By MHM Staff
Do you have a background in healthcare and an interest in computer science? Then it’s an excellent time to consider pursuing a career in health informatics by earning a Master’s in Health Informatics degree.
Healthcare informatics is an emerging discipline that covers all aspects of information science as related to the medical field. In the area of patient information, it includes:
- effective organization
- collection
- analysis
- management
- security
In a master’s program, individuals coursework related to:
- information systems
- healthcare coding
- statistics
- data mining
- managemen
- public health
Pursuing a Master’s in Health Informatics degree is ideal for professionals seeking to become health information managers in:
- hospitals
- government agencies
- medical associations
- pharmaceutical companies
- physician practices, and more.
The medical field continues to move towards a stronger reliance on information technology to ensure the accuracy and safety of patient data to improve outcomes. The clinical data analytics market is getting red hot. In fact, employment of informatics specialists is expected to grow rapidly at the rate of 36%. Since health informaticists are in such high demand, new graduates with a Master’s in Health Informatics can expect a relatively short job hunt after receiving their degree.
In order to guarantee that you receive the highest return on investment for your time, money, and hard work to enter this in-demand field, we’ve created the following ranking of the best master’s degree programs in health informatics by affordability.
Methodology
In selecting our picks for ranking the top 25 Master’s in Health Informatics degrees according to affordability, we compiled a list of factors that we deemed important for overall quality. First, we searched through the programs available in the United States that have received accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). As the trusted source for finding master’s degree programs in health informatics or health information management, the CAHIIM has strong accreditation standards that approve the most rigorous programs for creating successful healthcare informaticists for today’s changing medical climate. Second, since the American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA) is considered the professional home of post-baccalaureate biomedical and health informatics training programs, we also looked for members taking part in AMIA’s Academic Forum.
We then took into consideration the programs that offer course options in an online or hybrid format for enhanced flexibility and offer hands-on experience in the form of a practicum or internship. Universities engaging in emerging trends research related biomedical informatics were also included to give students opportunities to participate in cutting-edge projects.
Once we discovered our list of excellent health informatics master’s degree programs that met at least two or more of the aforementioned criteria, we sorted the list from high tuition to low tuition based on average in-state tuition statistics from the College Navigator or the U.S. News and World Report. We chose the 25 programs with the lowest tuition costs to deliver a comprehensive ranking of the most affordable Master’s in Health Informatics programs available in America.
Ranking the Top 25 Master’s in Healthcare Informatics Degrees by Affordability
25. University of Michigan: Ann Arbor, MI
School of Information and School of Public Health
Master of Health Informatics (MHI)
By joining the expertise of UM’s prestigious Schools of Information and Public Health, the Master of Health Informatics (MHI) program offers an innovative approach to creating cutting-edge innovators. They can can revolutionize the way information is utilized to promote well-being. As an AMIA Academic Forum Member, the MHI program is centered on an internship that enables students to gain valuable hands-on experience in designing health information systems. All Master’s in Health Informatics degree students must complete a minimum of 400 internship hours with the guidance of faculty advisors and health informatics professionals. It’s a 52-credit two-year on-campus master’s degree program. Students can also pursue the Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics (GCHI) that offers a fundamental introduction to health informatics in 18 credits.
Tuition: $19,598
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24. Saint Louis University: St. Louis, MO
Doisy College of Health Sciences
Master of Science in Health Informatics
The Master of Science in Health Informatics program at SLU is designed to develop senior and executive-level health informatics professionals from a variety of backgrounds. Currently in candidacy status with pending accreditation review by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM), the College is an AMIA Academic Forum Member. In the 30-credit program, students are required to participate in applied informatics projects to gain the hands-on experience in:
- electronic health records
- health data security
- efficient health information systems
Although the program is campus-based, there are some courses available online. Undergraduate students also have the option to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management. This is in preparation for taking the Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) credentialing examination.
