Health informatics is one of the most rapidly growing career pathways in the country. As the software and platforms used in informatics continue to evolve, qualified professionals who can adapt to the latest technologies are highly valued in the job market. An online master’s degree in health informatics can help you further distinguish yourself from other job candidates and advance in your career at a speedier rate.
More than 56,000 new jobs in medical and health services management are estimated to be created through 2024.
- WHAT CAN I DO WITH A MASTER'S IN HEALTH INFORMATICS DEGREE?
Graduates with a master’s in health informatics are prepared for careers as EHR implementation specialists, clinical informatics coordinators, and information security managers, among others. Read more here.
- WHAT IS A HEALTH INFORMATICS DEGREE?
Health informatics is the term that’s used to describe the acquisition, storage, retrieval, and use of health care information by health care providers. Students learn how to use the latest technology to make all health care information tasks more efficient. Read more here.
- WHAT IS THE MOST COMMON DEGREE PURSUED IN HEALTH INFORMATICS?
Many students pursue a bachelor’s in health informatics, but a master’s can prepare you for more advanced positions, such as information security manager. Read more here.
- WHAT DEGREE DO YOU NEED FOR HEALTH INFORMATICS?
A bachelor’s in health informatics is usually required to obtain an entry-level position. A master’s degree prepares students for more advanced positions in leadership. Read more here.
- HOW TO BECOME A HEALTH INFORMATICS SPECIALIST
To become a health informatics specialist, professionals usually need to obtain at least a bachelor’s degree in health informatics or a computer science related field. Professionals must also have knowledge of health care software systems. Read more here.
The best master’s in health informatics degree programs equip you with a wide range of tech-related skills and extensive knowledge of the healthcare industry. Many programs culminate in a master’s thesis or capstone project, allowing you to demonstrate everything you have learned over the course of your studies. Others require an internship or practicum course, where you will receive supervised hands-on training from industry experts.
Learn more about what you can do with a master’s in health informatics and what kind of career opportunities you can look forward to with this comprehensive guide.
Choosing a Program
WHAT IS HEALTH INFORMATICS?
Health informatics is an interdisciplinary field that combines technology and healthcare; informatics refers to the process of obtaining, categorizing, and storing medical records and data. Health informatics has improved the healthcare industry by providing greater access to/management of patients’ medical records and other important information.
WILL AN ONLINE MASTER’S IN HEALTH INFORMATICS PROGRAM PROVIDE ME WITH THE SKILLS I NEED TO ADVANCE MY CAREER?
Students who enroll in health informatics master’s programs will spend roughly two years learning about the latest trends and developments in healthcare information technology. Courses cover the various ways that physicians and healthcare providers manage existing medical records, and how emerging technology can reshape healthcare delivery in the years to come. Internships also prepare you for the workforce through practical training.
WILL AN ONLINE MASTER’S IN HEALTH INFORMATICS WORK WITH MY SCHEDULE?
Online master’s in health informatics programs are a flexible education option that cater to students who must balance their schoolwork with other commitments, such as employment or childcare. The online platform allows you to access course materials, submit written assignments, take exams, and communicate with their professors at your own convenience. Current technology also allows you to complete coursework away from your personal computer using a laptop, tablet, smartphone, or other device with Wi-Fi capabilities. Students can usually work with school officials to arrange internships that are close to home, as well.
WHAT JOBS CAN I GET WITH MY MASTER’S IN HEALTH INFORMATICS?
Students who earn a master’s in health informatics online leave school prepared to enter the workforce in most entry-level roles, as well as some managerial positions normally reserved for applicants with an advanced degree. A bachelor’s degree is considered the minimum requirement for many health informatics careers, leaving master’s-holders well-positioned in the job market. However, it’s important to note that certification is often required for employees in this field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), commonly accepted certification credentials include the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) and Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR) credentials.
WHAT ARE THE BEST ONLINE MASTER’S IN HEALTH INFORMATICS PROGRAMS?
Choosing a program is an incredibly personal decision, and only you can properly evaluate whether a target school’s strengths match your educational needs. The following ranked list of schools should serve as a helpful starting point in your search for the best masters in health informatics programs in the United States. If you are considering an online master’s in health informatics, be sure to contact admissions specialists at different colleges and universities to learn more their about specific requirements and offerings.
Accredited Online Master's in Health Informatics Programs
See Methodology| Rank | School Name | Ranking Score | Relative Cost | % Enrolled Online | Location | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stanford University | RANKING SCORE 85.39 | COST | % ENROLLED ONLINE 8% | LOCATION Stanford, CA |
Located in Palo Alto, California, Stanford has long been regarded as one of the nation’s premier universities. Known primarily for its successful alumni, Stanford is also renowned for pioneering concepts in web-based education. Since 2012, the school has offered an extensive catalog of online degree programs through the Stanford Center for Professional Development (SCPD). Stanford’s online MS in biomedical informatics program is designed to provide foundational knowledge in health systems management and patient care while allowing students to develop specializations within the field. Reserved for learners employed full time, this 45-credit online master’s health informatics program requires the completion of several courses in science, computer programming, and higher mathematics. Students are expected to complete 17 credits of core biomedical informatics coursework, including a mandatory introduction to research methodology. Other course requirements include 18 units in computer science, statistics, mathematics, and engineering, and four credits of relevant coursework in the field of social and ethical issues. Any remaining credits may be fulfilled through unrestricted elective courses. By the end of the first quarter, all students must submit a proposal detailing their academic goals within the program. Course materials can be accessed through the SCPD website, where lectures are posted in the form of streaming videos previously recorded from live classes. While individuals earning their online master’s in health informatics are typically held to the same schedules and deadlines as traditional students, all coursework is web-based and requires no in-person participation. Most students complete their online health informatics master’s in three to five years. Program Overview Delivery Program Requirements Program Length Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 2 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | RANKING SCORE 84.28 | COST | % ENROLLED ONLINE 20% | LOCATION Chapel Hill, NC |
Founded in 1795, UNC at Chapel Hill offers 240 degree programs, including more than 110 master's programs. The school boasts an enrollment of nearly 30,000 students, including 11,000 graduate and professional students. As of 2017, the university has educated 49 Rhodes scholars and over 250 Fulbright scholars. Through collaboration with the 17 campuses of the UNC system, UNC at Chapel Hill has created several professional development degrees for working students. The MPS in biomedical and health informatics prepares students to effectively use and manage clinical and public health information systems. The 35-credit program includes classes in core informatics topics, business essentials, BMHI foundations, and a chosen concentration. Notable courses include information security, leadership in science based organizations, database systems, and a seminar series. The MPS is available in two tracks: clinical informatics and public health informatics. The clinical informatics track prepares professionals for certification. The public health informatics track focuses on the use of information systems in population health and public health policy. Both tracks require a 400-hour graduate practicum and/or internship experience. Students typically complete this requirement in their first semester. Full-time students can complete this accelerated online master's in health informatics program in 17 months. Part-time students can finish the program in just over two years. Applicants should have a background in healthcare, either from prior education or work experience. Applications should include GRE test scores, three letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose that reflects academic and career goals. An interview with the program director is required. Students may transfer up to seven credits. Program Overview Delivery Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 3 | The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston | RANKING SCORE 83.90 | COST | % ENROLLED ONLINE 11% | LOCATION Houston, TX |
Established in 1972, Texas' medical school, UTHealth, is currently the nation’s seventh largest medical school in terms of total student enrollment. UTHealth’s School of Biomedical Informatics is unique in its focus and scope, and offers distance learners a vigorous, state-of-the-art online curriculum. Participants in UTHealth’s online MS in biomedical informatics program can choose from two educational pathways. The 39 credit 'traditional research' track builds foundational knowledge of biomedical informatics. Students on this path learn the primary methods of collecting, interpreting, and processing medical data and patient information as they choose and develop areas of specialization. The 'applied biomedical informatics' track focuses on the role of electronic health records in healthcare administration and clinical settings. Along with the standards and protocols of electronic record keeping, coursework teaches concepts in project management and data analytics, as well as legal and security issues in the field. Students earning their master’s in healthcare informatics online must demonstrate their knowledge and skills by fulfilling a practicum requirement in a workplace setting. In addition to the practicum, students on the applied biomedical informatics track must complete a final capstone project. Both tracks provide the option of enrolling either full or part time, allowing busy learners to earn their master of health informatics online, at their convenience. While coursework is done entirely online, practicum preceptors are available to assist distance learners with completing this aspect of the program. Prospective students are required to submit their GRE scores upon application, although UTHealth’s holistic review process takes numerous factors into consideration when reviewing applicants’ credentials. Graduates who have earned their health informatics master’s online may transfer credits from the MS program to the in-house PhD program. Program Overview Delivery Program Requirements Program Length Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 4 | Northwestern University | RANKING SCORE 80.16 | COST | % ENROLLED ONLINE 11% | LOCATION Evanston, IL |
Founded in 1851, this Evanston, Illinois school was established to serve as an educational center for Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Offering 16 web-based master’s programs and graduate certificates, Northwestern has partnered with the Feinberg School of Medicine to present a fully accredited online master’s in health informatics program available to distance learners around the country. Upon application, students must declare a specialization in one of three areas: clinical informatics, health administration informatics, or health technology informatics. Regardless of concentration, all students must complete 12 courses to earn a degree, including three electives pertaining to their chosen specialization. Core courses provide an overview of informatics and the American healthcare system, as well as legal and ethical topics related to the field. For their final term, students may choose between a thesis research project or a capstone presentation. Those on a clinical informatics path will also receive training for future certification exams. Northwestern’s web-based curricula are academically equivalent to those taught on campus, but allow students to earn their master’s health informatics online while they work part time or raise a family. Working students may be interested in Northwestern’s Employer Tuition Reimbursement program, which permits students to defer employer-covered payments until a term is completed. Lectures and course materials can be accessed 24/7 through Canvas, the school’s cloud-based learning management system. Canvas allows students to integrate class materials, schedules, and more with web services like Twitter and Google Drive, making it easy and convenient to study. Program Overview Delivery Program Requirements Program Length Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 5 | University of Washington | RANKING SCORE 76.62 | COST | % ENROLLED ONLINE 8% | LOCATION Seattle, WA |
Through its 17 colleges and schools, UW serves 55,000 students each year and offers over 575 degree options. Founded in 1861, this public research university in Seattle, Washington, confers more than 12,000 degrees each year. Among the UW faculty sit seven Nobel Prize winners and 15 MacArthur fellows. Created in collaboration with UW's master of health administration, the 54-credit master of health informatics and health information management (MHIHIM) program prepares students for careers in health IT. The competency-based curriculum requires 18 courses, taken over the course of six quarters. From an introduction to health informatics and ethics in health information in year one to consumer health informatics and healthcare quality and technology in year two, students move through the rigorous course sequence together as a cohort. The MHIHIM program culminates in a capstone that demonstrates mastery of five key pillars: health information systems, healthcare data analytics, information governance, patient and organizational information privacy and security, and health systems leadership. Students in this blended program meet for three days each month at a UW facility in Bellevue. Learners can finish all 54 credits of the master's in health informatics online program in 18 months. One unique feature of the MHIHIM is the stakeholders program, which brings Seattle-area industry professionals into the classroom to further educate students on the latest trends and developments in the emerging field of health informatics. To apply, students should hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited college or university. Potential students should hold a minimum 3.0 GPA for the last 60 semester credits of undergraduate work. In addition, applications must include a CV, written statement, and three letters of recommendation. UW admits a new cohort every fall.Program Overview Delivery Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 6 | George Washington University | RANKING SCORE 73.74 | COST | % ENROLLED ONLINE 30% | LOCATION Washington, DC |
