Master of Science in Health Informatics (MSHI)
Overview, Career Opportunities and Salary Range Post-Degree: Heading link
Overview | Tuition | Calendar | Admissions | Courses | Request Info
The 100% online Master of Science in Health Informatics program encompasses digital health, data science, and leadership.
Students develop knowledge and skills in: Data collection, storage, extraction, manipulation, network architecture, data analysis and visualization, predictive analytics, healthcare project management, human factors in computer design, ethics, patient experience and healthcare communications are areas of focus in this program.
Develop critical and strategic thinking skills to find solutions for undefined problems and understand how health information technology is used to transform data, making information and knowledge accessible across organizations.
More Overview Heading link
Available Concentrations
- Health Data Science (HDS)- prepares students to participate on analytic teams, teaches data analysis and interpretation, develops skills and practical experience working with healthcare data.
- Consumer and Mobile Health (CMH) – prepares students to address the consumer and patient perspective, increase consumer health literacy, and use of mobile and digital technology in healthcare.
- Leadership – provides students with the depth of knowledge needed to address the complexities of healthcare organizational change, use of data to meet strategic objectives and lead a modern and future-focused healthcare system.
Career Outcomes
Our graduates currently serve in the following roles:
- Director of Clinical Operations
- Clinical Data Analyst
- Nurse Informatist
- Pharmacy Informatics Specialist
- EMR Trainer
- Healthcare Application Analyst.
Surveyed Program Graduate Salary Range: between $75,000 and $150,000 per year.
Student Testimonial Heading link
By 2019, postings for data scientists on Indeed had risen by 256%, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, predicts data science will see more growth than almost any other field between now and 2029. Source.
Tuition Heading link
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$750 per Credit Hour
In Fixed Tuition Costs
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Only 38 Credit Hours
To Earn Your Degree
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$28,500*
Total Tution Cost
Library and Technology Fees Heading link
*Library and Technology Fees are an additional $19 per credit hour. Note: The Online MSHI is a Full Cost Recovery Program and is not eligible for tuition waivers by University of Illinois employees.
Student Testimonial Heading link
Employment of medical and health services managers is projected to grow 28% from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. Source.
Calendar Heading link
| Academic Term | Application Deadline | Classes Begin |
|---|---|---|
| Summer 2023 | 4/1/2023 | 5/15/2023 |
Request info or Apply Now Heading link
Admission Requirements Heading link
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Bachelor's Degree
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution that equals a U.S. bachelor’s degree and master’s or professional degree from an accredited institution.
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Official Transcripts
Registrar-issued transcripts (copies) from the all colleges or universities attended. Transcripts must state degree conferred from awarding institution.
International students refer to: International Requirements.
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Minimum 3.0 GPA
Grade Point Average (GPA) minimum 3.0/4.0 cumulative for all undergraduate degrees, graduate and professional degrees and any additional post-degree coursework.
View All Admission Requirements Heading link
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General Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution that equals a U.S. bachelor’s degree.
- Grade Point Average (GPA) minimum 3.0/4.0 cumulative for all undergraduate degrees, graduate and professional degrees and any additional post-degree coursework.
- A final cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0 for UIC’s Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Health Informatics will also be accepted. Credit for courses taken in the program no more than 5 years in the past.
- Registrar-issued transcripts (copies) from the following:
- All colleges or universities attended
- All coursework taken after the first bachelor’s degree
- Transcripts must state degree conferred from awarding institution
- Mark sheets or grading scale legends
- International students refer to: International Requirements
English Proficiency Requirements for International Students
TOEFL iBT
Total Score: 95
Listening: 22
Writing: 24
Reading: 24
Speaking: 24IELTS
Overall Score 7
Listening: 6.5
Writing: 6.5
Reading: 6.5
Speaking: 6.5PTE Academic
Overall Score: 54
Listening:51
Writing: 56
Reading: 51
Speaking: 53TOEFL PBT
Total Score: 585 or higher
English Proficiency Waivers
English Proficiency Waiver Letter Instructions
The request for English Proficiency test scores automatically populates in the checklist for International applicants. If the international applicant intends to submit a waiver letter please select that option on the application. For a domestic or permanent resident applicant that is required to fulfill the English proficiency requirement, the request for test scores does not populate. Admissions audits the application, and then adds the option of the test score requirement or a waiver letter.
