Top 20 Online Master's in Health Informatics Programs for 2019

Drexel University, in the heart of Philadelphia, PA, has been educating students for over 125 years. Since 1996, the school has become well-known for its online programs, and Drexel University Online now offers more than 140 accelerated degree and certificate programs. The fully online programs are available in full-time and part-time formats, and the four 10-week quarters allow for flexible start dates. Class structures and schedules vary depending on the course.

The 45-credit MS in health informatics features asynchronous course delivery, though some courses require real-time or live class participation. Entry into the health informatics master's degree online requires a four-year bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Drexel allows transfer credits up to a maximum of 15 graduate credits.

Founded in 1891, Stanford University is one of the world's most famous institutions. Stanford is home to more than 16,000 students, and its combination of rich history and close proximity to Silicon Valley have made it one of the most desirable schools in the world. Stanford offers more than 90 graduate fields of study with many available online. The MS in biomedical informatics (BMI) is a part-time online program that lets working professionals earn a superb education.

The BMI degree offers classes in biomedical informatics, and social and ethical issues. The 45-credit, fully online program is only available part-time, and learners must maintain full-time employment and a minimum 3.0 GPA throughout the program. Most students take an average of three to five years to graduate. Due to the challenging nature of the program, prerequisites include calculus, computer science, statistics, linear algebra, and biology.

With more than 21,000 students across 11 campuses throughout Florida and Puerto Rico -- including a 314-acre main campus in Fort Lauderdale, FL -- Nova Southeastern University is the second largest private and nonprofit university in the Southeast. To accommodate working professionals, many of Nova Southeastern's graduate programs are available online.

The 43-credit MS in biomedical informatics blends synchronous and asynchronous elements to create the best learning environment. Applicants require a minimum 3.0 GPA, and those with a degree in a health profession are given priority. Computer experience is also strongly recommended. A maximum of 12 credit hours from another master's degree program with a B-grade or better may be transferable.

Located in Greenville, NC, East Carolina University (ECU) is home to nearly 29,000 students. With over 75 master's degree programs to choose from -- including on-campus, online, and hybrid graduate program options -- ECU's graduate school attracts working professionals from all over the country. The MS in health informatics and information management gives learners the choice of how and where to study.

The 48-credit health informatics master's online program can be completed in two years of full-time study, or part-time in three to six years. In addition to core courses, the health informatics and information management degree offers a thesis, a non-thesis, and a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) track. The RHIA track prepares graduates to sit for the RHIA exam. Prerequisites for admissions include courses in computer programming and statistics, and a bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Applicants should also be familiar with the JAVA programming language.

The University of South Florida (USF) is a public research university located in Tampa, FL. With approximately 50,000 students -- including more than 10,000 at the graduate level -- USF is one of the leading graduate schools in the state. The USF medical school hosts the MS in health informatics, a fully online master's degree well-suited for working professionals.

In this 32-credit program, students develop core health informatics programs, as well as more advanced e-medicine programs. Graduates also consider and evaluate ethical issues in healthcare. With six start dates per year, asynchronous courses, and eight-week class terms, USF's health informatics program can be completed in two years. Applicants require a 3.0 GPA overall -- and in the sciences -- from their undergraduate degree.

Founded in 1924, Misericordia University is a Catholic university located in northeast Pennsylvania. Over the last 90 years, the school has been dedicated to helping adult students continue their education, and that tradition continues today. The master's in health informatics is a 36-credit online program that addresses the growing technical demands of the ever-changing healthcare industry. Online courses run asynchronously, and the degree offers a professional and a thesis track. Each class runs for seven and a half weeks, maintains a student-to-faculty ratio of 12 to one, and comprises less than 18 students. Applicants are admitted on a rolling deadline throughout the year.

Established in 1801 in Columbia, SC, the University of South Carolina's 200 year history makes it one of the oldest universities in the United States. The school offers five online master's degrees, including the master's in health information technology.

This online degree in health informatics is delivered in an accelerated format, which allows distance learners to graduate in 18 to 24 months. Students in the 36-credit online master's program learn to use advancing technologies to improve and transform the healthcare industry. Most classes run for eight weeks and all courses online are currently delivered asynchronously. While there are no demands for prerequisite courses, applicants require a 3.0 GPA from their undergraduate degree.

Loyola University Chicago (LUC) is one of largest Jesuit, Catholic universities in the United States. With five locations in Chicago, three international locations, and online programs, Loyola attracts students from all over the world. LUC first offered online degrees in 1998; today, Loyola Online hosts 21 graduate degrees, including the MSN in health systems management.

