Master of Science in Health Informatics NEW online program

Master of Science at a Distance

• Online degree
• Taught by experts in the field
• 42 semester credit hours

• Courses of Study:

  Basic Informatics                  9 hours

  Research Informatics            6 hours

  Advanced Informatics         15 hours

  Support Courses                  6 hours

  Practicum                           6 hours

• Allows full-time or part-time enrollment
• Curriculum individualized by student and advisors
• Each student will develop a degree plan with approval of an advisory committee.

Program Skill Expectations

Students enrolled in  the Master of Science in Health Informatics graduate program @ a distance are required to be able to use the following technology tools and resources:

Electronic Communication:   Able to communicate electronically through e-mail and online discussion systems.

Electronic Information:  Able to locate and manage electronic information through the use of a variety of search engines and online databases.

File Management:  Should understand and practice the naming and organizing of stored files, the extraction of compressed files, and the use of file transfer software.

Use of Software:  Be able to locate, identify and install software appropriate to various needs.

Use of Productivity Software:  Be able to use the advanced features of productivity tools; including word processing, spreadsheets and databases.

Understanding and Using Graphics:  Be able to create and edit basic graphic files.

Understanding and Using Audio:  Be able to locate and listen to online audio clips, have a basic understanding of the audio formats, and record simple audio files.

Presentation Software:  Students should know how to create computer-based presentations and publish the presentations in a variety of formats.

Admissions Requirements

The applicant must present a completed application and official documentation of the following to the Registrar’s Office:

1. A baccalaureate or higher degree in an appropriate area, e.g., Science, Medicine, Dentistry, MIS, Nursing, Public Health, CIS, Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics
2. Graduate Research Exam (GRE) score over 1060
3. Grade Point Average (GPA) in previous degree of 3.0 or greater
4. A minimum TOEFL score of 550, 213, or 87 based on the method of testing (required for international students only)
5. Goal statement for masters applicant
6. A current curriculum vitae or resume

A portfolio approach will be used to assess the materials presented. As part of the admission process, admissions materials portfolios will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee.

Interview
Every applicant will have an interview with at least two members of an advising committee . An interview focusing on the applicant’s goals is conducted with two faculty.

Computer Requirement

Each student must have a computer that meets the specifications and internet access. The minimum specifications are listed on the website at www.shis.uth.tmc.edu.

Application Deadlines

Fall July 1
Spring November 1
Summer March 15

Admission Process to the Masters Degree Program

How to Apply

All Applicants must submit the following official documentation and test scores to the Registrar's Office.

1. A completed online application form.
2. A $30.00 non-refundable application fee.
3. A Miller's Analogy Test (MAT) or Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is required.
4. A student criminal background check  after  admission  is offered.
   
5. A baccalaureate degree or higher.
6. A Grade Point Average (GPA) in previous degree with a minimum of 3.0.
7. A two page double spaced essay describing the applicant's interest in health informatics, career goals, and reason for applying to the program.
8. At least three letters of recommendation from people who are qualified to evaluate the applicant's health informatics work related experience, academic or professional performance, ability, motivation and character. Must use our form.
9. A resume and/or curriculum vitae.

Applicants are to submit relevant materials to the Registrar's Office. These documents will be sent to the Director of Admissions. The Director of Admissions will assemble a portfolio which will be forwarded to an admission committee for review. The admissions committee will look at various factors including but not limited to:

1. Prior academic preparation (depth, breadth, and performance)
   

2. Relevant work experience, particularly practice in the field of study
   

3. Career Goals
   

4. Motivation
   

5. Integrity
   

6. Scores on GRE or MAT and TOEFL (if required)
   

7. Theses, publications and other scholarly works
   

8. Overcoming social, economic, and educational disadvantages: interview, goal statement, and resume, supplemental documents supplied by the applicant demonstrating first time in college or in a medical or dental profession in the family, qualifying and receiving financial aid, region of residence and the comparative availability of members of the applicants chosen professional program in that region, non-academic responsibilities, including employment, child rearing, elder care, multilingual proficiency, region of residence at the time of application, military service.

9. Gender and Ethnicity
   

No portfolio will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee unless it is complete. The Committee meets monthly to consider complete portfolios.

The Admissions Committee recommends the qualified applicants to complete the admissions process with an interview.

Interview

The second component for admission is a personal interview. Applicants will interview with a two faculty members in the school. The applicant selects the two persons with whom to interview. Separate interviews may be conducted due to scheduling. The interview is expected to focus on the applicant's goals and how they can be achieved in the master's program, communication skills, and understanding of the program. The two interviewers make a recommendation for or against admission to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. If the applicant is admitted, the two interviewers become the student's advising committee.

Practicum and State of the Science Paper

During the course of the master's degree every student will complete at least six semester hours of practicum to gain real world experience in his/her chosen field of health informatics. The practicum is designed by the student in coordination with the student's advising committee.

The State of the Science Paper is based on research in the student's area of interest. It usually originates from the practicum. The paper will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal, however, publication is not a prerequisite for graduation. The paper is signed off by the student's advising committee.

Upon completion of all requirements, students will receive an engraved diploma with Masters of Science in Health Informatics.

Program Completion

Successful completion of the program consists of coursework and a publication quality paper.

Classes

Students have to pass each course with a grade of A or B. If more than 2 grades of C, F or WF are earned including concurrent/interinstitutional enrollment the result will be automatic dismissal.

Required Academics

Course Requirements

• Matrix of Courses (Effective Fall 2007)

Informatics Competencies

Health Informatics has three areas of competencies. They are biomedicine, computer science, and mathematics. You need to be proficient in each of these areas to successfully do informatics.

If you have little or no computer science and programming skills, you should take HI 5006 Information Technology for Biomedicine and HI 5007 Data Structures and Algorithms in Biomedicine.

If you do not have a biomedical background, you should take HI 5004 Introduction to Clinical Healthcare and HI 5003 Molecules to Man in Health Informatics.

If you have not taken college calculus, you should take HI 5005 Essential  Mathematics for Biomedicine.

Technical Writing is required of all students.

If your verbal GRE score is below 640, you must take HI 5000 Technical Writing in Healthcare. If your MAT score is below 432, you must take HI 5000 Technical Writing in Healthcare.

Cost of the Program

For details see Program Costs.

Contact Information

For further information about the Masters of Science in Health Informatics Program please contact the Coordinator of the Masters Program.

Robert W. Vogler, D.S.N.
Coordinator, Masters Program
The University of Texas School of Health Information Sciences at Houston
Voice: 713-500-3940

For more information or questions about the masters program, contact the Director of Admissions.

Debbie Todd
Director of Admissions
The University of Texas School of Health Information Sciences at Houston
7000 Fannin, Ste.600
Houston, TX 77030
Voice: 713-500-3903
Fax: 713-500-3907

Juanita Williams
Sr. Staff Assistant
Voice: 713-500-3910