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.
Featured Online Master's in Health Informatics Programs
University of Cincinnati – MS in Health Informatics
Kaplan University – Master of Health Information Management
Grand Canyon University – M.S. Health Care Informatics
We've put together this rankings of some of the best online Master'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.
#1. University of Illinois at Chicago
The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), first established in 1858, is now the largest university in the city with about 28,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students. UIC is best known for its medical school, the largest in the United States. Most rankings consistently list UIC in the top 100 public universities in the nation.
Program Overview
The University of Illinois at Chicago's Department of Biomedical and Health Information Sciences (BHIS) offers a Master of Science in Health Informatics. The program trains students in medical terminology and clinical, enterprise, financial and IT management in a healthcare setting, including coursework in the design, implementation and maintenance of technology within the healthcare industry. Much of the program involves online coursework through a learning management system. Master's students have the opportunity to pursue dual degrees in nursing or pharmacology or certificates in health information management.
Accreditation
The University of Illinois at Chicago is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA) and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
#2. Boston University
Located in Boston, Massachusetts, Boston University (BU) is one of the oldest and largest private research universities in the United States. More than 30,000 students are enrolled at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and the university offers degrees through 18 schools and colleges. BU has 285,000 alumni worldwide.
Program Overview
As one concentration within its Master's in Computer Information Systems program, Boston University offers a course of study in health informatics. Students in this concentration study the role of information technology in the healthcare industry and take an entire course dedicated to electronic health records (EHR) technology. Topics covered within the concentration include data collection, processing and storage. Students also have the option of choosing a second concentration, adding expertise in data security, IT management or another related field to their knowledge of health informatics.
Accreditation
Boston University is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). The Master's in Computer Information Systems program is accredited by the Project Management Institute Global Accreditation Center for Project Management Education Programs (GAC).
#3. Northeastern University
Northeastern University is a private research university based in Boston, Massachusetts. Since its founding in 1898, Northeastern has focused on preparing its students for careers in a wide range of fields through instruction at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Northeastern currently has more than 20,000 students enrolled at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Program Overview
Northeastern University's Bouve College of Health Sciences offers an interdisciplinary master's degree in Health Informatics. Students in the Health Informatics program study with both computer and information technology instructors and experienced health professionals to fully understand the role of information technology in the healthcare industry. The coursework, which may be completed fully online or with a mix of online and on-campus classes, prepares graduates to take on leadership roles in system design and setup, training, maintenance, software quality assurance, customer service and more in the field of health information. Graduates can also continue their studies in Northeastern's PhD program.
Accreditation
Northeastern University is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
#4. Southern New Hampshire University
One of the most highly-regarded online degree programs in New England belongs to Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), a nonprofit private institution based in Manchester, New Hampshire. SNHU offers over 140 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, 80 of which are available online. SNHU Online received the "Best of Business Award" from the New Hampshire Business Review in 2009.
Program Overview
Southern New Hampshire University offers a concentration in healthcare informatics within its master's degree program in information technology. The concentration courses focus on understanding, implementing and maintaining electronic medical records (EMR) technology along with laboratory and radiology equipment. Students examine case studies and academic research to build their knowledge of healthcare information and learn to manage IT projects in a healthcare setting. The entire degree program is available online, with 24-hour access to course materials and continuous virtual interaction with peers and instructors.
Accreditation
As part of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), Southern New Hampshire University is accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (CIHE).
#5. Capella University
Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Capella University is an online university founded in 1993. Capella currently offers 148 specializations at the undergraduate and graduate levels, 17 certificate programs and 1690 online courses. The university has almost 35,000 enrolled students from all 50 states and 59 foreign countries.
Program Overview
Capella University offers an online master's program in Health Information Management, combining coursework in information technology and healthcare administration to fully prepare students to take on leadership roles in health information. Master's students study best practices in information technology management, explore the latest innovations and learn how to create and implement health information strategies. Capella's curriculum is shaped by a panel of business administrators, IT consultants and other industry professionals, and students have the opportunity to work with industry experts as they complete their degrees. The program also features a specialized path for students pursuing career changes.
