Post-Graduate Certificate

Now accepting applications for fall 2018 semester.  Application deadline is April 1. 

The KUMC Office of Graduate Studies with the KU Center for Health Informatics is proud to announce a new certificate program for students who already hold a master's degree in another field.  This certificate program consists of applied clinical informatics courses and requires 19 credit hours.  All courses are offered online with the exception of the practicum which can be taken at a location near the student, provided that all advance requirements are met.

This certificate program is designed to prepare students to:

• Apply health informatics using a theoretical, conceptual, and experiential knowledge base
• Articulate a vision of health informatics in the context of multidisciplinary practice and complex healthcare delivery systems
• Implement and evaluate information systems that support multi-professional clinical/administrative practice
• Facilitate the delivery of evidence-based practice at point of care, and
• Sit for applicable nursing, M.D. or graduate-level certification exam as an expert informatician

Required Courses 

IPHI 820 - Project, Program and Communication Planning (2 credits)

IPHI 850 - Introduction to Health Informatics (2 credits)

IPHI 851 - Transforming Health Care through the Use of Information Systems & Technology (3 credits)

IPHI 852 - Health Data: Theory & Practice (3 credits)

IPHI 853 - Abstraction & Modeling of Healthcare Information (3 credits)

IPHI 854 - Knowledge Management in Healthcare (3 credits)

IPHI 856 - Health Informatics Practicum - final course (3 credits)

Course Schedule

Note:  This schedule is subject to change.

Key for Course Delivery Format      I = Internet course     P = practicum site

* The practicum (IPHI 856) requires a total of 3 credit hours (200 clock hours) which can be taken over 1-3 semesters.  These semesters must be consecutive and taken at the conclusion of the program. 

Admission Information

Requirements

1. A master's degree
2. A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale

The deadline for applications for the spring 2018 semester is September 1, 2017.  Apply online.

Admission Materials

The following materials are needed to complete the application. Applications are considered 2 times per year, for spring and fall semesters. If you do not complete your application for the semester you indicated on your application, your file will become inactive. It will be your responsibility to notify us if you wish to apply for a subsequent semester.

1. Online Application
2. Official transcripts from every college or university attended.  Transcripts must show conferral of degrees, including a master's degree. These transcripts must be sent in a sealed envelope directly from each institution to the KU Center for Health Informatics, 3901 Rainbow Blvd, MS 4043, Kansas City, KS 66160 or if your institution offers electronic delivery, have transcripts sent to HealthInformatics@kumc.edu. 
3. Three letters of reference on the forms provided in the online application packet. Preferably, the references will be from a former instructor, current employer, and professional colleague.  Submit these references online with the application.
4. Resume - submit with online application
5. Personal statement. This is a brief essay outlining the applicant's reasons for wanting to pursue a post-graduate certificate in health informatics, career objectives, and any other information that would help the admissions committee get to know the applicant. Submit this statement in your online application.
6. An informational interview with a Center for Health Informatics representative.  A representative will contact you to arrange this interview.
7. $60.00 application fee (non-refundable).
8. Satisfactory criminal background check:  After being accepted into the program, all incoming students are required to complete a background check. A one-time fee must be paid directly to the company performing the background investigation.  Instructions will be emailed to students when they are accepted to the program.

International Students

Due to the number of required online courses, the Health Informatics program at KUMC does not meet the U.S. student visa requirements at this time.  Therefore, we are unable to accept individuals who are on student visas. If you received your university education outside of the U.S. or are in the U.S. on another type of visa, please contact HealthInformatics@kumc.edu for additional application requirements.  

Admission Considerations

The Center for Health Informatics endeavors to fulfill its responsibilities to the changing needs of society by selecting applicants who, in the judgment of the admissions committee, demonstrate the academic achievement, maturity, integrity, and motivation necessary for successful advancement. In addition, the committee looks for applicants who will contribute academic, nonacademic, and socioeconomic diversity to the class. The committee is interested in evidence of capacity for mature and independent scholarship. One of the essential functions of a university is to help all individuals realize their potential. In an effort to foster this activity, the Center for Health Informatics subscribes to the KU Statement on Diversity and Inclusion.

Tuition and Fees

For a complete list of tuition and fees, please refer to the KUMC information starting on page 13 of the KU Comprehensive Fee Schedule. 
Costs for the program vary and are subject to change.  Based on spring 2017 tuition and fees, an estimate for completion of the health informatics post-graduate certificate program is approximately $10,000 for Kansas residents and non-residents.  This estimate does not include the cost of books, supplies, insurance, or living expenses. 

Computer Competency and Standards

Students entering all programs of study at the University of Kansas Medical Center are expected to have basic skills in using a computer. Please refer to the recommendations for purchasing computers. During your studies in health informatics you will be participating in simulations in Second Life (www.secondlife.com/) so be sure you have a microphone/headset and a video card that is capable of carrying the graphics in Second Life. You will be expected to have access to Microsoft Office, Microsoft Access, and Microsoft Visio in order to complete assignments.