[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”heading-4″]Healthcare informatics degrees prepare students for careers as data and information professionals in clinical and medical fields.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Health informatics uses information technology and data to improve the quality of healthcare services and patient care. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that the demand for [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/OOH/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm/” target=”_blank”]medical and health services managers[/hen-ui-link] will grow 29% between 2023 and 2033.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]With a master’s degree, health informatics professionals can find work in management positions, including as health economists, bioinformatics specialists, medical technologists, and data analysts. Although salary potential varies by experience and job title, many occupations offer annual salaries above $70,000.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The following ranked list explores the 25 best health informatics degrees online. Other topics in this guide include common courses, admission requirements, concentrations, and career paths.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”editorialListings” /] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Best Online Master’s in Healthcare Informatics Programs[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ id=”what-is”]What Is an Online Master’s in Healthcare Informatics Degree?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Health informatics graduate programs typically use an interdisciplinary approach, incorporating fundamental components of health informatics, health sciences, and information technology alongside business and management principles.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Programs typically include courses in medical information systems security, data architecture and modeling, healthcare information systems, legal issues in health medical informatics, and health data and electronic health records. Some programs also offer specializations, such as clinical informatics or health administration informatics.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ id=”choosing”]Choosing an Online Program[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Before enrolling in an online master’s in health informatics, consider factors like cost, curriculum, and formatting. Visit the link below for more program selection tips.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-article-card title=”What to Look for in an Online College” href=”/resources/what-to-look-for-online-college/” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ id=”what-else”]What Else Can I Expect From a Master’s in Healthcare Informatics Program?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A health informatics online degree develops competencies in electronic data technologies, risk assessment and telehealth, systems analysis and design, and healthcare software. Students also explore epidemiology, law and ethics, and project design. Many programs also require a final research project capstone.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Master’s in Healthcare Informatics Curriculum[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background” theme=”tertiary”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Healthcare Statistics”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-base”]Students in this course explore the practical applications of descriptive and inferential statistics as they are used in healthcare settings. Learners analyze data to formulate a data procurement plan. Students also learn how to distribute published health research data and apply new knowledge within the industry.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Infectious Disease Epidemiology”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-base”]In this course, students learn about infectious diseases and epidemiology’s scope and practice. Topics include epidemiological history and vocabulary, disease surveillance strategies, laboratory diagnosis, molecular epidemiology, and assessment of vaccine field effectiveness.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Legal and Ethical Issues in Health Information”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-base”]This course emphasizes privacy, data security, and the confidentiality of health information. Students focus on information technology and management, including topics like information security, risk management, and data integrity and validity.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [/hen-ui-accordion] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Healthcare Informatics Certifications and Licenses[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Professionals with a master’s degree in health informatics may earn the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.ahima.org/certification/RHIA/” target=”_blank”]registered health informatics administrator (RHIA)[/hen-ui-link] certification. Offered by the American Health Information Management Association, this certification provides health informatics professionals with a recognized stamp of excellence, which can help in pursuing or advancing their careers.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ id=”careers”]Healthcare Informatics Careers[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]An online master’s in health informatics prepares graduates for advanced careers in the healthcare field. They may find work in clinical settings or as healthcare administrators or information research scientists. Graduates can also find work at government agencies, nonprofits, and private insurance and pharmaceutical companies.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background” theme=”secondary”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Medical and Health Services Managers”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-table-body] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell]Median Salary: [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/OOH/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm/”]$110,680[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell]Projected Job Growth (2023-2033): [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/OOH/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm/”]29%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-body] [/hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Medical and health services managers, also known as healthcare administrators, help plan, direct, and coordinate health services. Administrators may oversee an entire medical facility or a specific clinical department. Tasks include developing goals and objectives, recruiting and training staff, managing finances, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations. At minimum, a bachelor’s degree is required to enter this field, although master’s degrees are common. Employers often prefer candidates with prior work experience in a healthcare facility.