Accreditation
Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA).
#6. Walden University
Walden University is a private institution of higher learning headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Founded in 1970, Walden has historically focused on higher education for working adults at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Today, it is one of the more highly-regarded online universities in the world; it received an ‘A' grade from Fast Company in 1999.
Program Overview
Walden University's fully online master's program in health informatics focuses on preparing students for management and leadership roles in health informatics. Students can take full advantage of convenient technologies to complete the program by listening to lectures on their MP3 players, accessing classrooms from mobile devices, downloading coursework onto laptops and more. Through this flexible program, students learn how to reduce healthcare costs, improve access to care and information and help diagnose and treat diseases more efficiently, all under the tutelage of experienced industry professionals.
Accreditation
Walden University is a member of the North Central Association, which is in turn recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
#7. Grand Canyon University
Grand Canyon University is a private Christian university that incorporates traditional Christian values and ethics into its degree programs. With its main campus located in Phoenix, GCU is one of the only universities that employs full-time faculty members who are committed to meeting the needs of online students.
Program Overview
Grand Canyon University offers an online Master of Science in Nursing degree with an
emphasis in healthcare informatics. As patient care becomes increasingly reliant on computerized systems, this program gives graduates the education and skills they need to succeed in the emerging field of healthcare information technology. Graduates may find employment in a variety of different positions, including systems analysts, administrators, clinical data managers and project managers.
Accreditation
Grand Canyon University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association. It is also accredited in Arizona by the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education. GCU's MSN degree is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and the Arizona State Board of Nursing.
#8. Drexel University
Drexel University is a private research university based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Drexel currently has 23,500 enrolled students in 70 full-time undergraduate programs and over 100 graduate and professional programs. Drexel's co-op program, widely considered one of the best in the United States, connects students to a network of more than 1,600 corporate, government and non-profit partners.
Program Overview
Drexel University's Master of Science in Health Information, offered through its prestigious iSchool, prepares students for leadership roles in the field of health informatics in an entirely online environment. Coursework focuses on implementing information systems in a wide range of healthcare settings as well as social and organizational aspects of health information technology. The graduate practicum gives each student a chance to apply these skills in the field prior to graduation. The degree can be completed on a full- or part-time basis.
Accreditation
Drexel University and Drexel Online are accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, the same organization that accredits Cornell University, the University of Pennsylvania and New York University.
#9. Bellevue University
Bellevue University is a non-profit private university located in Bellevue, Nebraska. Since its founding in 1966, Bellevue has focused on continuing education for adult learners; today, 80 percent of its undergraduates are 25 and over. The University has over 10,000 students enrolled at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Program Overview
Bellevue University allows students to pursue graduate education in health information systems online through its master's program in Management of Information Systems. Students complete a rigorous course of study in core IT competencies, such as information technology project management, enterprise data management, information security management, telecommunications and cyber ethics. The healthcare concentration adds coursework in healthcare finance, healthcare organizational design and legal compliance issues in the industry. Students have the option of adding a second concentration and supplementing their health informatics expertise with a strong background in information security, project management, business administration or another related field.
Accreditation
Bellevue University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), a commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA).
#10. Bryan University
Bryan University was founded in Los Angeles in 1940 as a stenography school, one of the first in the United States. Today, Bryan University's online campus offers three associate's degree programs and two master's degree programs, with a strong focus on career training and independent thinking. Bryan University takes pride in being a military-friendly institution.
Program Overview
Bryan University's Master of Science in Applied Health Informatics program focuses on leadership and management backed by strong technical skills. Students learn to implement and maintain Electronic Medical Records (EMR) technology, apply in-depth research on the latest in health informatics and specialize in niche areas that include payors, providers, pharma, healthcare vendors and policy. The Mentorship Program pairs students with highly skilled industry professionals who provide one-on-one tutoring, coaching and advising throughout the course of study and valuable professional connections after graduation.
Accreditation
Bryan University is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS). Bryan was recently named an Honor Roll institution by the organization, based on faculty qualifications, student retention and job placement.