Health Informatics
MSHI At-A-Glance Heading link
MS in Health Informatics Curriculum Heading link
The 100% online asynchronous Master of Science in Health Informatics program encompasses digital health, data science, and leadership. The 38-credit hour program is housed within University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) College of Applied Health Sciences and can be completed in 30 months.
The curriculum focuses on social informatics at the population level. 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.
Students in the program often have clinical, business, or computer science backgrounds. They value the online format for flexibility, CAHIIM accreditation, and vast professional network.
MS in Health Informatics Concentrations Heading link
- 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 digital transformation which includes the consumer and patient perspective, 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.
Slate Form Heading link
Slate Ping Heading link
Learning Outcomes Heading link
- Develop critical and strategic thinking skills to find solutions for undefined problems.
- Understand how health information technology is used to transform data, making information and knowledge accessible across organizations.
- Use systems and tools in hands-on exercises and experiential learning to apply concepts to real-life scenarios
- Demonstrate leadership ability to implement and evaluate innovative digital health solutions to address health informatics challenges and positively affect healthcare organizations and stakeholders
Health Informatics Courses Heading link
MS in Health Informatics 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 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.
Click the arrows below to view MSHI courses.
Online Master of Science in Health Informatics (MSHI) Courses Heading link
-
MSHI Prerequisite 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. -
MSHI Core 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. -
MSHI Elective Courses
Course # Course Title Credit Hours Course Description BHIS 504 Qualitative Methods and Health IT Evaluation 3 hours Qualitative research methods to accounts for the collection and analysis of consumer health data where quantitative methods are not sufficient to assess and evaluate health information technology. Course Information: Meets eight weeks of the semester. Online Course for 8 weeks. Prerequisite(s): BHIS 510; or consent of the instructor. Recommended background: BHIS 528 and BHIS 522. 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 and Cybersecurity Foundations 3 hours Health information security methods and technology to achieve it; stresses risk assessment, pre-emptive action and non-technical security approaches. Outlines security policies and procedures; introduces foundational cybersecurity concepts. 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 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 mHlth sys. Course Information: Extensive computer use required. Meets eight weeks of the semester. Prerequisite(s): BHIS 522. Recommended Background: BHIS 528. Restricted to Health Informatics: MS majors or consent of instructor. 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 Foundations of Clinical Decision 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 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. Course Information: Extensive computer use required. Meets eight weeks of the semester. Taught online. Prerequisite(s): BHIS 525; or consent of the 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 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. Course Information: Extensive computer use required. Prerequisite(s): Grade of B or better in BHIS 502 or consent of the instructor. 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
-
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. -
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
-
Required Courses for Leadership in Health Informatics 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. -
Elective Courses for Leadership in Health Informatics Concentration
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
-
Required Consumer and Mobile Health Informatics (CMHI) Concentration Courses
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. -
Elective Consumer and Mobile Health Informatics (CMHI) Concentration Courses
Course # Course Title Credit Hours Course Description 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 517 Healthcare Data Security and Cybersecurity Foundations 3 hours Health information security methods and technology to achieve it; stresses risk assessment, pre-emptive action and non-technical security approaches. Outlines security policies and procedures; introduces foundational cybersecurity concepts. Course Information: Taught only online. A UIC netid is required. Prerequisite(s): BHIS 437 and BHIS 510 or consent of the instructor. 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 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.
Health Informatics infographics Heading link
-
350 Students Be a part of one of the largest programs. UIC’s MSHI program has 350 current students.
-
1,200 Graduates Grow your professional network. UIC's MSHI program has more than 1,200 graduates.
Health Informatics Careers Heading link
Our graduates typically serve in the following roles with salaries ranging from $60,000 to $140,000.
- Clinical Informatics Specialist: $82,000
- Senior Healthcare Informatics Analyst: $92,000
- Pharmacy Informatics Specialist: $110,000
- Informatics Interface Engineer: $113,000
- Data Scientist: $121,000
- Clinical Informatics Analyst: between $60,000 and $120,000
- Clinical Informatics Specialist: between $80,000 and $140,000
- Health Informatics Consultant: between $90,000 and $150,000
- Healthcare Product Manager: between $80,000 and $150,000
- Healthcare User-Experience Strategist: between $80,000 and $140,000
- Healthcare Data Scientist: between $90,000 and $140,000
Source: Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society and Glassdoor
Surveyed Program Graduate Salary Range: between $75,000 and $150,000 per year.*
- Acceptance rate: 93%
- Acceptance and Enrollment rate: 68% of students accepted enrolled and started the program
- Completion rate: 93% earned their MS degree within 3 years
- Satisfaction rate: 91% of graduates were satisfied with the program
- Employment within one year: 92% of graduates were employed post-program completion
* The following outcomes were measured for the MS in Health Informatics in spring of 2022.
Job Growth 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.
Employment of medical and health services managers is projected to grow 28% from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics.
CAHIIM Accredited Heading link
UIC’s MSHI program was the first online graduate program accredited by CAHIIM.
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 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.
Accreditation signals that a program has undergone a rigorous mission- and outcomes-based process and made a long-term commitment to quality education. Programs seeking accreditation must be in substantial compliance with the standards of the field. The accreditation process is designed to foster continuous assessment and improvement, even after accreditation has been achieved. This review processes helps ensure our program continues to evolve with the needs of health informatics and health information management, providing the strongest possible academic curriculum.