A healthcare informatics degree might attract students who want to work on the technical side of the healthcare industry.
Health informatics programs include coursework that integrates the healthcare industry with information science and computer science. Their focus is on improving healthcare systems and optimizing current applications.
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Positions in healthcare informatics are important because these professionals are generally responsible for managing and analyzing medical records. It’s a detail-oriented profession that’s fitting for individuals who like to address complex issues.
Online Healthcare Informatics Degrees
If you want to work in healthcare and find information technology interesting, then you might consider a health informatics online degree.
Health informatics degrees merge information technology with the healthcare industry. It can teach you about various medical recordkeeping practices, health databases, and management of health information systems. Common skills that students learn while earning a health informatics bachelor degree online include:
- Database and health record management
- Data analysis
- Problem-solving
- Information security
Health informatics positions can be found in hospitals, outpatient centers, nursing homes, medical offices and clinics, and other healthcare facilities.
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These facilities utilize computer programming and information technology to maintain accurate patient health records. Security optimization is also an important focus in health informatics to ensure that only authorized personnel are able to access health records and data.
There are a number of career paths graduates can pursue based on their specific interests. Skills and knowledge gained in bachelor in healthcare informatics degrees may be carried into various technical healthcare positions, such as:
- Health information manager
- Medical records specialist
- Health information technologist
- Healthcare information security analyst
General responsibilities in these types of positions include recording patient data and filing medical records securely, designing healthcare databases, or managing healthcare information systems.
Healthcare Informatics Careers & Salaries
Students who study healthcare informatics may have the option to pursue several different careers in the healthcare industry. Many careers focus on management of healthcare information systems, databases, or keeping accurate medical records secure.
Those with experience may go on to become health information managers. These positions fall under the category of medical and health services managers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, here are the median salaries for potential career paths related to healthcare informatics.
| Careers | Annual Median Salaries |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $159,010 |
| Information Security Analysts | $102,600 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $101,340 |
| Data Scientists | $100,910 |
| Computer Systems Analysts | $99,270 |
| Database Administrators | $96,710 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $80,600 |
| Insurance Underwriters | $76,390 |
| Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | $55,560 |
| Medical Records Specialists | $46,660 |
Bachelor in healthcare informatics degrees can help you gain basic skills and knowledge about the healthcare and information technology field. These skills can prepare you for various careers pertaining to healthcare computer systems and medical database management.
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Many of these positions can be found in hospitals, physician’s offices, outpatient care centers, and nursing and residential care facilities. Responsibilities can differ between each role. Some general duties include managing patient records and data, monitoring computer systems to ensure they’re secured for authorized personnel, or analyzing clinical data and records.
Healthcare Informatics Bachelor’s Curriculum & Courses
Health informatics bachelor degree online programs merge general healthcare industry curriculum with information technology curriculum. Core courses may focus on foundational healthcare courses and the study of healthcare computer systems and data analytics.
The following courses are examples of what kind of classes may be offered for an online degree in health informatics:
- Introduction to Health Information Systems: You can learn basic skills and knowledge on information management in various healthcare service facilities.
- Privacy and Security in Health Informatics: In this course, you’ll examine methods for health information security and learn how to address privacy issues and perform technical solutions.
- Computer Programming in Health Applications: You’ll study computer programming concepts in relation to health applications, which can include open source software.
- Public Health Informatics: This course is designed to give you a general understanding of public health informatics and various technological tools used in the field.
- Healthcare Databases: You can learn how to design and use various healthcare databases.
- Introduction to Coding: This course can introduce you to medical coding processes and data collection procedures in various healthcare settings.
- Medical Terminology: This course introduces you to a multitude of medical terms and their meanings, which relate to various health services and settings.
- Health Data Management: This course examines general health record documentation practices, health record functions, and data sourcing.
- Electronic Health Records: This course is an overview of how electronic health records help improve the healthcare system and how it can affect clinical outcomes.
