Online Health Informatics Programs: Comparing Top Schools
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Editorial Senior Care Dementia CareA degree in health informatics can open doors to a wide range of careers in healthcare. Learn how each degree level compares, read FAQs from real-life students, see admissions and accreditation info, and review some of today’s best online programs in the field.
How Nurses Recommend Finding the Right Health Informatics Degree
Health informatics sits at the intersection of healthcare and technology, and the programs in this guide are all well-suited to that increasingly important space. Which one is right for you depends on your background, whether you’re coming from healthcare or IT, and what you want to do with the degree. Our experts share what they’d consider when narrowing down the options.
Balance Tech and Human Factors
The hardest part about implementing a new EMR system or new devices on the floor isn’t the technology. Getting clinicians to trust the tech is where the difficulty lies. As a nurse, I’ve seen this play out time and time again. Programs that treat informatics as purely a tech discipline tend to produce graduates who struggle to bridge that gap, so I recommend one that puts equal emphasis on the human and organizational aspects.
Healthcare Tech Demand Is Growing
The demand for people who understand both healthcare and technology is only growing. If you’re already working in healthcare and have been thinking about this field, the timing has never been better.
Profiling Online Health Informatics Programs
Health informatics is especially well-suited to online learning, making it an affordable and convenient road into the healthcare field. Many programs lead to a Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics and typically take about four years to complete. If you already have transfer credits or an associate degree, you may be able to finish in closer to two years.
Because coursework is often delivered asynchronously, online programs are ideal for students balancing work, family, or other commitments. Here’s what you can generally expect from an online health informatics program:
- Degree outcome: Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics
- Typical timeline: About 4 years, or 2 years with transfer credits
- Flexible format: Fully online with asynchronous coursework
- Core curriculum: Topics like healthcare data management, electronic health records (EHRs), data analytics, and healthcare systems
- Admissions requirements: High school diploma or equivalent; transfer credits may accelerate completion
To help you compare options, we’ve highlighted two accredited programs below, including key details on program length, admission requirements, and curriculum.
Liberty University
Liberty University offers many online programs, including the B.S. in Informatics – Health Informatics. This 120-credit program allows for up to 75% of the coursework to be transferred in from other schools – a dream come true for transfer students. Throughout the program, students will become well-versed in topics including:
- Medical and pharmacology terminology
- Medication administration
- Medical coding
Features:
- Can be completed in 3.5 years
- Asynchronous course offerings; eight-week-long courses delivered 100% online
- Eight start dates throughout the year
- Optional internship offered by the School of Business
Coursework:
- Foundations of Pharmacology
- Healthcare Informatics
- Healthcare Coding and Classification
- Healthcare Enterprise Systems
Student assistance: Liberty University offers even more support through a variety of resources, including webinars, supplemental instruction, an IT helpdesk, and much more.
King University Online
The B.S. in Health Informatics at King University Online is designed for those who want to complete their degree after earning credits at community college or a four-year school.
Features:
- Major coursework can be completed within 16 months, for a total of 124 semester hours
- Each in-depth course is five weeks along, and is taken one at a time
- Students must complete 38 hours of general education courses, another 38 hours of electives, and 48 hours of major requirements
Admission requirements:
- Completion of at least 45 semester credits at another institution
- At least a 2.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Official transcripts from previous schools
- High school self-certification form
- Proof of English proficiency
Coursework:
- Introduction to Healthcare Organization and Policy
- Management of Quality Improvement and Outcomes
- Database Management
- Cloud Computing
- Current Topics in Health Informatics
Financial aid: With generous scholarships and help for military families, those who choose to complete their degree at King University Online can look forward to financial assistance if they have trouble meeting the tuition and fees.
FAQs About Online Health Informatics Programs
Is a health informatics degree online the right choice for you? To answer that question, let’s delve into the answers to a few others asked by students thinking about applying. This section aims to help you understand what the program actually provides and what to expect from the online aspect.
What do you learn in an online health informatics program?
Health informatics focuses on healthcare, but it is a job within the information technology field. Therefore, graduates will learn a wealth of information on technology basics, such as:
- Database management
- Cloud computing
- Project management
- Cybersecurity
They will also learn about parts of the medical world that will hold them in good stead as they work in the field, including:
- Medical terminology
- Medical coding
- Electronic health records
Students will also learn numerous skills that can help them in the course of their career, such as the ability to work on projects independently, excellent communication skills through a variety of means, a deep understanding of databases and how to use them, and a firm grasp of health information issues and how to overcome those or solve problems as they arise.
How much of the program is delivered online?
