MS in Health Informatics

USF Health’s Master of Science in Health Informatics addresses both technological and operational aspects of informatics with a focus on the integration and interoperability of technology. Courses provide broad technical skills as well as the organizational competencies needed for senior-level positions.

Health informatics aims at improving the effectiveness and efficiency of care delivery by ensuring that data used for operational and clinical decisions are of high quality. Organizations that have adopted HI realize improved patient outcomes, patient participation, clinician satisfaction and cost management.

Health informatics is a field ideal for technically savvy individuals who want to work in the healthcare industry. When it comes to stepping into the future of healthcare, who can prepare you better than a top-tier medical school? USF Health’s Morsani College of Medicine was the nation’s first medical school to offer a Master of Science in Health Informatics 100% online. The program is also accredited by The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). CAHIIM accreditation assures prospective employers and students that the degree program adheres to rigorous standards of excellence, which may provide graduates with a competitive edge in the workforce.

Earning a CAHIIM-accredited degree from a prestigious medical school means learning from a faculty of healthcare professionals and information technology experts who already work in the field. USF Health’s graduate programs feature a multi-platform online learning experience and a vibrant interactive community that includes live chat rooms, visual whiteboards, instructor-hosted discussion boards, social networking and more.

Who Should Enroll

Why Choose USF Health's Morsani College of Medicine

Nationally Recognized Research University
USF is a dynamic, globally respected research institution serving over 50,000 students from 140+ countries.

Flexible Learning
100% online program for convenience and adaptability.

Innovative Curriculum
Focused on integrating informatics with modern patient care to improve outcomes.

Reputation
USF Health Morsani College of Medicine is known for cutting-edge research and academic excellence.

Admission Requirements

All prospective students applying for the MS in Health Informatics program must meet the following criteria for admission:

Education:

• A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university in biological, chemical, computer, management information sciences, or a related field.
• International students must submit equivalent degrees and additional documentation if applicable.
  
  

GPA:

• Minimum overall GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
  
  

Documents:

• Official transcripts.
• Resume.
• Two professional or academic letters of recommendation.
• Statement of Purpose.
  
  

Optional:

• GRE, MCAT, VAT scores, or evidence of substantial health informatics experience to enhance an application.
  
  

Certificates Only:

• Certificate Departmental Approval Form.

Additional requirements may apply for international students.

What You'll Learn

In this program, students will learn how to:

• Describe information systems used in healthcare and explain their relationship with data, people, procedures, hardware and software.
• Manage data via relational database systems and the structured query language (SQL) and understand data warehousing, online analytical processing, data quality issues, emerging cloud databases and data mining techniques.
• Integrate electronic medical records with patient care and provide a higher quality of care through better management and availability of medical information.
• Manage the process of electronic health records acquisition and implementation.
• Develop and assess the tools used to represent medical data.
• Assess the functions, limitations, opportunities and challenges of information technology in the healthcare environment.
• Define medical language and classification systems.
• Comply with laws and regulations applicable to managing patient information.
• Communicate effectively with informatics teams and healthcare stakeholders.
• Consider the ethical issues that can arise during the delivery of healthcare with respect to health information.
• Describe clinical workflows from an e-medicine business models perspective.
• Manage healthcare projects using the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK)® Guide.