The MS in management of health informatics and analytics is a new offering from the Milken Institute School of Public Health at GW. The program combines the frameworks HIT and HIM to help solve the public health challenges of today. Launched in January of 2017, this health informatics online degree is comprised of eight 10-week-long modules totaling 42 credits. The cohort-based program is designed for working professionals with experience in the field. The modules cover 10 core content areas of health informatics, starting out with healthcare management and strategy. The module in population and community health analytics addresses ways to use technical knowledge and analytical tools to inform decisions about community health. The curriculum as a whole prepares graduate students to leverage data analytics and IT-based solutions for the improvement of patient outcomes and quality of provided care. With the capstone project, master's candidates explore health innovation and examine the industry challenges of adopting new technologies. Students will develop a practical solution, either technical-based or business-centered, to deal with a current healthcare problem. In addition to the online courses, this advanced degree also requires two immersion experiences on the GW campus in Washington, DC. The first experience focuses on on leadership and ethics and the second focuses on applications and testing. For the latter, students study in a simulation lab to develop real-world solutions using health informatics. Students can complete all degree requirements in 24 months. Admission decisions at GW's Milken Institute School of Public Health are made on a rolling basis. Applicants should have at least two years of full-time work experience in the health sector or three years of full-time experience in another industry. Admitted students who lack the necessary background must first pass an exam proving a basic knowledge of America's healthcare system before beginning coursework. Program Overview Delivery Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 7 | Northeastern University Global Network | RANKING SCORE 72.51 | COST | % ENROLLED ONLINE 83% | LOCATION Boston, MA |
Founded in Boston in 1898, Northeastern University is renowned for its world-class educational programs and exceptionally high level of doctoral research activity. Offering 'Industry-Aligned Degree Programs Grounded in Experiential Learning', the Northeastern University Global Network has provided thousands with comprehensive web-based educational experiences. Designed with working professionals in mind, the Global Network’s MS in health informatics program offers a flexible method of earning a master’s in healthcare informatics online. This interdisciplinary program prepares students for the rapid technological changes and improvements frequently encountered in the field of health care, and provides the knowledge and skills required to succeed in the workplace. Spanning 33 credit hours, core courses provide a broad introduction to health informatics and data management. Students may opt to take a technical track, which focuses primarily on biostatistics and their management, or a business management path that prepares students for administrative careers. Both tracks require a final capstone project. While full-time students typically earn their MS health informatics online in two years, part-time students take between two-and-a-half, and four years to complete the program. Offering maximum flexibility, this online master’s in health informatics program can be completed entirely through the university’s web-based learning system, NU Online. The system allows students to submit assignments, participate in group projects, and consult faculty members from any laptop or tablet, and offers educational resources in a variety of formats, from podcast to PDF. Midterm and final exams are also taken via NU Online. Students performing online master’s health informatics coursework must complete assignments within a designated time frame (although they need not log in at specific times). A workload comparable to traditional graduate programs calls for excellent time management skills, and the Global Network provides numerous online resources to help distance learners achieve the proper balance of study and work. Program Overview Delivery Program Requirements Program Length Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 8 | Boston University | RANKING SCORE 72.07 | COST | % ENROLLED ONLINE 19% | LOCATION Boston, MA |
A private research university, BU offers hundreds of degrees, including more than 200 master's programs and over 40 distance learning programs. In 2002, Boston University launched its first online course. Today, BU educates more than 3,200 online students and is a member of five distance learning consortiums. The school is well-renowned for its academic excellence; U.S. News and World Report ranked BU as one of the best colleges in the nation and one of the best global universities. BU is also a member of the exclusive research consortium Association of American Universities. The MS in computer information systems (MSCIS) with a concentration in health informatics is a 40-credit, CAHIIM-accredited program that prepares students for AHIMA certification. Graduates go on to gain leadership roles in healthcare. The program emphasizes data communication, networks, biomedical databases, and the security and privacy concerns that are inherent in the handling of medical data. The MSCIS curriculum includes five core classes and five concentration courses. These classes cover topics such as database design, IT strategy, electronic health records, enterprise cyber security, and advanced informatics. In the course biomedical sciences and health IT, students gain a high-level introduction to the U.S. healthcare system and its digitization. All courses are completely online. Participation is primarily asynchronous with lectures from professors and visiting experts archived for access anytime. Some instructors may require synchronous meetings. Students can complete all requirements for this online health informatics degree in 18 to 24 months. Applicants should hold a BA or BS degree from a regionally-accredited college or university and possess proficiency in the fundamentals of IT. If college-level credit is ruled insufficient, the department will determine what prerequisites the student must complete before starting the program. Program Overview Delivery Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 9 | University of South Florida | RANKING SCORE 70.74 | COST | % ENROLLED ONLINE 34% | LOCATION Tampa, FL |
Named as a top-tier school by the Carnegie Foundation and with around 42,000 students participating in traditional and online classes, the Tampa-based University of South Florida is the fourth-largest university in the state. USF Health’s prestigious Morsani College of Medicine offers an online master’s in health informatics program that lets distance learners acquire the same comprehensive education as their on-campus counterparts. USF's online master in health informatics program spans 32 credits in length, with 26 credits of core coursework and six to seven elective credit hours. Core curriculum provides a broad foundation in crucial topics like electronic records management, managerial communications, and the legal and ethical aspects of health data management. The school places special emphasis on new technological developments, such as emerging cloud databases and data mining. Students may select independent study in place of an elective course. All coursework is done entirely online and taught by the same instructors who lead the equivalent classes on campus. With 11 eight-week-long classes, most people can earn their master of health informatics online in approximately two years. Designed for healthcare and IT professionals who seek to advance their career by earning a master’s of nursing informatics online or similar credential, the program provides flexible class schedules for working individuals. Students can expect to spend 12 to 15 hours a week on coursework, per class, with assignments due on a weekly basis. Through message boards, live chat, and email, students can communicate with classmates and faculty members quickly and easily. The online graduate health informatics program is a HIMSS Approved Education Partner. USF offers a generous tuition assistance plan to military personnel and veterans enrolled in the online master in health informatics program. Additionally, the program is open to international students who can demonstrate English language proficiency through a TOEFL score of 79 or higher, provided that these students do not enroll in more than one online course. Program Overview Delivery Program Requirements Program Length Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 10 | University of Central Florida | RANKING SCORE 68.97 | COST | % ENROLLED ONLINE 40% | LOCATION Orlando, FL |
With more than 63,000 students, the University of Central Florida boasts the largest overall enrollment of any university in the United States. Established in 1963, UCF has been recognized for its innovations in online education dating back to the mid-1990s. UCF’s Research Initiative for Teaching Effectiveness has extensively studied the benefits and best practices of web-based schooling, making the institution a national leader in online education. Due to legal restrictions, the school is unable to provide online instruction to individuals in Michigan, Minnesota, or Oregon. UCF offers a master’s in health informatics online degree program consisting of 38 credit hours. Students without relevant professional or academic experience must complete prerequisite courses in health care administration, health information systems and medical terminology in addition to their required classes, and program completion time can vary between individuals. The program utilizes a cohort model, in which students begin their studies as part of a group, and progress through coursework together. Required courses are designed to give students a strong basis in crucial topics such as database management and security, epidemiology, and decision analysis. Completion of a capstone course is required for graduation, along with a clinical internship that allows students to practice their administrative skills at an actual healthcare organization. UCF’s online master’s in health informatics program is held to the same rigorous academic standards as its traditional one, and distance learners are provided with a wealth of resources. Along with a virtual academic resource center, students can access online workshops and a virtual career center through the school’s Center for Distributed Learning portal. Additionally, distance learners have full access to the university’s online library, which offers hundreds of electronic journals and full-text scholarly publications. Program Overview Delivery Program Requirements Program Length Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 11 | Brandeis University | RANKING SCORE 68.81 | COST | % ENROLLED ONLINE 25% | LOCATION Waltham, MA |
Boston’s Brandeis University was established in 1948 to serve the area’s Jewish community. Today, the institution provides online education to more than 800 individuals from around the world. Unlike some web-based graduate programs, Brandeis’ accredited online courses are led by the same instructors who teach on campus. An average class size of 12 students ensures that distance learners receive the same faculty support as their traditional counterparts. Through six required courses and four electives, the 30 credit M.S. in health and medical informatics program builds student competence in fundamental areas such as data analysis, record keeping, and information systems security. Core courses provide an overview of healthcare systems while addressing relevant legal, financial, and ethical topics. Electives highlight contemporary security and privacy issues, placing special emphasis on emerging technologies and concepts in IT. Alongside its health informatics online master’s, Brandeis offers an online MS in bioinformatics program. Similar in structure to the health and medical program, this curriculum is based on core principles of bioinformatics such as statistical analysis and mathematical modeling. Prerequisites for this program include undergraduate-level molecular biology, statistics, organic chemistry, and introductory programming coursework. With four 10-week sessions offered year round, many students are able to earn their master’s in health informatics online in just over two years. Through the school's Graduate Professional Studies portal, students can access course materials and complete assignments when and where it’s most convenient. Faculty members are available to assist students through virtual office hours, review sessions, and presentations. Program Overview Delivery Program Requirements Program Length Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 12 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities | RANKING SCORE 67.60 | COST | % ENROLLED ONLINE 14% | LOCATION Minneapolis, MN |
UMN offers three degrees in the emerging field of informatics, including an MS and Ph.D. The master of health informatics (MHI) at UMN is an accelerated 31-credit program students can complete online in as little as one year. The MHI explores the implementation, evaluation, and application of technology in the healthcare field, focusing on how health data informs the decision-making process. Graduates can find employment in one of the 150 healthcare software companies operating in the state of Minnesota. The professional degree begins with topics like applied healthcare databases and population health, then segues into patient safety, data science, and clinical informatics. Areas of emphasis include telehealth, system impact evaluation, user interface design, and database construction and analysis. Core courses cover the interdisciplinary field of informatics and biostatistics. Electives explore topics in technology and health science. Interested students may pursue a joint MD/MHI or an additional minor. In lieu of a final exam, students complete a capstone experience in which they carry out independent research related to informatics and its application. Previous students have completed projects such as developing design specifications for new software and observing the impact of a new information infrastructure within a healthcare system. To apply to the Institute of Health Informatics, students should hold a bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Applicants must submit GRE scores, two letters of recommendation, and a personal statement explaining interest in the multidisciplinary study. Students should also have completed least six semester credits (nine quarter units) in the life, health, or biological sciences. Applicants who lack this academic background can still meet the prerequisite with 10 years of related work experience. The school admits students in the fall and spring. Students in the program must maintain at least a 2.8 GPA. Program Overview Delivery Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 13 | University of Denver | RANKING SCORE 66.18 | COST | % ENROLLED ONLINE 26% | LOCATION Denver, CO |
