in Health Informatics
Denver, Colorado
Name of Degree: Master of Science in Health Informatics
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 2 years
Credits: 36
Concentrations:Health Informatics
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- 3.0 GPA
- healthcare experience or understanding of the healthcare delivery system is recommended
Roberts Wesleyan College
School of Business
Master of Science in Healthcare Informatics Administration
Rochester, New York
Name of Degree: Master of Science in Healthcare Informatics Administration
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: N/A
Credits: 42
Concentrations:Healthcare Informatics Administration
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- 2.75 GPA
- two years of professional experience in healthcare
Rochester Institute of Technology
School of Information
Master’s in Health Informatics
Rochester, New York
Name of Degree: Master’s in Health Informatics
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 2 years
Credits: 30
Concentrations:Health Informatics
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- 3.0 GPA
- applicants from international universities must to submit GRE scores, interviews may be requested
Rutgers University
School of Health Professions
Master of Science in Biomedical Informatics
Piscataway, New Jersey
Name of Degree: Master of Science in Biomedical Informatics
Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program: 1+ years
Credits: 36
Concentrations:Biomedical Informatics
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- 3.0 GPA
- three letters of recommendation
- resume
- personal statement
Sacred Heart University
College of Health Professions
Master of Science in Healthcare Informatics
Fairfield, Connecticut
Name of Degree: Master of Science in Healthcare Informatics
Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program: 2 years
Credits: 36
Concentrations:Health Informatics
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- 3.0 GPA
- personal statement
- two letters of recommendation
- resume
- TOEFL or IELTS [if applicable]
Samford University
School of Public Health
Master of Science in Health informatics
Birmingham, Alabama
Name of Degree: Master of Science in Health informatics
Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program: 2 years
Credits: 40
Concentrations:Health Informatics
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- 3.0 GPA
- Three letters of reference
- Resume
- Essay
- Video interview
- GRE, GMAT, or MAT scores, or 3 years or more of work experience in a relevant field
Slippery Rock University
Slippery Rock Pennsylvania
Master’s in Health Informatics
Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania
Name of Degree: Master’s in Health Informatics
Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program: Less than 1 year
Credits: 33
Concentrations:Health Informatics
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- 3.0 GPA
- official transcripts
Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville
School of Nursing
Master of Healthcare Informatics
Edwardsville, Illinois
Name of Degree: Master of Healthcare Informatics
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: N/A
Credits: 36
Concentrations:Health Informatics
Admission Requirements:
- All official transcripts
- Bachelor’s degree
- 2.75 GPA
- statistics coursework completion with grade C or better
- statement of purpose
- TOEFL or IELTS scores [if applicable]
Stanford University
School of Medicine
Master’s Degree in Biomedical Informatics
Stanford, California
Name of Degree: Master’s Degree in Biomedical Informatics
Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program: 3+ years
Credits: 45
Concentrations:Biomedical Informatics
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- 3.0 GPA
- GRE scores
- 3 letters of recommendation are required, can submit up to 6
State University of New York (SUNY) at Oswego
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Master’s in Health Informatics
Oswego, New York
Name of Degree: Master’s in Health Informatics
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 2 years
Credits: 33+
Concentrations:Health Informatics
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- GRE scores encouraged
- resume
- statement of purpose
- two recommendation letters
Temple University
College of Public Health
Master’s in Health Informatics
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Name of Degree: Master’s in Health Informatics
Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program: 2 years
Credits: 30
Concentrations:Health Informatics
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- 3.0 GPA
- GRE scores in the 50th percentile or higher
- Three letters of reference
- Resume
- Statement of goals
University of Cincinnati
Department of Health Care
Master’s in Healthcare Informatics
Cincinnati, Ohio
Name of Degree: Master’s in Healthcare Informatics
Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program: 2 years
Credits: 33
Concentrations:Health Informatics
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- 3.0 GPA
- all transcripts
- two letters of recommendation
- letter of intent
- resume
University of Denver
Department of Health Informatics
Master of Science in Health Informatics
Denver, Colorado
Name of Degree: Master of Science in Health Informatics
Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program: 2 years
Credits: 35
Concentrations:Health Data Informatics and Analytics
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree with a minimum 2.5 GPA
University of Illinois at Chicago
College of Applied Health Sciences
