If you are interested in landing a senior role working with medical data analytics, biomedical systems, information technology, or healthcare management, then you might want to look into a Master’s Degree in Health Informatics. This article details top online and on-campus health informatics master’s degree programs and describes the best jobs available for professionals in this field.
A Master’s Degree in Health Informatics will prepare you to work in the fastest-growing areas in the healthcare industry. These programs can help you transition into a new career or land a higher-paying job. Keep reading to learn everything there is to know about the best health informatics master’s degrees offered by accredited universities.
What Is Health Informatics?
Health informatics is a medical field that uses information technology and data analytics to maintain, upgrade, and evaluate healthcare tech systems. Health informatics professionals work to improve patient data collection, storage, and analysis. A health informatics education can help you pursue a job in nursing informatics, database design, IT consulting, or healthcare administration.
Where Can I Get a Master’s Degree in Health Informatics?
Some of the colleges where you can get a Master’s Degree in Health Informatics include Northeastern University, Harvard University, Stanford University, Duke University, and The University of North Carolina.
What Schools Offer the Best Health Informatics Master’s Degrees?
- Northeastern University
- Harvard University
- Stanford University
- Duke University
- The University of North Carolina
What Are the Admission Requirements for a Master’s Degree in Health Informatics?
The admission requirements for a Master’s Degree in Health Informatics include a bachelor’s degree in information technology, health care, or a related major. Many schools will ask for letters of recommendation, official transcripts, and other documentation from prospective students. Other Master’s in Health Informatics requirements you might see include GRE test scores and a year of experience in the field.
Health Informatics Master’s Degree Admission Requirements
- GRE scores
- Bachelor’s degree
- Official transcripts
- 1-3 letters of recommendation
- GPA of 3.0
How to Get a Master’s Degree in Health Informatics
You can get a Master’s Degree in Health Informatics by completing all the required coursework and maintaining a GPA of at least 3.0. Some programs will also require a completed capstone project or internship. Most programs do not require experience in the health care field, but many recommend students have experience with statistics or data analytics.
How Many Credits Do You Need for a Master’s Degree in Health Informatics?
You usually need between 32 and 40 credits for a Master’s Degree in Health Informatics. This takes most students around two years, however, part-time programs usually take at least three years to complete.
Health Informatics Degree Requirements
- GPA of 3.0
- 10-20 core credits
- 10-15 specialization credits
- 10-15 elective credits
- Completion of a capstone project
Best Health Informatics Master’s Degree Programs and Schools: Overview
| School | Program | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|
| Duke University | Master of Management in Clinical Informatics | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
| Harvard University | Master of Biomedical Informatics | New England Commission of Higher Education |
| Marshall University | Master of Science in Health Informatics | WASC Senior College and University Commission |
| Northeastern University | Master of Science in Health Informatics | New England Commission of Higher Education |
| Stanford University | Master of Science in Clinical Informatics Management | Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges |
| Stony Brook University | Master of Science in Applied Health Informatics | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
| University of Michigan | Master of Health Informatics | Higher Learning Commission |
| The University of North Carolina | Master of Professional Science in Biomedical and Health Informatics | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
| University of San Diego | Master of Science in Health Care Informatics | WASC Senior College and University Commission |
| University of South Florida | Master of Science in Health Informatics | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
Best Schools for Health Informatics: Top Health Informatics Master’s Degree Programs
Read below to find out more about the best health informatics master’s degree programs to help you with your school search. While all of the best schools for a Master’s Degree in Health Informatics can lead to a successful career, each has something different to offer. Choose the program that offers the curriculum needed to land your dream job in health informatics and information management.