Health informatics deals with subject matter that easily translates to online learning. Given that, it’s not unusual to find a health informatics online program that delivers 100% of coursework through virtual means.
However, some schools do require students to make brief campus visits, often at the start of the program, to orient themselves to the subject matter while meeting with professors and peers.
Programs often provide flexibility in various ways including:
- Enrollment: Allowing students to enroll full-time or part-time
- Course of study; Offering only one course at a time, thus ensuring a student can focus fully on the subject matter
- Class formats: Offering entirely flexible, asynchronous learning (students can study when and where they want)
- Remote learning: Including virtual course components for synchronous learning (students “meet” through video chat or message boards on a set schedule)
It’s important to look at every aspect of the online program to determine whether what the school and program demands fits in with your busy schedule and career goals.
Understanding Health Informatics Degree Levels
Health informatics is a broad field with room for many professionals of varying backgrounds. An associate degree is a good start, but there is space for those who have the bachelor’s, master’s, certificate, or even a PhD in the field. Let’s take a look at the options.
Online Associate in Health Informatics
The associate degree in health informatics will focus on either the general education requirements, serving as a stepping stone to the bachelor’s degree, or will focus on more detailed, practical education in the healthcare and health informatics field, with the goal of moving students into the workforce upon graduation.
Found at most community colleges, this associate degree can be found across the nation, and is often available fully online. Graduates of the applied science associate degree can graduate with a firm working knowledge of health informatics, including everything from handling insurance claims to working with dictated patient records.
- Best for… those who know they want to work in health informatics or a related field and want to get the prerequisites out of the way; or those who want to move into entry-level work as quickly as possible.
Program Requirements
- Total credits: 64 (estimated)
- High school diploma
Time to Completion
- Full-time: 2 years
- Part-time: 3-4 years
Online Bachelor’s in Health Informatics
This program is available both as a full-fledged bachelor’s degree and as a completion degree for those who have already earned credits in a related field. The strong focus on the information technology field prepares students to work in the IT departments of hospitals, healthcare systems and the like.
The program has a focus on technology but graduates are also well-versed in important points of healthcare, such as medical terminology, electronic health records, and more. A bachelor’s degree or higher is preferred by many IT departments looking to hire.
- Best for… those who want to move into a job with a healthcare system, hospital, or other area where in-depth information technology prowess is necessary.
Program Requirements
- 120 credits (estimated)
- General math and science courses
Time to Complete
- Full-time: 4 years
- Part-time: 6 years
Read more about online bachelor’s programs in health informatics.
Online Graduate Certificates in Health Informatics
This common certificate is designed for those who have already earned either a bachelor’s or master’s degree in information technology and need further education in the healthcare aspect, or those who have worked in the healthcare field but need more experience on the IT side.
Either way, this program usually consists of six to eight courses, all taken over the span of a year or two, with a focus on electronic health records, health data management, data analysis, and healthcare informatics.
- Best for… Those who already have some experience in the nursing or medical field, or those who have a firm grasp of IT and want to work in a healthcare setting.
Program Requirements
- 12-16 credits
- Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree (depending on program)
Time to Completion
- Full-time: 1 year
- Part-time: 2 years
Online Master’s in Health Informatics
This graduate degree prepares students to move into higher levels of responsibility in the IT world, specifically with more in-depth knowledge of health informatics. Created for working professionals, this degree is almost always entirely online.
In addition to more technical information learned concerning health records and health data, students take courses that focus on the managerial aspect, education, research, and other points that allow them to move into a variety of jobs that focus on IT and health.
- Best for… those who already have their bachelor’s degree and want to open doors to advanced responsibilities and potentially higher pay.
Program Requirements
- 30-45 credits
- Bachelor’s Degree
Time to Complete
- Full-time: 1-2 years
- Part-time: 2-3 years
Get detailed information about online master’s in health informatics with EduMed.
Online PhD in Health Informatics
Those who seek out this terminal degree often do so with the hope of moving into research or academia. To that end, the program will have a heavy focus on research methodologies, data analysis, problem-solving, and new ways of approaching established routines and topics.
Upon graduation, students should be prepared to move into advanced research roles in hospital systems, colleges and universities, think tanks, and more. They can also be prepared to move into academia and serve as a professor in a college or university.
- Best for… those who want to advance their career with a focus on academia or in-depth research positions.
Program Requirements
- 60-72 credits
- Several years of experience in the field
- Master’s degree in the field
Time to Complete
- Full-time: 3-6 years
- Part-time: 4-8 years
Accreditation for Online Health Informatics Degrees
Accreditation is key to securing financial aid and future employment opportunities. For most post-secondary schools, there are two types of accreditation:
- Institutional accreditation (sometimes known as regional): confirms the school as a whole meets certain quality standards
- Programmatic accreditation: focuses on a particular program
For health informatics online degree programs, the accrediting body is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). Not all online bachelor’s degree programs will have accreditation from CAHIIM, but they may still be a viable option for enrollment.