- Essentials of Informatics for Healthcare: This is a foundational course that introduces you to basic concepts and functions of healthcare informatics, including review of key terms, systems, and security measures.
Elective coursework may be offered to allow you to concentrate on a particular area in healthcare informatics that you’re interested in.
Online Health Informatics Degree Admissions Requirements
Bachelor’s degree admissions requirements can differ between schools, but these are some common admission requirements:
- High school diploma or GED
- SAT or ACT test scores (if required)
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal statement
Most bachelor degree programs request students to submit proof of high school or GED completion through official transcripts. Some schools may ask students to submit scores of SAT or ACT exams they’ve completed.
Other materials that might be requested include letters of recommendation and a personal statement. These materials can be collected beforehand and are an opportunity for the school to learn more about you and your goals.
Accreditation
The accreditation status of a school can be important for a number of reasons. Accreditation can potentially affect financial aid eligibility, future education opportunities, and credit transferability.
Some financial aid eligibility requirements may include attending an accredited university. If you plan on pursuing a graduate-level degree, some schools only consider students who have an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution.
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There are regional accrediting organizations that establish education quality and performance standards. A school must meet certain criteria to become regionally accredited. The status of regional accreditation helps certify that a college or university meets quality education standards.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Students can seek financial aid and scholarships to help cut down the cost of attendance or tuition. Financial aid can be granted at the state or federal level to eligible individuals.
If you’re interested in applying for federal financial aid, you can check to see if you’re eligible by submitting a Free Application for Financial Student Aid (FAFSA). Unlike government aid, many scholarships aren’t income-based. There are many different types of scholarships available. Some target a specific group of people, such as military members, while others accept applicants with specific interests or talents.
Some organizations offer scholarships specifically for students in high school or college.Merit-based scholarships may be awarded to students who excel in academics or athletics. Students often apply to numerous scholarships to increase their chances of winning one.
What Is Healthcare Informatics?
Healthcare informatics is a field that focuses primarily on information technology and computer science to improve health care.
Professionals who work in healthcare informatics may take on several different responsibilities in managing and maintaining patient health records and data. Many individuals who manage healthcare information work in the health informatics sector.
Rather than working with patients directly, professionals in health informatics tend to work with patients indirectly. Many positions in the field coordinate with each other in an effort to improve health care and provide quality patient care.
Is Health Informatics a Good Career?
Yes, health informatics is a good career for many professionals. It can be a rewarding career for individuals who want to help patients behind the scenes.
Students may pursue a number of health informatics professions, such as health information manager, medical records specialist, or health information technologist. The field of health informatics might also be a beneficial career path to consider because of its projected job growth.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that medical and health services management positions are expected to experience 28% job growth over the next ten years, which is much faster than average.
What Can You Do with a Health Care Informatics Degree?
With a bachelor’s health informatics degree, you may have the opportunity to work in various healthcare settings. This could include different healthcare facilities, such as hospitals, clinics, or outpatient health centers.
Healthcare informatics degrees generally help you develop the skills needed to perform a wide variety of technical duties relating to healthcare information technology and computer systems. Health information management is a common path that students pursue after completing a health informatics degree.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, health information managers are responsible for maintaining patient records and data and their security.
Is Health Informatics Hard?
Health informatics is considered an interdisciplinary degree because it covers a wide range of topics pertaining to health services, computer science, and information technology.
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It’s a strategic degree program for individuals interested in the technical aspects of the healthcare industry. Health informatics curriculum focuses heavily on medical coding, recordkeeping, and health information systems management. This type of curriculum can include very technical coursework, which could appeal to students with an interest in STEM subjects.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Bachelor’s in Health Informatics Degree Online?
Healthcare informatics degrees generally take 4 years to complete if you attend a traditional 16 week semester program full-time. It will likely take longer if you follow this semester schedule on a part-time basis.