Master of Science in Health Informatics
Chicago, Illinois
Name of Degree: Master of Science in Health Informatics
Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program: 2 years
Credits: 36
Concentrations:Health Informatics
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- 3.0 GPA
- 2 letters of recommendation
- personal statement
- resume
University of Massachusetts
Manning College of Information & Computer Sciences
Master’s in Health Informatics
Amherst, Massachusetts
Name of Degree: Master’s in Health Informatics
Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program: N/A
Credits: 36
Concentrations:Health Informatics
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- 3.5 GPA
- GREs are waived with a relevant degree
University of Minnesota
Office of Graduate Studies
Master of Health Informatics
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Name of Degree: Master of Health Informatics
Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program: 1 year
Credits: 31
Concentrations:Health Informatics
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- 3.3 GPA
- GRE above 50th percentile
- 2 letters of recommendation
- Personal statement
University of Missouri
School of Medicine
Master of Science in Health Informatics
Columbia, Missouri
Name of Degree: Master of Science in Health Informatics
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 2 years
Credits: 33
Concentrations:Health Informatics
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- 3.0 GPA
- College-level course completion in statistics and algebra
- 3 years of work experience in healthcare
- personal statement
- three letters of recommendation
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
The Graduate School
Master of Professional Science Degree in Biomedical and Health Informatics
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Name of Degree: Master of Professional Science Degree in Biomedical and Health Informatics
Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program: 1+ years
Credits: 35
Concentrations:Biomedical and Health Informatics
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- 3.0 GPA
- resume
- statement of purpose
- three recommendations
- MCAT or GRE above the 50th percentile in each category
University of San Diego
Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science
Master of Science in Health Informatics
San Diego, California
Name of Degree: Master of Science in Health Informatics
Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program: 2+ years
Credits: 37
Concentrations:Health Informatics
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s Degree
- 3.0 or better
- one year of work experience in related field
- resume
- statement of purpose
- one recommendation
University of Scranton
Department of Health Administration
Master’s in Health Informatics
Scranton, Pennsylvania
Name of Degree: Master’s in Health Informatics
Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program: 2 years
Credits: 33
Concentrations:Health Informatics
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- 3.0 GPA
- professional résumé
- personal statement
- three letters of recommendation
University of South Florida
Morsani College of Medicine
Master of Science in Health Informatics
Tampa, Florida
Name of Degree: Master of Science in Health Informatics
Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program: 2 years
Credits: 32
Concentrations:Health Informatics
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- 3.0 minimum GPA
- official transcripts
- resume
- two professional or academic recommendations
- statement of purpose
University of Texas
School of Biomedical informatics
Master of Science in Biomedical Informatics
Houston, Texas
Name of Degree: Master of Science in Biomedical Informatics
Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program: N/A
Credits: 39
Concentrations:Biomedical Informatics
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- 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
School of Medicine
Master of Science in Biomedical Informatics
Salt Lake City, Utah
Name of Degree: Master of Science in Biomedical Informatics
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 2 years
Credits: 35
Concentrations:Biomedical Informatics
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- 3.0 GPA
- resume
- personal statement
- three letters of recommendation
- all transcripts
University of Washington
School of Nursing and School of Medicine
Master of Science in Clinical Informatics and Patient-Centered Technologies
Seattle, Washington
Name of Degree: Master of Science in Clinical Informatics and Patient-Centered Technologies
Enrollment Type: Part-Time
Length of Program: 1+ years
Credits: 42+
Concentrations: N/AAdmission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- GPA of 3.0 GPA
- One or more years of healthcare experience
- Resume or curriculum vitae
- Responses to admissions questions
- Statement of purpose (optional)
- Two recommendations
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 16% from 2020 to 2030, 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 9 percent during the same time period, exceeding the national average growth rate for all jobs.
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 2020, 429,800 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 $104,280 in May 2020, with the highest 10 percent in the field earning more than $195,630, according to the BLS. On the other hand, the highest 10 percent of medical records and health information technicians earned more than $73,370 in 2020.
Last updated January 2022.