Best Online Health Informatics Master’s Degree Programs and Schools: Overview
| School | Program | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University | Online Master of Advanced Study in Health Informatics | Higher Learning Commission |
| Brandeis University | Master of Science in Health Informatics | New England Commission of Higher Education |
| Drexel University | Master of Science in Health Informatics | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
| George Mason University | Master of Science in Health Informatics | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
| Indiana University | Master of Science in Health Informatics | Higher Learning Commission |
| Logan University | Master of Science in Health Informatics | Higher Learning Commission |
| Medical University of South Carolina | Master of Science in Health Informatics | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
| Purdue University Global | Master of Health Informatics | Higher Learning Commission |
| Regis University | Master of Science in Health Informatics | Higher Learning Commission |
| University of Wisconsin | Master of Science in Clinical and Health Informatics | Higher Learning Commission |
Best Colleges for Health Informatics: Top Online Health Informatics Master’s Degree Programs
An online Master’s Degree in Health Informatics is a great option if you prefer to learn in your own home. Read below to find the top online health informatics master’s degree programs and their curriculums to help you find the best program according to your career goals.
What Is a Health Informatics Master’s Degree?
A health informatics master’s degree is a two-year graduate degree that teaches biomedical informatics, data analysis, systems analysis, and healthcare ethics through core and elective courses. These programs often offer several specializations in data science, information technology, and project management.
An advanced degree will allow you to advance in your healthcare industry career. Students pursue a Master’s Degree in Health Informatics after they have earned an undergraduate degree, and often after gaining experience in a healthcare setting or with data analytics.
How Important Is a Master’s Degree in Health Informatics?
A Master’s Degree in Health Informatics is important if you want to land advanced roles in the field. Most students need at least a bachelor’s degree to start a career in health informatics. A major reason why a health informatics master’s degree is important is that it will offer you the chance to gain more specialized learning for your chosen career than you will have access to in an undergraduate program.
What Types of Master’s Degree Can You Get in Health Informatics?
You can get the following types of master’s degrees for health informatics:
- Master of Science in Health Informatics
- Master of Management in Health Informatics
- Master of Professional Science in Health Informatics
Is It Better to Get a Master of Science or a Master of Management in Health Informatics?
It is better to get a Master of Science Health Informatics because it provides a range of technical skills that will provide students with numerous career opportunities after graduation. However, if you want to prepare for a management role, you should consider a Master of Management in Health Informatics, because it will have a larger focus on project management and essential soft skills.
What Is the Difference Between a Health Informatics Master’s Degree and a Health Informatics Certificate?
The main difference between a health informatics master’s degree and a certificate in health informatics is that a certificate program will require fewer credits and a shorter time commitment. It is better to get a Master’s Degree in Health Informatics because it will provide a more comprehensive education and be more useful on the job market.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Master’s Degree in Health Informatics?
A health informatics master’s degree costs around $19,314, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. This number will change depending on the school and the program. You might find that online education programs are cheaper than in-person degree programs. Your Master’s in Health Informatics cost of tuition will also depend on whether you attend a private university or a public university.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Health Informatics Master’s Degree?
It takes between one and three years to get a Master’s Degree in Health Informatics. Your Master’s in Health Informatics length will depend on whether you choose a part-time or full-time schedule and how many credits you take every term.
How Hard Is It to Get a Master’s Degree in Health Informatics?
A Master’s Degree in Health Informatics is hard to get because it requires advanced data analytics skills, management skills, and general knowledge of the healthcare industry. If you don’t have experience in the field, you may find getting a health informatics master’s degree is hard.
Why Should You Get a Health Informatics Master’s Degree?
You should get a Master’s Degree in Health Informatics if you want to land upper-level roles in the field. A major benefit of a health informatics master’s degree is that it will help you negotiate a higher salary. It will also set you up to continue your education with a doctoral degree if you choose to return to school later in your career.
What Courses Do You Need to Take in a Master’s Degree Program in Health Informatics?
Master’s in Health Informatics courses cover essential topics like managerial communication, healthcare analytics, and operations in healthcare organizations. You will also see a variety of elective classes on your Master’s in Health Informatics course list. Read below to learn more about some of the courses you may experience.
Managerial Communication
Many Master’s Degree in Health Informatics programs aim to prepare students for managerial roles. This sort of class will cover methods of delivery, communication strategies, and common challenges faced by healthcare professionals in their interactions.