Founded as a mining camp school in 1864, DU takes a holistic approach to education. The school offers over 300 undergraduate and graduate degree programs across eight colleges. The 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio ensures that all students receive individualized attention throughout their college experience. The master of science in healthcare leadership features seven concentrations, including managing legal issues in healthcare and healthcare information technologies. The 48-credit track in health data informatics and analytics explores ways to leverage data and analytic methods to help all stakeholders in healthcare, including patients and providers. Upon program completion, graduates are able to generate, retrieve, and report data. They are then able to transform that data into insights. Students also obtain the leadership skills needed to excel in a collaborative health environment. The curriculum breaks down into core courses, area-of-emphasis courses, and electives. Major courses for this track include healthcare ethics and biostatistics, healthcare data mining, healthcare systems and regulatory environments, and healthcare database applications. Learners may choose electives from any course in healthcare leadership or another graduate program. Popular electives for the MS in health informatics online degree include healthcare IT applications and telehealth, which examines ways to use communication and technological innovation to break down barriers created by distance. The program culminates in a capstone or seminar that involves in-depth research of a problem within healthcare. All terms last for 10 weeks. MS in healthcare leadership applicants should have a bachelor's degree and at least a 2.5 GPA for undergraduate work.. Applications must include a statement of purpose and CV. Students may transfer up to 12 credit hours toward the master's degree as long as they earned a grade B or better. The GMAT and GRE are not required. Program Overview Delivery Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 14 | University of South Carolina | RANKING SCORE 61.99 | COST | % ENROLLED ONLINE 30% | LOCATION Columbia, SC |
Since its establishment in 1801, the University of South Carolina has been known for its excellent health professions programs. More recently, the school has developed a stellar reputation for online graduate-level education. Consistently ranking among the top providers of health administration education programs in the United States, South Carolina is known for offering an excellent master’s in nursing informatics online alongside an online master in health informatics program. Spanning 36 credit hours, South Carolina's online master’s in health informatics program teaches the complexities of the American health care system, and the methods by which IT professionals can improve the quality of health care services. Emphasizing financial and economic aspects of health information technology, core courses instruct students in the maintenance of record databases, project management, and financial decision-making. Accelerated eight-week courses culminate in a 16-week internship at a worksite, which is arranged by an adviser. Without the need to log on at specific times, most students are able to complete the program within 18 to 24 months; making it ideal for working professionals. While course delivery varies from instructor to instructor, all core coursework is completed online through Blackboard, South Carolina’s online learning platform. Although applicants to the online master’s health informatics program must submit their GRE scores, this requirement may be waived if a prospective student has previously completed another advanced degree, or has three or more years of industry experience. In keeping with the program’s job-oriented curriculum, applicants must provide a career goal statement along with other required materials. Distance learners are eligible for financial aid, although tuition may vary depending on the state of residence. Program Overview Delivery Program Requirements Program Length Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 15 | University of Miami | RANKING SCORE 59.96 | COST | % ENROLLED ONLINE 27% | LOCATION Coral Gables, FL |
For over 90 years, U of M has provided educational opportunities to students in the Miami metropolitan area. Today, the private research university serves more than 16,000 students around the globe, with many distance learners gaining an education through the university's online campus. U of M offers 180 majors and degree programs, including six online master's degrees. Full-time students can complete the 33-credit MS in health informatics in less than two years. The curriculum covers topics like information security, data analytics, and database design. Featured courses include the health information exchange, information and data security, and legal, ethical, and regulatory issues in health informatics. The course in healthcare databases explores the design of clinical applications. Public health informatics focuses on how to use health data to address problems in public health and epidemiology. The MSHI program culminates in a non-thesis capstone. During this course, students apply skills in data acquisition, project management, data presentation, and risk management to a real-world problem that can be addressed through an informatics approach. Distance learners take one course at a time as part of a cohort. Classes are structured in an asynchronous, sequential program of study. Courses last for seven weeks each. There are no required on-campus visits, but students may choose to attend in-person networking events. Students who are unsure if they want to complete a full master’s program may complete the health informatics certificate, which includes the first five classes in the MSHI program. To apply to this master's in health informatics online program, prospective students must submit their school transcripts, two professional letters of recommendation, and a CV. Applicants also compose a personal statement addressing interest in the program in relation to their professional background and career aspirations. Program Overview Delivery Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 16 | Northeastern University | RANKING SCORE 59.78 | COST | % ENROLLED ONLINE 10% | LOCATION Boston, MA |
Opened in 1898 in Boston, Massachusetts, NEU is a global university comprised of nine colleges and schools. The university operates graduate campuses in Charlotte, North Carolina; Seattle, Washington; Silicon Valley, California; and Toronto, Canada. The MS in health informatics is an interdisciplinary program offered in partnership with the college of health sciences and the college of information and computer science. The online MSHI features two tracks: technical or business management. Comprised of 33 quarter hours, the curriculum includes courses in health informatics, business management, data science, and a chosen track. The two main courses include the American healthcare system and introduction to health informatics and health information systems. For the technical track, students take courses such as biostatistics in public health and epidemiology, which introduces the principles, concepts, and methods of population-based epidemiologic research. Learners in the business management track take courses in project management and management issues in healthcare IT. All students complete a capstone project in which they apply classroom knowledge to a real-world problem. To accommodate the schedules of working professionals, online courses are entirely asynchronous. Communication with instructors and fellow students is primarily done through email, instant messenger, or discussion forums. Full-time students can complete this online master's in health informatics in two years' time. Part-time students can complete the program in two and a half to four years, depending on their course load. Applicants should hold a BA or BS from an accredited institution with at least a 3.0 GPA. Applications must include a resume, three letters of recommendation, and a written statement of purpose and career goals. Prior to starting core coursework, students must fulfill two prerequisite classes: strategic topics in programming in healthcare and health and medicine for nonclinicians. Program Overview Delivery Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 17 | University of Alabama at Birmingham | RANKING SCORE 58.80 | COST | % ENROLLED ONLINE 48% | LOCATION Birmingham, AL |
Founded in 1966 as a degree-granting branch of the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, UAB currently educates more than 19,500 students, with two-thirds attending full-time. The school offers over 150 degree programs, including 80 graduate programs. In 2016, UAB conferred 1,670 master's degrees. The 45-credit MS in health informatics features two specialized tracks: data analytics or user experience. The curriculum splits into nine core courses and five concentration courses. Core courses include leadership theory and the principles of health informatics. Students in the data analytics track explore topics such as healthcare requirements analysis, data-driven decision-making, and quantitative methods for health informatics. The quantitative class introduces analytic and visualization techniques used in the analysis of healthcare outcomes. The user experience track focuses on user-based research and best practices to design safe, effective, and user-friendly interfaces for healthcare settings. In the course on design thinking for healthcare, students study the methodological approaches to human-centered design, from iterative prototyping to contextual inquiry. Both tracks provide graduates with the skills and knowledge needed to manage a healthcare organization's flow of information. Students can complete the MSHI in six semesters or 24 months. The graduate program is blended, with the majority of coursework delivered online. However, MSHI candidates must visit the campus in Birmingham once a year for a four day residential requirement. For admission to UAB's health informatics online degree, potential students submit a personal essay, resume, and three letters of recommendation. Applicants must have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university. To qualify for unconditional admission to UAB, applicants must have earned at minimum 3.0 for the last 60 credits of undergraduate work. Average size for an entering class in the MSHI program is 20 to 25 students. Program Overview Delivery Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 18 | Mississippi College | RANKING SCORE 56.95 | COST | % ENROLLED ONLINE 34% | LOCATION Clinton, MS |
A Christian university affiliated with the Mississippi Baptist Convention, Mississippi College was founded in 1826. It is the oldest institution of higher learning in the Magnolia State. In 1950, MC established its first formal graduate program; seven decades later in 2002, it launched its first accelerated degree program for nontraditional students. Established in 2015, the master of science in health informatics is a new graduate program. Originally designed for clinical health professionals, the degree now has a business focus. Both clinicians and non-practitioners are able to pursue the degree. The fully online degree teaches healthcare professionals critical skills in handling and processing sensitive medical information. Students can complete the 30-credit program in just over a year. Coursework covers topics like e-medicine business models, the legal aspects of healthcare administration, and an introduction to health informatics. Learners explore facets of management information systems, including the acquisition, storage, and interpretation of information. They also learn about health data management and examine industry case studies. Graduates from the MSHI program are able to help reduce costs, expand patient access, and improve quality of care. Most alumni now work in management positions for nonprofit, private, and for-profit healthcare facilities. For students unsure if they want to complete a full master’s program, MC also offers a graduate certificate in health informatics. Though not required, applicants typically have at least two years of related job experience. To apply, prospective MHSI candidates must hold a BA or BS in a related field such as nursing, computer science, or healthcare administration. Applicants should also hold a cumulative 2.75 GPA. MC also requires scores from a standardized test such as the GRE. The school offers competitive graduate tuition rates. Program Overview Delivery Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 19 | Saint Joseph's University | RANKING SCORE 56.60 | COST | % ENROLLED ONLINE 74% | LOCATION Philadelphia, PA |
A private Roman Catholic university, SJU's liberal arts education is rooted in the Jesuit tradition. Founded in 1851, the school has been serving the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area for more than 165 years and today offers 105 undergraduate majors and minors, 52 graduate degrees, and over 30 degree-completion or certificate programs. Nearly 3,000 graduate and doctoral students call SJU their academic home. Comprised of 36-42 credits, the master of health administration (MSHA) is available in three tracks: general, informatics, and organizational leadership and development. The MHSA covers the technical and behavioral competencies defined by the NCHL health leadership competency model. Courses explore topics like managed healthcare, health services research, and financial management in healthcare organizations. Electives cover health policy, healthcare and the internet, and issues related to epidemiology and community health. The informatics and ODL tracks add two more courses to the general MHSA program for 14 courses total. Students in the MHSA in informatics concentration study IT infrastructure in a digital healthcare environment. Students learn ways to manage, develop, and evaluate health data to improve quality of care. The course on computer-based patient record delves into the use of data warehouses, repositories, and integration technology to manage the enterprise of healthcare delivery. No thesis is required for this online health informatics degree. Participation is asynchronous and there is no residency requirement. Students in the informatics concentration usually take two to three years to complete requirements. MHSA candidates can begin the program six times a year (January, March, May, June, August, October). Each session is eight weeks. Applications should include two letters of recommendation and personal statement outlining professional goals and program objectives. Prior work experience is preferred, though applicants without a background in healthcare can still apply. The school considers undergraduate studies internships, volunteer work, and GPA. Program Overview Delivery Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 20 | George Mason University | RANKING SCORE 56.57 | COST | % ENROLLED ONLINE 20% | LOCATION Fairfax, VA |
