Master of Science in Health Informatics

ON CAMPUS | ONLINE

Available online and on campus, the Master of Science in Health Informatics (MSHI) at Boston University’s Metropolitan College (MET) is designed to expose you to modern health information technology, including health data collection, processing, storage, and analysis.

Healthcare is a data-intensive industry, and health IT specialists are needed to help transform data into meaningful, usable information and knowledge. Comprising the systematic application of information technology and computer science in medicine, public health, and related disciplines, health informatics is essential for improving the experience of patient care, improving the health of populations, and reducing per capita costs of healthcare—primary aims of the US healthcare system.

The first and only Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)-accredited health informatics program in New England, Boston University’s Health Informatics master’s degree program offers optional concentrations in:

  • Applied Data Analytics
  • Health Information Management

Learning Outcomes

Students who complete the Master of Science in Health Informatics will be able to:

  • Work on healthcare data, information, and knowledge management and analysis.
  • Identify and address challenges and opportunities as the American healthcare system transforms into a digital, patient-centered system.
  • Understand the process of healthcare information system (HCIS) acquisition, development, implementation, and support.
  • Discuss ethical issues, social and organizational behavior management, and leadership skills.
  • Grasp major healthcare delivery workflows and understand how HCIS changes the workflows, and how to manage that change.
  • Understand common algorithms for health applications and IT components in representative clinical processes.
  • Understand the fundamentals of cybersecurity.
  • Understand legal, security, and privacy issues related to health information.
  • Lead health IT initiatives, conduct biomedical research and design, and implement and manage advanced IT solutions.

cahiim-accredited-sealThe Master of Science in Health Informatics is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIM). Completion of a CAHIIM-accredited program is required in order to be eligible to sit for professional certification exams offered through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), such as the Certified Professional in Health Informatics (CPHI™) exam and the Certified Health Data Analyst (CHDA®) exams. Along with demonstrating a high standard of proficiency and professionalism sought by employers, AHIMA certification ensures access to valuable networking resources, opens the door to higher earning potential, and paves the way for long-term leadership opportunities in the field. 

The Health Informatics program embraces the following mission statement:

The program is designed to prepare IT and health care professionals for careers in the management of health care information systems. Program courses have been developed and taught by faculty with expertise in biomedicine, computer science, biomedical engineering, and health IT.

The program provides students with an interdisciplinary and integrated approach to health care IT, and teaches cutting-edge IT technologies used in the design, implementation, and management of health care IT applications. Students are exposed to modern health information technology, including the collection, processing, storage, communication, and use of health data and information. They are also introduced to the American health care system, biomedical terminology, knowledge hierarchy, medical algorithms, clinical decision-making, data/communication standards, data privacy and security, hospital informatics systems (including electronic health records), the latest developments in health care IT, and the management of IT challenges.

Masters in Health Informatics Degree Summary

  • Eight courses/32 credits
  • Students are required to complete the core curriculum courses and have the option to complete one or more concentrations or, no concentration. Students who want to earn one or more concentrations must satisfy the additional stated requirements of each concentration they wish to pursue.
  • Degree can be completed part time or full time, on campus or online.
  • Degree can be completed in as little as three semesters full time on campus or four semesters part time on campus or online.
  • Applications are accepted throughout the year. The online program has six start dates a year and the on campus program has three.
  • A minimum passing grade for a course in the graduate program is a C (2.0) but an average grade of B (3.0) must be maintained to be in good academic standing and to be eligible to graduate.
  • Access to BU MET’s Health Informatics Research Lab (HILab) allows you to tap into collaborative research and development in medical informatics, bioinformatics, and clinical research.

MSHI Core Curriculum

(five required courses/20 credits)

Students who have completed courses on core curriculum subjects as part of their undergraduate degree program may request permission from the Department of Computer Science to replace the corresponding core courses with graduate-level electives.

MSHI Required Courses

(three courses/12 credits)

*MS in Health Informatics students without Business Data Communication and Networks experience are recommended to take the course METCS625, the pre-requisite for CS695, instead of METCS682.

MSHI Concentration Options

(two courses/8 credits)

Courses are available On Campus (OC), Online (OL) and in the Blended (EL) format, unless otherwise noted.


Related Graduate Certificates

Students who are currently enrolled in the Master of Science in Health Informatics have the option to complete a certificate program without reapplication. Classes may count towards both a certificate and degree program (if requirements indicate the same course). However, please refer to the Academic Policies Manual regarding classes overlapping between two certificate programs. To add a certificate to your academic profile, email your designated program administrator at metcs@bu.edu (on campus/blended) students) or metcsol@bu.edu (online students).

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