Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics

100% Online Certificate

Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics

Health Informatics is an evolving field of healthcare, combining health and technology. It connects people, technology, and data to better improve data safety and healthcare outcomes. This field covers health data collection, storage, extraction, manipulation, reporting, and communications through a variety of technologies. The study of Health Informatics includes the design, configuration, and management of health information and clinical support systems.

UNE Online’s 12-credit Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics is 100% online and is structured to provide students with the newest health information systems skills and knowledge. Our program builds on each student’s professional experience and prior formal training, giving them a competitive edge in this rapidly growing field.

UNE Online created the infographic shown below to provide key insights on the growth trends, employment opportunities, median salaries and more relevant information to the growing field of Health Informatics.

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Current Application Deadline

April 15, 2024

Summer A Session

Courses begin May 8, 2024

Time Left to Apply:

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Why Choose the University of New England Online?

Fully Online

Fully Online

Courses are delivered fully online, allowing students the flexibility to complete coursework around their schedule.

Flexible Scheduling

Flexible Scheduling

UNE Online offers rolling admissions for the Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics, allowing students to begin in the spring, summer, or fall.

Free HIMSS Membership

Free HIMSS Membership

Our program is approved by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) and students are eligible to join this global health technology network.

“Stackable” Credits

“Stackable” Credits

This certificate can be ‘stacked’ and applied towards a related master’s degree after completion.

Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics

Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics program exit the program with skills in alignment with employer needs, possessing expertise in:

  1. Understanding the effects technology and data have on the American healthcare system.
  2. Maneuvering through the complex system of legal and regulatory compliance that governs the healthcare system.
  3. Utilizing the core concepts of database design applied to manage large amounts of data produced and captured in the healthcare setting.
  4. Recognizing and using the foundational concepts and theories of leadership and management with respect to data-driven business intelligence.
  5. Employing the use of technology and the healthcare quality framework, aiming to improve patient experience of care, health of populations, and reduction of the per capita cost of healthcare.
  6. Applying the range of tools needed to identify, evaluate, select, implement and upgrade technology systems.
  7. Evaluating the ways new and developing healthcare technology trends influence global health outcomes and proposing potential technology-based solutions for increasing these worldwide health outcomes.
  8. Understanding and applying project management tools, concepts, and best practices to oversee the successful implementation of complex projects.

The UNE Online Experience

“I have always had a strong desire to work in healthcare and enjoy helping people. I also wanted to learn more about technology because its presence is everywhere and as a society, we have become dependent upon it. I feel that health informatics offers the best of both worlds.”

Vanda Bhambri

Admissions

Applicants to Health Informatics come from a variety of professional experiences and academic backgrounds. Successful students are characterized by a demonstrated ability to succeed academically and the capacity to persevere when taking on new challenges.

We review applicants in a comprehensive manner, taking into consideration their previous academic coursework, professional experiences, and application materials. 

Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
  • No GRE Required

How to Apply:

Create an Online Portal Account to begin your application. To complete your online application you will need:

  • Current Resume/CV
  • Goal Statement/Essay: 500-1000 words. This statement should describe personal development and future goals; relevant professional experience; interest in graduate study in health informatics; and the capacity to succeed in a distance learning format, i.e., self-motivated, self-starter, comfortable with access to a computer and the internet.
  • Two professional/academic references
  • Official transcripts
  • Apply now for free!

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Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics Curriculum

The Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics consists of 12 credit hours of coursework. All courses are 3-credit, graduate-level courses and are taught in eight-week terms. The Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics is typically completed in two semesters (one course each 8-week term for a total of 8 months). Students may accelerate the time to complete the certificate by taking two courses at a time.

This course introduces students to central health informatics tools, techniques, and concepts used to improve health outcomes through technology. Students explore various healthcare technology platforms, how data is used in healthcare, and how the need for cybersecurity and health data privacy shape the information infrastructure that powers modern healthcare. This course offers students a framework for deeper understanding of many of the concepts explored in subsequent coursework..

The field of health informatics depends on advanced computing systems to collect health data and analytical sophistication to make sense of that data. This course provides students with a solid understanding of the computer science that undergirds the entire field, exploring the design and implementation of database systems and technology applications, data communications, and systems analysis. Students will learn to identify current and emerging information technologies that may have strategic value for enterprise solutions, assess where those technologies may have strategic value, and explore methods for implementing those technologies in their organizations.

This course explores the dynamic between healthcare delivery and leveraging data for enhanced patient outcomes. Given an increased scrutiny on empirical value-based care metrics for payer reimbursement, the strategic use of data will be key in new continuum of care models. Students will complete this course with a solid understanding of healthcare quality standards, the regulations around those standards, and how they are affected by the use of technology and data analysis. Key themes will include quality improvement methodologies, measuring and interpreting quality data, strategies to increase healthcare process reliability.