Though its history only dates back 60 years, George Mason University is now the largest public research university in Virginia. The school serves over 34,000 students at its four campuses in Virginia and study-campus in Songdo, Korea. GMU's residential flagship campus in Fairfax, Virginia houses ten schools and colleges across many disciplines. The school was the first university in the U.S. to offer doctoral degree programs in 21st-century fields such as conflict resolution, bioinformatics, computational social science, and information technology. The MS in health informatics prepares students for work with health data analytics and the design, evaluation, analysis, and use of health information systems. The MSHI integrates knowledge of healthcare, technology, data science, and artificial intelligence. The 33- to 39-credit program is available in three areas of focus: health data analytics (HDAN), health informatics management, and population health. The health data analytics concentration is offered completely online. The MSHI core covers an introduction to health informatics, healthcare databases, and advanced health information systems. With prior equivalent coursework, students may earn an exemption for two of the core courses: computational tools in health informatics and an introduction to the U.S. health system. For these students, program requirements reduce to 33 credits. For the HDAN track, learners explore topics like statistical process control, observational data, and data mining in healthcare. These classes cover concepts in classification, construction induction, cluster analysis, and prediction using decision trees, attributional rules, and Bayes network. Average completion time for this online degree in health informatics is two and a half years. To apply, candidates should hold a BA or BS from an accredited university or college. GMU prefers candidates with a minimum GPA of 3.25. Students can transfer up to 12 credits into the program from prior graduate coursework. Program Overview Delivery Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 21 | Oregon Health & Science University | RANKING SCORE 56.45 | COST | % ENROLLED ONLINE 21% | LOCATION Portland, OR |
Located in downtown Portland, Oregon Health & Science University’s large main campus includes two working hospitals. Along with schools dedicated to nursing and dentistry, OHSU features a School of Medicine that has provided students with unparalleled educational experiences for nearly 50 years. More recently, the university has extended its comprehensive curricula to an online format. Students in OHSU’s Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology can earn their online master’s in health informatics through multiple tracks, including clinical informatics and health information management. OHSU’s accredited 55 credit master’s program is designed to give students seeking their master’s in healthcare informatics online a broad overview of American health care systems. The curriculum draws from five major areas: clinical informatics, evaluative sciences, health care, organizational behavior and project management, and computer science. Each student must complete 43 hours of coursework and a 12 credit thesis program. Coursework builds a strong foundation of practical knowledge that can be put to use in a clinical setting. Ideal for those considering an online master’s in nursing informatics, the program focuses equally on administrative and medical topics, such as computer science, molecular biology, and systems modeling. Thesis work allows students to develop an area of concentration while working under a mentor. Full-time students typically earn their online master’s in health informatics in two years, while those studying part-time have up to six years to complete the program. Both full and part-time students can expect to spend between 10 and 15 hours a week on coursework. Sakai, OHSU’s online learning portal, offers a convenient way to access lectures, assignments, and supplemental materials from any computer, tablet, or smartphone. Program Overview Delivery Program Requirements Program Length Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 22 | University of San Diego | RANKING SCORE 55.73 | COST | % ENROLLED ONLINE 18% | LOCATION San Diego, CA |
A Roman Catholic university, the University of San Diego offers more than 80 degree programs, including 29 master's degrees. The school currently educates more than 8,950 students through its main campus and online learning platform. A designated Changemaker campus, USD promotes social change and innovation in learning. The school has been recognized by U.S. News and World Report, the Carnegie Foundation, and Businessweek. The MS in healthcare informatics is a 31-credit, 11-course program that addresses the technical and business management skills necessary to work in the speciality field. While the technical courses cover the design and management of databases, workflow design, and requirement analysis, the business side explores conflict resolution, strategic planning, and policy development. The health informatics online degree prepares professionals to lead in the healthcare field and build and implement healthcare solutions. Throughout the program, students maintain a portfolio to present prior to graduation and share with future employers. Learners must take courses in order, beginning with orientation. The core curriculum then begins with statistics, followed by strategic planning and the management of health systems. The health informatics capstone, presented in the final term, threads together concepts, best practices, and theories. Participation is asynchronous and there are no required campus visits. The MSHI can be completed in five semesters over 20 months. Courses last for seven weeks, and there are three 14-week semesters each academic year. The school accepts applications on a rolling basis. To apply, prospective students should hold a BA or BS from an approved, accredited institution. Students should hold a 3.0 GPA or higher. Applications must also include a resume demonstrating technical aptitude and experience, a statement of purpose, and a letter of support from a current employer. Students without a current employer may submit two letters of reference. Program Overview Delivery Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 23 | Florida International University | RANKING SCORE 55.68 | COST | % ENROLLED ONLINE 37% | LOCATION Miami, FL |
When it opened its doors in 1972, FIU had the largest entering enrollment of any college or university in U.S. history. With its two campuses in Miami and University Park, FIU now offers over 190 degree options to a global student body of over 55,000. The school has achieved research institution classification by Carnegie. The MS in health informatics and analytics explores the role of information systems in modern healthcare environments. The program covers topics such as the legal and ethical aspects of healthcare, the management of electronic health records, and the use of business analysis in decision-making. In addition to learning about health informatics fundamentals and information security, students also take courses in business process design, information systems planning, and data visualization. These courses unpack the ways in which healthcare analytics, processes, and tools can best be used. The 12-course, 36-credit online master's in health informatics from FIU is taught in lock-step, with a cohort size limited to 40 students. A new cohort is admitted each fall. The program takes 14 months for all students. Participation is synchronous, with class meetings held each Saturday. Applicants should hold a baccalaureate degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 for the last 60 credits of undergraduate coursework. Candidates should also have at least four years of relevant professional experience in the healthcare sector, IT, analytics, or project management. Applicants who lack this real-world experience may still apply so long as they submit GMAT or GRE test scores. The admissions process at FIU is holistic, meaning the committee will consider an applicant's entire portfolio, including academic work, employment, and life experiences. Applications should include a statement of purpose and two professional letters of recommendation. Program Overview Delivery Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 24 | University of Missouri | RANKING SCORE 55.57 | COST | % ENROLLED ONLINE 29% | LOCATION Columbia, MO |
When it was founded in 1839 in Columbia, Missouri, Mizzou was the first public university west of the Mississippi River. Today, the school boasts a student body of more than 30,000 students from 50 states and 100 nations. Through its 19 colleges and schools, Mizzou offers 300 degree programs, including more than 90 online options. The blended 33-credit MS in health informatics prepares students to work with the complex IT infrastructure of a healthcare organization. The curriculum includes nine core courses and two courses devoted to a individual research project. Core courses cover the fundamentals of health informatics, including data warehousing and mining, health data analytics, and the American healthcare system. The MSHI program explains how data scientists, miners, and researchers use the same technology and skills as health informatics specialists. The topics are filtered through a healthcare lens and applied to patient care, quality of care, and the flow of health information. Students move through the course material in tandem with a cohort. New cohorts matriculate in January. Courses are synchronous and there are three required weekend campus visits in both the spring and fall. There is also a summer visit. Students must fulfill prerequisites in college-level statistics and algebra before beginning major courses. Applicants to this master's in health informatics online program must have at least three years of work in the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of information technologies. In addition, all applicants should have a bachelor's degree and a minimum 3.0 GPA for the last 60 hours of college-level work. GRE scores are not required. However, students must participate in an interview. The admissions department makes special arrangements for any candidates unable to travel to Columbia. Program Overview Delivery Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 25 | University of Illinois at Chicago | RANKING SCORE 55.45 | COST | % ENROLLED ONLINE 16% | LOCATION Chicago, IL |
The University of Illinois at Chicago, home to the largest medical school in the country, currently offers a dozen online bachelor's and master's programs, including multiple options for graduate students seeking a degree in health information management and health informatics. An online master’s in health informatics is available through UIC's College of Applied Health Sciences. The 100% online program takes a business school approach to helping students gain the technical skills, work experience, and leadership know-how to succeed professionally. A poll of UIC MS health informatics graduates found that 68% earned more than $75,000 per year and 46% earned more than $100,000 per year. Applicants to the program are not required to take the GRE and come from diverse backgrounds, including nursing, public health, business, health care administration, pharmacy, and information technology. UIC’s MS health informatics online is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education. The curriculum for the MS features 15 courses (45 credit hours), including a capstone project. Students who want to specialize in data analysis and research can pursue the research track within the MS in health informatics. The research track requires students to take two additional courses, as well as to complete either a research project or a thesis. Most students complete this track within two and a half years. UIC also offers a post-master’s certificate in health informatics, which is designed to complement a master’s or professional degree in another field. The seven-course (24-credit) certificate program schools students in how to effectively use medical technology and information and prepares them to become leaders in their field. For students interested in continuing their education past a master’s degree in health informatics, UIC even has a new PhD in biomedical and health informatics. Program Overview Delivery Program Requirements Program Length Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 26 | Loma Linda University | RANKING SCORE 54.58 | COST | % ENROLLED ONLINE 9% | LOCATION Loma Linda, CA |
Seventh-Day Adventists founded this health sciences institution in 1905 and named it after the California town where the campus was built. Today Loma Linda University is home to a full medical center and is regionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission. Loma Linda’s master’s in health informatics online program is available through its School of Allied Health Professions. Like other Loma Linda degree programs, the informatics master's pathway follows a curriculum rooted in ethics, health care law, and Seventh Day Adventist beliefs. Students in the program hail from a variety of backgrounds, including fields such as nursing, pharmacy, and health information management. For consideration to the program, applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree, submit three letters of reference, and complete an interview with faculty. Applicants with a GPA of less than 3.0 may be required to take the GRE. Transfer applicants from regionally accredited universities are considered for admission. Students accepted into the program can defer their acceptance until the next year if they like. The online health informatics master’s program is 45 credits in length; most earn their degree within two years or seven quarters. There are four quarters each year for online students: fall, winter, spring, and summer. Students typically take two courses per quarter, but can choose to take just one per quarter. First-year coursework includes foundational studies in biostatistics, U.S. healthcare systems, and data management, as well as a course in writing for health professionals. The second year tackles more complex areas of the field, such as data analytics, healthcare financial management and healthcare vendor processes. The program culminates in a portfolio presentation and final project; for the latter, students choose between a capstone course or on-site practicum training. The practicum requires completion of 110 hours of experiential learning at a practicum site. Program Overview Delivery Program Requirements Program Length Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 27 | Nova Southeastern University | RANKING SCORE 53.97 | COST | % ENROLLED ONLINE 51% | LOCATION Fort Lauderdale, FL |
With around one-third of its students identifying as Hispanic, Nova Southeastern University is the largest private, Hispanic-serving institution in the United States. Also known for its majority-female student body and world-class distance learning programs, the Fort Lauderdale, Florida university offers quality online education to students from all over the globe. Prospective students in Biomedical Informatics select from two web-based learning tracks offered by NSU’s Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine. Students who choose a biomedical informatics path prepare for employment in health care facilities through 44 credit hours of required classes, electives, and a practicum course. Topics covered by core courses include patient information security, system analysis, and clinical decision support systems, and prepare students for various certification exams. The 36-credit nursing informatics track is designed for registered nurses who want to earn a master’s in healthcare informatics online while remaining employed full- or part-time. Rooted in business theory, the master’s nursing informatics online curriculum familiarizes students with common information management systems while building leadership and teamwork skills. Like the biomedical informatics track, this pathway requires the completion of a hands-on practicum course. Both programs can usually be completed in six part-time semesters. Unlike many institutions, NSU offers a cohort discount on tuition for groups that enroll in any distance learning program. Those studying for a health informatics online master’s while simultaneously employed in the healthcare sector may be eligible to receive a discount, as are active duty military personnel. Students seeking employment and career advice can join the department’s listserv to find job openings around the country, or receive assistance with resume writing from NSU’s Office of Career Development. Program Overview Delivery Program Requirements Program Length Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 28 | Samford University | RANKING SCORE 53.12 | COST | % ENROLLED ONLINE 44% | LOCATION Birmingham, AL |