If a program is not accredited, make sure that the school itself has at least institutional or regional accreditation, which will help ensure your program meets certain quality standards.
How to Pay for Your Degree in Health Informatics Online
Before leaping into enrollment, make sure you can pay for your education in an online health informatics program. There’s no point in starting a degree if you won’t be able to finish it due to financial reasons. While reviewing a school’s tuition might produce sticker shock, keep in mind there are a number of sources designed to make that bottom line a bit easier to bear.
Scholarships
Scholarships are a preferred option because they don’t need to be paid back. You can find them online at scholarship databases, health informatics associations, or other health care professional organizations.
Some scholarships are school-specific and can be found at the school’s financial aid pages. Each scholarship will have its own deadline, so apply accordingly. To learn more about scholarships, check out our scholarship page.
Financial Aid
When someone says “financial aid,” most think of loans that must be paid back. Depending on where you get your loan, you may be eligible for generous terms like delayed repayment and low interest rates.
The best way to apply for financial aid is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA. This allows you to apply for not just federal student aid, but for aid from state and private sources as well.
To discover more about financial aid options, go to our financial aid page.
Employer Tuition Reimbursement
If you’re already working in the field, your employer might offer perks if you go back to school to improve your knowledge and skillset. In tuition reimbursement programs, employers will pay for some or all of your tuition.
However, the catch is that you will often have to promise to continue working for the employer for a minimum number of years after graduation.
Grants
Grants are similar to scholarships in that they don’t need to be paid back. They’re usually given primarily based on financial need rather than personal achievement or academic merit. Grants can often be found at the same places you can find scholarships.
To be sure you qualify for everything you’re entitled to in federal and state loans, always fill out the FAFSA as early in the year as possible.
What You Can Do with a Health Informatics Degree
Health informatics is a popular field, but finding information on salary potential and job growth can be rather difficult. This is because these positions, while in healthcare, are often grouped with general IT careers. For instance, a computer systems analyst does exactly what a nurse informaticist does.
When looking at job growth in those fields, we find that they exceed the average growth of all jobs across the nation, in some cases by quite a bit. Graduates often find themselves working a variety of jobs that might not be called “health informatics.” Let’s take a look at a few of them.
Programs that might interest you:
Degree Focus: Online Bachelor’s Programs in Health Informatics
Before you leap into the application process, take some time to look over the information provided by the school on the health informatics program. Understand the curriculum and what it entails. Other tasks include:
- Looking at the courses you can expect to take
- Reading through the descriptions to ensure you know what you’re getting into
- Exploring the online components of coursework
- Researching if there are any campus visit expectations
Remember, the best decision you can possibly make is a well-informed one, so take your time getting to know your potential school and program. Here are a few places to begin for those of you considering a bachelor’s degree.
What do you study in an online health informatics bachelor’s program?
Though every school will approach their online health informatics program differently, there will be some elements that remain the same. One of those elements is the core courses a student will take to prepare them for moving into the professional field or serve as a foundation for graduate study. Here are some of the courses you can expect from the bachelor’s program.
Project Management
Students learn to create, convey, and follow a project management plan, specifically with health IT components. The processes of creating the plan will be discussed, as well as the communication necessary to get a team on board with the direction of the project.
Electronic Health Records
Sometimes known as EHR Programming or EHR Maintenance, this course focuses on the use of electronic health records in a health organization, including how to configure them, use them, and keep them secure. Students will learn about the different types of EHRs, the background of how they were created, and the tools to make their own changes and updates.
Topics in Health Informatics
Also known as Current Events in Health Informatics, this course focuses on the issues in the field today, how to solve them, new ideas for changing the field and making it better, and the ethical and legal dilemmas individuals in the field might face in the coming years.
Intro to Health Organizations
Known under a variety of names, such as Health Organization Policy or Introduction to Healthcare Policies, this is the foundation course for those in health informatics. Packed with information on how health organization work and how the technology world fits into that, this course provides students with a strong overview of what to expect from their role in the health informatics field.
