Health Informatics
MHI
Why study Health Informatics?
The University of Cincinnati's Online Master of Health Informatics program is a multifaceted program firmly established at the intersection of information technology and health. Graduates from this program are well prepared to improve patient care, quality, efficiency, safety, and population health using information technology and systems, data and artificial intelligence. Integrated into the operations of all modern health care organizations, health informatics practice includes the people, processes, technology, and systems required to acquire, store, retrieve, optimize, and use health information.
Health informatics is a natural transition for those in health professions such as nursing, allied health, health information management, medicine, public health, pharmacy, and clinical research, among others. It is a good fit for those looking to enter tech-savvy, data, and technology-focused occupations in the context of healthcare. Some professions that could thrive in the realm of health informatics include systems analysts, software developers, data analysts, information scientists, programmers, system administrators, and information security analysts.
Admission Requirements
The Master of Health Informatics program does not require any healthcare or IT experience.
Prerequisites:
- Bachelor's degree in any field from an accredited institution
- GPA of 3.0 or higher in a bachelor's program, however, conditional admission may be considered for:
- A borderline GPA supported by evidence to be successful in our program
- Strong performance in a relevant completed graduate program or the MHI post-graduate offerings
- Submit all supplemental application materials (listed below) prior to the application deadline.
The Master's of Health Informatics at the University of Cincinnati is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Information (CAHIIM). The accredidtation has been reaffirmed until 2029. All inquiries about the program’s accreditation status should be directed by mail to CAHIIM, 200 East Randolph Street, Suite 5100, Chicago, IL, 60601; by phone at (312) 235-3255; or by email at info@cahiim.org.
Student Outcomes:
- Graduation Rate 2024-2025: 40%
- Employment Rate 2024-2025: 85%
- Retention Rate 2024-2025: 93%
Program Application Rates and Time-Degree:
- In 2022-2023, the MHI program accepted 66 applicants and 40 (60%) of those accepted enrolled in the program.
- In 2023-2024, the MHI program accepted 97 applicants and 47 (47%) of those accepted enrolled in the program.
- In 2024-2025, the MHI program accepted 74 applicants and 49 (66%) of those accepted enrolled in the program.
- The average time to degree completion for the last 2 years was six to seven semesters (24-28 months).
Transcripts
- Student will upload unofficial transcripts (from all colleges or universities attended)
- Official transcripts are not required until an offer of admission has been accepted
Transfer Policy
If you are considering transferring courses to the MHI graduate program, please inform the advisor you are working with.
Transfer Credit Policy for Graduate Courses (taken outside of UC)
- A maximum of six credits can be awarded through advanced standing (transfers, for example).
- Any graduate course credits, including those earned from previous degrees, are eligible as advanced standing credits.
- Advanced standing is only offered for courses currently listed in e-curriculum. Contact the program for more detail.
- Program faculty will evaluate graduate courses taken at a recognized institution for equivalence or comparability.
- Credits will be awarded based on original credits earned; or credits as listed in e-curriculum (whichever is lower).
- 1:1 course equivalency will be awarded based on the following criteria (when compared to UC course)*:
- course was taken in the same field with the same title
- course had similar topics and learning outcomes
- course readings, assignment and assessment requirements were similar
- *evaluation process will be fully documented for each case in which it is applied
- Credit recommended by faculty requires final review and approval of Program Director and the Graduate School.
- Students seeking to transfer graduate credits must complete a petition form (obtained from the program) and provide a syllabus for each requested course. Official transcripts must also be sent to the UC Graduate School. Only courses taken in the last five years with a final grade of “A” or “B” will be considered (up to a maximum of six credits).
Transfer Credit for Graduate Courses Taken at UC
1. All UC graduate credits taken as part of an incomplete degree program are eligible for transfer based on faculty evaluation of course equivalence and final program approval. This same policy also applies to incomplete graduate certificate programs.
2. When a non-matriculated student enters a graduate degree program at UC, credits are eligible for transfer if the coursework is listed in e-curriculum as part of the degree requirements (up to a maximum of six credits).
3. Students are required to upload unofficial transcripts from all college or universities attended; official transcripts are not required until an offer of admission has been accepted.
Letter of Intent
- Two-page (double-spaced) or one-page (single-spaced) narrative summarizing the following:
- What motivated you to pursue a graduate degree in Health Informatics?
- Why are you interested in applying to the UC’s MHI program?
- What are your short and long-term goals? How will this degree help you attain those goals?
Please treat this as a written interview – explain any inconsistencies in your resume, transcripts, etc.