Delivered via the Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing, the health systems management degree consists of 38-41 credits, with specialties available in outcomes performance management or healthcare informatics. Both specialties require a practicum at the end of the program, and which require 2,000 hours of clinical nursing experience upon starting. A minimum 3.0 GPA in a nursing degree and a current nursing license issued by a U.S. state are required for admission.

The University of Findlay's 75-acre main campus in Findlay, OH is home to more than 1,250 of the 4,100 students enrolled at the school. Findlay also boasts several off-campus locations and an online education system. Of the 10 master's degrees available at Findlay, four are available online, including the MS in health informatics. This 33-credit program can be completed in two years, and features eight-week terms with both synchronous and asynchronous courses. Distance learners can take advantage of AHIMA Virtual Lab software for online practical skill building, while an internship concludes the program. Prerequisites for the program include courses in medical terminology, introduction to computers, anatomy and physiology, and database applications. A bachelor's degree in healthcare or computer science is also recommended.

With its main campus located in Garden City, NY, Adelphi University is the oldest private coeducational university on Long Island. Today, the university offers seven degrees fully online with no on-campus requirements. The 39-credit MS in healthcare informatics provides students the chance to work with the second largest health system in the United States. Adelphi's nursing school also has more than 70 years of experience delivering nursing education. The program is open to both healthcare professionals and IT professionals; a minimum 2.75 GPA and prerequisite courses in statistical methods and mathematics for managers are required. The entire master's degree can be completed between 28 months and five years.

With over 130 years of history and more than 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs to choose from, Michigan Technological University has something for just about everyone. To accommodate distance learners, Michigan Tech offers online programs, including the MS in medical informatics. Open to domestic students only, the program is fully online and asynchronous, though some classes may feature live streaming and synchronous delivery. The 30-credit MHI online is also available in an accelerated format for quicker completion. The medical informatics program offers three tracks: course work, thesis, and a report option. Applicants are admitted on a rolling deadline, and both GRE scores and a 3.0 GPA in a bachelor's degree are required for admission.

Louisiana Tech University first opened its doors in 1894 in Ruston, LA. In recent years, the school has expanded its online offerings through its Global Campus. The master's degree in health informatics (HMI) is a 45-credit program designed for working professionals. The coursework in this online master’s degree is delivered asynchronously, and students must have at least two years of work experience in healthcare, IT, or a related field. Additional admission requirements include a bachelor's degree in health information management or a related field, and a minimum GPA of 3.0. Applicants who don't meet these standards may still be eligible on a case-by-case basis. A maximum of 12 graduate transfer credits with a B-grade or above may be transferred in during the application process.

In 1982, the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) was created by consolidating the medical campus and the Chicago Circle campus of the University of Illinois. UIC continues to grow -- especially at the graduate level -- and the school now delivers nearly 100 master's degree programs. The MS in health informatics is fully online and hosted by UIC's medical school, the largest of its kind in the country. The degree features asynchronous course delivery and no on-campus requirements. The program culminates with a practicum, and graduates are eligible for the Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) exam. The 45-credit health informatics master's degree online can be completed in 24 to 30 months, though part-time students may take up to six years. Distance learners choose between the research track or the standard course track. While a background in healthcare or IT is strongly recommended, the only prerequisites are undergraduate courses in medical terminology and fundamentals of health information management.

Kent State University was founded in 1910 as a teacher-training school in Kent, OH. Over the last 100 years, Kent State expanded its offerings to make its programs more accessible. The fully online MS in health informatics provides three start dates a year and each course is only seven weeks long. Classes are delivered asynchronously and synchronously, and distance learners can graduate in two years. The 36-credit health informatics online master's also offers three available tracks: an internship, a master's project, and a thesis. Kent State's standard admission requirement is a minimum 3.0 GPA, but applicants may submit GRE scores if they have a lower GPA. Professional computer science and/or a healthcare background are recommended.

In 1881, Dakota State University (DSU) was founded when South Dakota was not yet recognized as a state. Over the years, DSU has been one of the most technologically advanced schools in the Midwest, and the online MS in health informatics and information management (MSHIIM) leans on this innovation.

This 33-credit health informatics master's online offers full-time and part-time options. Full-time students are eligible to take as many as nine credits per semester and graduate in as little as four semesters. All entrants must complete the degree within five years. Admission requires a minimum GPA of 2.7 and a recent, satisfactory GRE score. Prerequisites include courses or experience in information systems, healthcare information, and applied statistics.