Application Instructions
- Apply now: https://admissions.uic.edu/graduate-professional/apply
- Upload all transcripts (must be official/can be electronic)
- Add two recommendation forms
- At least 1 must be from Professors and/or Supervisors
- At most 1 may be from Co-workers or Community organizations
- Upload your resume
- Upload your personal statement
- Pay the $70 application fee, students with international transcript will need to pay an additional $100 evaluation fee
- Please check your application frequently to insure all materials are submitted before the deadline date. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Fill out the FAFSA if you are applying for financial aid. Use code number 001776 to designate the University of Illinois at Chicago. http://www.fafsa.ed.gov
Financial aid is available for the Master of Science (MSHI) and the Post-Master’s Certificate (PMC HI) in Health Informatics Program.
Master of Science in Health Informatics Courses Heading link
Courses will develop competencies in application of theory and models of consumer health literacy and patient engagement, health technology evaluation and use of mobile health and digital technologies. You can prepare to participate on a team with mobile health informatics and consumer health informatics professionals.
You can earn a field concentration along with your degree by using your 12 hours of required electives to complete concentration requirements without additional time to degree completion.
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May be waived in some instances.
Pre Requisite Courses
Course # Course Title Credit Hours Course Description BHIS 406 Medical Terminology for Health Information Management 2 hours An introduction to the medical terminology and pharmacology necessary to understanding the use of clinical vocabularies and classification systems in health information systems. Extensive computer use required. Meets eight weeks of the semester. HIM 486 Fundamentals of Health Information Management 2 hours Provides students new to the health informatics field with knowledge of the U.S. healthcare system and health record content and practice. Extensive computer use required. Field work required. Meets eight weeks of the semester. Prerequisite(s): Consent of the instructor and enrollment in the MS in Health Informatics program or Post-Master’s Certificate in Health Informatics. -
Required MSHI Courses
Course # Course Title Credit Hours Course Description BHIS 437 Healthcare Data 3 hours Health communication is an emerging field in which professional communicators inform, influence and motivate individual, institutional and public audiences about important health issues. This course examines theories of interpersonal, organizational and mass communication relevant to the professional communicator in the health field. Review strategies of persuasion, the relationship between attitudes and behavior, and the changing nature of health and health delivery in the United States. Evaluate successful and unsuccessful health information campaigns. BHIS 499 Information Sources in Biomedical & Health Information Sciences 1 hour Prepares students to locate, interpret and evaluate pertinent research information sources. Includes discussion on writing literature reviews. Prerequisite(s): Junior standing or above required; or consent of the instructor. BHIS 503 Communication Skills in Health Informatics 3 hours An application course in which students assess and practice effective written and oral methods of communication skills necessary for health informatics professionals. Prerequisite(s): Consent of the instructor. BHIS 505 Ethics & Legal Issues in Health Informatics 3 hours Examination of the legal and ethical issues involved in computerized health information systems. Prerequisite(s): Consent of the instructor. BHIS 510 Healthcare Information Systems 3 hours Examination, through case studies, group and class discussions, and problem-based learning, of the effective utilization of information technology applications currently in place and on the horizon in healthcare organizations. Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing and consent of the instructor. BHIS 515 Management of Healthcare Communication Systems 3 hours Examination and management of data communications in and between healthcare facilities, including examination of issues, standards, technologies and system configurations. Prerequisite(s): BHIS 510 or HPA 510, graduate standing and consent of the instructor. BHIS 520 Health Information Systems Analysis & Design 3 hours A project course applying systems analysis and design theory to healthcare systems evaluation, modeling and implementation. Prerequisite(s): BHIS 510 or HPA 510, graduate standing and consent of the instructor. BHIS 525 Social and Organizational Issues in Health Informatics 3 hours Examines the impact of information systems on the healthcare organization and applies theory through case study analysis. Prerequisite(s): BHIS 510 or HPA 510; and BHIS 515 or BHIS 520 or BHIS 530 or HPA 520 or HPA 531 or HPA 550; or consent of the instructor. BHIS 530 Topics in Health Informatics 3 hours Current theories and methods in health informatics. Prerequisite(s): BHIS 510 or HPA 510; and BHIS 515 or HPA 520, or BHIS 520 or HPA 531, or BHIS 525 or HPA 540; and graduate standing and consent of the instructor. BHIS 593 Health Informatics Capstone Experience 1 hour Students demonstrate a mastery of health informatics knowledge concepts and skills, including theoretical synthesis, integration with practice and critical evaluation.
Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading only. Extensive computer use required. Meets eight weeks of the semester. Capstone Experience may be completed face to face or online. Students wishing to complete the course face to face must inform the instructor by the end of the first week of class. -
Elective course list
Course # Course Title Credit Hours Course Description BHIS 509 Informatics for the Clinical Investigator 3 hours This course provides the foundation of requisite knowledge of computer and healthcare information sciences for the clinical investigator. Extensive computer use required. Taught only online. A UIC netID is required. Prerequisite(s): Consent of the instructor. BHIS 511 Application of Health Care Information Systems 2 hours Knowledge and experience with a variety of healthcare applications utilizing current information technology and systems implemented in healthcare provider organizations. This is an online course. Prerequisite(s): BHIS 510 or consent of the instructor. BHIS 514 Patient Safety Topics in Health Informatics 2 hours The application of health informatics knowledge to the issue of patient safety. Course Information: Extensive computer use required. Prerequisite(s): BHIS 510 and BHIS 511; or consent of the instructor. BHIS 517 Healthcare Information Security 3 hours Health information security and methods to achieve it; stresses risk assessment and pre-emptive action; outlines important role of security policies and procedures; surveys security technology with focus on non-technical security approaches. Prerequisite(s): BHIS 437 and BHIS 510 or consent of the instructor. BHIS 522 Mobile Health Informatics 3 hours This elective course examines the field of mobile health informatics from theoretical and applied information management perspectives. Meets eight weeks of the semester. Extensive computer use required. Offered completely online. Prerequisite(s): BHIS 437, BHIS 510 and BHIS 515 or consent of the instructor. Recommended background: BHIS 528 or the equivalent. BHIS 527 Knowledge Management in Healthcare Organizations 3 hours An examination through readings, case studies, research publications and discussion of the current issues, concepts and technologies of knowledge management in healthcare organizations. Offered online using asynchronous discussion in conjunction with seminar format. Prerequisite(s): Grade of B or better in BHIS 510 and consent of the instructor. BHIS 528
Consumer Health Informatics
3 hours Examines the developing area of consumer health informatics from both theoretical and practical knowledge management perspectives through class discussions. Prerequisite(s): BHIS 510 and BHIS 527 or consent of the instructor.
BHIS 529 Transforming Healthcare using Business Intelligence and Predictive Analytics 3 hours An examination through readings and class discussion of various health information technologies and capabilities required by healthcare organizations as they undergo the major transformations needed to support emerging care models. Extensive computer use required. Meets eight weeks of the semester. Prerequisite(s): Grade of B or better in BHIS 510 and Grade of B or better in BHIS 437; and consent of the instructor. Recommended background: BHIS 525. BHIS 532 Theoretical Concepts of Clinical Decisions Support Systems 3 hours An examination of foundational concepts of clinical decision support systems, an area that utilizes both biomedical and computer sciences to enhance effectiveness of the clinical decision making process. Course Information: Extensive computer use required. Taught online. Prerequisite(s): BHIS 437, BHIS 499, BHIS 503, Grade of B or higher in BHIS 510; or consent of instructor. BHIS 533 Practical Implementation of Clinical Decision Support Systems 3 hours A practical application of CDSS concepts in which students plan, design, and implement course CDSS projects intended for patient care settings. Course Information: Extensive computer use required. Taught online. Prerequisite(s): BHIS 437, BHIS 499, BHIS 503, Grade of B or higher in BHIS 510, and BHIS 532; or consent of instructor. BHIS 537 Health Informatics Product Management 3 hours Examines the environment and activities necessary to plan product development and management for the