Tuition: $18,180
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23. University of Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh, PA
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Master of Science in Health Information Systems (MS-HIS)
The Master of Science in Health Information Systems (MS-HIS) program at the University of Pittsburgh has full accreditation by the CAHIIM. It prepares professionals for taking responsibility in the development and management of health information systems in accordance with these regulations:
- clinical
- legal
- ethical
- fiscal
As part of the 42-credit Master’s in Health Informatics degree program, students have the unparalleled opportunity to participate in HIM research with experienced faculty mentors. In fact, the Department of Health Information Management is recognized for conducting research in many disciplines include:
- online analytical processing
- data mining
- transcoding technology
- web accessibility on mobile devices
- automated coding software
Students enrolled in this health informatics graduate program can choose to follow:
- a thesis option
- non-thesis option
- a unique RHIA option that offers additional eligibility for becoming registered.
Tuition:
$16,800
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22. College of St. Scholastica: Duluth, MN
Department of Health Informatics and Information Management
M.S. Health Informatics
At the College of St. Scholastica, the M.S. Health Informatics program follows a fully online 46-credit curriculum. It explores the use of information technology applications used by healthcare professionals to support wellness in:
- clinical practice
- administration
- research
- education.
The program been fully accredited through the CAHIIM. The Department of Health Informatics and Information Management has also been recognized as an AMIA Academic Forum Member. All health informatics graduate degree students are required to participate in a hands-on Final Applied Project. They will apply learning with actual clinical and patient information before graduation. Students also have the option of pursuing an M.S. Health Information Management, M.S. HIM/ITL Joint Program, or Online Healthcare Informatics Certificate to learn more about evaluating computer-based health data.
Tuition: $16,560
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21. University of Minnesota: Minneapolis, MN
Institute for Health Informatics
Master of Health Informatics Program
The Master of Health Informatics (MHI) program consists of 30 credits of graduate coursework. It trains individuals who are interested in applying information technology to solve healthcare problems. The Institute of Health Informatics is an AMIA Academic Forum member. It allows students to participate in the on-campus Natural Language Processing/Information Extraction program. Here, they conduct cutting-edge research on such systems and their application in clinical tasks with other healthcare experts.
For health professionals seeking additional training in health informatics for a career in academia or research, there is also a research-oriented Master of Science program or Ph.D. program in Health Informatics available. In the nationally recognized School of Nursing, there is also a Ph.D. in Nursing offered. It has a concentration in Health/Nursing Informatics and Systems Improvement.
Tuition: $15,008
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20. University of Washington: Seattle, WA
Department of Biomedical Informatics and Medical Education
Clinical Informatics and Patient-Centered Technologies (CIPCT) Online Master of Science Degree
The Clinical Informatics and Patient-Centered Technologies Online Master of Science Degree program is designed to be flexible and fitting into the schedule of busy working professionals. It teaches healthcare providers about the information technology tools available for use in various clinical settings to improve patient care. The program is offered online to allow students to interact “live” with faculty members and colleagues via web conferencing. There’s also a one weekend session per year at the Seattle campus for orientation. The 15-month full-time program has AMIA Academic Forum membership. Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree and at least one year of experience in healthcare. UW students can also choose to pursue an M.S. or Ph.D. in Health Informatics in an on-campus delivery format in Seattle.
Tuition: $14,211
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19. Grand Valley State University: Allendale, MI
School of Computing and Information Systems
Medical and Bioinformatics M.S. P.S.M. Program
The School of Computing and Information Systems at GVSU is an accomplished AMIA Academic Forum member. It offers the Medical and Bioinformatics M.S. P.S.M. Program, which is part of the university’s only Professional Science Master’s degree. In the heart of Grand Rapids’ Health Hill near the renowned Van Andel Research Institute, the program seeks to utilize computer technology to manage and analyze information related to the health sciences. It’s designed as an interdisciplinary 36-credit program. It has strong components in:
- business
- project management
- teamwork
- ethics
The curriculum offers an intensive scientific business/industry internship. Students should have a strong programming and/or life science background to pick up the bioinformatics skills required in the two years of graduate studies.