Two Letters of Recommendation
- Please submit the full name and email address for each individual who will be completing this form on your behalf. Once they complete the official recommendation form (sent to them directly), it will become a part of your application. Recommendation letters submitted by the student will not be accepted.
- The letters must be on professional letterhead from someone who is, or has been, in a position to evaluate your work for at least one year in an academic or professional setting (i.e. current or former employers, supervisors/managers, professors, mentors, etc.). Personal recommendations will not be accepted.
- The letters should be thoughtful and substantive. They should speak specifically to personal knowledge of your academic potential, relevant qualities, intellectual ability, character, determination, professional and community achievement(s), and your potential contribution to the community with this degree.
Current Resume/CV
- Education (incl. continuing education, professional development, etc.) and dates of attendance
- Employment/career experience, history and timeline
- Achievements including publications, honors, etc. including dates received
- Academic, community and/or professional involvement
International Admissions
- Program can be completed from abroad (no student visa for distance learning)
- Minimum score requirements for the following:
- Duolingo: 110
- PTE: 54
- TOEFL: 80 (waiver applies to certain English-speaking countries)
- IELTS: 6.5
- Submit transcripts for evaluation to an agency recognized by NACES
- Letter grade (A, B or C) and total credit hours for each course
- Students with a degree from a Chinese institution will receive further instruction
Fast Track Admission
Automatic admission into the Master of Health Informatics program for undergraduate students who graduate from UC (beginning Fall 2023).
Requirements:
- Cumulative GPA of 3.70 or above (for courses completed at UC).
- Earned 4-year undergraduate degree from UC.
- Any major applies.
- Must still complete the application, but if the student meets the above requirements they will be automatically admitted to the program.
- Letters of recommendation will be fulfilled with generic letter for pre-qualified students.
Health Informatics Industry Outlook
The health informatics industry has changed drastically in recent years, particularly due to the advent of artificial intelligence (AI), changes to how care is personalized, and a growing need to keep healthcare data safe.
In an effort to improve patient outcomes while controlling healthcare costs, demand for skills with new healthcare technologies has never been greater. As artificial intelligence (AI) increasingly supports the way that healthcare providers manage and interpret data, it will be important for health informatics professionals to upskill in this critical area. The need for greater security of healthcare data is also an ongoing challenge and AI is expected to aid in making the ways that patients and providers access data even more secure. The use of AI tools in healthcare settings is expected to greatly increase over the next five years and individuals with the proper skills will be at the forefront of improving patient outcomes and identifying emerging trends in the broader scope of public health.
Potential careers include those in computer science, information technology, clinical healthcare, data analytics, decision sciences, information systems, database management, organizational leadership and other key areas. Graduates of UC’s MHI program are serving in a variety of high-level management and leadership roles in hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, government agencies, and more thanks to the program's forward focus on emerging technologies such as AI. As technological innovations continue to transform the healthcare industry, career opportunities will continue to expand for those with the right experience and training.
Healthcare
UC’s online Master of Health Informatics program equips students with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to advance the future of healthcare. Focused study of informatics can be an advantage to anyone with experience in:
- Allied Health
- Clinical Care
- Dentistry
- Health Information Management
- Healthcare Law & Policy
- Medical Research
- Medicine
- Nursing
- Occupational Therapy
- Pharmacy
- Public Health
- Medical Lab Sciences
- Medical Imaging
IT/Business
UC’s online Master of Health Informatics degree blends vital healthcare concepts with the study of analytics, management and information technology. There is a very strong job market for these skills and those that want to have a greater impact in the healthcare industry. These roles include:
- Application Specialists
- Data Quality Managers
- Database Managers
- Consultants
- Data Analysts
- IT Coordinators
- Project Managers
- Analysts
- Database Administrators
- Systems Analysts
Focused study of informatics can be an advantage to anyone with experience in:
- Allied health
- Clinical care
- Dentistry
- Health information management
- Health care law and policy
- Medical research
- Medicine
- Nursing
- Occupational therapy
- Pharmacy
- Public health
- Medical lab sciences
- Medical imaging
There is a strong job market for IT and business professionals who want to have greater impact in their current roles or start in Healthcare roles, which may include:
- Application specialists
- Chief Medical Information Officer
- Chief Nursing Informatics Officer
- Chief Clinical Informatics Officer
- Data quality managers
- Database managers
- Consultants
- IT coordinators
- Project managers
- Analysts
- Database administrators
- Systems analysts
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The University of Cincinnati has online enrollment services advisors (ESAs) available to help learners complete their application and get started in the Online Master of Health Informatics program. If you have not already, please use the request information form above to be connected to an ESA today!
