M.S. Health Informatics

This is your opportunity to change healthcare by changing the way healthcare decisions are made

Program overview

Our all-online graduate program in Health Informatics is designed to reach a broad spectrum of traditional and nontraditional students with bachelor's degrees — students looking to advance or change their careers in the healthcare field. Our program is committed to the transformation of the healthcare delivery system through the effective use of health information.

The M.S. in Health Informatics has been developed for professionals who wish to take their bachelor's degree to a higher level in the health data field.  Students will take courses such as Systems Design and Software Development, Human Factors and Usability, Healthcare Data Analytics and Project Management all 100 percent online. 

Health Information Management vs. Health Informatics

Health informatics is the science of information management through the application of computers and computer technologies. It is the application of information technology to the functions and activities that are closely aligned with the domains of practice of health information management. This field focuses on the design of computer information systems, analysis of health information, and applied research. Health information management is a clinical profession that focuses on skills and competencies in collecting, aggregating, managing, and using health information to support the delivery of healthcare.  While health information management professionals may apply the science of informatics in their roles, the two fields are distinct.

Health informaticians work in a variety of healthcare settings, including acute care, ambulatory care, public health, vendor organizations, academic, and research.

"All work in health informatics is motivated by the need to create new solutions — often using information technology — that enhance biomedical science, the health of the populace, and the quality and safety of care that is provided to individuals when they are ill" (AMIA, 2012).

Health information pioneers

The College of St. Scholastica founded the first HIM program in the country in 1935, and has been widely respected in the fields health informatics and information management education ever since. Our programs follow our Benedictine values of community, hospitality, respect, stewardship and the love of learning. We are literally founded on the principles of taking care of others, and this has led to a national reputation as the authority in health information education.

Career outlook

Everyone wants to improve healthcare, and everyone in healthcare wants to improve how healthcare decisions are made. Health Informatics is designed to do both, and as such, is poised to be one of the next top career fields. According to U.S. News & World Report, it's number four on a list of "Nine New College Majors with a Future." And, while it is difficult to predict the number of jobs available in the field, the profession is growing rapidly and career opportunities are high.