A bachelor’s degree program typically has a minimum of 120 credits, but some on-campus and online health information management degree programs or added concentrations may include more. Some schools recognize full-time students as those who are taking at least 12 credit hours per semester.
Students who enroll in an 8 week semester program and attend classes year-round may finish in less time. Some online health informatics degrees may also offer accelerated programs.
What’s the Difference Between Nursing Informatics vs. Health Informatics Online Degrees?
Nursing informatics and health informatics both focus on information technology and computer science, but here are a few key differences between the two.
| Nursing Informatics | Health Informatics |
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Nursing informatics is a type of health informatics that specializes in the nursing profession. On the other hand, health informatics is a broad healthcare sector, with professionals who work in many types of health services and medical facilities.
What’s the Difference Between a Bachelor Degree in Health Informatics vs. Bioinformatics?
Health informatics and bioinformatics share a few similarities pertaining to information technology, but here are a few differences between the two.
| Health Informatics | Bioinformatics |
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Bioinformatics is a part of the biomedical informatics sector, whereas health informatics is a main sector with several sub-branches within the field. For example, health informatics contains sub-sectors such as clinical and nursing informatics.
Health informatics includes health data analysis and collection, while bioinformatics uses computational methods and involves biological data processing.
Is a Bachelors in Health Informatics Degree Worth It?
Yes, a bachelors in health informatics degree is worth it for many professionals. If you’re passionate about helping others and want to pursue a career in informational technology, you might find a position in health informatics rewarding.
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Job growth is also projected in the health informatics field, as there is an expected increase in demand for healthcare services over the next decade, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For instance, medical and health services management positions, which includes health information management, are expected to experience 28% job growth over the next ten years.
Universities Offering Online Bachelors in Healthcare Informatics Degree Programs
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
Bellevue College offers a Bachelor of Applied Science in Healthcare Informatics. This program seeks to provide students with the skills to excel in a variety of roles in the healthcare industry. Classes cover important topics like data security, healthcare information systems, project management, and medical terminology. Students can attend classes fully online.
Bellevue College is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Clarkson College offers an online program for a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Administration. The curriculum pulls foundational concepts from a variety of disciplines, including health science, information systems, business, and law. Most students can complete the program’s requirements in 10 semesters. The program reviews applications for incoming students year-round.
Clarkson College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Community College of Denver offers a Bachelor of Applied Science in Health Care Informatics. This program may be an excellent fit for students pursuing administrative and technology roles within healthcare. The program is housed 100% online. All students culminate their studies in a 3 credit internship to gain hands on experience in the field.
CCD is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
CUNY School of Professional Studies offers a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management. The curriculum focuses on five main content areas: data management, statistics, health services, information technology, and management. All classes utilize a convenient online learning format. Students must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours while maintaining a 2.0 GPA or higher to graduate.
The CUNY School of Professional Studies is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Dakota State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics and Information Management. This program aims to graduate students with the expertise to support medical, legal, and ethical standards in healthcare. Potential courses include Health Statistics, Human Anatomy, Database Management Systems, and Leadership in Health Informatics. Students can attend classes on-campus or online.
Dakota State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The online Bachelor’s in Technical Management program at DeVry University offers a Health Information Management specialization. The curriculum is designed to teach students the skills needed to excel in healthcare informatics. After completing general education requirements, students can typically complete their major coursework in 2 years and 8 months. New classes begin for incoming students every 8 weeks.
DeVry University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Herzing University offers an online program for a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management. The curriculum covers topics like health services, revenue cycle, data compliance, and confidentiality.
On average, students can complete the program’s 124 required credits in 36 months. Many graduates pursue support, technology, and leadership roles in settings like hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, or insurance companies.
Herzing University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Indiana Tech offers a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management. Graduates of the program often pursue careers as data integrity analysts, informatics researchers, information managers, or public health information analysts. The curriculum spans 120 credit hours of instruction in core communication, leadership, analytics, and information management. This program is housed entirely online.
