HELP 2012-2013 University Catalog Health Informatics, MS Print-Friendly Page

Banner code: HH-MS-HINF

Unit: Health Administration and Policy 

The Master of Science in Health Informatics is offered through the Department of Health Administration and Policy in the College of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with the Applied Information Technology Program in the Volgenau School of Engineering. Students obtaining this degree will have had the required experience and receive the highly specialized knowledge and skills needed to support the adoption and use of health information systems and analytic applications for a variety of clinical, administrative, and research purposes.

This 34-credit graduate degree program prepares students to become health information systems specialists, 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. Graduates are able to effectively 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. Also, students are familiarized with the newest trends and emerging technologies likely to impact the field in the future.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must hold a BA or BS degree or equivalent from an accredited university or college. Although the field or major is not a criterion for admission, the applicants are expected to have taken basic-level computer science/technology, mathematics, and statistics. An undergraduate grade point average of 3.25 (on a 4.0 scale) or above is preferred.

Applicants must meet the admission standards and application requirements specified in the Admission  chapter of the catalog and must apply using the online Application for Graduate Admission. The application process is competitive, and applications are considered for the fall and spring semesters. For application deadlines and detailed application requirements, please refer to Graduate Application Database.

Furthermore, applicants with at least 1 year of professional work experience in a medical or health-related organization OR 1 year of work experience in information technology in any sector are preferred. The decision for admission will be based upon several factors that may indicate an applicant’s potential for success in graduate studies. Important among them are the undergraduate GPA and work experience.

Transfer of Credit

Students may transfer a maximum of 12 credits into the MS in Health Informatics program from graduate courses taken at other institutions or taken at Mason in nondegree status. Transfer credit is subject to university and college policies and must be approved by the program director and the dean. Students who enroll initially through nondegree studies should seek course advising through the department and should submit their application to the MS program in their first semester of study.