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Online Master's Degree MS in Information Technology Healthcare Informatics

Keep Yourself in Healthy Demand with a Health Informatics Online Master’s in IT

Health information technicians, or health informaticists, are an integral part of any healthcare team. They help incorporate advanced technology into patient care and facility operations, reducing errors and maximizing efficiencies. As technology continues to evolve, trained professionals are needed to help implement these changes. With an online Master of Science in Information Technology with a concentration in Health Informatics from Southern New Hampshire University, you can take advantage of these opportunities and pursue fulfilling careers in a variety of settings.

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See Yourself Succeed in Health Informatics

More and more, health information technology will play a dynamic role in the future of healthcare, particularly with federal legislation mandating the use of electronic medical records and health information. Professionals with expertise in both healthcare and information technology, including a health informatics online master’s, will be in high demand to fill upper management positions.

As a private, nonprofit university, SNHU has one mission – to help you see yourself succeed. The benefits of earning your master's in information technology degree at SNHU include:

  • Affordability. Take advantage of some of the most affordable tuition rates in the nation
  • Convenience. Attend class when it’s convenient for you – online education means 24/7 access
  • Efficiency and flexibility. Complete your graduate degree in as few as 15 months, with two courses per 10-week term
  • Expert instruction. Learn from instructors with relevant, real-world experience
  • Minimal requirements. No GMAT or GRE required for admission
  • Networking. Tap into our nationwide network of alumni for internship and career opportunities
  • Student support. Count on the ongoing support of dedicated academic and career advisors specialized in your area of study

Admission Requirements


Acceptance decisions are made on a rolling basis throughout the year for our 5 graduate terms. You can apply at any time and get a decision within days of submitting all required materials. To apply, simply contact an admission counselor, who can help you explore financial options. Your counselor can also walk you through the application process, which involves completing a graduate application ($40 fee) and providing undergraduate transcripts.

Candidates must also submit a professional resume.

Career Outlook

Health information technology will play a major role in the future of healthcare. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a 13% increase in the employment of technicians in this field through 2026.* The expertise you'll gain in this online master's in IT with a health informatics focus can prepare you to become a valued professional. Upon completion of this program, you'll have the knowledge and skills to pursue management positions in healthcare informatics for a wide range of healthcare-related organizations.

Curriculum

Coursework in this program includes relevant case studies to help you better explore the field of health information technology. Courses are taught by knowledgeable faculty with years of real-world, hands-on experience.

View Full Curriculum in the Catalog
MS in Information Technologies - Healthcare Informatics

Courses May Include
HIM 500 Healthcare Informatics

Students will learn the history and current state of healthcare and how the industry uses information systems. Throughout the course students will discuss types of information systems, such as the electronic medical record (EMR), laboratory and radiology systems and more. Students will also study trends in new practices, such as telemedicine and home healthcare, and how they function in various healthcare settings. Finally, students will explore how these and other industry trends, with the use of technology, can improve patient care.
IHP 600 Social & Organizational Issues in Healthcare

Students will learn the social, ethical and organizational challenges healthcare workers at all levels face with the incorporation of technology into the healthcare setting. Students will study change management strategies, current in the Healthcare Industry, including the impact of introducing or enhancing clinical information systems, while providing quality care, and the effect of these systems on patients and on interdisciplinary teams within the healthcare setting.
IT 550 Management of Information Technology

This course is a detailed introduction to the major issues underlying the successful management of information technology in contemporary organizations. The course covers three major areas: (1) The interrelations between organizational structure and process, and the adoption of new information systems technologies; (2) The actual management of the IT function within the organization; and (3) IT project management which focuses on the operational steps in designing and carrying out specific IT projects. This course will utilize case studies as an introduction to real-world IT management best practices and strategies, and to guide students to understanding the impact of emerging technologies in business contexts.
IT 510 Advanced Information Technology

This course focuses on the principles and practices underlying the analysis, design, implementation and management of information technology systems. Topics include information system development methodologies, systems planning, requirements analysis, systems implementation, software engineering, project management, and interface, database and process design.
IT 511 Object Oriented Application Development

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the principles and practices of object- oriented software development and provides a foundation for developing quality software. Students develop skills in applying object- oriented concepts to solve software problems and implement solutions. The course also teaches the concepts and design of algorithms for problem solving and includes the topics of data structures as they are related to the algorithms that use them. The course provides the technical foundation necessary to handle the material covered in the subsequent IT courses.
IT 515 Innovations in Information Technology

In this course, students strengthen their understanding of leadership theory and ethical frameworks in the context of a technology enterprise. Students will apply this understanding to business cases that reflect the need for innovative technology solutions in today's workplace in order to transform the thinking of an organization when change is required or to develop ideas that enable new business strategies.
IT 520 Technical Communication

The course focuses on the essential oral and written technical communication skills needed for producing technical documentation and presentations in many different forms for varying business situations. The course enables students to understand the needs of stakeholders in order to develop different technical documents such as white papers, design specifications, project plans, test plans, user manuals, etc. The ability to communicate research findings using appropriate academic formatting will also be addressed.

