Program Overview

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Executive MS in Health Informatics Program Overview

The Executive MS in Health Informatics degree is a 36-credit program based on the knowledge domains and standards established by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). This program is designed to provide students with the technical knowledge and management skills necessary to leverage data to increase operational efficiency in the healthcare industry.

Program Description

NEC's 36-credit online master's in health informatics program is designed to provide students with the technical knowledge and management skills necessary to leverage data to increase operational efficiency in the healthcare industry. Students will learn and apply the foundational concepts and methodologies of health informatics, from database design to compliance requirements to machine learning for decision-making purposes.

Hybrid Delivery

The program follows a 3-term per academic year structure, with mandatory 3-day residencies during each term. Students must attend all residencies to continue enrollment in the program. In the period before and after the residencies, students will complete their course work online.

Attendance Policy

In-person attendance on campus in New Hampshire is mandatory for the residency weekend sessions. These sessions are an exciting and valuable component to the curriculum and provide extensive networking opportunities.

Pre-Requisites

This executive-level program requires either an accredited master's degree or three years of relevant work experience.

Additional Information

A virtual orientation session to cover immigration issues, academics, login processes, and billing and payments and to provide an opportunity to meet the faculty and staff of NEC will take place a week before the term starts. Admitted students will receive the link to access the orientation session. An internship for one credit is a required component of this program, regardless of your citizenship status or visa status.

Program Highlights

• Online: Complete your degree around your busy schedule.
• Curated: Program designed specifically for working professionals.
• Efficient: Complete your degree in as little as 18 months.

Why Earn Your Executive MS in Health Informatics?

In today's rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, the integration of technology, business, and data-driven decision-making has become essential for improving patient care and operational efficiency. This program is designed to equip aspiring healthcare leaders, clinicians, and information technology (IT) professionals with the health informatics knowledge and skills necessary to optimize healthcare delivery.

Online Health Informatics Master's Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Design relational databases incorporating classification systems, clinical vocabularies, and standardized nomenclatures
• Develop data visualizations that translate complex healthcare data into actionable insights for clinical and administrative decision-making
• Analyze privacy and security frameworks to assess risks and recommend safeguards for protecting healthcare information systems
• Evaluate legal and regulatory compliance issues affecting healthcare organizations, and propose policy or procedural responses
• Assess the functionality, interoperability, and usability of health information technologies based on stakeholder requirements and produce evidence-based recommendations for system selection or improvement
• Create plans for the implementation of health informatics projects in organizations

What Can You Do with a Master's in Health Informatics?

Effective health informatics helps healthcare facilities operate with greater efficiency and provide better care. The wealth of careers for master's in health informatics degree-holders to consider reflects this opportunity for a more holistic, data-driven approach to patient care. Potential careers include:

• Health Informatics Specialist: $76,300
• Biostatistician: $84,000
• Clinical Informatics Specialist: $85,900

Why Choose NEC?

New England College (NEC) is a private, nonprofit college founded in 1946 to serve the needs of servicepeople attending college on the GI Bill after World War II and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education. Today, NEC is an innovative, military-friendly institution and one of the top five liberal arts colleges in New Hampshire.

Recognition and Rankings

NEC has earned recognition as one of the best Online Colleges in New Hampshire, as acknowledged by Forbes Advisor, a credible source for evaluating higher education programs. NEC has also been ranked as a best online program in NH by US News & World Report.

Degree Requirements

The Executive Master of Science in Health Informatics program requires the completion of 36 credits, broken down as follows:

• Health Informatics, MS (Executive Hybrid) courses (30 credits)
• Health Informatics Internship courses (6 credits)

Course Map

Please visit the course map by term for this program to view the specific courses and their descriptions.

Health Informatics Requirements (Executive Hybrid)

The program requires the completion of the following courses:

• HIM 5115 - Health Informatics Management Principles
• HIM 5225 - Design and Implementation of Health Information Systems
• HIM 5325 - Design of Data Mining Systems
• HIM 5615 - Design of Database Systems
• HIM 6035 - Health Informatics Compliance and Integrity
• HIM 6055 - Security Strategies for Healthcare Systems
• HIM 6115 - Managing the Healthcare Project
• HIM 6125 - Healthcare Data Analytics
• HIM 6335 - Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
• HIM 6445 - Visualizing Healthcare Data
• HIM 5911 - Internship I in Health Informatics
• HIM 5912 - Internship II in Health Informatics
• HIM 5913 - Internship III in Health Informatics
• HIM 5914 - Internship IV in Health Informatics
• HIM 5915 - Internship V in Health Informatics

Faculty

• Dr. Joan Lawson, Program Director
  • Visiting Assistant Professor MSCIS; Program Director, Executive Information Technology & Cybersecurity and Data Science & Analytics
  • Educational Background: EdD in Information Technology, University of the Cumberlands; MS in Software Engineering with specialization in Database Technologies, Regis University; BS in Computer Information Systems, Bentley University
  • Bio: Joan Lawson had an extensive career in Information Technology—working in enterprise architecture, IT management, software development, and more—at companies such as IBM, Monster, and Kronos.

Adjunct Faculty

• Mary Tripod
  • Adjunct Professor
  • Educational Background: Doctor of Health Administration with emphasis in International Healthcare (candidate), Central Michigan University; Graduate Certification in Project Management, Central Michigan University; MA in Health Promotion and Program Management, Central Michigan University; BA in Exercise and Health Sciences with minor in Biology, Alma College
  • Bio: Mary Tripod joined New England College in February 2024. She is a seasoned healthcare executive with over 20 years of expertise in delivering quality healthcare, building corporate business structures, and fostering positive change.
• Shawn Desince
  • Adjunct Faculty
  • Educational Background: MS in Medical Informatics, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University; BS in Medical Technology, St. Francis College
  • Bio: Shawn Desince, MS, MLS (ASCP)CM, has joined New England College as an Adjunct Professor. Shawn is completing a doctoral degree in Health Informatics with a concentration in Health Data Analytics at Rutgers University.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How long does it take to complete the Executive MS in Health Informatics online program?
  • Full-time students typically complete NEC's master's in health informatics online credit program in as little as 18 months.
• How is the master's in Health Informatics online program structured?
  • NEC's online Executive MS in Health Informatics program requires the completion of 36 credits, broken down as follows: Health Informatics, MS (Executive Hybrid) courses (30 credits); Health Informatics Internship courses (6 credits)
• What are the benefits of a master's in Health Informatics online?
  • A master's in health informatics is worth it for several reasons. Informatics systems help create more efficient care delivery systems. Professionals in this field can be part of this, creating more effective processes and driving data-driven decisions.
• How do I enroll in the online master's in Health Informatics program?
  • You can enroll in NEC's online Executive MS in Health Informatics program by applying directly on the university website. NEC doesn't charge an application fee, and it doesn't require standardized test scores.