Health Informatics
Program Overview
The Master of Science degree in Health Informatics prepares graduates for careers in managerial, analytical, consultative and executive roles working with healthcare systems and clinicians.
Health informatics is the science of evaluating, implementing and utilizing technology to manage all information related to the patient care delivery process: clinical, financial, technological and enterprise-wide. Three major components comprise the health informatics discipline:
- Information Systems: focuses on such issues as information systems analysis, design, implementation, management and leadership
- Informatics: concerned with the study of structure, function and transfer of information, socio-technical aspects of health computing and human-computer interaction
- Information Technology: focuses on computer networks, database and systems administration, security and programming.
The informatics field also draws contributions from computer science, the clinical sciences, social and organizational influences and business practices.
Accreditation
Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the program will be able to:
- Reconcile the needs of clinical and non-clinical users of health information systems utilizing workflow analysis, systems analysis and project management principles.
- Analyze collected data of health information systems, utilizing principles of data mining, statistics and clinical analytics.
- Manage the implementation of health information systems in multiple health care venues using principles of organizational dynamics and change management.
- Facilitate communication between clinical and non-clinical users of health information systems.
- Successfully obtain the credential of Certified Associate in Health Information Systems.
Because our program is designed for busy working professionals, you can tailor your degree to suit your unique background and goals, including changing fields or advancing in your current career.
Small classes and focused 7-week courses in our online health informatics master’s program offer opportunities to develop strong working relationships with your classmates and professors. The faculty have a wealth of expertise in research and management topics and a dedication to improving healthcare through information technology.
Our professors’ research interests span topics including big data, taxonomy, information architecture, knowledge organization, human factors and usability. Collectively, they have led research projects for hospitals, universities, businesses, non-profit organizations and the National Science Foundation.
Professionally connected innovators and thought leaders, our MSHI faculty are widely published and have developed courses on a range of digital health and health informatics topics.
We’re Known for Innovation and Excellence
Our expertise and commitment to student success combine with our inclusive innovation culture to deliver an educational experience that can help you advance your career and improve healthcare delivery.
Long recognized as a leader in library sciences, the top-ranked Kent State University School of Information is leveraging our expertise in information architecture and management to transform healthcare with our online master’s in health informatics.1
Kent State University is a public research university with a rich history of engaged scholarship and innovation, and we began offering online education more than 20 years ago. We’ve applied lessons learned along the way to create a flexible, user-friendly learning experience that fits into your life as a busy working professional.
Graduates of our online master’s in health informatics are qualified for roles with healthcare organizations, health equipment manufacturers, insurance providers and government agencies. Salaries and duties vary with the industry. Professionals with the right education and experience can earn comfortable six-figure salaries in this rapidly growing field.
This sample information on average salary and projected job growth through 2030 is from the U.S. Department of Labor’s O*Net, and you can find more information on our careers page.
Our faculty integrate real-world experiences and case studies from the field, blending theory and practice within the program’s curriculum. Kent State’s online MS in health informatics has three major components:
- Seven core courses
- Four elective courses
- One capstone experience
Depending on your career goals, you may choose an internship, a master’s project, research paper or thesis for your capstone experience. See the Academic FAQs for more on this topic.
Once you enroll, your Admissions Outreach Advisor will help you craft your personalized degree plan, creating a clear course sequence and path to graduation.
The program is intentionally designed to create focused study and encourage collaboration. Each course is seven weeks long, and you can take two courses sequentially each semester, focusing on each subject individually.
Move Forward with Kent State
Earn your MSHI in as little as two years, building your knowledge and skills along with your professional network. Our admissions process is simple, and we have waived the GRE requirement in favor of a holistic evaluation of your background and achievements.
Whatever your life situation or experience, our 100% online master’s in health informatics has been designed to offer flexibility and the individualized attention you need to help you reach your professional goals while handling your other life commitments.
Our online MS in health informatics can help you build an impactful career in patient care, services administration or systems design and implementation. Core courses will give you a solid conceptual grounding in the areas of:
- Terminology
- Systems
- Management
- Human factors
- Analytics
- Law
After completing the core courses, you can then customize your expertise with electives and your capstone experience. Some of the focus areas you can pursue include:
- Clinical decision support systems
- Knowledge management
- Semantic analysis
- Information architecture
- Public health informatics
- Change management
- Project management
Kent State’s MSHI program also offers opportunities for you to pursue individual investigation of health informatics subjects that interest you.