Operations in Healthcare Organizations
This course will cover common operational issues in the field of healthcare management. The curriculum may cover decision analysis techniques, linear programming, inventory control models, and demand forecasting.
Data Management in Healthcare
This course will cover the systems and structures that hold essential data in a healthcare setting. You may learn about issues regarding data representation, patient identification, and authentication. You will also learn about repositories for electronic health records.
Evaluating Healthcare Quality
Students will practice the skills they need to evaluate the quality of care offered by healthcare organizations and individual providers. They will also be introduced to risk adjustment and methodologies for comparing the quality of healthcare providers.
Health Data Analytics
A health data analytics course will cover the various types of health data, software tools, and stakeholder needs. Students will also work with real case studies to gain a greater understanding of public health and potential biases.
Continuing Education Paths for Health Informatics Master’s Degree Graduates
The best continuing education path to take with a health informatics master’s degree is to gain industry-relevant certifications like the AMIA Health Informatics Certification. This, along with gaining a few years of work experience, can help you build an impressive resume.
Related Health Informatics Degrees
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What to Look For in the Best Health Informatics Master’s Degree Programs
The best health informatics master’s degree programs cover a range of technical skills and managerial soft skills. If you are wondering what to look for in a college for a Master’s Degree in Health Informatics, take a look at our list of important criteria below.
Accreditation
It is essential that you get your Master’s Degree in Health Informatics from an accredited institution. Accreditation proves to potential employers that your program provided a high-level of education.
Cost
Getting a Master’s Degree in Health Informatics can be expensive, especially if you want to attend a well-known private school. Carefully look into your financial aid options and remember that attending a public school and paying in-state tuition can help you keep your costs down.
Flexibility and Format
Many well-recognized schools offer remote health informatics master’s degree programs. If you are interested in the benefits of online learning, look into schools that offer online or hybrid master’s programs. You should also consider whether you want to enroll in a part-time or full-time program.
Curricular Content
Many health informatics master’s degree programs offer various concentration options. If you know what career path you are aiming for, make sure you choose a school that offers the education you need for your dream role. You can find concentrations in healthcare analytics or healthcare management, for example.
Barriers to Admission
Some schools require a high GPA, a year of work experience, or GRE scores for admission into a health informatics program. Carefully review the admission requirements for all the schools on your list and make sure you meet all the criteria before applying to save money on application fees.
What Is the Most Affordable Health Informatics Master’s Degree?
The most affordable Master’s Degree in Health Informatics program on our list is offered by Purdue University, where each credit costs $420. Logan University and Stony Brook University are some other schools where you can find an affordable Master’s Degree in Health Informatics.
Salary and Job Outlook for Health Informatics Master’s Degree Graduates
Caption: Health informatics online master’s degree programs teach students how to optimize healthcare information and management systems.
Health informatics master’s degree jobs generally come with high salaries and career stability. This section will provide information on the average Master’s in Health Informatics salary, job outlook, and what roles graduates in this field are qualified to land.
How Hard Is It to Get a Job With a Health Informatics Master’s Degree?
It is not very hard to get a job with a health informatics master’s degree because many careers in this field have above-average job outlooks. Having a master’s degree can also help you stand out from the crowd on the job market, because many applicants only have a bachelor’s degree.
What’s the Average Health Informatics Master’s Degree Salary?
The average salary for a Master’s Degree in Health Informatics grad is $73,000, according to PayScale. However, know that the salary range differs depending on your professional experience and job title.
What Types of Jobs Can You Get With a Health Informatics Master’s Degree?
Some of the jobs you can get with a health informatics master’s degree include operations research analyst, clinical informatics analyst, and healthcare informatics consultant. Some of the highest paying health informatics jobs for master’s degree holders include information systems manager and medical service manager.
Health Informatics Degree Jobs
- Information systems manager
- Medical service manager
- Healthcare informatics consultant
- Clinical informatics analyst
- Operation research analyst
Potential Careers With a Health Informatics Degree
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How Much Money Can You Make With a Master’s Degree in Health Informatics?