Chartered in 1841 by the Alabama Baptist State Convention, Samford University offers on-campus and online programs, including an online master of science in health informatics. The interdisciplinary curriculum reflects the team approach common in modern healthcare. Experienced faculty utilize the latest technology to prepare students to use data to improve care and reduce medical costs. Students earning the online health informatics degree visit Samford's campus at the beginning and end of the program, but students can complete all other requirements entirely online. Full-time students who take summer courses typically complete the program in five semesters, and most part-time students graduate in seven semesters. The 40-credit curriculum includes courses in health systems, organizations and policy, research methods for healthcare, and current topics in health and biomedical informatics. Applicants must have earned a bachelor's degree with at least a 3.0 GPA and must have earned a grade of B or better in an undergraduate statistics course. Applicants must provide GRE or MAT scores; the chair may waive standardized test score requirements for applicants with five years of work experience in a relevant field. Applicants must submit three reference letters and must undergo an online video interview. On-campus and online students pay the same tuition rates. Program Overview Delivery Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 29 | Temple University | RANKING SCORE 53.06 | COST | % ENROLLED ONLINE 16% | LOCATION Philadelphia, PA |
In 1888, Reverend Russell Conwell founded Temple University to educate working professionals. The university now spans eight campuses, offers hundreds of degrees, and enrolls more than 38,000 students. Temple's master of science in health informatics program is one of only five programs with accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management. Students who pursue the master's in health informatics online complete a brief residency at Temple's campus in Philadelphia. Part-time students typically complete the 30-credit program in two years. Coursework covers topics including fundamentals of health informatics, political and economic aspects of health, and current and emerging issues in public health and health professions. The program requires eight core courses and two concentration courses in cybersecurity for healthcare professionals, healthcare data analytics, or population health management. Students complete a capstone project. Applicants must submit transcripts, a resume, two letters of recommendation, a statement of goals, and GRE scores. Applicants must have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 minimum. All online students pay the same tuition rate, regardless of state residency. Program Overview Delivery Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 30 | Regis University | RANKING SCORE 52.79 | COST | % ENROLLED ONLINE 65% | LOCATION Denver, CO |
This private Denver-based institution was founded by Jesuits in 1877, and these Catholic roots continue to shape the school to this day. Regis University is home to the Rueckert-Hartman College of Health Professions, which offers premier degree programs in fields like nursing, physical therapy, and healthcare ethics. A master’s in healthcare informatics online program is also available at the university. The MS in health care informatics & information management at Regis is designed for current health care professionals who want to gain information technology skills like systems planning and implementation, electronic health information management, security management, and workflow design. The degree instills an understanding of leadership, ethics, and project management. Regis’s MS in healthcare informatics is unique because graduates leave with an understanding of both health informatics and health information management. The program is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university and submit official transcripts, two letters of recommendation, a resume, and a personal statement. The curriculum for the online master’s in health informatics spans 36 credits in length. Core coursework covers fundamental areas of informatics and health information systems, as well as niche field areas like data mining for healthcare support and electronic health record management. The program culminates in a capstone course, in which students must write and present an applied research project. All courses are delivered exclusively online in eight-week modules, allowing students to complete their requirements and earn their master's degree after 24 months of study. Regis follows a rolling matriculation calendar, and students may begin taking these eight-week courses during the fall, spring, or summer terms. Regis offers a reduced tuition rate to all active-duty military service members pursuing a graduate-level degree. Program Overview Delivery Program Requirements Program Length Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 31 | Concordia University - Nebraska | RANKING SCORE 51.76 | COST | % ENROLLED ONLINE 32% | LOCATION Seward, NE |
Concordia University was founded in 1894 by the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. The school is a private institution that is located in Seward, Nebraska. The university offers a master of healthcare administration with a concentration in health information technology that is completely online and taught through a Christian perspective. Graduates are prepared to work in hospitals, private practice, clinics, and other settings that use electronic systems to house and exchange health information. Students learn how to apply information technology to healthcare and maintain clinical quality, safety and security, and cost efficiency. The main goal is to enhance patient care however possible. The program requires students to earn at least 36 credits. Learners will take 12 courses, all of which last eight weeks. The school will accept up to nine hours of transfer credit from a qualified program. The curriculum contains core and concentration courses; the program culminates with a capstone class. Each course is three credits. Core classes include health services organization, management of healthcare organizations, healthcare policy, and health law and ethics. The concentration consists of three courses: health informatics, cyber security, and healthcare systems. The capstone course has three main objectives: supplement classroom material with real-world experiences, provide an opportunity for students to reflect and articulate on their experience, and provide students with an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skills. Courses such as health informatics review the clinical, research-related, and administrative applications of information systems in health services delivery. The class focuses on electronic medical record systems, decision support systems, computerized order entry, telemedicine, and consumer application. Concordia University does not require students to submit GRE or GMAT scores. Applicants must submit official transcripts, a letter of intent, and a resume. Program Overview Delivery Contact |
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| 32 | Liberty University | RANKING SCORE 51.45 | COST | % ENROLLED ONLINE 96% | LOCATION Lynchburg, VA |
Located in Virginia, Liberty University has offered distance education programs since 1985. Liberty offers a master of science in health informatics that prepares students for careers in data administration, data networking analysis, and systems integration. Offered through Liberty's business school, the health informatics program emphasizes the role that health informatics and big data play in the administration and organization of healthcare. The health informatics online degree requires 36 hours. Required courses include IT project management, biostatistics, and healthcare information systems and integrated technologies. Full-time students complete the program in three semesters. The university's eight-week online courses are asynchronous, so students can access coursework and take tests at their convenience. Liberty's flexible online programs offer multiple start dates per year. Liberty accepts up to 18 transfer hours earned with at least a 3.0 GPA from an accredited institution. Liberty students must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA, including courses transferred from another institution. Students can apply no more than two classes passed with a grade of C toward the degree. All online students pay the same tuition rates, regardless of state residency, but full-time students pay a discounted tuition rate. Program Overview Delivery Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 33 | The College of Saint Scholastica | RANKING SCORE 51.07 | COST | % ENROLLED ONLINE 50% | LOCATION Duluth, MN |
Established by Benedictine missionaries in 1912, the College of St. Scholastica is headquartered in the far north city of Duluth, Minnesota. In 1935, the college became the first higher learning institution in the country to offer a health information management program. St. Scholastica’s master’s of health informatics online degree program is delivered completely online, spans 42 credits, and is generally completed in about two years. Online students benefit from small class sizes, personal advisers, and all the same services available to on-campus students, including tutoring services, the school's library, and student groups. Applicants to the school's online master’s health informatics program must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. A foundational statistics course is also a program prerequisite. To apply, students must submit transcripts, an essay, a resume, and an online application. The school may also require an interview. St. Scholastica accepts applications on a rolling basis (with five deadlines a year) but applicants are encouraged to apply early. The 11 required courses include studies in advanced biostatistics and health analytics, systems and software development, health information security and methodology for monitoring, and evaluating and researching healthcare topics. Courses utilize clinical data and real patient information to create an authentic learning environment that mirrors real-world workplace settings. The pathway culminates in an applied final project, as well as a graduate seminar course. For the final project, each student prepares a manuscript for submission for publication in a peer-reviewed journal or conference. In the final semester of study, students can earn eligibility to sit for the Certified Professional in Health Informatics (CPHI) credential exam. St. Scholastica follows a rolling matriculation schedule, and students may choose from five different start dates throughout the academic year. Program Overview Delivery Program Requirements Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 34 | Mercer University | RANKING SCORE 51.00 | COST | % ENROLLED ONLINE 17% | LOCATION Macon, GA |
Founded in 1833, Mercer University has campuses in three Georgia cities and enrolls more than 8,600 students. Mercer enrolls more than 1,300 students in its continuing and professional education programs, including the online master of science in health informatics. The health informatics curriculum covers topics including electronic data interchange technology, interoperability standards, risk assessment, and clinical decision support systems. Required classes include healthcare data management, electronic data interchange technologies in health informatics and interoperability, and research methods in health informatics. The program culminates in a capstone project. While earning the MS, health informatics online students complete 30 semester hours. Each course lasts eight weeks. Full-time students typically complete the program in three semesters, and most part-time students graduate in four semesters. The university delivers online courses synchronously, with weekly online sessions scheduled during evenings and weekends. Applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and must submit transcripts, a letter of recommendation, a resume, and a document detailing IT or clinical experience. In-state and out-of-state students pay the same tuition rate. Employees of Piedmont Healthcare and WellStar Health System receive tuition benefits and an application fee waiver. Program Overview Delivery Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 35 | Drexel University | RANKING SCORE 50.75 | COST | % ENROLLED ONLINE 46% | LOCATION Philadelphia, PA |
Named for its philanthropist founder, Philadelphia's Drexel University was established in 1891 and has long been considered a leader and innovator in the field of online distance education. As a charter member of the American Medical Informatics Association Academic Forum, Drexel offers an online master’s in health informatics program targeted at current healthcare professionals who would like to integrate informatics and health information systems into their current organization. This interdisciplinary program can be completed full-time or part-time, and is offered entirely online. The MS in health informatics is offered by the College of Computing and Informatics, with curricular support from the College of Nursing and Health Professions. Applicants to the program are required to hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university and a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students should also submit GRE scores, one letter of recommendation, a statement of purpose, a resume, and official transcripts. The GRE requirement is waived for students with a GPA of 3.2 or higher (there are additional requirements for international students). Online Drexel students may qualify for special tuition rates offered to Drexel University alumni, members of the military, and members of Drexel’s partner organizations. The 45-credit master’s of health informatics online curriculum focuses on both the fundamentals of informatics and the psycho-social aspects of healthcare delivery in the United States. Courses are organized into four 10-week quarters each year, allowing students to take more classes in a shorter period of time. A total of 27 credits of core coursework are required. Areas of focus include foundations of health informatics and information management, as well as related topics like human-computer interaction and information assurance. Approved and free electives comprise the remaining courses. Cyber security, digital curation, and health research methods are all possible electives. Students may also choose to take a capstone course. Program Overview Delivery Program Requirements Program Length Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 36 | University of Cincinnati | RANKING SCORE 50.03 | COST | % ENROLLED ONLINE 44% | LOCATION Cincinnati, OH |