Tuition: $13,608
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18. Temple University: Philadelphia, PA
College of Health Professions and Social Work
Master of Science in Health Informatics
The Master of Science in Health Informatics at Temple has full accreditation by the College of Accreditation on Health Informatics and Information Management Education. It’s an innovative interdisciplinary program that focuses on preparing graduate students to design, develop, and implement electronic health record systems.
It draws on professional competencies in:
- healthcare
- information science
- computer science
The 30-credit Master’s in Health Informatics degree program can be taken on a part-time evening basis at the Main or Center City campuses. However, some some courses may be offered online or in a hybrid format. All students will be required to complete a work-related applied project for hands-on experience and a graduate seminar. Students may also wish to consider earning:
- the B.S. in Health Information Management, Pre-HIM Program
- or the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Health Informatics.
Tuition: $13,410
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17. University of Illinois at Chicago: Chicago, IL
College of Applied Health Sciences
Online Master of Science in Health Informatics
UIC is fully accredited by the CAHIIM and is a recognized AMIA Academic Forum member. So it’s no surprise that the flagship Online Master of Science in Health Informatics degree is considered the nation’s largest health informatics program. It takes a comprehensive look into the integration of information technology into all aspects of patient healthcare services. The program features:
- a nationally recognized faculty
- elite network of alumni at the forefront of the industry
- a flexible online schedule
The program is built on the MBA/Business School model. It’s also based on real-world experience and practical skill application in healthcare information technology. Students may also be interested in pursuing:
- the Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management
- Master of Public Health in Public Health Informatics
- Post-Masters Certificate in Health Informatics.
Tuition: $12,796
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16. Oregon Health & Science University: Portland, OR
Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology
Masters Degrees in Biomedical Informatics
OHSU offers two master’s degrees:
- a professional-oriented Master of Biomedical Informatics (MBI)
- a research-oriented Master of Science (MS) in Biomedical Informatics.
The two differ mainly in their culminating projects that consist of:
- a capstone or internship (MBI)
- or traditional research thesis (MS).
Each of the master’s degree programs is available in three tracks:
- clinical informatics (CI)
- health information management (HIM)
- bioinformatics/computational biology
The CI and HIM tracks are accredited by CAHIIM and are available in either on-campus or distance-learning formats. The HIM track confers eligibility for the RHIA credential. All tracks cover the informatics field broadly. This includes ample project and other hands-on work, including a lab course that utilizes the Epic electronic health record system.
OHSU’s biomedical informatics graduate program is one of the largest and longest standing programs of its kind in the United States. Its more than 600 graduates have assumed a wide variety of jobs in:
- healthcare organizations
- industry
- academia
The OHSU informatics program also offers a Graduate Certificate that is a subset of its master’s programs.It also has a PhD program for those seeking research and academic careers. Funding is available for some full-time students pursuing the PhD or the MS as a postdoc through OHSU’s National Library of Medicine Training Grant.
Tuition: $12,132
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15. The Ohio State University: Columbus, OH
College of Public Health/College of Medicine
Master Degrees in Biomedical Informatics
Through a collaboration between Ohio State’s nationally recognized College of Public Health and College of Medicine, there are two master’s-level programs. They lead to a Master of Public Health (MPH) or a Master of Science (MS) with a concentration in Biomedical Informatics. The 48-credit MS degree focuses primarily on providing students with research experience. The 48-credit MPH degree is more concerned with applied practices in aspect of health information:
- collection
- management
- analysis
- dissemination
Ohio State is an AMIA Academic Forum member. It’s well-known for conducting research on emerging trends in the various sub-domains of biomedical informatics, including:
- computational biology
- bioinformatics
- clinical informatics
- data science
In fact, students can further their education by earning a research-oriented Ph.D. in:
- Computational Biology & Bioinformatics
- or Translational Bioinformatics.
