Foundations of Health Informatics

In the fast-growing, data-driven healthcare sector, medical, clinical, information technology, and other professionals are recognizing the urgent need for essential health informatics credentials.

The Foundations of Health Informatics graduate certificate provides academic training in fundamental topic areas such as security and privacy, data analysis, programming, and system analysis. The 12-credit program that can be completed in two semesters and fully online if you wish.

Earn a Master's in Health Informatics

The Foundations certificate can be stacked with the 9-credit focus-area Health Informatics certificates in Artificial Intelligence, Public Health, and Security and Privacy. Successful completion of the Foundations certificate plus two of the three focused Health Informatics certificates, below, leads to the completion of the 30-credit Michigan Tech Master's in Health Informatics.

Foundations of Health Informatics Courses

The 12-credit Foundations certificate requires four courses, which are offered in the fall and/or spring semesters as follows.

Fall

SAT 4650 - Introduction to Applied Computing in Python Programming

This course introduces students to the Python programming language in applied computing systems and applications. In addition to Python basics, introduction to advanced topics such as file operations, database connection, digital image processing, and artificial intelligence will be discussed, particularly within the field of health informatics.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (2-0-1)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
Restrictions: May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Freshman, Sophomore

UN 5550 - Introduction to Data Science

Introduces concepts and skills fundamental to Data Science including: getting data, data wrangling, exploratory data analysis, basic statistics, data visualization, data modeling, and learning. The course introduces data science from different perspectives: computer science, mathematics, business, engineering, and more.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (2-0-2)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Level(s): Graduate; Must be enrolled in one of the following Major(s): Data Science

SAT 5001 - Introduction to Health Informatics

Course covers fundamental subjects such as medical decision support systems, telemedicine, medical ethics and biostatistics. Topics include consumer health informatics, international health care systems, global health informatics, and translational research informatics. Students will see medical informatics from a diverse scope of healthcare industry organizations. Scientific writing and communication will be encouraged.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall
Restrictions: May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Freshman, Sophomore

SAT 5111 - Security and Privacy

Examines key health information security, policy, and procedures. Investigates how to distinguish elements of a security audit and key security policies. Students will conduct offensive and defensive cybersecurity methods to understand the security and privacy landscape of healthcare and its sensitive information, Analyzes roles of people maintaining health information security.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Summer
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Level(s): Graduate

Spring

SAT 4650 - Introduction to Applied Computing in Python Programming

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (2-0-1)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
Restrictions: May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Freshman, Sophomore

UN 5550 - Introduction to Data Science

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (2-0-2)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Level(s): Graduate; Must be enrolled in one of the following Major(s): Data Science

SAT 5131 - Systems Analysis and Design

Provides knowledge of tools available to perform healthcare systems analysis, examines key factors in systems design, emphasizes importance of communication, and an understanding or the primary factors in systems implementation. Course will examine strategies, risks, and key factors in purchasing systems.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Spring
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Level(s): Graduate; Must be enrolled in one of the following Major(s): Health Informatics

Foundations of Health Informatics Learning Goals

Upon completion of the Foundations certificate, students will be able to:

Prepare, code, and process data for security and privacy, data analysis, and system analysis.
Use the data and apply appropriate methods to evaluate the results.

Application Process and Admissions Requirements

Applications are reviewed on an individual basis using a holistic approach. Fill out our free graduate application online to apply to any of our programs. Official transcripts and scores are not required for the initial application, although you will need to upload them later.

Graduate School Admissions Process

Applying to the Graduate School is free (no application fees) and fast (no official transcripts, test scores, or letters needed to start). The application process involves three easy steps.

See Admissions Steps

Graduate School Requirements

To be considered for admission to the Graduate School as a degree- or certificate-seeking student, you need to:

have a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution, and
be prepared for advanced study in your chosen field, as demonstrated by your previous degree and your scholastic record.

See additional application requirements, including required materials:

Student Statements

Official Transcripts

Program Specific Requirements

Program Specific

Résumé / Curriculum vitae
Admitted applicants typically have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale
GMAT/GRE: Not required
Prerequisites: none

International Students

TOEFL: Recommended Score of 95 iBT
IELTS: Recommended Overall Band Score of 7.0

Michigan Tech requires a minimum 79 overall TOEFL or 6.5 overall IELTS score.

Admissions Decisions

Made on a rolling basis.

Students will take two required courses and one elective course over two semesters. For elective courses, students will be able to choose one course from three available options. Candidates with work experience in clinical and information technology environments can also apply.

Certificate Admissions

Prospective Students

Prospective students and non-degree seeking students interested in obtaining a graduate certificate must apply to the certificate program using the online application.
Accelerated certificate options exist for current Michigan Tech undergraduate students in good standing and have achieved at least junior-level standing or recent bachelor’s graduates of Michigan Tech (less than two years).
The number of credits earned prior to admission that can be counted are restricted.

Current Graduate Students

Current Michigan Tech graduate students who are in a degree program do not need to formally apply. Current students must still submit the appropriate degree schedule in order to complete the certificate.

International Student Requirements

International Students must apply and be accepted into a degree-granting program in order to earn a graduate certificate. A non-refundable $10 processing fee per application is required.

See International Applicants

Accredited by HLC

Michigan Tech has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1928. Our Graduate School offers over 125 certificates, master's, and PhD programs to provide our students and the world with what tomorrow needs.