Master’s in Health Informatics Online

Source – Integrated Post Secondary Education Data System & University Data
*Tuition rates are for in-state and per year. Program specific rates may apply.
**NA – data not available

Source – Integrated Post Secondary Education Data System & University Data
*Tuition rates are for in-state and per year. Program specific rates may apply.
**NA – data not available

A Master’s in Health Informatics program integrates technology, healthcare, and data management to enhance healthcare delivery. Students learn to design, implement, and manage health information systems, ensuring efficient data utilization for improved patient care. Coursework covers topics like electronic health records, data analytics, health information exchange, and cybersecurity. Graduates are equipped to bridge the gap between healthcare and technology, contributing to advancing healthcare systems and patient outcomes.

Curriculum and Skills Gained in Master’s in Health Informatics Programs

Health Informatics is a complex and complicated field. Students must fully understand the curriculum, coursework, and skills they will learn before stepping into master’s in health informatics programs. While signing up for these programs may be tempting, it is also essential to understand that these online health IT courses are a niche area, and the courses might be a little challenging for students from a non-technology background. While the curriculum might vary from university to university, there are some common courses students can expect to see in online master’s in health informatics. A few of them are listed below:

Here are some Skills gained by students upon completing the program:

• In-depth understanding of health informatics principles and concepts.
• Expertise in electronic health records (EHR) and health information systems.
• Skills in managing, analyzing, and interpreting healthcare data.
• Expertise in using data analytics techniques to improve healthcare outcomes.
• Effective collaboration with healthcare professionals, IT experts, and administrators for effective teamwork.
• Ability to ensure the ethical and legal use of health information.
• Leadership skills for roles such as Health IT Manager or Clinical Informatics Manager.
• Problem-solving skills for addressing challenges in healthcare information management.
• Effective communication of complex health informatics concepts to diverse audiences.

Online Master’s in Health Informatics Degree Types

Many universities offer healthcare Informatics degrees. Several universities offer these programs at the undergraduate level, too. At a graduate level, these programs are provided as specializations within other programs. While the Master’s program degree type might differ across different universities, the master’s in Health Informatics programs are offered as two types.

Specializations in Master’s in Health Informatics Programs

The Healthcare industry and information technology are huge. When combining healthcare and information technology, the health informatics subject becomes a massive field. And it produces many specializations, concentrations, and branches. The Master’s in Health Informatics program facilitates specialization in various fields. While there are a lot of branches to this field, below is a list of the main specializations that most students pursue:

Timeline for graduation from Master’s in Health Informatics Programs

Several factors affect the timeline to graduate from Master’s in Health Informatics online programs. The most important factor in the program’s length is whether students enroll in a full-time or part-time program. The degree is generally between 2 to 3 years for a full-time student. However, it would take more time for part-time students – around 2 to 4 years. These timelines vary from university to university, undergraduate degree, and prerequisites.

Some universities waive the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) requirement based on various factors such as a candidate’s work experience, previous academic achievements, or if they hold an advanced degree. Waiving the GRE acknowledges that other aspects of a candidate’s profile may better reflect their readiness for graduate studies. While a common admission criterion, the GRE is just one measure among several used to evaluate applicants. Here are a few universities that do not need a GRE for admission to Master’s in Health Informatics programs:

• University of Denver⁵
• University of Cincinnati⁶
• Marshall University⁷

Accreditation for Online Master’s in Health Informatics Programs

Accreditation is a process that determines if the degree programs offered by the universities meet professional and industry quality standards. The review process is done by an independent review team of experts and professionals from the industry or academia. Accreditation is a key factor in students’ search for high-quality degree programs. Apart from the quality of education and recognition for the degree, accreditation also qualifies students for federal financial aid for Ph.D. admissions, and it ensures the credits students earn in a particular university can be transferred to another. Students need to pick an online master’s in health informatics program that is accredited. The most common accreditation body for health informatics degrees is:

• Commission of Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management (CAHIIM)⁸

CAHIIM is an accreditation body that evaluates departments and universities. Application for accreditation is voluntary and occurs at regular intervals. 

Universities can also be accredited nationally or by one of six regional accrediting agencies:

• New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

Some students search for free online master’s in health informatics programs. At the same time, it is essential to know that there are no free accredited Master’s in Health Informatics but plenty of free online informatics courses. These free health informatics courses improve skills and provide a window into how a master’s program might look. Many students enroll in these free programs to get a feel before pursuing a full-blow online Master’s degree in health informatics. Here are a few free health information technology courses available online:

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics¹⁴, the employment rate in health informatics and related fields should increase by 16% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for any profession. Students who have completed a Master’s in Health Informatics can focus on these specialties and their annual salaries:

Certification is a document that proves that students have gained a certain level of achievement and knowledge that qualifies them for specializations. It helps students land a wide range of career options. Licensure proves that a governmental agency has approved students’ work in a specialized profession. Many students get certifications and licenses to stand out against the competition. Graduates of master’s in health informatics programs can consider the following certifications:

1. Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT®)¹⁹
   AHIMA offers the RHIT certification. This certification demonstrates that an individual can use computer applications to improve the control cost or patient care, check the quality of medical records, and specialize in coding procedures and diagnoses for reimbursement or research. 
2. Certified Health Data Analyst (CHDA®)²⁰
   The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) offers CHDA certification that recognizes and validates individuals who are professionals in health data analysis.
3. Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA®)²¹
   RHIA is a top healthcare informatics certification offered by AHIMA. The RHIA-certified professional is an expert at maintaining the patient’s health information, analyzing systems, and gathering data. 
4. Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CPHIMS)²²
   HIMSS offers the CPHIMS certification. This certification validates that individuals meet international professional competencies in the healthcare management system and information.

Students should never limit themselves to using online libraries only. Even while pursuing a degree, networking can line up a post-graduate career. Students should consider joining organizations and professional associations in the field of health informatics. There are forums, national meetings, research publications, magazines, newsletters, and networking opportunities from the conferences conducted throughout the year. Many of these organizations help students find the guidance and mentorship they need. Here are a few resources that students of health informatics programs should be associated with:

1. American Medical Informatics Association
   AMIA is one of the active and largest health informatics organizations. It is a society of healthcare professionals in various occupations and roles. It organizes an annual conference, educational gatherings, and publications. 
2. National Institutes of Health Informatics
   NIHI is an excellent organization for students to pursue their Master’s in Health Informatics online. It offers benefits and excellent resources to all its professional and student members. 
3. American Health Informatics Management Association
   AHIMA is an organization that caters to professionals in Health Informatics. Membership is open to professionals and students pursuing health informatics training. Students learn the necessary job skills and detailed information about the health informatics profession. 
4. American Nursing Informatics Association
   For professionals in Nursing Informatics, the ANIA offers excellent benefits, rewards, professional connections, and many other opportunities. With a membership, students can access data findings and journals in nursing informatics. 
5. Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society
   HIMSS provides an extensive network of professionals and health information resources. Members receive professional support to build a career in HIMSS.