The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicted that between 2016 and 2026, there would be a 20% increase in the demand for educated professionals in medical and health services management. With this prediction indicating promising employment prospects about medical and health services management, it is highly presumable that healthcare informatics experts are in high demand.

Admittedly, health informatics experts are health information managers who fall under the broad category of medical and health services managers. Based on the earlier prediction by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, it is safe to assert that a degree in health informatics can pave the way for a fulfilling career.

To really boost your employment prospects as a professional in the healthcare industry, a master’s program in health informatics might be an ideal qualification for you. In that case, you could be keen to learn how you can get a master’s in healthcare informatics online.

Fortunately, this post is a detailed guide on almost everything you may want to know about obtaining an online master’s degree in health informatics. With the help of the post, you’ll get to know the estimated cost of this online master’s degree, the general duration for the degree and the top 10 online master’s programs in health informatics.

An Overview of Healthcare Informatics

Health informatics (or healthcare informatics) is an interdisciplinary field concerned with the employment of sophisticated information technology tools for storage, retrieval and assessment of medical records and health data. It is a broad field that extensively integrates information technology for the achievement of success in health data management and overall healthcare delivery.

As a multidisciplinary field, health informatics combines topics from other disciplines such as engineering, computer science, information technology, healthcare and business. Essentially, the linkage between health informatics and engineering enables health informatics experts to learn the techniques for accurate analysis of information management systems, identification of irregularities in the systems’ architecture and correction of these irregularities.

In general, health informatics professionals possess the technological efficacy for enhancing the management and protection of healthcare data, thereby contributing to healthcare development at large. These professionals, to a large extent, support clinicians through leveraging information technology tools for the provision of optimum healthcare.

What Are the Admission Requirements for Online Masters in Health Informatics?

Just like any other online degree program, an online master’s in health informatics requires you to have fulfilled some conditions before applying for the program. Therefore, the admission criteria for an online master’s in health informatics are as follows:

• A BSc in health informatics, healthcare administration, health information technology or other relevant discipline
• Submission of crucial documents –transcripts, application form and recommendation letters
• There’s also a minimum GPA that the associated school requires of an applicant
• Although less commonly required, GRE scores may constitute the requirements for some schools
• Some programs require applicants to have had some job experience usually up to two-year experience. This may be required along with a background in information technology or in health care

Cost of Online Master’s in Health Informatics

Just like the program’s duration, the cost of an online master’s in health informatics varies depending on the school and a number of other factors. Therefore in some schools, students residing in different state(s) from the state in which their school is located would normally bear higher tuition.

In some other schools however, students’ residency status doesn’t have any impact on the tuition. All students enrolled in the online MSc in health informatics are instead required to pay the same tuition.

To ascertain the overall cost of your online master’s in health informatics, you’ll have to factor in a number of costs including tuition (probably per-credit tuition costs), technology fees, etc. At the end of the program, you’re likely to have spent between $20,000 and $50,000. While the stated overall cost isn’t fixed, it could still give you a glimpse of how much money you should budget for your online master’s program in health informatics.

What Is the Duration to Get an Online Master’s in Health Informatics?

There doesn’t seem to be any fixed duration for earning an online master’s degree in healthcare informatics simply because program duration differs among schools. However, majority of such online master’s programs may be completed in less than two years.

You may be able to complete your coursework in one and half years provided your online master’s in health informatics isn’t a dual degree and doesn’t necessitate completing a specialization. If otherwise, you’re very likely to spend five years or more on the program.

If you’re a full-time student running a typical online master’s in health informatics, your program duration may span less than 3 years during which you’re required to complete between 30 and 50 credits.

Is an Online Master’s in Health Informatics Worthwhile?

Generally, online degrees are considered more flexible than the traditional degrees. Especially for working-class individuals, online degrees are probably the best routes for combining education with occupation. If you’re enrolled in an online master’s in health informatics, you’ll not only learn at your own convenience but also, you’ll have enough time to focus on your job.

