Students who study health informatics in a master’s program learn how to identify and implement IT solutions to solve healthcare challenges and use technology to improve the efficiency of healthcare delivery. Graduates are prepared to work in the healthcare sector as a health informatics specialist or consultant, healthcare IT project manager, clinical informatics specialist, or informatics nurse.
According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the median pay for health information technologists in 2021 was $55,560, while medical records specialists earned an average of $46,660. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average tuition for a master’s degree in the 2020-21 academic year was $12,394 at public universities and $26,621 at private universities. It typically takes about two years of full-time study to complete this degree.
How to Choose an Online Master’s in Health Informatics Program
Choose your area of study
Since graduates of this degree can pursue careers in different areas of the healthcare sector, it is important to consider your desired career path when choosing an area of study.
Programs may offer various concentrations that focus on, for example, cybersecurity, data analytics, clinical thinking, management, public health, biostatistics, and human-centered design. Some of these areas involve working more with patients and medical staff, while others are more IT-centered and require more time with data and information systems. Not all universities provide the same concentrations. Also, it’s essential to look at what internship options are offered through the university and if any are available in your area.
Research schools and programs
After determining your area of study, research what programs are offered and by which schools. Look for programs with specific courses or specializations related to your career path. Along with academic considerations, here are some other important factors to consider as well.
- What is the cost of the program? This is likely a major factor in determining which program you choose, so it should be one of the first things considered before you get too far into your research. You should have a general idea of how much you can spend on the degree program, so focus on those that are a good fit financially.
- Is the school accredited? It should be accredited by agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. This is important, as it affects not only the quality of education but also your eligibility for financial aid, future acceptance to other postsecondary programs, and job opportunities after graduation. If a program is significantly less expensive than most others, that’s a sign to check its accreditation.
- Where is the school located? Although you plan to study online, the school’s location may still affect your decision. Some universities offer a hybrid format, where students can or must attend some classes in person. Additionally, there may be student clubs and organizations, university events, career days, meet-and-greets, orientations, and mentorship programs you’d like to participate in that require you to be on campus. Proximity to the school may influence your final decision.
- What is the learning format? A synchronous curriculum makes it easier to build better relationships with fellow students and teachers, while asynchronous learning gives you much more control over your schedule. Find out if the program is completely synchronous, asynchronous, or a combination of both. Moreover, if you have work or family responsibilities, find out what options are available for part-time study, as not all universities offer this option.
Prepare for tests and applications
Entrance exams aren’t generally needed for this degree, but admissions requirements vary depending on the institution. Some have rolling admissions, while others require that all materials be submitted by a specific date. This could also be determined by the date the program begins. At some universities, online programs run concurrent with their on-campus counterparts, while others offer several start dates throughout the year. Check these deadlines and submit all required documents on time.
Select your program
Once you’ve gathered all the necessary information, it’s time to select a program. Be reasonable in your expectations, and remember that no program will be perfect in every way. Determine what your priorities are — where you’ll compromise and where you won’t — and compile a list, in order of preference, of all the programs you would be interested in attending. Apply to all on your list. Then, after you have all your acceptance letters, choose the one that’s highest on the list.
Determine how you’ll pay for your degree
Be sure to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), as this determines eligibility for several forms of federal financial aid, including loans, grants, and work-study programs. Check to see if the university or other institutions offer scholarships to the program. Financing and pay-as-you-go options may be available from the university.
Also, you may be able to transfer credits previously earned from an accredited university and apply them to the degree. Those who spent time in the military often receive special tuition rates. Furthermore, if your schedule allows, you can work part-time to help cover costs.
Best 50 Accredited Online Master’s in Health Informatics Programs
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How We Rank Schools
This list features some of the best online Master’s in Health Informatics programs at top colleges across the country. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions. Many of the schools on our list have been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education, which assesses the objectives, quality, and overall effectiveness of health informatics programs.
We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation as well as the student resources provided for online students. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of online Master’s in Health Informatics programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications, such as U.S. News & World Report, to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
What Can You Expect from an Online Master’s in Health Informatics Program?
A master’s program in health informatics provides students with a broad understanding of information systems that healthcare providers use to manage patient records. They learn how data is stored and organized, what software and hardware are used, how data is kept secure, and various interfaces that patients use to communicate with healthcare providers and to access their own data. Since many healthcare institutions are migrating their data to the cloud, the curriculum also covers how to establish, secure, and monitor cloud-based systems.
Material for online courses is generally delivered via an online learning platform such as Blackboard, Canvas, or Moodle. A student portal provides access to the course syllabus, assignments, schedules, reading material, audio-video material, lectures, grades, and more. These platforms also offer chats and message boards so students can keep in touch with one another and communicate with instructors. Many programs are available entirely online, while others have a hybrid option.
Potential courses you’ll take in an online master’s in health informatics degree program
- American health care system. This course explores all the basic elements of the American healthcare system, such as structure, providers, financing, public policy, legal issues, regulations, how it compares to systems in other countries, and more. Students see things from both the business side and the consumer side and examine current issues and concerns related to healthcare in the United States.
- Healthcare database systems. Students learn how to conceptualize and model databases as well as how to use query languages to obtain important information. The principles discussed help students adapt and work with various domains and applications in the health informatics space.
- Legal, ethical, and social issues. Because the American healthcare system is dynamic and always evolving, legal, ethical, and social issues often intersect in unexpected ways. These challenges are examined, along with the matters of privacy and data security in an ever-changing social and legal landscape.
- Healthcare project management. In this course, students learn how to manage complex IT systems and work, track, and control an IT project using the basic concepts of agile project management. The course covers scope, time, quality, and cost, and students learn how to work with a team to bring a project to completion.
Online Master’s Degree in Health Informatics Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to an online master's in health informatics degree program?
Most programs require a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Depending on the master’s program, your undergraduate degree may or may not have to be in a related field. Transcripts should be submitted along with the application. There is usually a minimum GPA requirement, but this varies by university. For a graduate program, a resume, one or more letters of recommendation, and a personal statement may also be required.
Many universities also require proof of U.S. citizenship or residency, and if English is not the applicant’s first language, test scores proving English proficiency will likely be needed.
Since admission requirements vary, applicants should always speak with an admissions counselor before applying.
How much does an online master's in health informatics degree cost?
A master’s in health informatics usually costs between $20,000 and $30,000, and there may be additional technology fees for online students. Books and other university services could mean extra costs as well. Whether the student lives in the same state as the university could also affect the cost of the program, though this may not be the case for online students.
How long does it take to earn an online master's in health informatics degree?
At a traditional brick-and-mortar university, this master’s degree takes two to two-and-a-half years to complete for a full-time student. When additional specializations or concentrations are added, this increases the time needed. Conversely, some universities offer accelerated programs that can be completed in as little as 18 months.
Many universities offer both full- and part-time study options, and this also affects how long it takes to earn the degree. The number of credit hours required varies from about 30 to 50, which impacts the time needed to complete the program as well.