Master of Science in Health Informatics

The objective of the MS in Health Informatics is to train the next generation of biomedical informaticists and data-driven healthcare professionals in the fundamentals of health informatics and data science as they apply to health outcomes, heath equality, in the context of social good. 

Health Informatics is a multidisciplinary field, at the confluence of biomedical sciences, computer science, information technology, software engineering, and data sciences. It aims to leverage the power of informatics to transform data into actionable knowledge, in order to improve health outcomes, reduce health inequities, and lower costs.

Program Structure

• The program requires a minimum of 33 credit hours with an internship, or 39 hours with a capstone project, and offers both full-time and part-time enrollment. 
• Average time to completion (full-time): 2 years
• Average time to completion (part-time): 4 years

Most courses for the Master of Science in Health Informatics are face-to-face courses.

As a Master’s of Science in Health Informatics student, you are required to complete a 2 semester capstone project, or an internship, that focus on integrating the knowledge acquired during the program, and developing practical skills as a health informatics professional. Loyola University Chicago and the Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health have extensive collaborative partnerships throughout the Chicago area. Faculty members in the Department of Health Informatics and Data Science, will work with students to develop appropriate capstone projects, and identify relevant internships.

Expectations after Graduation

• Upon completing the MS in Health Informatics, you will be trained to use informatics and data science methodologies to: 
• analyze problems in the field, assess solutions against specific measures, and generate new body of knowledge from data
• develop new frameworks and models to solve health informatics and data science problems
• work effectively and efficiently in a multidisciplinary setting, with experts across various domains, and in particular, communicate effectively, and disseminate new information and/or knowledge, to non-experts. 

Graduates in the program will expand the health informatics workforce in particular in clinical settings, state and federal agencies, and electronic health record vendors.

Student Life

• Study Abroad: We encourage you to hone skills and build your network through intensive courses around the world. Study abroad is open to full- and part-time students.
• Student Organization: Student Committee on InterProfessional Education SCIPEC)
• Service Learning: You will have an opportunity to participate in an International Service Immersions as part of a collaboration between Campus Ministry and the School of Health Sciences and Public Health. 

Faculty

Our faculty are experts in the fields of health informatics and data science, publish is major journals in the field, and are funded by federal agencies (e.g NIIH, NSF). They have a wide variety of clinical and research interests, and are well respected in their areas of professional specialty.

Prerequisites

• Overall GPA (3.0 or higher), and discipline-specific GPA (3.0 or higher)
• Personal statement highlighting research and/or professional experience as they relate to the program, lab work as an undergraduate student, software developer experience for an EHR vendor, and publication records.
• At least 2 letters of recommendation
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) taken within the past four years can be considered but is not necessary.
• Applicants who hold a terminal degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. Public Health, Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy) are encouraged to apply.