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Upon starting the program, a dedicated student success coordinator (SSC) will be assigned to all learners to help them achieve their academic goals. You will be introduced to your SSC as your first semester approaches, and they will be your primary liaison to the university all the way through graduation.
- Accelerated - Graduate in as little as two years with the part-time option.
- Balance - Pursue an education with online didactic courses.
- Opportunity - Build your career in health data science by learning from faculty who are at the forefront of industry trends in artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and digital health.
- Experience - Interact with faculty experienced in health informatics, business, and related disciplines as well as expert preceptors mentoring students in the field experiential practicum course.
- Additional Learning Options: The MHI program offers certificate programs in Health Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, as well as Health Information Security. These additional opportunities not only help better prepare students for work in the industry but can also be applied to their primary MHI degree, allowing them to gain additional skills at a reduced financial and time cost.
MHI Program Highlights
- Built around Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM) competencies
- Emphasis on data management and analytics, and well-rounded curriculum with project management, leadership, interprofessional collaboration emphasis, team-work, information privacy and security, human factors topics, and workflow analysis.
- Coursework is 100% online. Students will complete a practicum project that may be completed remotely depending on the agreement with the practicum site manager.
- Low faculty-to-student ratio – personalized coaching and feedback
- Flexible scheduling – designed for busy, working professionals
- No GRE or GMAT required for admission
- No healthcare or IT background or experience required
- Award-winning, well-rounded curriculum with real-world relevance
- Access to UC’s expansive healthcare network
- Professional networking opportunities and unique practicum experience
- Affordable tuition with a significant return on investment
HIMSS Approved Education Partner:
The University of Cincinnati’s Master of Health Informatics program is proud to be recognized as an Approved Education Partner (AEP) by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS).
As a HIMSS Approved Education Partner, UC’s MHI program has met HIMSS’ rigorous standards for delivering a world-class program. UC joins an exclusive group of educators authorized to offer a HIMSS-approved degree program online.
Health Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Certificate
The Health Data Science and Artificial Intelligence certificate prepares health data science professionals for the rapidly expanding use of artificial intelligence (AI) within the industry. This area of expertise will better prepare individuals to manage healthcare data for patients, payers, and providers in order to improve treatment outcomes.
Health Information Security Certificate
The University of Cincinnati Health Information Security certificate allows you to gain a unique specialization in an area with increasing importance due to electronic health records and federal guidelines that demand greater efficiency in healthcare organizations.
Accelerated Health Informatics Program
The Health Information Management (HIM) + Master of Health Informatics (MHI) Accelerated program is open to eligible students currently enrolled in the Health Information Management bachelor's degree program. This program allows students to earn a bachelor’s degree while also fulfilling coursework toward achieving a master's degree in Health Informatics.
IT Accelerated Program
The School of Information Technology (SoIT) has developed a program that offers students the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology or Cybersecurity, a Master's degree, and co-ops in an accelerated time frame.
Completion of the 33 program credits including 6 hours of practicum.
A 3.0 GPA is required to graduate.
Students who have earned graduate credits from accredited institutions may be eligible to apply some or all of those credits towards their pursuit of the online Master of Health Informatics. Please contact your Enrollment Services Advisor (ESA) for specifics about the policy.
We will accept transfers from other UC majors as long as they meet the criteria for admission into this program.
Current UC students must still complete the official graduate application process for the online MHI program to be considered for admission.
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Students living abroad are eligible to pursue this program, but will not be qualified for and F-1 Visa through this online program
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Applicants with college coursework completed outside the United States are required to provide a course-by-course foreign credential evaluation for each college or university you attended outside the United States. This evaluation must be obtained from a service listed on the NACES member website.
Explore unique opportunities, faculty, and resources available in Clincial and Health Information Sciences
University of Cincinnati’s Master of Health Informatics (MHI) program is CAHIIM accredited and the first accredited MHI program in the state of Ohio.
The Health Informatics accreditor of University of Cincinnati is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The College’s accreditation for the Master degree in Health Informatics has been reaffirmed through 2029. All inquiries about the program’s accreditation status should be directed by mail to CAHIIM, 200 East Randolph Street, Suite 5100, Chicago, IL, 60601; by phone at (312) 235-3255; or by email at info@cahiim.org.
The University of Cincinnati (UC) and all regional campuses are accredited through the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Contact Information
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Program Code: 35MAS-HI-MHI-.HI-DL