You can make between $73,000 and $159,000 with a Master’s Degree in Health Informatics. Gaining a master’s degree can help you negotiate a higher salary than you would earn with a bachelor’s degree.
Highest-Paying Health Informatics Master’s Degree Jobs and Salaries: Overview
| Health Informatics Master’s Degree Jobs | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Information Systems Manager | $159,010 |
| Healthcare Informatics Consultant | $103,399 |
| Medical Service Manager | $101,340 |
| Clinical Informatics Analyst | $89,351 |
| Operations Research Analyst | $82,360 |
Best Jobs for Health Informatics Master’s Degree Grads
The best jobs for a Master’s Degree in Health Informatics grad include administrative and managerial positions. Health informatics master’s degrees open doors to a variety of careers in the healthcare industry. Below we provide more details about some of these roles.
Best Jobs According to Your Major
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Health Informatics Bootcamp vs Health Informatics Master’s Degree: Which Is Better?
A health informatics master’s degree is better than a health informatics bootcamp if you want to land high-level roles in the field. However, a health informatics bootcamp may be the better option if you want to master technical skills quickly. The better option between a health informatics degree vs bootcamp will depend on your educational history and career goals.
Benefits of a Health Informatics Master’s Degree
- High compensation rate. A Master’s Degree in Health Informatics can help you enter a senior or managerial career in health informatics that comes with a high annual salary.
- A wide range of career opportunities. Depending on your master’s specialization, you can take diverse career paths in health informatics. Some job options include operations research analyst, clinical informatician, data analyst, and biomedical informatician.
- Pathway to a doctoral degree. A master’s in health informatics meets the admission requirements and paves the way for your doctoral degree. You can get a PhD from medical schools and build a career in nursing, biomedicine, or medical research.
- Many specialization options. Health informatics is a combination of data science, analytics, healthcare, and information technology. Depending on your career goals you can specialize in any of those fields.
- Minimal previous work experience required. A Master’s Degree in Health Informatics will qualify you for various senior roles that won’t require much in-field work experience.
Benefits of a Health Informatics Bootcamp
- Short time commitment. A health informatics bootcamp will get full-time students ready for a data science or systems analysis job within a few weeks to a few months.
- Affordable education. A coding bootcamp education is usually more affordable than a traditional university, allowing you to acquire new skills without sacrificing your finances.
- In-demand skills training. Bootcamps train you on in-demand IT and data science industry skills, which are essential for a career in health informatics.
- Career placement services. Bootcamps often offer career placement services including resume critique, interview prep, and employer networking opportunities.
- Financing options. Depending on your financial preference, you can pay for a bootcamp with income share agreement loans, scholarships, private loans, or installment payments.
Is a Master’s Degree in Health Informatics Worth It?
Yes, a Master’s Degree in Health Informatics is worth it if your goal is to land a senior career in this field and affect the future of healthcare. This degree will qualify you for high-level professions including a chief security officer, clinical informaticist, healthcare system manager, and IT manager.
Master’s programs in health informatics will also prepare you to further your education and get a doctoral degree in the data science, medicine, or information technology field, if this is part of your career goals. Careers in health informatics often earn high salaries and healthcare is a fast-growing field, making a Master’s in Health Informatics degree worth it.
Additional Reading About Health Informatics
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Health Informatics Master’s Degree FAQ
You need an Associate Degree in Health Informatics or a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Informatics to get an entry-level job in this field. You will likely need a Master’s Degree in Health Informatics to land a high-level or managerial position.
A Master’s Degree in Health Informatics covers topics such as data analysis, healthcare systems management, biostatistics, and healthcare ethics. More specific courses will depend on your chosen program and specialization.
A master’s degree in health informatics can help you become an IT manager, clinical informaticist, healthcare systems manager, or a data analyst. A professional education like this can help you find work in a variety of fields, as graduate certificates look great on your resume.
Some of the best health informatics master’s degree colleges include Stony Brook University, University of San Diego, University of South Carolina, and Purdue University Global. The best college for you will depend on your long-term career goals and interests.
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