Founded in 1819, the University of Cincinnati has offered fully online programs for more than 10 years, including an online master of health informatics. The program's interdisciplinary curriculum prepares students to earn certifications such as the Project Management Professional credential. The program blends allied health sciences and business coursework; professors in both fields are members of professional organizations, and many hold fellowships. This 36-credit curriculum comprises 12 courses, and students who take two courses per semester graduate in two years. Students must enroll in at least six credits per semester. Required courses include healthcare and public health landscape, workflow process analysis, and database modeling and design. Students undertake a practicum during which they complete an approved project that contributes to the healthcare industry. Applicants can submit unofficial transcripts, but admitted students must provide official transcripts. Applicants must have earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Applicants must submit a letter of intent, a resume, and two letters of recommendation. The university does not require GRE or GMAT scores. Ohio residents pay a discounted tuition rate. Program Overview Delivery Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 37 | Louisiana Tech University | RANKING SCORE 49.67 | COST | % ENROLLED ONLINE 47% | LOCATION Ruston, LA |
Founded in 1894, Louisiana Tech University is based in the town of Ruston. The school's web-based graduate programs includes a master’s in health informatics online program. The program, offered by the Department of Health Informatics & Information Management, is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Health Information Management Education. The program can be completed 100% online, with no in-person requirements. This master’s in healthcare informatics online degree program is geared toward students who have earned a bachelor's degree in health information management or a related field. Those who have not completed their undergraduate studies are required to complete prerequisite courses. Applicants must hold a minimum GPA of 3.0 (or, to be admitted conditionally, a minimum GPA of 2.5). The school prefers that candidates have at least two years of work experience in an informatics-oriented occupation. Applicants who don’t meet the work experience requirement must submit an essay describing their experience or interest in health informatics. GRE scores are not required for admission, though applicants who choose not to send their score must complete an application essay. Also required are three letters of recommendation, a resume, and an interview. The admissions process is competitive, and not every applicant who qualifies will be accepted into the program. Louisiana Tech master's program is 45 credits in length and follows a quarter system, with online students taking courses in the fall, winter, spring, and summer. The curriculum includes core coursework in informatics and health information systems, as well as related fields like project management, data architecture, and leadership in healthcare. Students have the opportunity to complete an experiential learning course. This online master's pathway has proven popular with Louisiana Tech students. According to a graduate survey conducted by the school, 91.6% say the program "enabled them to think critically, solve problems, and develop appropriate action steps." Program Overview Delivery Program Requirements Program Length Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 38 | East Carolina University | RANKING SCORE 49.44 | COST | % ENROLLED ONLINE 66% | LOCATION Greenville, NC |
Headquartered in the city of Greenville, this public North Carolina institution has been enrolling students since 1907. East Carolina University’s main campus includes the Health Sciences Campus and a private, nonprofit hospital. ECU's programs include a master’s in health informatics online, available through the Department of Health Services and Information Management. This 100% online degree is interdisciplinary, borrowing from the fields of computer and information science and technology, health services administration and management, and more. To graduate from the online health informatics master’s program, students must complete 48 credits: 36 of core courses and 12 in a particular pathway. Full-time students can complete all program requirements within two to two-and-a-half years, including summer terms. Core courses include studies in electronic health records, health data privacy and security, social and organizational issues in informatics, and healthcare management. Students choose between three tracks for the 12 remaining credits: a health informatics option that includes two additional courses and an internship; a thesis option that features two courses and a research-based project course; or a registered health information administrator (RHIA) option that makes graduates eligible to sit for the RHIA exam. To apply to the MS in health informatics and information management program, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, a minimum 3.0 GPA, and satisfactory scores on the GRE or GMAT exams. The GRE/GMAT requirement is waived for students who have already earned a master’s degree in a related field or who have completed the health informatics certificate at ECU with a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Applicants must also submit three reference letters, a statement of purpose, and a resume. The school also requires students to have completed computer programming and statistics courses within the last five years. Application deadlines are May 1st for the fall semester and October 15 for the spring semester. Program Overview Delivery Program Requirements Program Length Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 39 | DePaul University | RANKING SCORE 49.22 | COST | % ENROLLED ONLINE 25% | LOCATION Chicago, IL |
DePaul is a Catholic university located in Chicago. Founded in 1898, DePaul enrolls more than 22,000 students and offers an online master of science in health informatics. The curriculum requires 52 quarter hours and comprises foundation courses, electives, and a practicum. Electives allow students to specialize in areas such as enterprise management, health information management, innovations in healthcare, and health analytics. Required courses include health sector management, systems design for healthcare, big data and NoSQL, and social network analysis. The two-part practicum consists of an independent study and a graduate internship, which students complete over two consecutive quarters. DePaul students must maintain at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA, and students who maintain a GPA of 3.9 or higher graduate with distinction. Not all courses are available online during every quarter, so students earning the master's in health informatics online should consult an advisor to create a plan of study. Applicants must have earned a bachelor's degree with a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA and must submit official transcripts. DePaul does not require applicants to submit letters of recommendation, a resume, or proof of certifications, but the university does consider these items in admissions decisions. Program Overview Delivery Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 40 | Rochester Institute of Technology | RANKING SCORE 48.95 | COST | % ENROLLED ONLINE 23% | LOCATION Rochester, NY |
Rochester Institute of Technology is a private university founded in 1829. RIT enrolls nearly 20,000 students and maintains campuses in five countries. The institute offers a variety of distance education programs, including an online master of science in health informatics. Part-time students can complete the 30-credit online health informatics degree in two years. Required courses include medical knowledge structures, healthcare systems, and project management. During a team-based capstone course, students use learned skills to design a solution to a health informatics problem. Students choose from analyst and clinician tracks. Students In the analyst track learn to develop new technologies and study advanced programming. The clinician track is designed for working healthcare professionals who want to utilize data analytics and technology in patient care. Applicants must have a bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA. Applicants must submit official transcripts, a resume, a personal statement, and two letters of recommendation. The ideal applicant has at least three years of healthcare-related professional experience; applicants without this experience must sit for an interview with the program chair. Only students from international universities must submit GRE scores. All online students pay the same per-credit tuition rate, regardless of residency. RIT provides access to career specialists, personalized academic advising, and online library services. Program Overview Delivery Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 41 | Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania | RANKING SCORE 48.55 | COST | % ENROLLED ONLINE 73% | LOCATION Slippery Rock, PA |
Founded in 1889 to train teachers, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is based on a 660-acre campus near Pittsburgh. SRU enrolls more than 8,500 students and offers undergraduate and graduate programs, including an online master of science in health informatics. While earning the online degree, health informatics students focus on information technology aspects of the field. Students can complete the online health informatics degree in 10 months. The interdisciplinary curriculum blends coursework in healthcare, technology, and data analytics. Required courses include data mining and data analysis, healthcare law, software engineering and project management, and foundations of public health. The curriculum aligns with criteria set by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education and reflects current industry standards. The 33-credit program culminates in a capstone course or internship. During the capstone course, students complete a faculty-approved project addressing a significant issue in health informatics. The internship option provides hands-on experience. Applicants must submit official transcripts and must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Applicants should have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA, though the university may consider applicants with lower GPAs for conditional admission. SRU does not require GRE scores, and Pennsylvania residents pay a discounted tuition rate. Program Overview Delivery Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 42 | University of Scranton | RANKING SCORE 48.38 | COST | % ENROLLED ONLINE 59% | LOCATION Scranton, PA |
Originally founded in 1888 as Saint Thomas College, the University of Scranton is one of 28 Jesuit institutions in the United States. The university offers an online master of science in health informatics program, with faculty members who carry certifications, maintain memberships in professional organizations, and are widely published. The master's in health informatics online program requires 33 credit hours, including core courses, an elective, and a capstone course. Required courses include healthcare knowledge for health informatics, database principles and applications, and business management and communication. During the capstone, students apply classroom knowledge to address complex case studies. The university offers one-hour foundational modules for students without a background healthcare or information technology. The first four courses in the master's program award a graduate certificate in health informatics. Most students typically take one course per eight-week term and graduate in two years. Students may take more courses per term with the approval of their advisor. Online courses are asynchronous, allowing students to access coursework, participate in discussions, and contact peers and professors at their convenience. The same faculty members lead on-campus and online classes. The university accepts applications on a rolling basis and does not require GMAT scores. Applicants must submit official transcripts, three letters of recommendation, a resume, and a statement of intent. Program Overview Delivery Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 43 | Michigan Technological University | RANKING SCORE 47.74 | COST | % ENROLLED ONLINE 12% | LOCATION Houghton, MI |
The first postsecondary institution to be established in Michigan's scenic Upper Peninsula, Michigan Technological University opened its doors in 1885. MTU's online master’s in health informatics degree can be earned entirely online. At this time, only U.S. residents are accepted into the program. This multidisciplinary degree focuses on four key areas of the informatics field: complex medical decisions, evidence-based medicine, disease management, and population health management. Core coursework includes introductory studies in areas like application programming, information system analysis and design, clinical decision support, and data organization. Students complete 12 credits at the 3000 to 4000 level and 18 credits at the 5000 to 6000 level. Upper-level courses delve into advanced areas of network security, population health management, and digital forensics. Students can choose three tracks for their program: a master's thesis pertaining to the informatics field, an independent study project that culminates in a presentation, or a full coursework option. The thesis track requires six to 10 credits of thesis research to be completed under the supervision of a faculty advisor. The independent study option takes two to six credits to complete and requires the student to write a research report. Students who choose the full coursework option are not required to prepare a thesis or research report, but must take more courses instead. Regardless of the student's track, MTU's master’s health informatics online degree spans 30 total credits in length. Competitive applicants should submit GRE scores, three letters of recommendation, a resume, and have a GPA of at least 3.0. Applicants who have earned another graduate degree, have at least five years of healthcare work experience, or are a Michigan Tech undergraduate student are not required to submit GRE scores. The school makes admission decisions on a rolling basis, but also advises students to apply to the program at least one semester before they intend to begin, in order to increase their chances of receiving funding. Program Overview Delivery Program Requirements Program Length Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 44 | Chatham University | RANKING SCORE 47.22 | COST | % ENROLLED ONLINE 49% | LOCATION Pittsburgh, PA |
Chatham University was founded in Pittsburgh in 1869 and enrolls more than 2,200 students. The university is known for its health and wellness programs, including an online master of science in healthcare informatics designed for working professionals in healthcare, information technology, and business. While earning the online degree, health informatics students complete 30 credits in courses such as healthcare delivery systems, project management, and virtual engagement. The program culminates in a health informatics immersion course, during which an external mentor guides students as they apply learned principles to an internship experience. Chatham's curriculum meets the rigorous standards necessary for recognition as an Approved Education Partner of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS). Graduates are prepared to earn HIMSS certifications. Chatham offers a health informatics graduate certificate that requires four courses, all of which are applicable to the master's degree. Applicants must have earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited university with at least a 3.0 GPA and should have passed an undergraduate statistics course. Applicants must submit official transcripts, a resume, two letters of recommendation, and a 500-word essay on their professional goals. Students can enroll during the spring or fall. Program Overview Delivery Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 45 | National University | RANKING SCORE 46.70 | COST | % ENROLLED ONLINE 82% | LOCATION La Jolla, CA |
