Health informatics is an interdisciplinary profession. Students admitted to this program possess varied professional backgrounds. Although many of our students currently work in healthcare when they enter this program, having healthcare experience is not required. Just as students bring a breadth of experiences to the program so, too, do our faculty.
Health informaticians are needed throughout the healthcare ecosystem, and work in diverse roles providing expertise geared toward effective and efficient use of health information technology, end-user support and needs assessments to ensure health information systems meet the needs of clinicians, health professionals and patients, as well as performing data analytics and other data management functions. The master's degree in health informatics prepares graduates for entry- and mid-level positions.
We offer a master's degree in health informatics and a graduate certificate in health informatics, as well as joint degree options for existing KU students in undergraduate health information management and doctoral pharmacy degree programs. Our degree and certificate programs are 100% online, and students receive Kansas resident tuition rates regardless of geographic location.
Our accredited master's degree program includes 31 credit hours and culminates in the student completing a health informatics project at a clinical partner organization, obtaining practical experience prior to graduation. To meet the needs of working adults, the project is completed online.
Those wishing to add health informatics expertise to their resume but aren’t ready to commit to the full master’s degree program can complete our 16-credit hour graduate certificate. The 16 credit hours are a subset of courses from our master's degree. Therefore, students can earn the certificate as a standalone option or later enter the master's degree program where all previously completed credits from the certificate program apply. Certificate students also complete a health informatics project in the program.
Students may complete the master's degree program in a little as 1.5 years and the graduate certificate in as little as one year; part-time enrollment options are also available. Both programs admit students in the fall and spring semesters.
Our bachelor's degree in health information management to master's degree in health informatics joint accelerated program and doctorate in pharmacy/master's degree in health informatics dual-degree program – the latter in partnership with the KU School of Pharmacy – are rigorous and intended for high achieving and committed students. A benefit of these programs is the length of time in school can be shorter than if each degree was completed separately. Current bachelor's degree or pharamcy degree students should speak to their advisor if interested in these programs.
Expand the sections below to learn more about health informatics program offerings.
Eligibility Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, documented by submission of official transcript(s) indicating the degree has been conferred before entering the program. Official transcripts from institutions attended post-baccalaureate are also required. Students with degrees from outside the U.S. will be subject to transcript evaluation indicating the degree is equivalent to a U.S. degree and meets the minimum cumulative GPA requirements.
- A cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Applicants who are not native speakers of English, whether domestic or international, must demonstrate they meet the minimum english proficiency requirement.
- A background check is required during the admission process; it may affect the student’s eligibility to enter the program. See details on background check requirements.
Application Requirements
- A current resume or curriculum vitae.
- A personal statement outlining the applicant's reasons for wanting to pursue graduate education in health informatics, career objectives and any other information that would help the admissions committee get to know the applicant.
- Two letters of recommendation: one from a person that can assess the candidate’s academic aptitude, and the other for professional potential specific to experience and character. Letters are submitted online per instructions provided with the online application process. The recommendations may not be obtained from family members, friends, etc.
Questions?
Contact us to discuss your questions about admission, coursework, financial aid or other aspects of our programs at him@kumc.edu.
Eligibility Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, documented by submission of official transcript(s) indicating the degree has been conferred before entering the program. Official transcripts from institutions attended post-baccalaureate are also required. Students with degrees from outside the U.S. will be subject to transcript evaluation indicating the degree is equivalent to a U.S. degree and meets the minimum cumulative GPA requirements.
- A cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Applicants who are not native speakers of English, whether domestic or international, must demonstrate they meet the minimum english proficiency requirement.
- A background check is required during the admission process; it may affect the student’s eligibility to enter the program. See details on background check requirements.
Application Requirements
- A current resume or curriculum vitae.
- A personal statement outlining the applicant's reasons for wanting to pursue graduate education in health informatics, career objectives and any other information that would help the admissions committee get to know the applicant.
- One letter of recommendation that should be from a person that can assess the candidate’s academic aptitude and character. Letters are submitted online per instructions provided with the online application process. The recommendation may not be obtained from family members, friends, etc.
Questions?
Contact us to discuss your questions about admission, coursework, financial aid or other aspects of our programs at him@kumc.edu.
Accelerated Dual-Degree Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management with Master of Science in Health Informatics
The dual-degree program allows students to earn an undergraduate degree in health information management and a graduate degree in health informatics through the Department of Health Information Management at KU Medical Center. Admission to this selective program is available exclusively to students already enrolled in KU’s bachelor’s program in health information management.
Through the dual degree program, you will develop skills to tackle both current and future challenges in health information management while gaining specialized knowledge in informatics. With expertise in both areas, this program is an ideal pathway for those aiming to become leaders driving innovation in health informatics.
Questions?
Contact us to discuss your questions about admission, coursework, financial aid or other aspects of our programs at him@kumc.edu.
Dual-Degree Master of Science in Health Informatics with Doctor of Pharmacy
This dual-degree program combines the Master of Science in Health Informatics (MSHI) with the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) and is designed particularly for those students intending to pursue opportunities in pharmacy informatics.
A partnership between the School Health Professions at KU Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas, and the School of Pharmacy in Lawrence, Kansas, this program is restricted to students currently in the KU PharmD program. Students accepted into the dual-degree program concurrently enroll in both programs and can start master's degree courses as early as the spring of the second year of pharmacy study.
Questions?
Contact us to discuss your questions about admission, coursework, financial aid or other aspects of our programs at him@kumc.edu.
Program Accreditation
KU’s master’s degree program in health informatics is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM) and meets the standards set by the American Medical Informatics Association® (AMIA®).
- 100% of 2022-2023 master's degree in health informatics graduates were employed within one year of graduation.
- 89% of students who started in 2022-2023 remain in the master's degree program in health informatics.
- 100% of master's degree in health informatics students graduating in academic year 2022-2023 finished in five years or less.
The health informatics accreditor of the University of Kansas is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The college’s accreditation for the master’s degree in Health Informatics has been reaffirmed through 2030. All inquiries about the program’s accreditation status should be directed by mail to CAHIIM, 200 East Randolph Street, Suite 5100, Chicago, IL, 60601; by phone at (312) 235-3255; or by email at info@cahiim.org.