Online Master of Science in Health Informatics (MS)

Use Data and Technology to Improve Healthcare.

Health Informatics combines communications, information, and healthcare with the goal of improving patient care. This field is also called biomedical data science as well as biomedical data management.

With an average starting salary of $101,000 for our graduates, Michigan Tech offers one of the nation's best master's degrees in health informatics. Whether your background is clinical or computational, our program will help you use data and technology to improve human health, safeguard biomedical data, and drive down healthcare costs.

Earn your master's degree in health informatics at Michigan Tech and position yourself for success in the increasingly data-driven world of healthcare.

Who is the Online MS in Health Informatics For?

The online MS in Health Informatics is designed for people interested in how health information, computing, and data can improve healthcare decisions and services. It may suit clinicians and healthcare staff who want to work more closely with information systems; computing and data professionals interested in healthcare applications; and professionals focused on patient-data security, public health informatics, or AI in healthcare.

Students from different backgrounds can use the degree's common foundation to build toward a specialized focus.

How the Program Works

In the Online MS in Health Informatics program, you begin with the Foundations of Health Informatics certificate, which consists of four required graduate courses.

Health Informatics courses are offered only during the Fall and Spring semesters.

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

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

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

Stack Two Other Certificates to Build Your MS Degree.

After earning this certificate, you choose from two of three focus areas, customizing your online graduate degree in Health Informatics.

Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare (9 credits)
Public Health Informatics (9 credits)
Security and Privacy in Healthcare (9 credits)

In short, the program's structure allows you to complete the required 30 credits to earn an MS in Health Informatics degree while earning three graduate certificates (one foundational certificate + two focus area certificates) along the way.

Want more details about courses, scheduling, and more? Visit the official program website.

Health Informatics at MTU

Why Choose Michigan Tech?

Preview image for My Michigan Tech: Ryan Higbie video

We all know what kind of reputation Michigan Tech has as a top-notch university . . . the diploma from Michigan Tech means something at the end of the day. Ryan Higbie, MS in Health Informatics, 2020

Take courses from experienced faculty with expertise in cybersecurity, as well as intelligent medical diagnosis systems analysis and design.
Enhance your skills on our secured virtual machine cluster.
Connect to other Health Informatics Professionals. All students in the Health Informatics Program receive a free membership in HIMSSHealthcare Information Management Systems Society), a member-based, global society that connects professionals aligned in serving and improving the global health community.

Where You'll Apply Your Knowledge and Skills

After graduating, use your advanced knowledge to make humans healthier and tech smarter. You'll be prepared for leadership roles in a variety of professional settings.

For instance, Health Informatics professionals often head teams that explore how analytics can improve healthcare services; ensure patient data privacy and HIPAA compliance; develop population health and bio-surveillance systems to protect communities; and positively impact patients' lives.

Beyond hospitals and healthcare systems, Health Informatics professionals also work in research laboratories, public health organizations, software companies, medical device and technology companies, public health agencies, and insurance companies.

Possible Career Pathways

Telemedicine and e-health
Teletherapy
Electronic Health Records
Biomedical Data Management
Health Information Management
Mobile Applications in Health
Population Health
Healthcare Cybersecurity

Get Started on Your Online MS in Health Informatics Degree.

Take the next step on your educational journey at Michigan Tech. We are here to answer your questions and to help you succeed in your online program. Reach out when you're ready. Or begin our fast and free online graduate application.