The purpose of the degree is to provide students with a graduate education to advance careers as leaders and innovators in health informatics. The program combines healthcare, medical and information technology domains, and places particular emphasis on the interdisciplinary collaboration between these fields. We prepare health informatics professionals with knowledge of healthcare industry and technology solutions, in conjunction with practical skills needed in this dynamically evolving field. The program's goal is to prepare graduates to be able to effectively analyze complex health data, manage evolving health information systems (ranging from evaluation of information needs to design, development, acquisition, implementation, operation and improvement) and support the increased adoption and use of electronic health records.
This 30-36 credit graduate degree program prepares students to become health information systems specialists, health data analysts, health care managers and consultants. Graduates of the program may be employed in health information technology firms, health care/service organizations and their business partners, as well as public health entities. Students learn about emerging technologies likely to impact delivery of health services in the future. The program provides a basis for students who wish to continue their education toward a doctoral degree in health informatics or a related field. The program consists of three concentrations: Health Data Analytics, Health Informatics Management and Population Health Informatics.
The MS in Health Informatics degree is offered via a regular on-campus or premium priced all-online delivery format. The curriculum in both programs is the same, but students must matriculate through only one pathway. Separate application processes are used for online and on-campus programs. Most courses in the on-campus program are taught in the evening at Mason's Fairfax Campus, with some courses available in hybrid or online formats. On-campus students can complete their degree at their own pace provided that they do so within six years of starting the program. The online premium-priced program is offered in a flexible, compressed schedule online format. In the all-online program, courses are taken one at a time, in an accelerated 8-week format, and follow a prescribed sequence.
Concentrations
The Health Data Analytics Concentration provides students with deep understanding of health data, analytic methods, and data mining, as well as data science skills applied to clinical, administrative and consumer-generated health data.
The Health Information Management Concentration provides students with knowledge and skills needed to manage evolving health information systems (ranging from evaluation of information needs to design, development, acquisition, implementation, operation and improvement) and support the increased adoption and use of electronic health records.
The Population Health Informatics Concentration provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to collect, analyze, and manage population-level data and understand electronic tools used in public and population health. It involves knowledge of organizations and individuals within a community and is viewed as a promising model to improve health outcomes and reduce cost. The concentration combines an understanding of public health concepts with hands-on data training.
The Quality Informatics Concentration prepares analysts who would work on quality of care, using electronic health records. In the recent decade, the data in electronic health records has become uniformly available. Analytical methods for measuring severity of illness in these electronic records have been clarified. Government agencies now use statistical process control tools to routinely report changes in quality of care across health care organizations. Recently, new analytical methods have been designed to conduct root cause analysis. The health care industry, specially Health Management Organizations (HMOs) and Hospitals are looking for analysts that understand health care concepts (insurance, severity of illness, case mix adjustments, etc.) and can analyze massive data available through electronic health records.