Tuition: $11,560
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14. University of California, Davis: Sacramento, CA
School of Medicine
Health Informatics Masters Degree
The Health Informatics Masters Degree program at UC Davis was awarded the 2013 Dean’s Team Award for Excellence in Education. The program delivers advanced training in informatics to healthcare professionals who want to redirect their careers to become a health informaticist. It’s also for those interested in integrating informatics expertise into current professional roles. In the 43-credit Master’s in Health Informatics degree program, students are required to complete a mandatory research project and master’s thesis. They need to produce work that may be published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Along with faculty advisors, students can gain hands-on experience conducting research on:
- disease management
- decision support
- human-computer interaction
- electronic medical records
- HIPAA regulations
- telemedicine
- patient data privacy, and more.
Students can also pursue a 19-unit Online Certificate Program in Health Informatics.
Tuition: $11,220
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13. University of California, San Diego: San Diego, CA
Division of Biomedical Informatics
Master’s Degree in Computer Science with Emphasis in Biomedical Informatics
Through a computer science and engineering curriculum, the Master’s Degree in Computer Science with Emphasis in Biomedical Informatics program offers an introduction to current problems in the bioinformatics field. UC San Diego is an AMIA Academic Forum member and part of the University of California Research eXchange. The university is highly regarded for contributing to the field’s knowledge by conducting cutting-edge research on:
- biomedical computing
- clinical informatics
- global health telemedicine
- health information exchange
- collaborative data networks to enhance patient-centered outcomes
In the 51-unit curriculum, students may to participate in a 10-week summer internship program. There’s a paid stipend to cover living expenses in San Diego. Students may also be interested in advancing their career opportunities by pursuing the Ph.D. in Bioinformatics with an Emphasis in Medical Informatics.
Tuition: $11,220
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12. Arizona State University: Phoenix, AZ
College of Health Solutions
Master of Science in Biomedical Informatics
The Master of Science in Biomedical Informatics program offers research concentration areas in:
- Bioinformatics
- Clinical Informatics
- Imaging Informatics
- Knowledge Discovery
- Population Health Informatics
The program integrates technology in clinical environments. It prepares qualified graduate students with expertise in:
- informatics
- computer science
- bioscience
- mathematical statistics
The College of Health Solutions has membership in the AMIA Academic Forum. It has conducted innovative research that led to the creation of a web-accessible server. It can be used to explore protein sequence and a prototype system that processes thousands of blood samples per day for gene expression analysis. In addition to the 32-credit master’s program, students may also want to consider ASU’s:
- Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Informatics
- Ph.D. in Biomedical Informatics at ASU.
Tuition: $10,300
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11. University of Kansas Medical Center: Kansas City, KS
Center for Health Informatics (KU-CHI)
Master of Science in Biomedical Informatics
The Master of Science in Biomedical Informatics program at KU is ideal for health professionals who are seeking a specialty focus in health information management. The program prepares students for mid-level positions in working with emerging personal health record systems. The Center for Health Informatics is a member of the AMIA Academic Forum. It serves as an alpha and beta testing site for many information technology companies to support outcomes management research. One of the major program strengths is the close relationship between students and their faculty advisors. Advisors develop a plan of study that meets students’ unique career goals.
Students enrolling in the 40-credit program can complete many of the required courses online. However, there is a required practicum and research project to provide hands-on experience at clinical partners around Kansas City.
Tuition: $8,308
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10. University of Maryland University College: Adelphia, MD
iSchool – College of Information Studies
Master of Science in Health Informatics Administration (MSHIA)
In the highly regarded iSchool, the Master of Science in Health Informatics Administration program offers a dual emphasis in healthcare administration and information science as applied to the medical field. The program develops information technology professionals to work in various healthcare organizations. For admissions into the online 36-credit program, candidates should have at least three years of professional work experience in a healthcare or information technology in healthcare position.
UMUC is an emerging member of the AMIA Academic Forum. The master’s program has been fully accredited by the CAHIIM for excellence in health information management. Students may also be interested in earning a Graduate Certificate online in:
- Health Informatics Administration
- Health Care Administration
- Informatics
- Biotechnology Regulatory Affairs.
