Master of Business Administration - Accounting
The MBA program at the University of the Potomac typically consists of 12 courses, tota...
M.S. in Healthcare Informatics
Washington, D.C., Virginia
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Program Overview
The MSHI program at the University of the Potomac is a 36-credit-hour curriculum. It typically takes about two years to complete for full-time students, though accelerated options are available. The program is structured into three main areas: Business and Management, Health Profession, and Information Technology, with 12 credits allocated to each. This comprehensive approach ensures graduates gain expertise in IT foundations, research methods, project management, and information security within the unique context of healthcare.
STEM-designated: Yes, the University of the Potomac's Master of Science in Healthcare Informatics (MSHI) program is STEM-designated. This is a significant advantage, particularly for international students, as it makes them eligible for the STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension in the United States. This extension allows for an additional 24 months of work authorization beyond the initial 12-month OPT period, providing international graduates with up to three years of valuable professional experience in the U.S.
Curriculum: The 36-credit MSHI curriculum is divided into three key pillars: 12 credits in Business and Management, 12 credits in Health Profession, and 12 credits in Information Technology. Courses in Business and Management include Executive Leadership, Management and Information Systems, Health Informatics Project Design and Management, and Healthcare Communications Technology and Telematics. The Health Profession component covers American Health Care Systems, Legal and Regulatory Environment for Health Care and Informatics, Health Quality and Safety, and Research Methods and Data Analytics for Health Informatics. The Information Technology segment includes Introduction to Health Information Technology, Enterprise Data Management and Administration, Data Integration, Warehousing, Provenance, and Analysis, and Health Data Structures. The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practice and prepares students to utilize data, information, and knowledge to solve health problems.
Research Focus: The MSHI program at the University of the Potomac has a strong applied research focus, particularly in how information technology can be leveraged to solve real-world health problems. The curriculum includes "Research Methods and Data Analytics for Health Informatics," emphasizing the use of evidence-based practice methodologies. Students are trained to acquire skills necessary to contribute to strategic and tactical approaches in utilizing health information systems to improve healthcare quality. The program encourages students to explore how data, information, and knowledge can be used to address health issues from individual to population levels, including examining legal, regulatory, and ethical considerations related to health information technology.
Industry Engagement: The University of the Potomac's MSHI program is highly engaged with the demands of the healthcare industry. It aims to provide individuals with the "necessary expertise to oversee coordination of a complex organization's healthcare informatics and information management needs." The curriculum is designed to be "career-driven," equipping graduates with skills highly sought after in healthcare settings such as hospitals, clinics, government agencies, and technology companies. The program prepares students to work collaboratively across disciplines to define, discuss, and resolve health problems using technology-based solutions. Its focus on practical application ensures graduates are ready to contribute to improving healthcare quality and safety through effective information management and IT systems.
Global Perspective: The University of the Potomac fosters a global perspective within its MSHI program through its diverse student body and a curriculum that addresses universal healthcare challenges. The program's focus on information technology foundations, research methods for healthcare managers, and the legal and regulatory environment for healthcare and informatics is applicable across various international contexts. By preparing students to contribute to improving healthcare quality from the individual to the population level, the program inherently deals with issues that transcend national borders. The university's support for international students and its flexible learning options also contribute to a multicultural learning environment, enriching discussions with diverse viewpoints and experiences.
Location
Washington, D.C., Virginia
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 22250
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 60% 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.
- PTE: Overall score of 59 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 100.
The University of the Potomac is dedicated to making education affordable and accessible for international students by offering a variety of scholarship opportunities. These scholarships aim to recognize academic excellence, leadership potential, and financial need, helping reduce the overall cost of education for deserving students from around the world.
Merit-Based Scholarships: International students demonstrating strong academic performance may qualify for merit-based scholarships. These awards reward high GPA, outstanding achievements, and exceptional contributions in previous educational settings. Merit scholarships can significantly lower tuition fees and encourage students to maintain high academic standards throughout their studies.
Need-Based Scholarships: The university also offers need-based scholarships designed to assist international students facing financial challenges. Applicants are encouraged to submit detailed financial information during the admissions process to be considered for these scholarships, which aim to bridge the gap between the cost of education and the student’s financial resources.
Special Program Scholarships: Certain academic programs at the University of the Potomac provide dedicated scholarships for international students, especially in fields such as business administration, information technology, and cybersecurity. These program-specific awards support students pursuing careers in high-demand industries.
A Master of Science (M.S.) in Healthcare Informatics (MSHI) from the University of the Potomac is a STEM-designated program designed to equip graduates for pivotal roles in the evolving healthcare sector.
Clinical Informatics Specialist/Analyst: This is a core role where graduates act as the bridge between clinical staff and IT departments. They analyze clinical workflows, optimize electronic health record (EHR) systems, provide user training, and implement technologies to improve documentation, care coordination, and data collection, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes.
Health Information Systems Manager/Director: Graduates are well-prepared to manage the IT infrastructure and information systems within healthcare organizations. This includes overseeing hardware, software, security measures, and data management, ensuring that technology supports clinical and administrative operations efficiently. Higher-level roles can include Director of Informatics or Chief Information Officer (CIO).
Healthcare IT Project Manager: With strong foundations in project design and management, graduates can lead various IT projects within healthcare facilities, such as the implementation of new EHR systems, digitalization of records, or the integration of new technologies to improve operational efficiency and patient care.
Healthcare Data Analyst/Scientist: Leveraging skills in research methods and data analytics, graduates can collect, clean, analyze, and interpret large healthcare datasets. They identify trends, patterns, and insights related to patient outcomes, quality of care, operational efficiency, and population health, informing strategic decision-making.
Informatics Nurse Specialist: For graduates with a nursing background, this role integrates nursing science with information and communication technologies to improve nursing practice and patient care. They evaluate and customize clinical information systems for nursing workflows and contribute to quality improvement initiatives.
Healthcare Consultant (Informatics): Graduates can work for consulting firms or independently, providing expert advice to healthcare organizations on optimizing their informatics systems, ensuring regulatory compliance, adopting new technologies, and improving overall information management strategies.
Pharmacy Informaticist: Specializing in medication management, these professionals blend pharmacy expertise with health information systems to enhance patient safety, medication accuracy, and workflow efficiency within pharmacies and larger healthcare systems.
Health Quality and Safety Officer/Analyst: With coursework in Health Quality and Safety, graduates can work to identify areas for improvement in healthcare delivery, analyze data related to patient safety events, and implement informatics solutions to enhance the quality and safety of patient care.
EHR Implementation Director/Specialist: As healthcare organizations continue to adopt and optimize electronic health record systems, graduates play a crucial role in planning, executing, and managing the successful implementation and ongoing maintenance of these complex systems.
Public Health Informatician: Applying informatics principles to population health, these professionals use data and technology to address public health challenges, monitor disease outbreaks, manage public health programs, and improve overall community health outcomes.