This course provides an overview of the history, challenges, and opportunities facing healthcare administrators today. Topics will include the ongoing transition from a pay-for-services model of healthcare delivery to accountable care networks, emerging public health and healthcare partnerships, and the need for analytics that can address the particular characteristics of big health data.

 

Stackability Opportunity for Master of Healthcare Administration Degree – Graduates of this certificate can apply the credits earned toward a Master of Healthcare Administration Degree.

Transfer Credit Policy – Students may transfer one 3-credit course into the Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics program. This course must be a graduate-level course taken within five years of application, passed with a grade of “B” or better and an equivalent to one of the required program or elective course options for Health Informatics. To transfer the credits, a student must provide an official transcript and the course syllabus.

Tuition and Fees

Program cost for The University of New England Online’s Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics degree is $830 per credit,* and because all of our courses are delivered 100% online, you will not incur the cost of traveling or relocating to complete your degree. (*Note: Tuition is subject to change. Listed tuition does not include the cost of fees, books, or additional credits that may be required, etc. Contact Student Financial Services to learn more.)

Cost per
Credit: $830

# of Credits: 12

Typical Cost: $9,960

 

General Services Fee (per semester, non-refundable for matriculated students)
$80
Tuition (per credit hour)
$830
Technology Fee (per semester)
$160
Registration Fee (non-matriculated students per semester)
$30

Accreditation

When choosing an institution of higher education, you want to be sure your investment will hold value upon completion. We are proud to hold NECHE (New England Commission on Higher Education) accreditation at the University of New England and for our graduate programs. NECHE Accreditation ensures a high level of academic quality and public accountability for the education being provided.

HIMSS Approved Education Partner

The University of New England is proud to join an exclusive group of organizations authorized to offer HIMSS-approved healthcare education and training programs. In earning the designation, UNE has demonstrated educational development that meets rigorous standards of quality established by HIMSS and prepares students for advanced learning of healthcare principles.

Faculty

The University of New England Online’s Health Informatics faculty and staff is a growing team of scholars and clinicians. Most hold advanced clinical certifications representing a variety of specialty training areas. Their goal is to prepare you to be a well-qualified health informatics practitioner and leader with in-depth knowledge of informatics and insight into data-driven management techniques. Meet the Faculty

 

Student Support & Resources

At the University of New England Online, we are committed to providing our students with the highest level of academic and personal support. We understand the unique challenge of adult students who are often juggling school, career and family, which is why we offer a robust Student Academic Success Center (SASC) and high-touch academic advising. Learn more about Student Support and Resources.  

FAQ

Admissions

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, six times per year for our Health Informatics graduate programs. Contact an Enrollment Counselor for program and enrollment information: (866) 722-5096 or informatics@une.edu

Applications are reviewed holistically as a determination of academic readiness. The admissions committee values previous academic performance as indicated on transcripts and considers it as part of the review process.

 

Registration

The online Health Informatics program offers six terms of enrollment per year. Each term consists of two 8-week sessions. Students are eligible to take more than one course per session for accelerated learning.

Students taking one course per 8-week session are considered full time students, and eligible to receive financial aid.

No. The Health Informatics program is completed 100% online in an asynchronous format with no campus visits required. Students are welcome to visit campus and we offer all on-campus resources to online students.

Yes. Students can choose to earn a Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics and/or a Graduate Certificate in Health Data Analytics. They are offered completely online with no on-campus requirements. The Graduate Certificates can also be applied towards the Master of Science in Health Informatics or the Master of Healthcare Administration at a later date.

Students must successfully complete 12 credit hours and all required courses in order to earn the Graduate Certificate. You can complete the certificate program in as little as 8 months.

Students applying to the Graduate Certificate program must have an undergraduate degree or above from a regionally accredited college or university.

 

Student Support

Our motto is “A successful student is a supported student.” And we take that to heart. Upon entering the program, you will be assigned a dedicated Student Support Specialist to provide you with support and to answer any questions you may have.

Your Support Specialist is your on-the-ground advocate at the University – from questions on textbooks, to registration, to financial aid and more, they are there to help you make your academic journey successful. And of course, this dedicated support is provided in addition to the tremendous support you will receive from program staff, your academic advisor, course instructors and fellow classmates.

The Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics program uses the Brightspace D2L Learning Management System.

 

Accreditation

Yes, the University of New England is regionally accredited, the most prestigious and widely-recognized type of accreditation, by the New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE). To learn more, please see www.une.edu/accreditation/.

Additionally, The University of New England is a proud HIMSS Approved Education Partner. This designation demonstrates our commitment to delivering world-class, effective healthcare education and authorizes UNE to prepare students for advanced knowledge in healthcare, including earning the CAHIMS or CPHIMS certification.

 

Financial Information

Tuition information for the Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics can be found in the tuition costs section.

More than 90% of our students receive some form of financial aid. Please visit our financial aid page for more information.