IT 600 Operating Systems

This course focuses on computer architecture and the operating systems of digital computers. Students learn about the operational methods of hardware; the services provided by operating systems' software; acquisition, processing, storage and output data; and the interaction between computers. Topics include widely used operating systems such as DOS, Windows, and UNIX.
IT 625 Information Technology Project and Team Management

This course introduces the students to the principles and practices necessary to be an effective IT project manager. The course covers project scope, time, cost, quality and human resource management techniques as applied to the kinds of project management problems and issues unique to the IT environment. Students learn how to design an actual IT project structure and will obtain hands-on experience using project management software. Emphasis is on the techniques of project management, leadership, teamwork and project risk management as applied to the IT environment. Case work is an important part of this course.
IT 640 Telecommunications and Networking

Telecommunications is a business resource that must be well managed. This includes the technical aspects and the application of telecommunications technology to solve specific business problems and enhance the strategic position of a business enterprise. Topics include the importance of telecommunication in today's business environment, the analysis, design and implementation of telecommunications systems, the scope of the telecommunications industry and current trends; telecommunications hardware, the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) network model, networking technologies and telecommunications software, protocols and standards.
IT 650 Principles of Database Design

This course is a study of the design, development and implementation of database management systems (DBMS) that emphasize relational DBMS architecture using SQL. Students will design and implement projects and complete case exercises as they are introduced to new developments in database design.
IT 700 Capstone in Information Technology

This capstone course is the culminating experience for the M.S. in Information Technology program. The aim of the capstone is to assess students' ability to synthesize and integrate the knowledge and skills they have developed throughout their coursework, rather than introducing new concepts. This course is structured to support student success in fulfilling program requirements.

Total Credits: 36

Program Outcomes

Minimum Hardware Required Specifications

Component Type PC (Windows OS) Apple (Mac OS)
Operating System
 Windows 7 or newer
 Mac OS X Snow Leopard (10.6) or newer
Memory (RAM)
 4 GB or higher
 4 GB or higher
Hard Drive
 100GB or higher
 100GB or higher
Office Suite
 Office 2010 Professional or newer
 Office 2011 for Mac
Antivirus Software
 Required for on campus students. Strongly recommended for online students
 Required for on campus students. Strongly recommended for online students
Optional Accessories

CD/DVD drive. External hard drive. Extra power cord. Headphones/earbuds

 CD/DVD drive. External hard drive. Extra power cord. Headphones/earbuds
SNHU Purchase Programs

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Notes:

  • Laptop or Desktop?  Whichever you choose depends on your personal preference and work style though laptops tend to offer more flexibility.
  • IMPORTANT NOTE:  Chromebooks (Chrome OS) and iPads (iOS) do not meet the minimum requirements for coursework at SNHU, nor does the Microsoft Surface RT. These offer limited functionality and do not work with some course technologies.  They are not acceptable as the only device you use for coursework.  While these devices are convenient and may be utilized for some course functions they cannot be your primary device.
  • Office 365 Pro Plus is available free of charge to all SNHU students and faculty. The Office suite will remain free while you are a student at SNHU. Upon graduation you may convert to a paid subscription if you wish.  Terms subject to change at Microsoft's discretion. The following platforms are no longer supported by Office 365:
    • Android 4.3 and earlier versions
    • Firefox version 5.0 and earlier versions
    • Internet Explorer 8-10 on Windows 7 and earlier versions
    • Internet Explorer 10 on Win Phone 8.0
    • Safari 6.0.4/OS X10.8.4 and earlier versions
  • Antivirus software: Check with your ISP as they may offer antivirus software free of charge to subscribers.
  • Optional Accessories: 
    • Many laptops on the market today do not include CD/DVD drives.  While SNHU typically does not utilize CD/DVD content, this is a good accessory to have.
    • External Hard Drive - it is always a good idea to back up your files and an external hard drive is a great way to do that.
    • Extra power cord - if you have a laptop and are frequently on the move, many people find it useful to have a second power cord - one for home and one for your bag.
    • Headphones/earbuds - many SNHU courses include audio and video content.  These will make viewing and listening easier.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition rates for SNHU's online degree programs are among the lowest in the nation. We offer a 25% tuition discount for U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty.

Online Graduate Programs Per Course* Per Credit Hour*
Degree/Certificates $1,881 $627
Degree/Certificates
(U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty) 		$1,410 $470

*Tuition Rates are subject to change and are reviewed Annually.

Additional Costs:
$40 Application Fee, $150 Graduation Fee, Course Materials ($ varies by course)

University Accreditation

Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges as well as several other accrediting bodies. More...

This program is accredited by ACBSP. Consumer information is available on the College Navigator.

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-records-and-health-information-technicians.htm (viewed online Dec. 13, 2017). Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.