Health informatics is one of the fastest growing career fields in healthcare. A number of accredited colleges and universities now offer online health informatics degree programs. We've put together this rankings of some of the best online Bachelor's degrees in Health Informatics to help you find the right program for your budget and needs. You can read more about rankings methodology here.
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#1. Western Governors University
Western Governors University (WGU) is a nationally accredited online university with an affordable competency-based approach to education. This unique pricing and progression model led TIME Magazine to declare WGU "the best relatively cheap university you've never heard of."
Program Overview
WGU's Bachelor of Science Health Informatics degree provides valuable training in healthcare, information technology and leadership practice. Together, these skills prepare students to successfully design, develop and manage health information systems. WGU enables students with knowledge or experience in this area to achieve their degree faster than schools with more traditional class structures. Instead of accumulating credit hours or completing tedious coursework, WGU students can complete their classes simply by passing a rigorous assessment that demonstrates their expertise in the subject matter. Students who complete these assessments quickly can accelerate their graduation date and save money on tuition.
Accreditation
WGU is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM), Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) and Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
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#2. Walden University
Founded in 1970, Walden University is a private institution of higher learning that specializes in career training and continuing education for working adults. Walden students number over 45,000 worldwide at the undergraduate and graduate levels. An âA' grade from Fast Company in 1999 speaks to Walden's high regard among online universities.
Program Overview
Walden University offers a program in healthcare informatics as a concentration within its Bachelor of Science in Information Technology degree program. In addition to a comprehensive course of study in IT, students in this concentration study the healthcare industry as a whole and health informatics in particular, with an emphasis on implementing and maintaining healthcare information systems. Students also explore ethical issues regarding the storage and retrieval of confidential patient information, study data analysis and learn to respond to the ever-changing needs of the growing healthcare industry. All courses are available online.
Accreditation
Walden University is part of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA) and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
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#3. Rasmussen College
Founded in 1900, Rasmussen College is an undergraduate institute with 22 campuses spread throughout the Midwest and Florida. It is a career-focused college that offers more than 80 bachelor's and associate's degree programs through on-campus and online coursework. Rasmussen is known for SUPPORT+, a comprehensive network of services that supports students through every stage of their enrollment.
Program Overview
Rasmussen College's School of Health Sciences offers an accredited bachelor's degree in Health Information Management. The degree program includes training to use electronic medical records (EMR) technology as well as instruction in information management and security. In addition to the fully online coursework, students in the bachelor's program are required to complete two professional practices on the ground in real-world healthcare settings. The program generally takes four years to complete; students who already hold an associate's degree in health informatics may finish in as little as two.
Accreditation
Rasmussen College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Recommended Online Medical Bachelor's Programs
#4. Regis University/The College Network
The College Network is a global eLearning company, founded in 1992, that partners with dozens of colleges and universities to help working adults pursue undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees in a flexible online setting. Through The College Network, students can study disciplines such as healthcare, nursing, criminal justice, marketing, project management and more.
Program Overview
In conjunction with Regis University, The College Network offers a bachelor's degree in health information management. Students begin the program by using The College Network's online system to prepare for and pass college equivalency exams, thereby earning transferable undergraduate credit. This introductory phase is entirely flexible, allowing students to work at their own pace. Once the prerequisites are complete, students transfer to Regis University to complete the program entirely online and receive an accredited degree.
Accreditation
Since The College Network is not an actual college or university, it is not accredited. However, Regis University is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA) and is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
#5. Capella University
Capella University is an online institute of higher learning based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Since its founding in 1993, Capella has grown to offer 165 degree and certificate programs and enrolls 35,000 students all over the United States and the world.
Program Overview
Capella University allows students to specialize in Health Information Technology (HIT) through its Bachelor of Science in Information Technology degree program. In addition to a full slate of standard information technology courses, HIT students study medical terminology, data management, statistical analysis, information privacy and more within the context of the healthcare industry. Among the requirements is a class in communication strategies for IT professionals, which received the 2007 Blackboard Greenhouse Exemplary Practice Award. Students can also add concentrations in finance, marketing or project management.
Accreditation
As a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The Bachelor of Science in Information Technology program is accredited by ABET, formerly known as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.
#6. Colorado Technical University
Colorado Technical University (CTU) is a private university that focuses on business, management and technology at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. CTU maintains four campuses in Colorado and two out-of-state campuses in Missouri and South Dakota along with online programs. Over 25,000 students are enrolled.
Program Overview
Colorado Technical University offers a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management (BSHCM) with a concentration in health informatics. Students in this program build a strong background in management and administration and acquire the technical skills needed to implement and maintain information systems in the healthcare industry. All of the coursework can be completed online, covering such topics as quality management, healthcare statistics and research, economics of healthcare, career planning, project management and behavior principles.
Accreditation
Colorado Technical University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) as a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA). It also holds accreditation at the state level from the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE) and the Missouri Department of Higher Education (MDHE).
#7. University of Cincinnati
Founded in 1819, the University of Cincinnati (UC) is a public research university with distinguished academic, athletic and extracurricular programs. The University has over 40,000 students enrolled in more than 300 degree programs and more than 600 total programs of study. Cincinnati routinely ranks among the top 100 universities in the United States.
Program Overview
Through its College of Allied Health Sciences, the University of Cincinnati offers an online bachelor's degree program in Health Information Management Administration. The program is specifically designed to train individuals who are already registered health information technicians (RHIT) to advance their careers and become registered health information administrators (RHIA). In addition to preparation to take the RHIA Certification Exam, the program focuses on professional and technical knowledge, communication skills, problem-solving, critical thinking, self-directed learning and professional leadership.
Accreditation
The University of Cincinnati is accredited by the North Central Association's Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The degree program in Health Information Management Administration is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).
#8. Southern New Hampshire University
Founded in 1932, Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is a nonprofit private institute of higher learning based in Manchester, New Hampshire. SNHU has more than 8,000 enrolled undergraduate and graduate students and is well-known for its online learning program, one of the leading such programs in New England.
Program Overview
Southern New Hampshire University offers a bachelor's degree program in health informatics, which can be completed entirely online. The program is open to prospective students beginning their studies in the field as well as those who already hold associate's degrees or certificates in health information. Students study the implementation, maintenance and security of health information technology as well as business and financial aspects of the field. The university provides 24-hour access to virtual classrooms and course materials, allowing students to complete their degrees without disrupting their careers or family lives.
Accreditation
Southern New Hampshire University is a member of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and is accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (CIHE).
#9. Champlain College
Founded in 1878, Champlain College is a private college based in Burlington, Vermont. It maintains study-abroad campuses in Montreal and Dublin and offers online programs, with a total of just under 2,000 students. In OEDb's 2009 rankings of institutions that offered most of their degree programs online, Champlain placed third.
Program Overview
Champlain College Online offers a bachelor's degree program in health information technology (HIT). In order to enter the program, students are required to already hold an associate's degree or equivalent number of college credits. As such, the program omits day-to-day information that students already know and focuses on technical and professional career-focused instruction. Degree students study networking, data security, reimbursement, health data systems and healthcare-specific laws and regulations among other topics. Graduates of the program come away with effective decision-making and management skills supplemented with technical knowledge. The program is entirely online, with no in-person coursework required.
Accreditation
Champlain College and its online program are regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).