An online master’s degree in health informatics is a perfect way to learn under flexible circumstances while still acquiring the knowledge and skill that will mold you into a high-level professional in the healthcare industry.

Unlike when you’re enrolled in an on-campus degree, an online master’s in health informatics saves you some costs which, if included in your expenses, might seem too heavy for you to bear. Some of these costs may include the expenses on accommodation and transportation.

Here are three key reasons why you should obtain a master’s degree in health informatics:

It enables you to update your knowledge

A master’s degree in health informatics exposes students to a whole lot of trends and laws associated with the modern practice of health informatics. Broadly, it equips them with up-to-date knowledge about security of voluminous complex data and management of health information systems.

With the sort of up-to-date information that a master’s degree in health informatics offers, holders of the degree will expectedly fit into relevant career roles concerning management and security of medical data.

The degree prepares you for leadership positions

Armed with a master’s degree in health informatics, you’ll be considered eligible to serve as a health information manager. Meanwhile, your role as a health information manager will likely pave the way for more job positions in the industry. This is probably because high-level associations –including HIMSS, AHIMA and CAHIMS –allow health information managers to apply for their certifications. By being certified by any of the mentioned associations, a health information manager would have a shot at more employment opportunities.

It furnishes you with in-demand skills

Health informatics generally encompasses the requirements –methods, devices and resources –specified for storage, retrieval and protection of health/medical data. Aside from combining topics from several other disciplines, health informatics appeals to the use of high-tech information systems in enhancing the healthcare system.

A master’s program in health informatics enables you to develop in-demand skills needed for certain roles in the healthcare industry, thanks to the various skill-based courses contained in the program.

What Are the Top 10 Job Positions for Holders of Masters of Science in Health Informatics?

Generally, health informatics experts are employed by medical institutions or health organizations where they are needed for the development, management or improvement of their employers’ information technology systems. If you claim to hold a master’s in health informatics, you’re expected to have acquired the knowledge and skills for a number of job positions which are as follows:

1. IT Systems Analyst
2. Chief Information Officer
3. IT Administrator
4. Health Information Technology Project Manager
5. Health Informatics Director
6. Health Informatics Consultant
7. Healthcare Systems Analyst
8. Electronic Medical Record Keeper
9. Researcher
10. Analyst

Top 10 Online Master’s Programs in Health Informatics

Stanford University (Online Master’s in Biomedical Informatics)

This online master’s degree at Stanford University is particularly targeted at employed individuals (professionals) willing to advance their knowledge in the area of biomedical informatics. Since students of this online degree program are expected to be employed, it is hoped that they (the students) might receive tuition support from their employers or the organizations they work for.

Stanford University’s online master’s in biomedical informatics comes with a rather strict eligibility requirement indicating that students must be full-time employees and must maintain this status all through the program. Notably, $1,300 is the per-unit tuition for this biomedical informatics program whose duration ranges between three and five years.

Students enrolled in Stanford University’s online master’s program will be given thorough education which cuts across clinical informatics, public health informatics, and bioinformatics training. Basically, the program’s curriculum incorporates core biomedical informatics, computer science, engineering, mathematics, statistics, and social and ethical issues.

Duly accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Schools, West Association of Schools and Colleges, Stanford University is a California-based private research university.

Here’s the link to visit Stanford University and learn more about the program.

University of North Carolina (Online Master’s in Health Informatics)

This university’s online master’s in health informatics spans a 16-month period during which students are trained in analysis of health data and development of health information systems.

Students enrolled in this health informatics program have to deal with 35-credit coursework. The breakdown of this coursework is as follows: six credits of BMHI core courses, 12 credits of core informatics courses, eight credits in anyone of public health informatics and clinical health informatics, and six credits of business foundations and professional skills courses.

For this master’s program in health informatics, the University of North Carolina charges the per-semester tuition of $17,712 for out-of-state students and $9,106 for in-state students. To be considered eligible for the program, applicants must have acquired at least 3.0 GPA through a bachelor’s degree in an accredited institution. Also, the applicants’ MCAT or GRE scores must not rank below the 50^th percentile.

