A master of health administration informatics degree opens up advanced opportunities in a dynamic and innovative field. Health informatics merges the worlds of healthcare, business and computer science, bridging the gap between information technology’s potential and the needs of today’s healthcare system. Master of Health Administration Informatics students learn to create, implement and maintain technological solutions for better managing the vast amounts of information involved in operating a healthcare organization.
As one of the largest and most complex industries in the United States, the medical system has a great need for talented health informatics leaders, and that demand will only increase as medical practices continue to transition to paperless records systems. In fact, the United States Department of Labor projects that employment in the health administration field will grow by 22 percent over the next decade, faster than average for all occupations.
A master’s level education can provide health informatics professionals with increased employment potential, and with greater chances of promotion and advancement. Graduate programs can typically be completed in two years, with coursework covering topics such as database management, data acquisition and analysis, network security, biostatistics, public health and health policy. Many programs also include an internship or practicum component.
How to Find the Top Master of Health Administration Informatics Programs
When searching for the best master of health administration informatics degrees, factors such as school ranking, department faculty and internship or practicum opportunities should be considered. With the increasing demand for qualified health informatics professionals, a growing number of top-rated universities offer specialized health informatics degrees at the graduate level. One such institution is the University of California Davis, which ranks among the top 50 universities in the United States, as rated by the U.S. News and World Report. Degree candidates in UC-Davis’s master’s of health informatics program conduct original research and complete a thesis project with the goal of publication in peer-reviewed journals, an accomplishment that always stands out on a resume.
George Mason University, a nationally ranked university with several campuses located around the Washington, D.C. area, features a master’s in health informatics degree with a uniquely flexible scheduling format. Students can enroll part-time or full-time, and can take traditional, evening, online or hybrid classes in whatever combination best fits their needs.
Recognized as a leader in health informatics research, the University of Missouri offers a dual master’s degree in health administration and health informatics, enabling students to earn two distinct degrees in less time than it would take to complete each separately. Students can enroll in the school’s residential degree track, a traditional graduate program, or the executive track, which is designed for current professionals preparing for further career advancement. The executive option consists of mostly online coursework. These types of distance-based degree programs are a worthwhile consideration for today’s non-traditional graduate students, who expect a rigorous academic experience that doesn’t conflict with their current careers. The best online master of health administration informatics programs combine expedient scheduling with comprehensive curricula. It is important that the school in question be accredited, and that the program’s coursework provide opportunities for interactive learning.
Careers and Salaries for Individuals with Master of Health Administration Informatics Degrees
New Master of Health Administration Informatics graduates are prepared for a range of master of health administration informatics careers. Health informatics professionals may work as researchers, application designers and developers, system analysts or informatics consultants. Master of health administration informatics salaries vary depending on academic and career experience, as well as on the size and location of the employing healthcare organization. Possible job titles include clinical informatics specialist, health information manager or chief information officer.
Clinical informatics specialists design and maintain software systems and applications that help healthcare organizations provide better care to patients. After developing healthcare information systems, they may train new hires on using the system and provide continuing technical support. Clinical informatics specialists also review current clinical computer systems, suggesting upgrades and improvements where necessary. Payscale.com reports that the typical salary for a clinical informatics specialist is $45,209 to $104,228.
Health information managers maintain and protect all of a health organization’s patient records databases. They are responsible for the accuracy, accessibility and security of the critically important and legally sensitive information stored within these databases. Health information managers must keep abreast of the latest technological developments, and of changes in new or proposed government legislations on patient records. Health information managers typically earn $42,597 to $109,864, according to Payscale.com.
Chief information officers strategically plan, develop, implement and maintain a health organization’s information systems. The top priority for chief information officers is to elevate the quality of patient care through the means of information technology. Toward that end, they monitor system success and effectiveness, recruit and train new staff members, develop administration policies and communicate with the organization’s executives. The typical salary range for healthcare chief information officers is $50,227 to $215,471, according to Payscale.com.
Whether a traditional graduate applicant or a professional already working in the medical industry, an individual motivated to succeed in the field of health informatics will find a degree program to suit their goals. A master of health administration informatics degree is the first step toward becoming a leader in today’s healthcare system.
Additional Resources
American Medical Informatics Association Health Informatics Forum List of Health Information Associations and Societies Worldwide Top 10 Best Online Master of Health Administration Degree Programs