healthcare I.T. industry. Course Information: Prerequisite(s): Consent of the instructor. Recommended Background: BHIS 543 BHIS 538 Healthcare IT Administration 3 hours Examines organizational and management issues in healthcare IT. Prerequisite(s): BHIS 510, BHIS 511 and BHIS 537 or consent of the instructor. BHIS 540 Essentials in Health Data Science 3 hours Provides foundation in data science applied specifically to healthcare. BHIS 541 Healthcare Data Analytics 3 hours Explores the spectrum of ways data analytics is being used in healthcare organizations today. Students will complete hands-on exercises to design and formulate datasets, interpret and articulate data results needed to transform healthcare delivery and the health of individuals and populations. Tools, applications, approaches for health care data analytics are taught. BHIS 542 Artificial Intelligence 3 hours Introduction to artificial intelligence and its application in healthcare. Competencies addressed include date exchange standards, supervised, unsupervised and fuzzy logic. Course Information: Meets eight weeks of the semester. Course includes data analysis exercises. Taught online. Prerequisite(s): BHIS 541 and BHIS 561 and BHIS 575; and consent of the instructor. Recommended background: Free online introductory course in Artificial Intelligence at Udacity - Intro to Machine Learning. BHIS 543 Healthcare Project Management 3 hours Introduces health industry workers to specific healthcare project management and methods that achieve outcomes in the healthcare organization; stresses project life-cycle as the primary approach; uses project management book of knowledge. Prerequisites: BHIS 437, BHIS 510, BHIS 520, and BHIS 525 or consent of the instructor. BHIS 546 Leadership Development in Health Informatics 3 hours Students will analyze, evaluate and practice the competencies necessary for leadership unique to the health informatics profession. Prerequisite(s): Consent of the instructor. BHIS 554 Health Informatics Business intelligence Tools and Applications 3 hours Provides students with core business intelligence concepts and fundamentals, applying them to create best practices through informed decision making. Course Information: Extensive computer use required. Meets eight weeks of the semester. Prerequisite(s): Grade of B or better in BHIS 510; and Grade of B or better in BHIS 437; or consent of the instructor. BHIS 561 Programming for Health Analytics 3 hours This course introduces fundamental principles of programming for data science using a popular language like Python. Exposes students to basic programming techniques, data manipulation, and data analysis pertaining to healthcare data. Course Information: Extensive computer use required. Meets eight weeks of the semester. The course is taught online and uses lectures, discussion and data analysis exercises. Prerequisite(s): BHIS 437 and BHIS 529; and consent of the instructor. Recommended Background: Some familiarity with computer programming recommended, but not required. BHIS 567 Healthcare Data Visualization 3 hours This course introduces fundamental principles of data visualization in healthcare and focuses on effective presentation of health analytics outcomes. Course Information: Prerequisite(s): BHIS 437 and BHIS 575; and consent of the instructor. Recommended Background: BHIS 529, BHIS 554 and two courses from Lynda.com Understanding Data Science and Introduction to Data Science. Credit is not given for BHIS 567 if the student has credit in IDS 567. BHIS 575 Applied Statistics for Health Data Science 3 hours This course presents statistical foundations for health data science using a popular statistical software like R. The course also provides exposure to common statistical techniques, and interpretation focusing on health care data. BHIS 580 Practicum in Biomedical and Health Information Sciences 3 hours Field experience under supervision of a professional expert in a health informatics setting that is consistent with the student’s area of study and career goals. Prerequisite(s): Consent of the instructor.
Health Data Science (HDS) Concentration Courses Heading link
To earn the optional Health Data Science concentration, you must complete two required courses and two electives that total 12 hours.