Our online master’s in health informatics can help you optimize digital healthcare technology and data management to improve health outcomes. Leverage your skill set at the individual, systems or population level across economic sectors, including:
- Healthcare
- Educational services
- Scientific/other professional services
- Technology
- Government
- Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS)
- Society for Imaging Informatics in Medicine
- Dublin Core Metadata Initiative (DCMI)
- LeadingAge Center for Healthcare Technologies (CAST)
- Human Factors and Ergonomic Society (HFES)
- American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA)
The Kent State online MSHI costs a fraction of the amount you could earn in annual salary with the skills you would gain from getting your degree. The degree has the same prestige as a degree earned on campus, and the flexible online format makes it easier to work full-time while studying.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has found that nationally, professionals with a master’s degree earn an average of 18% more than those with a bachelor’s degree and enjoy greater job security, making the effort very worthwhile.5
The online Master of Science in Health Informatics consists of 36 credits.
Ohio Residents | Out of State | |
Per Credit Hour | $829 | $839 |
Approximate Program Cost | $29,800 | $30,200 |
An additional distance learning fee for all students enrolled in a distance learning course is $15 per credit hour. Program tuition and costs are estimated and subject to change. For a complete listing of tuition rates for approved online programs, please contact Kent State’s Financial, Billing & Enrollment Center at 330-672-6000 or via our website Contact Us link.
We recognize that pursuing a graduate degree is a significant investment. Your Admissions Outreach Advisor can answer your questions on program costs, discuss how a Kent State degree compares to others and connect you with financial aid representatives when you are ready to discuss your financial options.
Please contact an Admissions Outreach Advisor for more information on tuition and fees by email at online@kent.edu.
Program Courses
Program Requirements
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Major Requirements | ||
HI 60401 | HEALTH INFORMATICS MANAGEMENT | 3 |
HI 60402 | LEGAL ISSUES IN HEALTH INFORMATICS | 3 |
HI 60403 | HEALTH INFORMATION SYSTEMS | 3 |
HI 60410 | HEALTH RECORDS MANAGEMENT | 3 |
HI 60411 | CLINICAL ANALYTICS | 3 |
HI 60414 | HUMAN FACTORS AND USABILITY IN HEALTH INFORMATICS | 3 |
HI 60636 | STANDARDIZED TERMINOLOGIES IN HEALTHCARE | 3 |
Major Electives, choose from the following: | 12 | |
EMAT 51510 | PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND TEAM DYNAMICS | |
HI 60412 | CLINICAL DECISION SUPPORT | |
HI 60413 | CHANGE MANAGEMENT IN HEALTH INFORMATICS | |
HI 60415 | HEALTH INFORMATICS INQUIRY AND ASSESSMENT | |
HI 60416 | HEALTH INFORMATICS ISSUES: POLICY, POLITICS AND ETHICS | |
HI 60417 | PUBLIC HEALTH INFORMATICS | |
HI 60418 | CLINICAL ANALYTICS II | |
HI 60419 | CONSUMER HEALTH INFORMATICS | |
HI 60691 | SEMINAR IN HEALTH INFORMATICS | |
HI 60792 | ELECTIVE INTERNSHIP IN HEALTH INFORMATICS | |
HI 60693 | VARIABLE TITLE WORKSHOP IN HEALTH INFORMATICS 1 | |
HI 61095 | SPECIAL TOPICS IN HEALTH INFORMATICS | |
HI 61096 | INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATION IN HEALTH INFORMATICS 2 | |
KM 60301 | FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLES OF KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT | |
KM 60311 | BUSINESS PROCESS MANAGEMENT | |
KM 60370 | SEMANTIC ANALYSIS METHODS AND TECHNOLOGIES | |
UX 60511 | INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE FUNDAMENTALS | |
UX 60541 | USER EXPERIENCE EVALUATION FUNDAMENTALS | |
Any Knowledge Management (KM) Course | ||
Any Library and Information Science (LIS) Course | ||
Any User Experience (UX) Course | ||
Culminating Requirement | ||
Choose from the following: | 3-6 | |
HI 66092 | MASTER’S INTERNSHIP IN HEALTH INFORMATICS | |
HI 66099 | MASTER’S PROJECT IN HEALTH INFORMATICS | |
HI 66198 | MASTER’S RESEARCH PAPER IN HEALTH INFORMATICS | |
HI 66199 | THESIS I | |
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 36 |
1A maximum 4 credit hours of HI 60693 may be applied towards the degree.
