Program Overview
The Master of Science in Health Informatics (MSHI) program prepares professionals for careers in health informatics, focusing on the analysis, design, implementation, and evaluation of information systems in healthcare settings. Graduates are equipped with skills in organizational change, project management, and impact evaluation, and can pursue careers in hospital informatics departments, EHR vendors, public health organizations, and more. The program offers a variety of focus areas, including Clinical Leadership, Health Policy and Management, Public Health, Project Management, and Telehealth.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
Professionals in applied Health Informatics have skills in analysis, design, implementation, and evaluation of information systems that support a full range of clinical and patient care functions. Graduates will be prepared for entry and mid-level positions with hospital or clinic informatics departments, electronic health record (EHR) vendors, public health organizations, and as consultants and/or staff in organizations that specialize in knowledge management. Graduates also have the skills to enter the growing field of health information exchange, which includes regional health information organizations and the emerging personal health records. In addition to a foundation in applied health informatics, special skills will be acquired in organizational change, project management and impact evaluation. This is an interprofessional program administered by the Center for Health Informatics, which is sponsored by the School of Nursing.
Outline:
The Master of Science in Health Informatics (MSHI) program requires completion of 35 credit hours, distributed as follows:
Core Courses (17 credit hours):
- IPHI 850: Introduction to Health Informatics (2 credit hours)
- IPHI 851: Transforming Health Care through Use of Information Systems and Technology (3 credit hours)
- IPHI 852: Health Data Theory and Practice (3 credit hours)
- IPHI 853: Abstraction and Modeling of Healthcare Information (3 credit hours)
- IPHI 854: Knowledge Management in Health Care (3 credit hours)
- IPHI 856: Health Informatics Practicum (3 credit hours)
Leadership Courses (9 credit hours):
Students must choose a minimum of 9 credits (including one health policy course) from the following electives:
- IPHI 820: Program, Project, and Communication Planning (2 credit hours)
- NRSG 808: The Social Context for Health Care Policy (2 credit hours)
- NRSG 880: Organizational Foundations for Leading Change (3 credit hours)
- NRSG 885: Evaluation and Analysis for Healthcare Effectiveness (2 credit hours)
- HP&M 832: Governance and Health Law (2 credit hours)
- HP&M 833: Ethics (2 credit hours)
- HP&M 837: Health Policy (3 credit hours)
Focus Area (9 credit hours):
Students must select 9 credit hours from a designated focus area based on their career goals and in consultation with an advisor. The focus areas are:
- Clinical Leadership Focus:
- NRSG 748: Theories for Practice and Research (3 credit hours)
- NRSG 755: Professionalism in Advanced Nursing Practice (3 credit hours)
- NRSG 883: Complexity Science Approaches to Improve Organizational Effectiveness (3 credit hours)
- NRSG 891: Human Resources and Workforce Development (3 credit hours)
- Health Policy and Management Focus:
- HP&M 810: The Health Care System (3 credit hours)
- HP&M 822: Health Care Economics (3 credit hours)
- HP&M 825: Financial Concepts in Healthcare Management (3 credit hours)
- HP&M 846: Health Information Technology Management (3 credit hours)
- HP&M 850: Introduction to Operations (3 credit hours)
- HP&M 854: Human Resources and Workforce Development (3 credit hours)
- Public Health Focus:
- PRVM 800: Principles of Epidemiology (3 credit hours)
- PRVM 815: Infectious Disease Epidemiology (3 credit hours)
- PRVM 845: Health, Society, and Culture (3 credit hours)
- PRVM 875: Management of Public Health Data (3 credit hours)
- PRVM 877: Health Communication (3 credit hours)
- Project Management Focus:
- PMGT 816: Project Management Fundamentals I (3 credit hours)
- PMGT 817: Project Management Fundamentals II (3 credit hours)
- PMGT 818: Project Management Fundamentals III (3 credit hours)
- Telehealth Focus:
- IPHI 861: Introduction to Telehealth Policy and Practice (3 credit hours)
- IPHI 862: Developing Telehealth Programs (3 credit hours)
- IPHI 863: Applications of Telehealth Methods and Models (3 credit hours)
General Examination:
Students must successfully complete a general examination in the semester they will graduate.
Dual Degree Program:
A Doctor of Pharmacy & Master of Science in Health Informatics dual degree program is available for students intending to pursue opportunities in pharmacy informatics.
Assessment:
- General Examination: A comprehensive oral examination is required in the final semester of the program.
Teaching:
- Instructional Methods: The program utilizes a variety of instructional methods, including lectures, group discussions, case studies, and online learning modules.
- Faculty: The program is taught by experienced faculty with expertise in health informatics, leadership, and other relevant disciplines.
Careers:
Graduates of the MSHI program are prepared for a variety of careers in the healthcare field, including:
- Hospital or Clinic Informatics Departments
- Electronic Health Record (EHR) Vendors
- Public Health Organizations
- Consultants
- Knowledge Management Organizations
- Health Information Exchange Organizations
- Personal Health Record Organizations
Other:
- International Students: The program does not meet current U.S. student visa requirements due to the number of online courses.
- Technical Standards: The program has technical standards for admission, including requirements for observation, communication, motor function, intellectual abilities, and behavioral attributes.
- Accommodation for Disabilities: Reasonable accommodations will be considered for qualified students with disabilities.
- Fees: No information on fees is provided in the context.
- Admission Requirements: While the document provides a detailed description of admission requirements, it does not list any fees associated with the application process.
Entry Requirements:
- Bachelor's Degree: A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution is required. Official transcripts must demonstrate the degree was conferred before entering the program. Official transcripts from institutions attended post-baccalaureate are also required.
- GPA: A cumulative GPA of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is needed.
- English Proficiency: Applicants who are not native speakers of English, whether domestic or international, must demonstrate they meet the Minimum English Proficiency Requirement. The specific test scores required are not stated, but this requirement is the same for both domestic and international students.
- Resume/CV: A current resume or curriculum vitae is required.
- Personal Statement: Applicants must submit a personal statement outlining their reasons for pursuing a graduate education in health informatics, their career objectives, and other information that helps the admissions committee learn about them.
- Letters of Recommendation: Three letters of recommendation are required, preferably from employers, instructors, or others who can assess the applicant's academic and professional potential.
- Background Check: A background check is required during the admission process. It may impact a student's eligibility to enter the program.
- Statistics Course: A graduate-level statistics course is required. It can be completed prior to admission or during the first semester of enrollment.
Language Proficiency Requirements:
- English Proficiency: Applicants who are not native speakers of English, whether domestic or international, must demonstrate they meet the Minimum English Proficiency Requirement. The specific test scores required are not stated.