Established in 1971, today National University maintains a primary campus in downtown San Diego and more than two dozen satellite campuses throughout California and Nevada. National University specializes in degree programs for working adult students. Most courses are available in accelerated four-week formats, and more than 130 online degree and certificate pathways are available for students who prefer to take courses from home. National University's health informatics online master’s is delivered through its School of Health and Human Services. The curriculum focuses on three core disciplines: design, implementation, and analysis of information systems; database administration, computer programming, network security, and other areas of information technology; and the fundamentals of informatics and health information management. A total of 11 core courses (49.5 quarter units) are featured, including a capstone research project. The program's capstone is a two-month project that focuses on a current problem in health informatics. As part of the capstone, students must complete a professional-level oral presentation and written report explaining their findings. An internship is also available as part of the program's electives. The three-credit internship requires students to complete 120 hours of work at a healthcare organization under the direct supervision of a healthcare manager. Students who complete an internship are also required to write a report summarizing their experience and connecting it to their academic work. NU's experiential learning components — including case studies, research, and simulations — prepare students for the demands and challenges of real-world workplace settings. The online master’s in health informatics pathway spans 54 credits in length. Due to the university's quarterly system and accelerated course format, many students complete all course requirements and earn their degree in less than two years. Up to 13.5 quarter units of graduate credit can be transferred in from another institution of higher learning. Program Overview Delivery Program Requirements Program Length Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 46 | Arizona State University | RANKING SCORE 46.55 | COST | % ENROLLED ONLINE 95% | LOCATION Tempe, AZ |
Based in Tempe, Arizona State University was founded as the Territorial Normal School in 1886. The university has since graduated more than 500,000 alumni. ASU offers an online master of advanced studies in health informatics. The online master's in health informatics requires 30 credit hours. Each of the 10 classes last seven and a half weeks, and ASU offers multiple start dates per year. The curriculum comprises 12 core credit hours, 15 elective hours, and a three-hour applied project. Required courses include population health management and analysis, health informatics database modeling and applications, and workflow analysis and redesign in health systems engineering. The same faculty teach both the on-campus and online health informatics degree program. Many faculty members have worked with the Mayo Clinic and have conducted research on topics such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and using big data to improve patient health. Students can take up to 18 credit hours per semester, though most graduate students enroll in nine hours per semester. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as biology, computer science, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, or public health. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and must submit official transcripts, a resume, two letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose. All online students pay the same tuition rate, regardless of residency. Program Overview Delivery Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 47 | Loyola University Chicago | RANKING SCORE 46.53 | COST | % ENROLLED ONLINE 24% | LOCATION Chicago, IL |
Established by Jesuit leaders in 1870, Loyola University in Chicago is currently one of the largest Catholic universities in the country. The university's distance education branch features a wide range of religious and secular learning pathways, including two tracks concentrated in health informatics studies. Loyola's master’s of nursing informatics online degree is available through the Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing, part of Loyola’s Health Sciences Division. The school's master’s of science in nursing (MSN) in health systems management program offers a healthcare informatics concentration. Students learn how to organize medical data, create electronic patient records, develop health databases, and design efficient information systems. Loyola’s master’s of science in nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Prospective students can apply to the master’s in nursing informatics online program for any term, in fall, spring, or summer. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing, a minimum 3.0 GPA, and a current nursing (RN) license. To graduate, students must complete 38 to 41 credit hours. MSN students pursuing a healthcare informatics concentration will take nine credit hours in the specialty. The master’s nursing informatics online program also features a required clinical practicum. Students can work with their program director to arrange clinical placements near their residence. Prior to beginning the first practicum experience, students must complete 2,000 hours of recent clinical nursing experience. Clinical practicums for Loyola’s online master’s in nursing informatics program may not be completed in the state of Colorado or at military service-based locations. A graduate certificate in healthcare informatics is also available completely online through Loyola. This pathway is designed for a wide range of health care professionals, including BSN-holding nurses, physicians, dietitians, and occupational therapists. The certificate program consists of 12 course credits that can be completed in one to two semesters. Note that a baccalaureate degree is required for students in this pathway. Program Overview Delivery Program Requirements Program Length Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 48 | University of Massachusetts - Lowell | RANKING SCORE 45.90 | COST | % ENROLLED ONLINE 46% | LOCATION Lowell, MA |
UMass Lowell offers a variety of online programs taught by practicing professionals who bring real-world experience to the classroom. Students earning the master of science in health informatics and management with a concentration in informatics focus on the technical aspects of health data, including storage, retrieval, and exchange. The curriculum adheres to federal regulations regarding data integrity and standards of meaningful use. While earning the 36-credit MS, health informatics online students complete 12 courses, including six core courses and six elective courses. Core courses include healthcare finance, operations analysis for quality improvement, and law and ethics in healthcare. Available electives include healthcare information systems, healthcare database design, and electronic health record systems. During a capstone project, students create a business report related to health informatics. Applicants must submit official transcripts, three letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and a resume indicating two years of full-time professional experience. Applicants with a health management, health informatics, or health policy certificate do not need to submit GRE scores. Although applicants' bachelor's degrees can be in any field, those with health-related experience receive preference. UMass Lowell accepts and evaluates applications year-round. All online students pay the same tuition rates, regardless of residency. Online students have access to technical support, academic advisors, and program coordinators. Program Overview Delivery Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 49 | University of Mississippi | RANKING SCORE 45.88 | COST | % ENROLLED ONLINE 20% | LOCATION University, MS |
The University of Mississippi Medical Center is the only academic health science center in the state. Located in Jackson, the university offers an online master of health informatics and information management. The online master's in health informatics requires 36 hours, which most students complete in two years. Students choose from two tracks; the health informatics track focuses on the design and development of information systems, and the health informatics management track emphasizes administration and management to prepare students to earn the Registered Health Information Administrator credential. The health informatics track includes courses in data architecture, healthcare delivery and policy, databases and knowledge management, and clinical vocabularies. This track requires a capstone involving the development of informatics-based applications. Coursework in the health informatics management track covers medical concepts, clinical classification systems, and healthcare performance improvement strategies. This track includes a capstone course focused on identifying and researching problems in health informatics and management. Applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and a GPA of at least 3.0 in their last 60 undergraduate hours. Applicants must submit GRE scores, a resume, and an essay. New students must have completed a human anatomy or physiology course, or a pre-approved substitute, with a grade of C or better. Program Overview Delivery Admission Requirements Contact |
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| 50 | Adelphi University | RANKING SCORE 45.48 | COST | % ENROLLED ONLINE 20% | LOCATION Garden City, NY |
Originally founded as a prep school in 1896, this Garden City, New York, institution serves nearly 8,000 students on an annual basis. Adelphi University, accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, is committed to providing programs that combine liberal studies with professional preparation. Adelphi's online master’s in health informatics program, offered by the College of Nursing and Public Health, is targeted toward experienced healthcare professionals, as well as individuals with a non-clinical background in fields like business or information technology. The curriculum, which is 100% online, takes a multidisciplinary approach to the informatics field, supplementing foundational studies in informatics and health information management with coursework in business, computer science, project management, and organizational development. Courses are designed to prepare students to meet employer needs. To graduate, students must complete 39 credit hours, which includes 12 foundation and core courses plus a capstone research project. All courses last eight weeks, except for the capstone, which is 16 weeks. Students in the online master’s in healthcare informatics program benefit from online tutoring, an online bookstore and library, an online student orientation, a dedicated program coordinator and adviser for online students, and one-on-one engagement with instructors. Students are not required to make any visits to campus, and may complete all course requirements and earn their degree within 28 months of study. Applicants to the health informatics online master’s program must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and a 2.75 minimum GPA. They must also submit official transcripts, a resume, essay, and two letters of recommendation. Program applicants do not need work experience in healthcare-related fields, and will not be required to submit scores for the GRE, GMAT, or other graduate entrance exams. However, the school requires students to complete prerequisite courses in statistical methods and mathematics in management. Some previously earned credits may be transferrable. Program Overview Delivery Program Requirements Program Length Admission Requirements Contact |
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What Else Can I Expect From an Online Master's in Health Informatics Program?
Online health informatics programs can vary in terms of their focus and requirements. Programs with different concentrations prepare students to pursue different roles and therefore, coursework requirements will vary. Some programs emphasize hands-on learning and include internships and fieldwork, while others focus on healthcare theory and include comprehensive exams or thesis projects. These programs can also vary in terms of length, with many taking two to three years to complete.
CONCENTRATIONS OFFERED FOR AN ONLINE MASTER’S DEGREE IN HEALTH INFORMATICS
| Concentration | Description | Careers This Concentration Prepares For |
|---|---|---|
| Health Administration/Management Informatics | Health informatics is a dual discipline that requires extensive knowledge of both healthcare and information technology. Students specializing in healthcare administration or management informatics will learn about management and administration as well as customer and physician IT. | Healthcare informatics specialist for hospitals, private practices, insurers, or government; nurse informaticist; chief medical information officer |
| Health Technology Informatics | This concentration focuses on technology instead of the healthcare management component of healthcare informatics. Students will learn about data analytics, information systems, and data management as they apply to healthcare management. | IT consultant or specialist for health care software developers, web developers, hospitals, insurers, private practices, or suppliers; IT manager for healthcare firms; information system manager. |
| Clinical Informatics | Encompassing the technical and healthcare-oriented aspects of health informatics, a clinical informatics concentration prepares students to work in a wide range of healthcare facilities. Many clinical informatics programs are modeled on the American Medical Informatics Association requirements and include courses on healthcare, IT, ethics, and administration. | Clinical data analyst; nurse informatics specialist; IT consultant; clinical informatics specialist for insurers, healthcare networks, hospitals, doctors’ offices, software developers, dental practices, or government agencies |
CURRICULUM FOR AN ONLINE MASTER’S DEGREE IN HEALTH INFORMATICS
Every online master’s in health informatics program has its own unique electives, projects, and fellowship opportunities. However, any health informatics online degree will cover the same core concepts, which are often required by professional organizations such as the American Medical Informatics Association. These classes are found in most online health informatics degrees:
- Law, Ethics, and Society in Health Informatics: These courses cover the legal, social, and ethical issues related to health informatics and are a core component of most programs. Coursework often includes the examination of case studies and legal examinations. Students learn the legal requirements that are associated with handling sensitive patient data and how to make ethical decisions in analytics.
- Health Informatics Fundamental Concepts: Most online health informatics programs have a core requirement in the theoretical and practical concepts that are foundational to the field. These fundamental concepts typically covers the “how and why” of communication and information systems related to informatics.