Tuition: $8,244
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9. University of Missouri: Columbia, MO
Department of Health Management and Informatics
Master of Science in Health Informatics
Since becoming home to the world’s first computerized laboratory system in the 1960s, the University of Missouri has been a nationally recognized leader in biomedical informatics research. It has been credited with training some of the field’s leading figures. It’s an on-campus residential program. The Master of Science in Health Informatics degree blends computer science with health management. This enables students to concentrate in:
- electronic healthcare records
- information systems for managing health, bioinformatics, and telemedicine.
The program is focused on understanding, designing, and developing information technologies that transform health systems in the 21st century. It also allows students to participate in a 12-week administrative internship in an approved healthcare organization.
Students may also want to consider applying to:
- the Executive HI program
- Dual MHI/MHA program
- Health Informatics Ph.D. program.
Tuition: $8,213
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8. University of Indiana: Bloomington, IN
School of Informatics and Computing
M.S. in Bioinformatics
At the University of Indiana, the M.S. in Bioinformatics program leads to a two-year professional degree. It emphasizes computation and informatics while integrating knowledge from biology and health sciences. It prepares students for a rewarding career as bioinformaticists. In the 36-credit program, students are required to complete a year-long capstone research project with an oral presentation. They work closely with an experienced faculty supervisor in a related discipline, including:
- biology
- chemistry
- information science
- medicine
As an AMIA Academic Forum member, the university’s Center for Bioinformatics Research is an AMIA Academic Forum member. It’s renowned for contributing to the fields of:
- microbiology
- proteomics
- glycomics
- systems biology
- human disease management
Students may also choose to advance their understanding by pursuing a Ph.D. in:
- Bioinformatics
- Health Informatics
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Informatics.
Tuition: $7,957
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7. University of Nebraska Medical Center: Omaha, NE
School of Interdisciplinary Informatics
Biomedical Informatics Graduate Program (BMI)
The Biomedical Informatics Graduate Program is a collaborative effort among all University of Nebraska campuses. Courses are on-site at the UN Medical Center. The program offers a comprehensive interdisciplinary education. It integrates the theory of information technology management with practice in clinical science. Leading to a Master of Science degree, the 36-credit program involves innovative interdisciplinary research for finding effective uses of:
- biomedical data
- information
- knowledge for solving problems in human health
Although it is campus-based, the program does offer distance options for most courses.
Advanced graduate students may also consider joining the Ph.D. in Biomedical Informatics program in order to expand career opportunities in research or academia at the university level.
Tuition: $7,695
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6. University of Texas Health Science Center: Houston, TX
School of Biomedical Informatics
Master of Science in Health Informatics (MSHI)
At UT Health, the Master of Science in Health Informatics program offers two distinct tracks for traditional research or applied health informatics.They develop the skills needed to deliver innovative solutions to real-world problems in the health information technology field. The 39-credit program is available fully online. The traditional research track culminates in a state-of-the-science research paper. The applied health informatics track leads to a capstone project to apply learning in a real-world healthcare setting. The school is an AMIA Academic Forum member. UT is home to the National Center for Cognitive Informatics and Decision-Making in Healthcare. It supports improvements in the safety of healthcare through advanced information technology.
Students may also be interested in pursuing:
- the Dual MSHI/MPH, Graduate Certificate in Public Health Informatics
- Ph.D. in Health Informatics.
Tuition: $6,630
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5. University of Colorado: Aurora, CO
College of Nursing
Master of Science in Nursing, Healthcare Informatics Specialty
The UC Anschutz Medical Campus offers a Master of Science in Nursing program with a Healthcare Informatics Specialty. It’s based upon the broad concepts from the American Nurses Association’s Scope and Standards of nursing informatics practice. It provide students with the essential knowledge and skills for entering the informatics specialist role. The College of Nursing is an AMIA Academic Forum member. It’s involved in many of the field’s emerging technologies, including Second Life. This immerses students in a virtual environment for creating real-life scenarios that build experiential learning experiences.
