M.Ed. in Special Education
The University of North Florida (UNF) in Jacksonville offers a Master of Education (M.E...
M.S. in Health Informatics
Jacksonville, Florida
INTAKE: Jan & Aug
Program Overview
The M.S. in Health Informatics at UNF is a STEM-designated program that prepares students for careers in organizations utilizing healthcare data for decision-making. It provides foundational knowledge for board certifications in Clinical Informatics, Nursing Informatics, Information Management, and Data Analytics. The program can be completed online, or in-person starting Fall 2025 (pending SEVP approval for international students), and consists of 11 courses (33 credits). It is a collaborative effort between UNF's Brooks College of Health, Coggin College of Business, and the College of Computing, Engineering, and Construction, reflecting its interdisciplinary nature.
Curriculum: The 33-credit curriculum for the M.S. in Health Informatics at UNF is structured to provide a comprehensive understanding of both the technical and administrative aspects of health informatics. Required courses include "Strategic Planning for Health Information Systems," "Data Analytics," "Clinical Systems Analysis and Decision Support," "Health Informatics and Interoperability," "Health Information Regulatory Compliance," "Healthcare Revenue Management," "Healthcare Planning and Project Management," "Leadership and Organizational Behavior in Healthcare Systems," and "Population Health." Students also select two elective courses from a range of options, allowing for some specialization within the field. The program aims to cover key areas such as health data, electronic health records, clinical systems, health information standards (including privacy), and medical coding applications.
Research Focus: The M.S. in Health Informatics at UNF emphasizes applied learning and analytical skills to address real-world challenges in healthcare data and technology. While the program is primarily professional, it encourages students to critically analyze information systems used in healthcare, understand data management and database technologies (like SQL and data warehousing), and assess the functions and limitations of information technology in the healthcare environment. Students are exposed to concepts like clinical workflow design and re-engineering, data mining, and user experience design, all of which are rooted in research and best practices within the field. The program focuses on equipping graduates to conduct data-driven investigations and implement evidence-based solutions in healthcare settings.
Industry Engagement: UNF's M.S. in Health Informatics program is designed with strong industry connections, crucial for a field as rapidly evolving as health informatics. Its collaborations with the Brooks College of Health, Coggin College of Business, and the College of Computing, Engineering, and Construction suggest diverse avenues for industry interaction. The curriculum is likely informed by current industry needs, and students can benefit from opportunities such as practicum/internship experiences. Jacksonville's growing healthcare sector provides a fertile ground for partnerships with hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare organizations. These engagements ensure that graduates are well-prepared for the demands of roles working with health data, electronic health records, and clinical systems.
Global Perspective: The M.S. in Health Informatics implicitly incorporates a global perspective by addressing universal challenges and best practices in healthcare data management and technology. Health information standards, privacy regulations (like GDPR in Europe, which influences global data handling), and the increasing adoption of health information systems are global phenomena. While the program might primarily focus on the U.S. healthcare system, the principles of data analytics, interoperability, and system implementation are broadly applicable. Graduates are trained to work with health information standards and clinical systems that are often influenced by international developments, enabling them to contribute to improving healthcare quality and efficiency on a broader scale.
Location
Jacksonville, Florida
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 18803
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Application Fee: $31
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 79 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 110.
The University of North Florida (UNF) offers a variety of scholarships specifically designed to support international students in achieving their academic goals while easing the financial burden of studying in the United States. These scholarships recognize outstanding academic achievements, leadership potential, and community involvement.
Merit-Based Scholarships: UNF provides merit scholarships to international students based on their academic performance, standardized test scores, and extracurricular accomplishments. These scholarships can significantly reduce tuition costs and are awarded automatically to eligible applicants during the admissions process.
International Student Scholarships: Special scholarships are reserved exclusively for international students. Examples include the International Freshman Scholarship and the International Transfer Scholarship, which reward high-achieving students with financial aid packages that may cover partial to full tuition fees.
Need-Based Financial Aid: While limited for international students, some need-based financial aid options may be available through private organizations or partnerships coordinated by UNF’s financial aid office. International students are encouraged to explore external scholarship databases for additional funding opportunities.
Departmental Scholarships: Certain academic departments and colleges at UNF offer scholarships targeted to students enrolled in specific fields of study. International students can apply for these scholarships based on their major, research interests, or academic achievements within their discipline.
A Master of Science (M.S.) in Health Informatics from the University of North Florida (UNF) is a bridges the critical gap between healthcare and technology. This interdisciplinary degree, offered through a collaboration of UNF's Brooks College of Health, Coggin College of Business, and the College of Computing, Engineering, and Construction, prepares graduates to manage, analyze, and leverage vast amounts of healthcare data to improve patient care, operational efficiency, and health outcomes.
Health Informatics Specialist/Analyst: This is a broad role involving the collection, analysis, and interpretation of healthcare data to identify trends, improve clinical workflows, and enhance operational efficiency within healthcare organizations. They often work with electronic health records (EHRs) and other health information systems.
Clinical Informatics Specialist/Manager: These professionals act as a crucial link between clinical practice and information technology. They optimize EHR systems, design clinical workflows, and ensure that technology effectively supports patient care, safety, and efficiency. Many nurses or clinicians pursue this specialization.
Health Data Analyst/Scientist: With strong analytical skills, these graduates extract meaningful insights from complex healthcare datasets. They use statistical modeling, data visualization, and potentially machine learning techniques to drive decision-making in areas like population health, quality improvement, and cost reduction.
Health Information Manager (HIM Director/Supervisor): These professionals oversee the entire health information management department within a healthcare organization. They are responsible for the security, accuracy, accessibility, and integrity of patient health records, ensuring compliance with regulations like HIPAA.
Healthcare IT Project Manager: This role involves managing information technology projects within healthcare settings, such as the implementation of new EHR systems, telehealth platforms, or data analytics solutions. They ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and meet organizational goals.
Informatics Nurse Specialist: Combining nursing expertise with informatics knowledge, these specialists improve patient care through technology integration. They play a key role in optimizing EHR use, implementing telehealth solutions, and promoting patient engagement, often focusing on usability and clinical adoption.
Health Informatics Consultant: Graduates can work for consulting firms or independently, providing expert advice to healthcare organizations on health IT strategy, system implementation, data management, process improvement, and regulatory compliance.
Chief Medical Information Officer (CMIO)/Chief Information Officer (CIO) - Health: These are senior leadership roles that often require significant experience, but an M.S. in Health Informatics provides an excellent foundation. CMIOs, often physicians, oversee the strategic alignment of IT with clinical goals, while CIOs lead the overall IT strategy for healthcare systems.
Population Health Analyst: These specialists use large datasets to identify health trends within specific populations, assess the effectiveness of public health interventions, and develop strategies to improve community health outcomes, often working for public health agencies, insurers, or large health systems.
Clinical Data Manager: Primarily found in clinical research settings (pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations), these professionals manage the data collected during clinical trials. They ensure data quality, integrity, and compliance with regulatory standards for research purposes.