- American Healthcare: The American healthcare system is complex and constantly changing due to the introduction of new laws. Online master’s in health informatics students study the history of American healthcare, its modern day functions, and what to expect in the future.
- Healthcare Administration: Health informatics specialists and consultants have become an important part of the complicated world of healthcare management. Learning about healthcare administration helps informatics specialists learn more about the framework, problems, and organization of the entire system.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET AN ONLINE MASTER’S IN HEALTH INFORMATICS?
A master’s in health informatics online can typically be completed in 18 to 36 months. The most significant factor that determines completion time is whether a student enrolls part-time or full-time or is in an accelerated or standard program. Credit requirements also impact enrollment time, with most programs requiring 36 total credits. When selecting a program, students should also pay close attention to internship, fellowship, or capstone requirements that may affect completion time.
CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES A MASTER’S IN HEALTH INFORMATICS PREPARES FOR
Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems: The CPHIMS recognizes healthcare information professionals who hold a bachelor’s degree and who pass the two-hour certification test. The certification is offered by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society.
Advanced Health Informatics Certification: The AHIC is a newer certification from the American Medical Informatics Association. This certification is designed for informatics experts in the areas of public health, healthcare, and private health. To be eligible for certification, students must have a master’s degree and 15 months of professional experience.
Accreditation for Online Master’s in Health Informatics Degrees
College or university accreditation means that a school has been evaluated by an authoritative body in education and deemed to fit the criteria of an effective higher learning institution. Many U.S. schools are accredited by one of six regional accrediting agencies, such as the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. This organization is tasked with accrediting colleges and universities in the New England area. These regional agencies operate with recognition from the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), which is a nongovernmental gatekeeping organization that ensures quality in higher education.
Schools can also receive national accreditation, an equally legitimate form of accreditation given by CHEA-approved organizations to many online, technical, or adult learning schools. Some programs are also accredited by relevant professional organizations, such as the American Medical Association. Selecting an accredited program is important because it means that your degree meets professional standards and will be respected by other institutions and employers.
Before enrolling, be sure to check for your university’s accreditation status.
Employment Outlook for Master's in Health Informatics Graduates
Job Placement: Master’s vs Bachelor’s in Health Informatics
There are several reasons behind the recent boom in the health informatics industry. One is an increasing number of Americans seeking medical treatment; millions of previously uninsured adults and children now have health coverage under President Obama’s Affordable Care Act (ACA), and the aging baby boomer population has also added to this uptick. Additionally, many hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities have adopted electronic recordkeeping systems in recent years. As Americans continue to receive medical care at a higher rate and more institutions maintain software-based records, the demand for health informatics professionals is consistently high.
A recent survey by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) noted that AHIMA members with a master’s degree enjoyed more favorable job placement rates than their counterparts with lesser credentials. The survey also found that the employment rates for AHIMA members with a PhD or doctoral degree in informatics were not significantly better than those for master’s-holding candidates. The table below features unemployment data from the AHIMA survey.
| Educational Attainment | Number of AHIMA Members Who Are ‘Currently Not Working’ |
|---|---|
| High school graduate | 48.3% |
| Associate degree | 16.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 12.9% |
| Master’s degree | 12.9% |
| Doctor of Law (JD) | 9.1% |
| Doctor of Medicine (MD) | 8.8% |
| Doctorate degree | 7.7% |
Source: Climbing Higher: Bridging the Gap to Advanced Degrees in HIM
The BLS notes that the projected growth rates for jobs related to health informatics are much higher than the estimated rates for all industries. Jobs for medical and health services managers are estimated to rise 17% — more than 56,000 positions — between 2014 and 2024. Similarly, technician roles in medical records and health information are projected to grow 15% — or 29,000 jobs — during the same timeframe.
Earning a Living
Master of health informatics salary expectations are significantly higher than the projected earnings of those with bachelor’s and/or associate degrees. AHIMA notes that the average AHIMA member with a master’s degree earns an annual salary of $86,187; by comparison, bachelor’s-holders bring in $66,064 on an annual basis, while associate degree-holders make $49,769 per year.
However, annual salaries for informatics professionals will increase incrementally over the course of their careers. Using data from PayScale, the following table features salary expectations for different informatics professionals at four stages of their career.
| Profession | Median Annual Salary for Entry-Level Employees (0-5 years) | Median Annual Salary for Mid-Career Employees (5-10 years) | Median Annual Salary for Experienced Employees (10-20 years) | Median Annual Salary for Late-Career Employees (20+ years) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health Informatics Specialist | $58,963 | $76,970 | $73,697 | $70,780 |
| Health Information Manager | $54,334 | $73,336 | $74,820 | $80,183 |
| Registered Health Information Technician | $35,325 | $38,593 | $40,968 | $45,974 |
| Clinical Informatics Specialist | $64,687 | $74,240 | $78,306 | $82,535 |
| Information Security Manager | $81,842 | $99,097 | $109,287 | $117,525 |
Among the five careers listed on the table above, information security managers earned the highest annual salaries at each benchmark. However, health information managers reported the highest career salary gain with 48% between the entry-level and late-career marks.
Career Opportunities
Depending on their specialization and related work experience, graduates of health informatics programs will be eligible for dozens of positions within the industry. The most common career pathways for master’s-holding informatics professionals include the following three roles.
EHR Implementation Specialist: Implantation specialists offer technical support during the creation of health management and record systems in a variety of clinical settings. Their tasks include implementing project plans and hardware; configuring and maintaining software to meet service requirements; and acting as liaison between the hospital and vendor staff. While the skills required of a specialist may vary depending on the system being implemented, a solid background in clinical technology and health information management are usually required.
Clinical Informatics Coordinator: Coordinators are charged with planning, implementing, and evaluating the information systems used in a particular hospital or healthcare facility. They often manage a network of professionals who work to optimize storage and retrieval of information in order to guarantee that medical personnel have effective access to patient data. They also work to improve upon existing health information systems and therefore must stay on the forefront of related news and innovations.
Information Security Manager: Security managers work to ensure that information within a healthcare organization, whether it be an individual patient or the facility’s entire business, are kept safe and available in accordance with the organization’s security policies and procedures. Knowledge of information security and access procedures as well as federal and state security, privacy, and regulatory law are often required.
| Professional Field | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| EHR Implementation Specialist | $62,062 |
| Clinical Informatics Coordinator | $84,058 |
| Information Security Manager | $73,962 |
Source: HiCareers.com
Professional Organizations
Making professional connections and learning about different approaches to health informatics is crucial to your success. Professional organizations offer a great entry point for students who want to learn more about their chosen career path. Below you’ll find three of the country’s most prominent organizations established for health informatics professionals. These organizations host networking events, provide online trainings, maintain active job boards, and offer other services for career-ready college graduates. Resources like these often prove invaluable as you complete your degree requirements and prepare to enter the job market.
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American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA)
A national program that connects health informatics professionals and students, AMIA offers individual and professional memberships. The organization holds yearly conferences and provides fellowship opportunities, as well as online courses and webinars covering different topics related to medical informatics.
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American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)
This organization is recognized nationally as the premier hub for professional health information management (HIM) education and training. The AHIMA website features information on certification and career options.
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Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS)
An international organization with a branch in North America, HIMSS works to provide training and professional development for members. The HIMSS website features a vast online resource library, links to professional development opportunities and an events calendar.
Financing Your Online Master's in Health Informatics
Despite the relative affordability of online master’s in health informatics programs, most students still need financial assistance. Students should complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to learn more about loans, grants, and other opportunities offered through the U.S. government. Additionally, private grants and scholarships are widely available through nonprofit organizations, companies, and other sources. Check out our collection of resources below to learn more about financial aid options.AN OVERVIEW OF FINANCIAL AID
Approximately two-thirds of today’s college students rely on loans to fund their education, but there are plenty of overlooked financing options you can use to reduce your overall student debt.
UNDERSTANDING THE FAFSA
Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a crucial first step for any student with financial needs. Our FAFSA guide features a step-by-step rundown on the process and answers to several frequently asked questions.
FINANCIAL AID FOR ONLINE COLLEGE STUDENTS
Financial aid for online learning is equivalent to what you’ll find for campus-based learning, but that hasn’t always been the case. Learn about the changes that have taken place, as well as the different funding opportunities available to online students.
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR WOMEN
Online programs can provide an affordable and flexible option for women trying to balance the demands of work, family, and earning their degree. We’ve curated a list of valuable scholarships specifically for women.
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR SINGLE PARENTS
Online college programs can be a flexible, affordable option for single parents who are interested in earning a degree and securing their family’s financial future. We’ve compiled a list of scholarships, grants, and other financial aid options geared toward single moms and dads.
FINANCIAL AID FOR VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY
Millions of dollars in free money is available to U.S. military personnel, but much of it goes unused. Learn more about grants, scholarships, and other financial aid opportunities available to veterans, active-duty service members, and reservists.
Rankings Archive
- Best Online Master's in Health Informatics Programs of 2017
Rank School Location 1 Stanford University Stanford, CA 2 Northwestern University Evanston, IL 3 Brandeis University Waltham, MA 4 University of Central Florida Orlando, FL 5 The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Houston, TX 6 Oregon Health & Science University Portland, OR 7 Northeastern University Global Network Boston, MA 8 University of South Carolina-Columbia Columbia, SC 9 University of South Florida Tampa, FL 10 Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, FL 11 University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago, IL 12 Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL 13 Louisiana Tech University Ruston, LA 14 Loma Linda University Loma Linda, CA 15 Michigan Technological University Houghton, MI 16 The College of Saint Scholastica Duluth, MN 17 East Carolina University Greenville, NC 18 Drexel University Philadelphia, PA 19 The University of Findlay Findlay, OH 20 Regis University Denver, CO 21 Adelphi University Garden City, NY 22 Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KY 23 National University La Jolla, CA 24 Dakota State University Madison, SD 25 Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Edwardsville, IL - Best Online Master's in Health Informatics Programs of 2016
Rank School Location 1 Stanford University Stanford, CA 2 Oregon Health & Science University Portland, OR 3 Northeastern University Boston, MA 4 Brandeis University Waltham, MA 5 Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, FL 6 Regis University Denver, CO 7 East Carolina University Greenville, NC 8 Drexel University Philadelphia, PA 9 Michigan Technological University Houghton, MI 10 Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL 11 Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KY 12 The University of Findlay Findlay, OH 13 Kent State University Kent, OH 14 National University La Jolla, CA 15 Stevens-Henager College - Murray Murray, UT - Best Online Master's in Health Informatics Programs of 2015
Rank Name Location 1 Brandeis University Waltham, MA 2 Northeastern University Boston, MA 3 East Carolina University Greenville, NC 4 The College of Saint Scholastica Duluth, MN 5 Michigan Technological University Houghton, MI 6 Regis University Denver, CO 7 University of Findlay Findlay, OH 8 Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL 9 Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KY 10 Drexel University Philadelphia, PA 11 Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, FL 12 Kent State University Kent, OH 13 National University La Jolla, CA 14 Stevens-Henager College-Murray Murray, UT 15 Oregon Health & Science University Portland, OR