Health Informatics (M.S., Certificate)

Applicants to the health informatics M.S. program must have earned:

• B.A. or B.S. in a life science, health science, computer science or information technology with a GPA of 2.75 or higher; or 
• The health informatics certificate from Hood College (or demonstrating sufficient progress toward the certificate) with a GPA of 3.0 or higher; or  
• M.A. or M.S in a health, computer science or information technology-related field with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. 
• Personal Statement of Intent (250 words): How will learning health informatics help you achieve your future goals? 
• Please respond to one of the following prompts (no more than 600 words) to guide your placement in the appropriate foundational courses: 
  • From your perspective in computer, health or information sciences, what are the main challenges and opportunities for health informatics in the era of big data and artificial intelligence? How can health informatics leverage these technologies to enhance healthcare delivery and innovation? 
  • If your background does not include health, computer science or information technology, describe the education and experiences that have prepared you to study health informatics. 

The 30-credit M.S. in health informatics includes a 3-credit capstone project. All of the classes are taught in the evening or online by experts in the field, who interact personally with their students. The degree includes a required “gateway” foundational course that differs according to the student’s background in either biology or computer science.

Foundation Courses

The foundation coursework represents background knowledge and skills necessary for successful completion of degree requirements. The foundation course may be waived by the program director, based upon an analysis of the student’s previous work. A student holding a baccalaureate degree in computer science will normally be granted exemption from, but not receive graduate credit for, the foundation course. Any foundation course required is in addition to the 30 credits required for program completion.

If exemption is not granted, students must complete one of the following foundation courses:

Core Requirements

Students in the health informatics M.S. program must complete the following core requirements:

Electives

Students in the health informatics M.S. program must complete an additional 9 credits of electives:

Applicants to the health informatics certificate program must have earned: 

• B.A. or B.S. in a life science, health science, computer science or information technology with a GPA of 2.75 or higher; or 
• M.A. or M.S in a health, computer science or information technology-related field with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. 
• Personal Statement of Intent (250 words): How will learning health informatics help you achieve your future goals? 
• Please respond to one of the following prompts (no more than 600 words) to guide your placement in the appropriate foundational courses: 
  •  From your perspective in computer, health or information sciences, what are the main challenges and opportunities for health informatics in the era of big data and artificial intelligence? How can health informatics leverage these technologies to enhance healthcare delivery and innovation? 
  • If your background does not include health, computer science or information technology, describe the education and experiences that have prepared you to study health informatics.

Application Requirements 

An information technology or healthcare background is not required but is a plus on admission. Students with a relevant information technology or healthcare background are encouraged to apply and discuss possible course waivers and substitutions with their assigned adviser. 

Students planning to change their careers are encouraged to contact a health informatics adviser to discuss the program and its requirements. For these students, it is also particularly important to describe in the goals statement how they envision themselves in the health informatics field. 

Foundation Course

The foundation coursework represents background knowledge and skills necessary for successful completion of degree requirements. The foundation course may be waived by the program director, based upon an analysis of the student’s previous work. A student holding a baccalaureate degree in computer science will normally be granted exemption from but not receive graduate credit for the foundation course. Any foundation course required is in addition to the 12 credits required for program completion.

If exemption is not granted, students must complete one of the following foundation courses:

Core Courses

Students in the health informatics certificate program must complete the following core requirements:

*ITMG 516 cannot be applied to the health informatics M.S. program; however, the nine other credits earned in the certificate are applicable toward the M.S.