2A maximum 6 credit hours of HI 61096 may be applied towards the degree.
Graduation Requirements
Minimum Major GPA | Minimum Overall GPA |
---|---|
- | 3.000 |
- No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
- Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.
EMAT 51510 PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND TEAM DYNAMICS (3 CREDITS)
(Slashed with EMAT 41510) This course introduces students to the basic elements of project management as it relates to software development and the corporate environment. Although not formally endorsed by The Project Management Institute (www.PMI.org), the course will align with the project management lifecycle approach endorsed in The Project Management Book of Knowledge.
HI 60412 CLINICAL DECISION SUPPORT (3 CREDITS)
Prerequisite: HI 60401
Provides a practical survey of clinical decision support systems that collect clinical data and enable the transition to clinical knowledge in real world applications intended to improve quality and safety of patient care. Students become familiar with the basic requirements for clinical decision support systems and the challenges associated with the development and deployment of new applications within the healthcare setting.
HI 60413 CHANGE MANAGEMENT IN HEALTH INFORMATICS (3 CREDITS)
Prerequisite: HI 60401
Designed to cover the process of change management in large healthcare organizations in light of current trends. Topics related to technology requirements, technology implementations, risk assessment and buy-in are among those covered.
HI 60415 HEALTH INFORMATICS INQUIRY AND ASSESSMENT (3 CREDITS)
Prerequisite: HI 60401, with a minimum grade of C
Provides a foundation for understanding research in health informatics with a focus on user and experience design research. Through lectures, readings, discussions and assignments, students review user research methods, data collection techniques and communication strategies within the healthcare context. Students then apply this knowledge to creating a research plan for assessing health information technology and communicating results to key organizational stakeholders.
HI 60416 ETHICS, POLITICS AND POLICY IN HEALTH INFORMATICS (3 CREDITS)
This course uses a policy analysis lens to critically examine issues related to the use of information technology in healthcare from an ethical, political and regulatory perspective. The primary focus will be on the United States, but international approaches will also be discussed. Legislation affecting the health information technology area will be examined including the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, HITECH section; the Affordable Care Act; and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996. Topics and issues related to health informatics including the structure of health administrative and delivery systems, the assessment of population health, models of health care delivery, access and quality of care will also be discussed.
HI 60417 PUBLIC HEALTH INFORMATICS (3 CREDITS)
Public health informatics (PHI) is an emergent, interdisciplinary field that focuses on the systematic management and dynamic application of information resources to enhance public health practice, education and research. As an emerging subset of health informatics, PHI is practiced by individuals, government agencies and nongovernmental organizations at the international, national, regional, state and local levels. PHI deals with the collection and analysis of vital statistics data through surveillance; information creation; information storage and retrieval; visualization and graphics; dissemination; and the use of information for policy, decision-making and trend tracking. The purpose of this course is to provide students with an introductory overview of the vast and dynamic field of PHI, including definitions, approaches, competencies, applications and informatics principles applied in public health settings.
HI 60691 SEMINAR IN HEALTH INFORMATICS (3 CREDITS)
(Repeatable for credit) Advanced research by students who are qualified to examine problems of certain special areas related to concentrations of study in health informatics.
HI 60792 ELECTIVE INTERNSHIP IN HEALTH INFORMATICS (FOR STUDENTS WITH NO HEALTHCARE BACKGROUND) (2-3 CREDITS)
Supervised work experience in health informatics of a professional nature of not less than 100 clock hours (for 2 credit hours) or 150 clock hours (for 3 credit hours) with directed preparation of a reflection paper. In-progress (IP) mark permissible. Satisfactory/unsatisfactory (S/U) graded.
HI 61095 SPECIAL TOPICS COURSES IN HEALTH INFORMATICS (3 CREDITS)
(Repeatable for credit). Offered irregularly as resources and/or opportunities permit. Topics could include current or emerging issues in health informatics. Specific topics are announced in the Schedule of Classes.