Indiana Tech is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Loma Linda University offers a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management. The curriculum covers topics like clinical systems, healthcare law and ethics, data analytics, and information system management. Classes can be attended fully online or fully on-campus. Students can potentially finish the program’s requirements in just 6 terms.
Loma Linda University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Rutgers University offers a Bachelor’s of Health Information Management. The program’s interdisciplinary curriculum combines concepts from science, medicine, business, and information technology. Students can select concentrations in Medical Coding, Health Compliance, or Informatics. The program utilizes a hybrid format, with most classes held online followed by a culminating internship in the field.
Rutgers University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Saint Joseph’s College of Maine offers a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management. This program is designed for students with a diverse variety of educational and professional backgrounds. Students can complete the program’s requirements 100% online at their own pace. Because the program’s course load is designed to be conveniently flexible, time to completion varies.
Saint Joseph’s College is accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education, Inc.
Southern University at New Orleans offers a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management Systems. The program aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of collecting, managing, and analyzing data in the field of healthcare. Students must complete a minimum of 120 credits while maintaining a 2.0 GPA or higher to graduate. All classes can be attended online.
Southern University at New Orleans is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Systems. Students with a passion for data and research may find an ideal next step in this program. The program is housed entirely online. On average, students attending classes full-time can finish in 4 years.
SWOSU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Texas State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management. Courses cover topics like coding systems, project management, health informatics, and leadership in the healthcare industry. Typically, students can finish their general curriculum requirements in 2 years and their major coursework in another 2 years after that. Classes can be attended online or in-person.
Texas State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Arizona offers a fully online program for a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management.
Students can select an emphasis in Business Economics, Cognitive Studies, Entrepreneurship, Health and Wellness, Real Estate, or Supply Chain Management. The program’s classes are offered in an accelerated format, with each one being 5 to 6 weeks long. Students can typically complete the program in 4 years of full-time study.
The University of Arizona is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of Detroit Mercy offers a baccalaureate minor in health information management. The program can be completed entirely online. In addition to the general bachelor’s requirement of 120 credits, the minor requires the completion of 18 credits. Potential classes include Healthcare Revenue Cycle, Clinical Documentation and Health Information Management, and Global Healthcare Data and Statistics.
The University of Detroit Mercy is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of Illinois—Chicago offers a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management. The program aims to graduate students with the skills to design systems that support patient care, health planning and evaluation, and medical research. The curriculum requires the completion of 63 major-specific credits. Students can choose to attend classes either online or in-person.
The University of Illinois Chicago is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of Kansas offers a Bachelor’s in Health Information Management. The curriculum is designed for students pursuing certification as registered healthcare information analysts or technicians. Upon completion of general requirements, students can typically finish their major coursework in 2 years. Classes meet 100% online.
The University of Kansas is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of North Georgia offers an online program for a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Services and Informatics Administration.
The program offers concentrations in Data Privacy and Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, or Healthcare Information Systems. The program requires the completion of 120 credit hours, which can typically be done in 4 years. The curriculum covers topics like public health, data management, and healthcare statistics.
UNG is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Wisconsin—Green Bay offers a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management and Technology. Students can choose to specialize in either Management or Technology. The program utilizes a fully online format to provide flexibility for busy working professionals. Potential courses include Digital Literacy in Healthcare, Database Structures and Management Systems, and Healthcare Economics.
The University of Wisconsin – Green Bay is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Getting Your Bachelors in Healthcare Informatics Degree Online
An online degree in health informatics can introduce you to healthcare and medical topics while you learn information technology skills.
If you have an interest in working with information technology and analyzing data in the healthcare industry, then you might consider being a health informatics major. This degree path is especially beneficial for students who aspire to work in technical positions, such as a medical records specialist, health information manager, or health computer systems analyst.
If you’re ready to start your educational journey in this growing industry, you can begin by checking out accredited colleges and universities that offer health informatics online degree programs.