Located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, the University of North Carolina is a public research university with due accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. It is a top-ranked school considered one of the best institutions for master’s programs in health informatics.

Click the link here to visit University of North Carolina.

Logan University (Online Master of Science in Health Informatics)

The online master’s program in health informatics at Logan University spans a 15-week period during which students are provided with comprehensive coursework. This coursework incorporates topics that cut across information systems management, legal and ethical issues in health informatics, business and financial skills for health informatics professionals, and systems analysis and design.

While the program’s major curriculum comprises data analytics, applied informatics and healthcare leadership, Logan University’s online MSc in health informatics mandates students to complete 33 credit hours involving coursework, a capstone project and a research project. For this program, Logan University charges relatively affordable tuition to the tune of $10,000.

Parts of the eligibility conditions for this program include a minimum of 2.5 GPA and a BSc degree received from an accredited school. If you’re really one of those keen to follow career paths that combine healthcare and information technology, Logan University is likely one of the befitting places for the required education.

Logan University, which was accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, opened as a chiropractic college in 1935. But today, it’s eminently one of the leading institutions for online master’s programs in health informatics.

Click the link here to visit Logan University.

Johns Hopkins University (Online Master of Science in Bioinformatics)

The coursework for this online master’s program in bioinformatics incorporates computational modeling, proteomics, genomic sequencing, systems biology and molecular biology. Generally, the program’s curriculum extensively comprises various topics in bioinformatics including computer science and biosciences. Students enrolled in the program will have to deal with a total of 11 courses for the program duration.

This online master’s program in bioinformatics at Johns Hopkins University could be the ideal opportunity for individuals pursuing careers in biotechnology and engineering to boost their CVs.

Founded in 1876, Johns Hopkins University is one of the leading private research universities with master’s programs in health informatics.

Visit Johns Hopkins University through this link

University of Illinois (Online Master of Science in Health Informatics)

This university’s online MSc in health informatics is a 36-credit program with a curriculum that comprises nine core foundation courses. Students enrolled in this program will be thoroughly educated about the conduct of financial, enterprise, clinical and IT management in the healthcare industry.

In terms of tuition, University of Illinois charges a fee to the tune of $18,456 for this 36-credit online master’s program in health informatics. For applicants to qualify for the program, they are required to have completed their graduate or undergraduate coursework with the minimum of 3.0 GPA.

The program’s curriculum entails courses in healthcare data, management of healthcare communication systems, health information systems analysis and design, and ethics and legal issues in health informatics.

Founded in 1890, Chicago’s University of Illinois is a high-profile academic institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The institution owns the College of Applied Health Sciences through which interested individuals can access its online MSc in health informatics.

Here’s the link to visit University of Illinois

University of Washington (Online Master of Science in Health Informatics)

This online MSc program in health informatics at University of Washington (UW) spans a 15-month period during which students are required to complete between 42 and 48 credits.

It is a kind of online health informatics program best suited for professionals working in the healthcare industry. Not only will students of this program be given adequate expertise of information technology but also, they will learn how to utilize information technology tools in boosting healthcare delivery and quality across settings. University of Washington charges reasonable tuition to the tune of $21,655 for this online MSc in health informatics.

For applicants to be admitted for this program, they must have at least 3.0 GPA along with a minimum of one-year experience in healthcare.

Notably, this online master’s program in health informatics is provided through UW’s CIPCT –clinical informatics and patient-centered technologies program.

Here’s the link to visit University of Washington

George Washington University (Online Master of Science in Health Sciences in Biomedical Informatics)

At George Washington University, the online MSc in health sciences in biomedical informatics is offered as a 36-credit program with a curriculum comprising one elective (course) and 10 core courses. There’s also a practicum for students to complete while on this program.

The core courses students of this program will take essentially cut across topics in healthcare leadership, high-performance computing, principles of medical informatics, and biostatistics for clinical translational research. While this online master’s program in health sciences in biomedical informatics spans a two-year period, it is definitely an ideal program for individuals interested in combining healthcare with information technology.

Accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, George Washington University (GWU) is a prestigious institution situated in the District of Columbia. Where it is located, GWU is reputed as the largest institution of higher education.

Visit George Washington University through this link

University of Utah (Online Master of Science in Health Informatics)

Through its School of Medicine, the University of Utah (UT) offers an online MSc program in health informatics. While the university charges a tuition fee to the tune of $15,826.5 for this program, the program’s coursework entails human systems interactions, clinical database design, clinical information systems architecture, systems modeling and process improvement, and clinical database design.

The admission requirement for this program at the University of Utah entails completing a BSc with at least 3.0 GPA from an accredited university or college.

University of Utah, which opened in 1850, is reputed as one of the long-existing institutions where you can complete an online master’s program in health informatics. The school is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Click this link to visit University of Utah

University of South Florida (Online Master’s in Health Informatics)

The online master’s program in health informatics at University of South Florida is a two-year program that requires students to complete 32 credits as well as an internship experience which spans an entire semester.

For this master’s program, there’s exhaustive coursework which transcends topics in legal aspects of health information management, medical terminology for health informatics professionals, foundations in management information systems, and e-medicine business models.

University of South Florida charges a tuition fee to the tune of $13,699 for this online master’s program whose curriculum includes two elective courses and nine core courses.

Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, University of South Florida is one of the top-ranked institutions for pursuing an online master’s program in health informatics. The university runs and awards a degree in this online program through the Morsani College of Medicine.

Click this link to visit University of South Florida

University of Miami (Online Master of Science in Health Informatics)

The master’s program in health informatics at University of Miami spans a 22-month period in which students are furnished with the knowledge and skills for handling roles involving electronic healthcare record systems in the healthcare industry.

While the University of Miami charges $2,100 as the per-credit tuition for this program, students enrolled in the program are provided with an exhaustive curriculum with topics that cut across information security, project management and health information exchange. As a student undergoing this program, you’ll have to complete 33 credits from the 11 courses selected.

The eligibility requirements for this master’s in health informatics at University of Miami are as follows: submission of a complete academic profile, provision of GRE/GMAT test score, submission of official transcripts and recommendation letters, and provision of complete admissions application.

University of Miami’s online master’s program in health informatics would be a great opportunity for individuals to advance their knowledge or boost their CVs in both areas of healthcare and information technology.

Here’s the link to visit University of Miami.

FAQs about Online Master’s in Health Informatics

Can Somebody without a BSc Enroll in an Online Master’s in Health Informatics?

Although there are online courses or programs you can enroll in without any need for a bachelor’s degree, an online master’s in health informatics is never one of such programs. As a matter of fact, you need to have earned a BSc in health informatics or any related field before you can get admitted for an online master’s degree in health informatics.

What Is the Average Salary an MSc in Health Informatics Can Earn Me?

As mentioned earlier in this post, a master’s degree in health informatics qualifies you for the position of a health information manager. In the U.S., the average salary of medical and health service managers is $99,730 per annum. Since the country’s Bureau of Labor Statistics categorizes health information managers under health services and medical managers, $99,730 is perhaps the average annual salary you can expect to earn with your MSc in health informatics.

What Is the Duration for Earning a Master’s in Health Informatics Online?

Earlier in this post, we gave information about the length of time you can expect to complete your online master’s in health informatics. While this length of time depends on various factors, the average timeframe for earning a master’s in health informatics online is 2 to 5 years.

What are the Common Job Positions That MSc Graduates in Health Informatics Qualify for?

MSc holders in health informatics are eligible for several job positions. Common among these positions are clinical analyst, health information management director, chief information officer, health informatics consultant and electronic medical record keeper.

Conclusion

To boost your employment chances as a health service manager in the healthcare industry, it is very important that you rev up your CV with a top-level qualification such as a master’s degree in healthcare informatics.

Meanwhile, we’ve provided you with all the information that you need about an online master’s degree in health informatics.