HI 61096 INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATION IN HEALTH INFORMATICS (3 CREDITS)
(Repeatable for credit). Research or individual investigation in areas not covered by the existing curriculum for master’s level students. A maximum of six credit hours may be applied to the Master of Science in Health Informatics degree. In-progress (IP) mark permissible.
KM 60301 FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLES OF KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT (3 CREDITS)
This course covers an introduction to: historical roots for knowledge and knowledge management; theories/definitions of knowledge; theories, applications tools and practices of KM; knowledge management life-cycle framework and models; significant issues in KM—best practices, culture, economics, strategy, intellectual capital, sustainable innovation.
KM 60311 BUSINESS PROCESS MANAGEMENT (3 CREDITS)
Introduction to business process management and workflow management. BPM will describe how organizational business processes (internal, external, manual and automated) can be transformed and managed to increase efficiency and effectiveness and positively affect performance. Topics include the discovery, analysis, modeling and automation of workflow processes.
KM 60370 SEMANTIC ANALYSIS METHODS AND TECHNOLOGIES (3 CREDITS)
Introduces students to the practical contexts, methods and tools associated with semantic analysis. Focuses on early life cycle aspects of semantics, including identification and modeling of semantic problems, design of semantic solutions, and the identification and implementation of appropriate semantic technologies. Covers natural language processing, rule-based and grammar-based concept extraction, rule-based and dynamic classification, and automated summarization. Students work with a variety of semantic technologies.
UXD 60101 INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE (3 CREDITS)
Introduction to the fundamental concepts and practices of information architecture (IA). Students develop practical skills for comparing, analyzing, critiquing and designing information architectures. Major topics include organization, navigation, labeling, search and other core IA concepts. Students learn to create blueprints, wireframes, process flows and other documents used to communicate an information architecture design.
UXD 60104 USABILITY I (3 CREDITS)
Prerequisite: UXD 60001 and UXD 60002; and graduate standing.
Provides a conceptual and practical overview of the processes and methods of usability testing, such as Think Aloud protocols, performance measurements and eye-tracking analysis. Actual usability testing is performed, using quantitative and qualitative methods and employing current and emerging software tools to facilitate data collection and analysis.
HI 66092 MASTER’S INTERNSHIP IN HEALTH INFORMATICS (3 CREDITS)
Supervised work experience of an advanced professional nature that concentrates on developing skills in areas of health informatics and integrates students’ knowledge from all HI courses and experiences. Satisfactory/unsatisfactory (S/U) graded. In-progress (IP) mark permissible. Students must have completed a minimum of 30 credit hours toward the health informatics major within the master of science degree.
HI 66099 MASTER’S PROJECT IN HEALTH INFORMATICS (3 CREDITS)
Provides a means for the application of the knowledge, research and competencies learned through study in health informatics to the development of an information system, product, setting or service. Students must have completed a minimum 30 credit hours toward the MS-HI program prior to registration. Satisfactory/unsatisfactory (S/U) graded.
HI 66198 MASTER’S RESEARCH PAPER IN HEALTH INFORMATICS (3 CREDITS)
Under the advisement of a faculty member, students will complete a research paper that serves as a capstone experience for the MS-HI degree. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required prior to enrolling in the course.
Satisfactory/unsatisfactory (S/U) graded. Students must have completed a minimum of 30 credit hours toward the MS-HI program prior to registration.
HI 66199 THESIS I (2-6 CREDITS)
Thesis students must register for a total of 6 hours, either in a single semester or distributed over several semesters with a minimum of 2 hours per semester, if desired. Satisfactory/unsatisfactory (S/U) graded. Students must have completed a minimum 30 credit hours toward the MS-HI program
Is the health informatics program accredited by an outside organization?
Kent State University is an affiliate of the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges and the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. The University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association. (https://www.kent.edu/tusc/accreditation). While neither certification nor external accreditation are required to successfully work in health informatics, we are in the process of pursuing CAHIIM accreditation for the HI program and plan to apply in academic year 2022-2023. Students may also pursue certification after graduation; for more information about HIMSS certification, please visit: www.himss.org/health-it-certification.
What do you mean when you talk about the capstone experience?
The capstone experience is a course taken after completing at least 30 hours in the program. It is the final opportunity to meld together everything that you learned in the classroom and apply it in practice. You may take this course alone, or along with another final elective course.