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Required Courses for the HDS Concentration
Course # Course Title Credit Hours Course Description BHIS 540 Essentials in Health Data Science 3 hours Provides foundation in data science applied specifically to healthcare. BHIS 575 Applied Statistics for Health Data Science 3 hours This course presents statistical foundations for health data science using a popular statistical software like R. The course also provides exposure to common statistical techniques, and interpretation focusing on health care data. -
Must Complete 2 of the 9 Courses Listed Below:
Elective Courses for the HDS Concentration
Course # Course Title Credit Hours Course Description BHIS 527 Knowledge Management in Healthcare Organizations 3 hours An examination through readings, case studies, research publications and discussion of the current issues, concepts and technologies of knowledge management in healthcare organizations. Offered online using asynchronous discussion in conjunction with seminar format. Prerequisite(s): Grade of B or better in BHIS 510 and consent of the instructor. BHIS 529 Transforming Healthcare using Business Intelligence and Predictive Analytics 3 hours An examination through readings and class discussion of various health information technologies and capabilities required by healthcare organizations as they undergo the major transformations needed to support emerging care models. Extensive computer use required. Meets eight weeks of the semester. Prerequisite(s): Grade of B or better in BHIS 510 and Grade of B or better in BHIS 437; and consent of the instructor. Recommended background: BHIS 525. BHIS 532 Theoretical Concepts of Clinical Decisions Support Systems 3 hours An examination of foundational concepts of clinical decision support systems, an area that utilizes both biomedical and computer sciences to enhance effectiveness of the clinical decision making process. Course Information: Extensive computer use required. Taught online. Prerequisite(s): BHIS 437, BHIS 499, BHIS 503, Grade of B or higher in BHIS 510; or consent of instructor. BHIS 533 Practical Implementation of Clinical Decision Support Systems 3 hours A practical application of CDSS concepts in which students plan, design, and implement course CDSS projects intended for patient care settings. Course Information: Extensive computer use required. Taught online. Prerequisite(s): BHIS 437, BHIS 499, BHIS 503, Grade of B or higher in BHIS 510, and BHIS 532; or consent of instructor. BHIS 541 Healthcare Data Analytics 3 hours Explores the spectrum of ways data analytics is being used in healthcare organizations today. Students will complete hands-on exercises to design and formulate datasets, interpret and articulate data results needed to transform healthcare delivery and the health of individuals and populations. Tools, applications, approaches for health care data analytics are taught. BHIS 542 Artificial Intelligence 3 hours Introduction to artificial intelligence and its application in healthcare. Competencies addressed include date exchange standards, supervised, unsupervised and fuzzy logic. Course Information: Meets eight weeks of the semester. Course includes data analysis exercises. Taught online. Prerequisite(s): BHIS 541 and BHIS 561 and BHIS 575; and consent of the instructor. Recommended background: Free online introductory course in Artificial Intelligence at Udacity - Intro to Machine Learning BHIS 554 Health Informatics Business intelligence Tools and Applications 3 hours Provides students with core business intelligence concepts and fundamentals, applying them to create best practices through informed decision making. Course Information: Extensive computer use required. Meets eight weeks of the semester. Prerequisite(s): Grade of B or better in BHIS 510; and Grade of B or better in BHIS 437; or consent of the instructor. BHIS 561 Programming for Health Analytics 3 hours This course introduces fundamental principles of programming for data science using a popular language like Python. Exposes students to basic programming techniques, data manipulation, and data analysis pertaining to healthcare data. Course Information: Extensive computer use required. Meets eight weeks of the semester. The course is taught online and uses lectures, discussion and data analysis exercises. Prerequisite(s): BHIS 437 and BHIS 529; and consent of the instructor. Recommended Background: Some familiarity with computer programming recommended, but not required. BHIS 567 Healthcare Data Visualization 3 hours This course introduces fundamental principles of data visualization in healthcare and focuses on effective presentation of health analytics outcomes. Course Information: Prerequisite(s): BHIS 437 and BHIS 575; and consent of the instructor. Recommended Background: BHIS 529, BHIS 554 and two courses from Lynda.com Understanding Data Science and Introduction to Data Science. Credit is not given for BHIS 567 if the student has credit in IDS 567.
Leadership in Health Informatics Concentration Courses Heading link
Offered fully online, and in line with UIC’s recognized national reputation in online graduate education, the Leadership concentration can be completed with two required courses and two electives that total 12 hours.