The online program also includes a practicum that allows students to focus on a particular role in informatics in a healthcare organization in their own local community. Students can also earn a Post-Master’s Certificate in Health Care Informatics fully online.
Tuition: $6,462
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4. University of Mississippi Medical Center: Jackson, MS
School of Health Related Professions
Master of Health Informatics and Information Management (MHIIM)
Currently in candidacy status for accreditation with the CAHIIM, the Master of Health Informatics and Information Management program at UMMC is a fully online professional degree. It prepares graduate students for developing information systems that improve:
- patient care
- facility reimbursement
- medical research
- health planning
- healthcare assessment in today’s changing environment.
One track of this affordable graduate health informatics degree emphasizes health informatics. The other concentrates on health information management for students wishing to pursue eligibility for the RHIA certification examination. For a total of at least 36 semester hours, the program is designed for part-time non-traditional students. It’s a unique two-year format that includes three semesters per year. With membership in the AMIA Academic Forum, UMMC also offers a traditional or online B.S. in Health Informatics and Information Management.
Tuition: $6,282
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3. Louisiana Tech University: Ruston, LA
Department of Health Informatics & Information Management
Online Master of Health Informatics (MHI)
This accredited Master’s in Health Informatics degree program is for qualified graduate students with a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. They must have a major related to health information management and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. The program prepares confident professionals who can utilize a variety of information systems resources to accomplish the objectives of diverse healthcare delivery systems. The program is fully accredited by the CAHIIM and accepted into the AMIA Academic Forum.
It’s offered in an online format that will enable students to maintain full-time employment status while enhancing their skills. It includes:
- online lectures
- electronic bulletin boards
- digital drop boxes for completing coursework
Students are required to complete an experiential learning opportunity with supervised practicum.
At the undergraduate level, students can pursue the Bachelor of Health Informatics and Information Managementwith CAHIIM accreditation.
Tuition: $5,878
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2. University of Utah: Salt Lake City, UT
School of Medicine
Biomedical Informatics Masters Program
The University of Utah is internationally recognized as a leader in biomedical informatics research. It has a National Library of Medicine training grant to support high-quality educational programs. A thesis or non-thesis track is available. The Biomedical Informatics Master’s Program is for active clinicians and healthcare professionals who are seeking to expand their expertise in information technology for applied practice or research. It’s an AMIA Academic Forum member. It’s also one of the most prestigious training programs for informatics in the world. It has unmatched research opportunities with full access to the Utah Population Database for cutting-edge projects.
Students may also be interested in pursuing the Graduate Certificate in Biomedical Informatics or the Ph.D. in Biomedical Informatics for even more intensive coursework in research training.
Tuition: $5,689
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1. Marshall University: Huntington, WV
College of Health Professions
Master of Science in Health Informatics
If you’re looking for a cheap graduate health informatics degree, look no further. The Master of Science in Health Informatics degree is renowned for being the only graduate-level program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education in West Virginia. The program is focused on the science that defines how health data is:
- technically generated
- collected
- transmitted
- utilized
It consists of three curriculum components in:
- information systems
- information technology
- informatics
The 39-credit program includes at least four semesters of coursework. There’s an educationally directed practicum in the final year for at least 400 clock hours of experience. It’s the nation’s #1 most affordable Master’s in Health Informatics degree at just $5,464 each year. The program blends the didactic and experiential learning needed to prepare valuable professionals for leading today’s data and information-driven healthcare industry.
Tuition: $5,464
The health informatics field combines healthcare with the skills of:
- business intelligence
- computer science
- information technology
- data analytics
The health informatics field is becoming increasingly crucial for helping healthcare organizations store, retrieve, and process medical data in today’s digital age. When you choose one of these Master’s in Health Informatics programs that represent the highest quality at the lowest tuition price, you will be on the pathway towards a rewarding profession in one of the nation’s most rapidly growing fields.
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