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Medical Records and Health Information Technicians”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-table-body] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell]Median Salary: [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/OOH/healthcare/medical-records-and-health-information-technicians.htm”]$48,780[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell]Projected Job Growth (2023-2033): [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/OOH/healthcare/medical-records-and-health-information-technicians.htm”]9%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-body] [/hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Medical records and health information technicians organize and manage electronic and hardcopy health information data, ensuring accuracy, accessibility, and security. Tasks include reviewing patient records, using classification software to assign clinical codes, and maintaining data for clinical databases.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Entry-level health information technicians need a postsecondary certificate or associate degree. Employers may require additional certification, such as a [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.ahima.org/certification/RHIT/” target=”_blank”]registered health information technician[/hen-ui-link] credential. With a bachelor’s or master’s degree in health informatics, technicians may advance to managerial positions.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Computer and Information Research Scientists”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-table-body] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell]Median Salary: [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-and-information-research-scientists.htm/”]$145,080[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell]Projected Job Growth (2023-2033): [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-and-information-research-scientists.htm/”]26%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-body] [/hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Computer and information research scientists invent, design, and implement innovative uses for computing technology, solving complex problems in science and medicine. Tasks include developing theories to address fundamental issues; creating new computing languages, tools, and methods; and executing experiments to test new software systems.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]These professionals typically hold a master’s [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/computer-science-degree/”]degree in computer science[/hen-ui-link] or a related field. A health informatics master’s degree prepares graduates to tackle the specialized technology challenges found in the healthcare field.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [/hen-ui-accordion] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ id=”organizations”]Healthcare Informatics Professional Organizations[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Professional organizations are a great way for health informatics professionals to network with each other, read the latest research, access career opportunities, and take continuing education courses.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.ahima.org/” target=”_blank”]American Health Information Management Association[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading] Founded in 1928, AHIMA serves approximately 103,000 health information professionals. The organization offers professional certifications, courses, webinars, conferences, and a virtual lab for experiential learning. Student members can get help planning their education and their job searches.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content] [/hen-ui-card] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.amia.org/” target=”_blank”]American Medical Informatics Association[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading] With the goal of improving the health informatics field through practice, education, and science, AMIA works in five domains: translational bioinformatics, clinical research informatics, clinical informatics, consumer health informatics, and public health informatics. Members have access to an online community, webinars, events, and a peer-reviewed scientific journal.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content] [/hen-ui-card] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.ania.org/” target=”_blank”]American Nursing Informatics Association[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading] Made up of more than 3,000 nurses and other health informatics professionals, ANIA integrates nursing practice with information science. Members can access an annual conference, regular educational webinars, the Journal of Informatics Nursing, and review courses for certification exams.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content] [/hen-ui-card] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How Long Does It Take to Complete a Master’s in Healthcare Informatics Program?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Completing a health informatics degree online typically takes around 30 months. Accelerated programs may offer completion times as brief as 18 months.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What Can I Do With a Master’s in Healthcare Informatics?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Graduates can find work as informatics analysts, specialists, consultants, and managers in clinical settings, public health agencies, and insurance companies.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What Are Examples of Health Informatics?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Health informatics involves the acquisition, storage, and use of healthcare information to improve service quality. Examples include electronic medical records systems and clinical decision support systems.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What Do Health Informatics Professionals Do?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Health informatics professionals use technology to track patient information, linking patient care with the latest databasing technology. They manage, store, and analyze data to help facilitate healthcare decisions and ensure patients are receiving proper care.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Is Health Informatics Hard?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Health informatics is an evolving, interdisciplinary field. Successful professionals must be skilled and knowledgeable in data management, information technology, and healthcare terminology.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [/hen-ui-accordion] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Learn more, do more.[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h5″]More topic-relevant resources to expand your knowledge.[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”slider” ids=”1304,1266,1514″][/hen-ui-article-row] [hen-ui-section-header title=”Popular with our students.” /] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”2-col” ids=”970,1538,905″][/hen-ui-article-row]