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Required courses for leadership concentration
Course # Course Title Credit Hours Course Description BHIS 543 Healthcare Project Management 3 hours Introduces health industry workers to specific healthcare project management and methods that achieve outcomes in the healthcare organization; stresses project life-cycle as the primary approach; uses project management book of knowledge. Prerequisites: BHIS 437, BHIS 510, BHIS 520, and BHIS 525 or consent of the instructor. BHIS 546 Leadership Development in Health Informatics 3 hours Students will analyze, evaluate and practice the competencies necessary for leadership unique to the health informatics profession. Prerequisite(s): Consent of the instructor. -
Must Complete 2 of the 5 Courses Listed Below:
elective course list
Course # Course Title Credit Hours Course Description BHIS 535 Organizational Dynamics and Health Informatics 3 hours Explores the dynamic relationships within an organization that influence the realization of value from investments in health information technologies. BHIS 537 Health Informatics Product Management 3 hours Examines the environment and activities necessary to plan product development and management for the healthcare I.T. industry. Course Information: Prerequisite(s): Consent of the instructor. Recommended Background: BHIS 543 BHIS 538 Healthcare IT Administration 3 hours Examines organizational and management issues in healthcare IT. Prerequisite(s): BHIS 510, BHIS 511 and BHIS 537 or consent of the instructor. BHIS 570 Human Factors and Cognition in Health Information Technology 3 hours Provides an overview of human factors, human-computer interaction, and computer supported cooperative work and their implications to collaborative practice and the design and use of health information technology. BHIS 580 Practicum in Biomedical and Health Information Sciences 3 hours Field experience under supervision of a professional expert in a health informatics setting that is consistent with the student’s area of study and career goals. Prerequisite(s): Consent of the instructor.
Consumer and Mobile Health Informatics (CMHI) Concentration Courses Heading link
Students who choose the CMHI concentration can earn their degree by completing two required courses and two electives for a total of 12 hours of specialized instruction.
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Required Courses for Consumer and Mobile Health concentration
Course # Course Title Credit Hours Course Description BHIS 522 Mobile Health Informatics 3 hours This elective course examines the field of mobile health informatics from theoretical and applied information management perspectives. Meets eight weeks of the semester. Extensive computer use required. Offered completely online. Prerequisite(s): BHIS 437, BHIS 510 and BHIS 515 or consent of the instructor. Recommended background: BHIS 528 or the equivalent. BHIS 528 Consumer Health Informatics 3 hours Examines the developing area of consumer health informatics from both theoretical and practical knowledge management perspectives through class discussions. Prerequisite(s): BHIS 510 and BHIS 527 or consent of the instructor. -
Must Complete 2 of the 4 Courses Listed Below:
Elective Courses for the CMHI Concentration
Course # Course Title Credit Hours Course Description BHIS 523 Advanced Topics in Mobile Health Technologies 3 hours Provide students with advanced knowledge and skills for designing, implementing, and evaluating mHealth solutions. Students will be taught concepts of user-centered design as a gen-purp framework for designing, developing, and evaluating mHealth sys. Course Information: Extensive computer use required. Meets eight weeks of the semester. Prerequisite(s): BHIS 522. Recommended Background: BHIS 528. BHIS 504 Qualitative Methods and Health IT Evaluation 3 hours Qualitative research methods to account for systematic description of environments where quantitative methods are not sufficient. BHIS 535 Organizational Dynamics and Health Informatics 3 hours Explores the dynamic relationships within an organization that influence the realization of value from investments in health information technologies. BHIS 570 Human Factors and Cognition in Health Information Technology 3 hours Provides an overview of human factors, human-computer interaction, and computer supported cooperative work and their implications to collaborative practice and the design and use of health information technology.
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Program Outcomes Heading link
PROGRAM OUTCOMES
The following outcomes were measured for the MS in Health Informatics in spring of 2021:
- Acceptance rate: 70% of students accepted enrolled and started the program
- Completion rate: 93% earned their MS degree within 3 years
- Satisfaction rate: 92% of graduates were satisfied with the program
- Employment within one year: 92% of graduates were employed post-program completion
CAHIIM Accredited Heading link
The Health Informatics accreditor of the University of Illinois Chicago is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The College’s accreditation for the Master of Science in Health Informatics has been reaffirmed through 2023. 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.
Library and Technology Fees Heading link
*Library and Technology Fees are an additional $19 per credit hour. Note: The Online MSHI is a Full Cost Recovery Program and is not eligible for tuition waivers by University of Illinois employees.