Certificate Program Overview

Introduction

The Certificate of Health Informatics is designed for self-motivated  professionals working in the health care and information technology fields.

The certificate provides professionals with an increased understanding of the opportunities and challenges involved in integrating information technology into healthcare.  They will be able to participate in designing, planning, implementing and evaluating new information technology at their institutions. 

 SHIS is experienced in providing education to working professionals.  The certificate program is designed to provide quality education to professionals on their schedule.

Types of Certificates

Two different certificates are offered.  Each certificate consists of five semester long classes, for a total of 15 hours of graduate credit:

• Certificate of Health Informatics - designed for health care professionals as well as information technology professionals working in the healthcare setting, this certificate can be obtained via two options.

• Option 1 - A set of five classes (see Certificate Classes) with an emphasis in clinical informatics.
  
• Option 2 - Any five classes chosen from the catalog.  This option allows professionals interested in biomedicine or learning and technology to customize their certificate to meet their needs. See Certificate Classes for suggested classes for Learning and Technology. Please browse the course descriptions in the Course Catalog for a list of available classes.
• Certificate of Public Health Informatics - consisting of five courses from both the School of Public Health and the School of Health Information Sciences, this certificate is designed for physicians, nurses, public health and allied health practitioners interested in the public health aspects of informatics.

• PHI Competencies
  
• PHI Brochure
• PHI Description

Online Education


All classes required for option 1 are offered via distance education, using both online and offline resources.

To help you determine whether online education is a good fit for you, check out the following links:

What Makes a Successful Online Student?

Self-Evaluation for Prospective Online Students

Strengths and Weaknesses of Online Learning

NOTE:  Although the links above list a weekly time commitment of 4-6 hours, 12-15 hours per week is expected for each graduate class in the SHIS certificate program.

Admission

Admission to the Certificate of Health Informatics program is open to all interested persons holding at least a bachelor's degree or equivalent. The online application form is available from the Office of the Registrar.

Applications for Fall are accepted until August 10th.  Spring application are accepted until December 14th. Summer applications are accepted until April 15th. Late applications are considered on an individual basis.

See below for details.

All Applicants

• A completed online application form.
• A $30.00 non-refundable application fee.
• Optional  Millers Analogy Test (MAT) or Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score.
• A student criminal background check after admission is offered.
  
• A baccalaureate or higher transcript in an appropriate area, e.g., science, medicine, dentistry, MIS, biology, computer science, engineering or related area.
• A Grade Point Average (GPA) in previous degrees.

Applicants for Option 2

Students will select any five courses with the assistance of the Director of Certificate Programs.



Upon receipt of all application materials, the Director of Certificate Programs will review the application and make the decision to accept or decline the applicant.  Applicants will be notified in writing as to the decision.

During the certificate program, students will be advised by the Director of Certificate Programs.


Program Fees

For a detailed description of costs, see program fees.  For a sample calculation of fees current as of Spring 2007, see certificate sample.


Certificate Completion


Successful completion of the program requires passing each course with a grade of A, B, or C.  Students may not earn more than two grades of "C", earning a third grade of "C" results in automatic dismissal from the program.  Professionals who complete the course of study will receive a certificate of completion.


Transfer to Masters or PhD Degree Programs

If you want to transfer into a degree-seeking program, you must first seek admission to the desired program. If you wish to transfer the credits earned in the Certificate program to a degree granting program you must seek approval of your Masters or PhD advising committee.  A course must have been passed with an A or B in order to qualify for transfer credit.


Contact Information

For further information about the Certificate of Health Informatics Program please contact the Director of Certificate Programs.

Irmgard Willcockson, PhD
The University of Texas School of Health  Information Sciences at Houston
7000 Fannin, Ste. 600
Houston, TX  77030
Voice: (713) 500-3627
Fax:    (713) 500-3907
Email: Irmgard.Willcockson@uth.tmc.edu

For information about the certificate in public health informatics (see our recent research results in PHI) please contact:
C. Ed Hsu, PhD, MS, MPH
7000 Fannin, Ste 600/890
Houston, TX 77030
Voice: (713) 500-3969
Fax: (713) 500-3907
Email: Chiehwen.E.Hsu@uth.tmc.edu