Health Informatics, MS

Program Description

The Masters of Science in Health Informatics (MSHI) is intended to produce master’s-prepared health informatics professionals for executive-level and enterprise-wide administrative, research, and/or applied health informatics positions. Graduates of the program are expected to play a key role in the design, development and management of health information systems in healthcare-related facilities, agencies and organizations. The program is intended to attract students with a variety of educational backgrounds and disciplines: individuals with prior coursework at an undergraduate level in health information management and individuals with undergraduate or advanced degrees in information technology or business management.

MSHI Program Goals

Graduates of the program will have the skills needed to manage information technology applications in the healthcare industry (storage, retrieval, and interpretation of patient care information) and to provide administrative support for the  implementation and management of the complex information systems used in the health care industry. Examples of occupations in the IT healthcare industry include chief information officer, corporate health information manager, data analytics/data mining specialist, health information application developer, and health information management specialist.

The MSHI program will prepare individuals who will:

1. Apply and integrate the fundamental concepts of information technology in a clinical setting.
2. Facilitate communication between healthcare providers and IT professionals implementing healthcare information technology.
3. Demonstrate a theoretical and practical understanding of the use of healthcare information.
4. Provide leadership in developing, implementing, maintaining, and managing information resources and systems in healthcare organizations.
5. Apply fundamental research concepts to support the use of health information in research projects.

MSHI Program Delivery

Courses in the MSHI program are offered using a variety of instructional delivery methods:

1. Face-to-face on site in Madison, SD in a traditional classroom setting;
2. Using interactive video-conferencing via the Dakota Digital Network offered at multiple sites in South Dakota (sites arranged to meet student need);
3. At a distance via Internet, using a combination of live and/or encoded streaming videos of classes, interactive course web boards, course web sites, and e-mail.

All courses are web-enhanced.

Program completion

The program can be completed on a full or part-time basis, with classes offered in three academic terms, fall, spring, and summer. Time to complete really depends upon the number of credit hours taken per semester and the number of knowledge requirements needed. Full-time students (9 credit hours per semester) can complete the program in four semesters (assuming two knowledge support courses are required). Students must complete the program within 5 years of the semester of your admission.

Admission Requirements Specific to MSHI

The Dakota State University Masters of Science in Health Informatics program seeks qualified individuals in the information systems and healthcare professions to further prepare them to be successful graduates in the health informatics field. Admission to the program is based upon a combination of the following requirements:

1. Entering students will be required to have a bachelor’s degree from institutions with full regional accreditation for that degree. International students must have an undergraduate (bachelor’s) degree that is the equivalent to a four-year under graduate degree in the U.S.
2. Minimum undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale.
3. A satisfactory score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The test must have been taken within the last five years. The test can be waived if one of the following conditions is met:
   • a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 or higher on a 4.0 scale for a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the U.S.;
   • official admission into and demonstrated success in a regionally accredited graduate program in the U.S. Demonstrated success is defined as grades of A or B in at least 9 hours of graduate work;
                                                              OR
   • graduation from a regionally accredited college/university in the U.S. at least 15 years ago or more.
4. Essential knowledge of information systems fundamentals. The knowledge requirement can be met in a variety of ways, including: a related undergraduate degree in information systems; specific undergraduate or graduate coursework that covers required knowledge; appropriate, verifiable IS/IT experience. Students using experience to meet the knowledge requirements may be required to demonstrate competency in the subject. Students who have not had appropriate coursework or acceptable experience to meet the knowledge requirements may be admitted to the program if they meet the other minimum requirements.
   However, these students will be required to meet the knowledge requirement by satisfactory completion of specified knowledge support courses as part of their program of study. These courses are:
   • INFS 601 - Information Systems  
   • INFS 612 - Management and Evaluation of Information Systems  
5. Essential knowledge of healthcare delivery fundamentals. The knowledge requirement can be met in a variety of ways, including: related undergraduate degree in health information management or healthcare field; specific undergraduate or graduate coursework that covers required knowledge; appropriate, verifiable healthcare experience. Students using experience to meet the knowledge requirements may be required to demonstrate competency in the subject. Students who have not had appropriate coursework or acceptable experience to meet the knowledge requirements may be admitted to the program if they meet the other minimum requirements. However, these students will be required to meet the knowledge requirement by satisfactory completion of specified knowledge support courses as part of their program of study. This course is:
   • HIMS 701 - Introduction to Healthcare Information  

MSHI Knowledge Requirements

All entering students must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge in information systems and healthcare delivery fundamentals. Students who do not meet knowledge requirements in the healthcare or information technology areas may be required to take additional knowledge support courses. These courses may also be recommended for students wishing to refresh their knowledge or reinforce what they have gained through experience. The DSU knowledge courses are included in the individual’s program of study if they are required of the student. Individuals who use relevant experience in information systems or healthcare to meet the knowledge requirements may be asked to demonstrate that their experience is applicable by taking a test prepared by the course instructor.

Students using experience to meet the knowledge requirements may be required to demonstrate competency in the subject; students who have not had appropriate coursework or acceptable experience to meet the knowledge requirements will be admitted to the program if they meet the other minimum requirements. However, these students will be required to meet the knowledge requirement by satisfactory completion of specified knowledge support courses as part of their program of study.

Specific Application Information

1. Application Deadline: All application materials must be received by June 15th for fall, November 15th for spring, and April 15th for summer.
2. Entry Semester: The MSHI program admits students in the fall, spring, and summer. Applications will be reviewed on a regularly scheduled basis as they arrive. Due to the restrictions of the size of some classes, particularly distance classes, and potential space limitations, applications should be sent as early as possible.

Program Faculty

Dorine Bennett, Patti Brooks, Omar El-Gayar, Linda Parks, Surendra Sarnikar, Ronghua Shan

MSHI Program Requirements

The program requires 33 hours beyond the baccalaureate. All students must take the following:

Accordingly, the curriculum includes courses that provide a core body of knowledge and then a variety of electives that will prepare students to work in their preferred area (healthcare IT versus research), plus a capstone experience. Specifically, the proposed curriculum contains:

• Core courses (21 credits): These courses build background and skills that should be common to all masters-level health informatics professionals.
• Select one Specialization or three elective courses (9 credits): These specializations or courses can be chosen to match the student’s interests and career goals.
• Capstone experience (3 credits). This capstone experience can take the form of a project, an internship, or a capstone, project-based course.

Students who are currently employed in the healthcare industry will probably choose the project. Those without experience in the healthcare field may prefer an internship or an additional, project-based course. Students who do not meet knowledge requirements in the healthcare or information technology areas will be required to take additional knowledge support courses. See the knowledge requirement section for more information.

Students from Maryland, Nevada, New York, Ohio and Tennessee must choose the project or project-based course option, students from these states cannot choose the internship option.

It is possible to complete the program in four to five semesters of full-time study depending upon how the basic knowledge requirements are met. On a part-time basis, the time to complete will depend upon the number of credit hours taken per semester.