Please explain the difference between a project, a research paper and an internship.
A project is an independent or dependent activity completed to operationalize some aspect of HI. You may propose a project on your own, have a project assigned to you by your employer, or work on a project with a faculty member. A research paper is simply research on some aspect of HI that is of interest to you. You must have a thesis statement and the paper should prove or disprove the thesis through research. You may or may not be using human subjects. A research paper can also be a comprehensive and integrated literature review of a particular aspect of HI. An internship places you in an organization where you will receive education and training in the role of the HI specialist. You will be assigned a preceptor and will complete activities that help you integrate the concepts you learned in class. You will be eased into the role of the HI specialist.
All of the options require a log of completed hours (minimum 150) to be turned in at the end of the term and a 30-50-page paper summarizing the experiences, answering the research questions and explaining project deliverables. You will have a preceptor for each of the options. In some cases, you may have an on-site preceptor as well as a supervising faculty member.
Do I have to sit for the certification exam upon graduation or is it optional?
It is optional. It is not required to obtain a position unless it is specified in the job description.
Do I have to take all electives in HI or do I have some flexibility of choice?
Depending upon what your final goal is, you may take electives from any area that is related to HI. You must have the approval of your academic advisor before registering for any elective not on the approved list.
Do I have to complete the capstone experience at Kent or can I do it where I live?
It is not required to complete the capstone experience at Kent and we encourage you to do your capstone experience where you live or hope to live. If you wish us to arrange this for you, you need to make your academic advisor aware of this the semester prior to doing the capstone experience. With out-of-town capstone experiences, it may take up to two months to make arrangements.
For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA1 on a 4.000-point scale
- Official transcript(s)
- Résumé
- Goal statement
- Three letters of recommendation
- English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:2
- Minimum 94 TOEFL iBT score
- Minimum 7.0 IELTS score
- Minimum 65 PTE score
- Minimum 120 DET score
1In calculating total GPA, all grades from all courses taken at relevant level (bachelor’s or master’s) from all institutions are counted. Applicants who do not meet the minimum 2.750 GPA requirement must submit a statement that addresses the circumstances that contributed to the GPA and preparation for success in graduate study. Applicants should include recent professional achievements that indicate an ability to perform at a higher academic level to be considered for conditional admission to the program.
2International applicants who do not meet the above test scores will not be considered for admission.
Our Admissions Outreach Advisors are available to answer your questions regarding admissions requirements for the program. If you have questions, please email us at online@kent.edu or call us 330-672-8671
Application FAQs
I am a U.S. citizen. Where should I send my application materials?
If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident, all required application materials should be sent to the Division of Graduate Studies at gradapps@kent.edu or by mail to:
Division of Graduate Studies
Kent State University
Cartwright Hall
P.O. Box 5190
Kent, OH 44242
Please be sure to include your full name and Kent State ID (9-digit number starting with 8) on all submitted documents. For questions, contact Graduate Admissions at +1 330-672-2661 or gradapps@kent.edu.
I am not a U.S. citizen. Where should I send my application materials?
If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident, all required documents should be submitted to the Office of Global Education at intladm@kent.edu or by mail to:
Office of Global Education
Kent State University
106 Van Campen Hall
625 Loop Rd.
Kent, OH 44242
USA
For questions, contact International Admissions at +1 330-672-7970 or intladm@kent.edu.
Master of Science in Health Informatics Careers
Computer and information research scientists
- 15.4% much faster than the average
- 32,700 number of jobs
- $126,830 potential earnings
Computer and information systems managers
- 10.4% much faster than the average
- 461,000 number of jobs
- $151,150 potential earnings
Database administrators and architects
- 9.7% much faster than the average
- 132,500 number of jobs
- $98,860 potential earnings
Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.
Related Reading from the Kent State Online Blog
Sources
1. Retrieved on July 6, 2022, from premium.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/kent-state-university-kent-campus-203517/overall-rankings
2. Retrieved on July 6, 2022, from onetonline.org/link/summary/15-2051.02
3. Retrieved on July 6, 2022, from onetonline.org/link/summary/15-1221.00
4. Retrieved on July 6, 2022, from onetonline.org/link/summary/15-1211.01
5. Retrieved on July 6, 2022, from bls.gov/careeroutlook/2022/data-on-display/education-pays.htm