These courses also teach key skills, all of which hold you in good stead in a future career. Here are a few of the skills honed during the rigors of the health informatics online program:
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Critical thinking
- Data analysis
- Technical prowess
What are common admissions requirements for health informatics bachelor’s degrees?
ugh each school has their own admissions policy and will require a variety of different parts to the application, there are some general standards that exist among all schools offering the health informatics bachelor’s degree. These often include:
- Transcripts from all other schools attended
- An essay or personal statement
- A minimum GPA requirement for all previous coursework
- Letters of recommendation
- A completed application, and the application fee
It might be possible to get more attention from the admissions committee with proof of work experience in the field (or a related field), volunteer work that showcases an interest in healthcare, or extracurricular activities in high school and other colleges that make it clear your interest in health informatics is not a passing fad.
What will an online bachelor’s in health informatics cost?
When deciding on a health informatics online degree program in health informatics, it’s important to look at not just the tuition, but total cost of attendance. The total cost of attendance will factor in fees, financial aid, course load and state of residency.
Remember, residency can be important even for online programs, as the cost per credit hour can vary depending on whether you’re an in-state or out-of-state student.
However, no matter the final cost, it all starts with tuition. To give you an idea of what you can expect to pay for your online health informatics education, we collected the following tuition rates:
University of Central Florida
- Degree: Bachelor of Science
- Program name: Online Health Informatics and Information Management
- Total credits: 120
- Total cost: $179.19/credit (in-state). $715.80/credit (out-of-state)
East Carolina University
- Degree: Bachelor of Science
- Program name: Health Information Management
- Total credits: 120
- Total cost: $150.40/credit (in-state). $700.30/credit (out-of-state)
University of Wisconsin
- Degree: Bachelor of Science
- Program name: Health Information Management & Technology
- Total credits: 61
- Total cost: $440/credit
Health Informatics Degree & Career Resources
There are many organizations for health informatics professionals that serve to keep their members up to date on the latest technological advances in the field. As an aspiring health informatics student, you may want to take a look below at what these professional organizations have to offer in terms of scholarships, networking opportunities, and continuing education.
Professional Health Informatics Organizations
Professional health informatics organizations can help you stay current on advancements in the industry, create connections with like-minded professionals, or help up-and-coming individuals learn more about what health informatics is all about. The following is a list of some of the more prominent organizations in the field.
- Alliance for Nursing Informatics (ANI): Made up of more than 20,000 nurse informaticists, the ANI helps various informatics and health care groups work together to improve all aspects of nurse informatics through a unified voice of professionals.
- American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA): When it comes to health care information management, AHIMA is the leading organization. AHIMA’s mission is to advance health care by better management of health records.
- American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA): The AMIA is comprised of members of the academic, research, and clinical fields with the singular goal of improving how health care decisions can be made by the collection, analysis, and implementation of data.
- American Nursing Informatics Association (ANIA): ANIA’s mission is to promote and advance informatics within the nursing field through education, clinical practice, and research.
- Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS): HIMSS devotes itself to improving health care through the understanding and implementation of information science and technological advancements.
- International Medical Informatics Association (IMIA): The IMIA represents health informatics professionals across the globe, including those from the World Health Organization, governmental agencies, and other international health organizations.
- National Association of Health Data Organizations (NAHDO): A non-profit organization intended to advance the use of health care data use and collection.
- Public Health Informatics Institute: This organization is part of The Task Force for Global Health, an affiliate of Emory University. It works to solidify the standing of informatics within the public health realm.
Resources for Health Informatics Students & Professionals
If you’re still in school or have just graduated from an online health informatics program, you must be excited to make use of your degree. But you still have a lot to learn. Luckily, there are plenty of resources available to help you do just that.
- Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM): CAHIIM is the leading accrediting organization for health information and informatics education programs.
- Health Informatics Forum: This online community serves both informatics students and professionals from all over the world by providing various resources, including free online courses and a discussion forum.
- Health IT Buzz: Run by The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, this blog helps health information professionals stay current on industry developments.
- Health Level Seven International (HL7): As a non-profit organization, HL7 helps create standards for all aspects of electronic health information, including management and clinical implementation.
- Healthcare Innovation: Serves as a portal to online periodicals concerning technology’s influence on the future of health care services.
- Informatics Professor: This popular blog is maintained by Dr. William Hersh; it offers a place to hear his thoughts on biomedical and health informatics topics.
- International Conference on Health Informatics: An annual conference for health informatics clinicians and professionals to meet and share developments in health care information and communication technologies.
- Journal of Pathology Informatics: When it comes to the pathology informatics subspecialty, this peer-reviewed journal is an excellent source of research information.
- National Information Center on Health Services Research and Health Care Technology (NICHSR): The NICHSR created Health Services Research Information Central, a database of key health care publications on many different subjects, including informatics.
- Public Health Informatics Fellowship Program: This program is conducted with the help of the CDC to provide real-world training opportunities for technology professionals to apply their expertise to informatics needs.
