Program Overview

Information Science Ph.D. With a Concentration in Health Informatics

Overview

The UNT Information Science Ph.D. program with a concentration in Health Informatics responds to the varied and changing needs of an information age, increasing recognition of the central role of information and information technologies in individual, social, economic and cultural affairs.

Program Type and Format

• Doctoral Degree
• Hybrid format

Estimated Time to Complete and Credit Hours

• 3-4 years
• 60 credit hours (with master's) or 72 credit hours (with bachelor's)

Program Description

The concentration in Health Informatics prepares individuals to conduct research on the critical issues in health informatics and related areas. The concentration focuses on the intersection between information science, health care, and technology.

Mission and Goals

The mission of UNT's Information Science Ph.D. program is to provide a center of excellence in graduate education and research. Its primary goals are to:

• Nurture critical and reflective thinking on the fundamental issues and elements of problems of utilization of information
• Foster an environment of substantive and productive mentoring and apprenticeship
• Prepare scholars passionate about the role of information in human affairs
• Foster cross-disciplinary thinking and research

Marketable Skills

• Research and publication
• Pedagogical practices
• Critical thinking
• Leadership ability
• Data analysis

Program Highlights

• Special lectures hosted by the college and the department feature renowned scholars who provide different perspectives and insights into the information science field
• Students and faculty are active members of different professional associations and learned societies
• The structure of the IS Ph.D. program deliberately encourages and supports interactions among students and faculty in different academic units
• Financial support and scholarships are offered to students to recognize exceptional academic and creative accomplishments
• The Career Center provides advice about internships, future employment opportunities, and getting hands-on experience in your major
• Instruction is offered in a variety of formats, including face-to-face, online, and blended, that allows you to balance classes with full-time or part-time employment

Career Opportunities

There is a great need for a health care workforce that possesses the skills and competencies that this concentration provides. Graduates will be able to work in health care as well as health information management settings.

Sample Courses

• Seminar in Research and Research Methodology (3 hrs)
• Knowledge Management Tools and Technologies (3 hrs)
• Medical Informatics (3 hrs)
• Information Retrieval Theory (3 hrs)
• Introduction to Health Data Analytics (3 hrs)
• Seminar in Communication and Use of Information (3 hrs)