Graduate Certificate Program in Health Informatics

PUBH.5060 Quantitative Methods in Health Management (3cr)

This course explores analytic methods that can be used to improve the decision making of management, clinicians and others within the healthcare industry. Students learn the conceptual foundations of quantitative analysis and common methods used in supporting decision-making; developing evidence-based practices; analyzing data and testing hypotheses. Students also learn how to use industry-standard data analysis software applications, statistical packages and common applications for the development and reporting of analytic findings.

Requirements:

CSCE Graduate Restrictions

PUBH.5150 Applied Health Economics (3cr)

Students explore the economic dimensions of healthcare by considering the input, output, production and costs of producing quality healthcare which meets demand and evaluates the behavior of supply. Students consider provider payer systems and aspects relative to private and public health insurance in determining market power and competitive markets. Common economic evaluation methods are introduced to measure health service feasibility, and promote value judgment in the realm of healthcare reform and regulatory compliance.

PUBH.5310 Health Informatics (3cr)

This course introduces healthcare professionals to the power of data and the importance of analysis. Students learn how population informatics, consumer health informatics, translational bioinformatics, and clinical research informatics are essential components in selecting the techniques and systems used for transforming clinical data into information, knowledge and improved decision-making. The past, current and future role of healthcare IT is also discussed.

PUBH.5315 Classification Systems and Reimbursement (3cr)

This course introduces the clinical classification systems, reimbursement methodologies and terminologies of health information. Topics include the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-CM and PCS), Healthcare Common Procedural Coding System (HCPCS), Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V), National Drug Codes (NDC), and data standard requirements such as Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine Clinical Terms (SNOMED), Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC), RxNorm, and other unified medical language systems along with federal data Interchange standards HL7, ASC X12, and FHIR.

PUBH.5600 Data Applications for Public Health Practice (3cr)

Working with data is foundational to public health. This class will provide a practical introduction to how to think about and utilize data for a variety of public health functions Students will investigate sources of local, national, and global public health data, including health records, surveys, and vital statistics in terms of what data is available and how to access, manage, analyze, communicate, and use these data. Students will apply informatics and data sources to population health activities. Students will gain hands on experience working with data in practical ways through data visualizations and software used for public health informatics.

PUBH.5750 Epidemiology and Biostatistics (3cr)

Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of disease in human populations, and the risk factors associated with diseases. This course provides an introduction to epidemiology and the associated biostatistical methods that constitute the principal quantitative methods for disease prevention. Topics include: measures of disease frequency, measures of central tendency and spread, rates and risks, precision and validity, bias, simple linear regression, and the important study designs (population surveys, cohort, case-control and cross-sectional studies).

Requirements:

CSCE Graduate Restrictions

PUBH.5770 Biostatistics for Health Data (3cr)

This is a practical course in biostatistical methods for health research. Emphasis is placed on developing an understanding of the use and interpretation of standard biostatistical methods. Topics include probability and sampling distributions, regression and ANOVA, methods for analyzing rates and proportions, power and sample size calculations. Students will gain experience in using a statistical software package to apply and expand their data analysis skills.

PUBH.6070 Healthcare Information Systems (3cr)

This course provides a broad-range overview of the healthcare information systems industry, its history, recent developments and continuing challenges, as well as a practical understanding of healthcare information systems acquisition and implementation. Topics include EMR, Data, CMS Quality Programs, Clinical Integration and health information exchange.

PUBH.6160 Law and Ethics in Healthcare (3cr)

This course presents and overview of legal and ethical issues facing managers and providers in health care. It provides students with a foundation of health law and ethics and reviews health care legal and ethical situations and dilemmas. The goals are to provide students with practical knowledge of health law and ethics and their application to the real world of health care.

PUBH.6240 Health Data Quality and Compliance (3cr)

This course examines the practical concept of data quality review and auditing for monitoring compliance with state and federal licensing and regulatory bodies. Students develop an understanding of state and federal guidelines common to private and public health services. Students practice concurrent and retrospective review of health information and examine criteria that meets the Department of Health and Human Service and federal ONC Health IT initiatives including meaningful use and other provider quality initiative programs associated with national health care goals. Students develop a clinical documentation improvement program including tools for training other and create an electronic dashboard for monitoring compliance.

PUBH.6270 Health Equity and Informatics (3cr)

Health informatics studies use big data and information technologies to improve human health by reducing the gap between health practice and societal goals of improved health. Health care quality, access, and cost contribute to the broader perspective of health equity. Students apply the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) code sets applicable to the Department of Health and Human Services and Office of National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. Students explore how data are used to detect and inform policies and interventions to reduce health inequities for marginalized and underserved groups. Students apply these skills by designing informatics interventions that support a broader understanding of overall population health equity.

PUBH.6320 Health Information System Design and Analysis (3cr)

This course introduces students to the health information system lifecycle. Students take a detailed look at the process of system planning, analysis, design, and implementation. Concepts are taught in a manner that applies to any discipline within the health organization and provides a practical understanding of the steps necessary for successful systems delivery and its importance to organization success. Skills learned will enable students to work effectively with and support the information systems planning effort to ensure better system alignment with information services, clinical and administrative objectives.

Requirements:

CSCE Graduate Restrictions

PUBH.6330 Healthcare Database Design (3cr)

A practical approach to the design, and development of a relational database with an emphasis on healthcare. Analyzing the requirements of the database proceeds to the design of the structure of the relational database, which is then developed in a Relational Database Management System (RDBMS). Microsoft Access is used as the RDBMS platform.

PUBH.6350 Healthcare Project Management (3cr)

This is a graduate level course providing a comprehensive foundation for project management as it applies to healthcare. Students will be introduced to the theory and concepts of project management and the tools to manage projects with a focus on healthcare. At the end of this course, students should be able to develop, execute, and control a basic project plan that is capable of supporting organizational objectives linked to measures of success for a single project.

PUBH.6380 Health Information Technology Strategic Planning (Health Information Technology) (3cr)

A graduate-level course introducing healthcare professionals to strategic planning for the information systems organization. The concepts are taught in a manner that allows the skills learned to be applied to any discipline with the organization. The course is designed to give healthcare professional a practical understanding of strategic planning and its importance to a successful organization. Skills learned in this course will enable the student to work effectively with and support the information systems planning effort in order to ensure better IS, clinical and business alignment.

PUBH.6390 Electronic Health Record Systems (3cr)

The course addresses Electronic Health Records (EHR) integration with patient care flow, clinical decision making and patient engagement, as well as patient registries and clinical quality reporting. Students also learn core EHR functions, strategies for EHR optimization, and how the EHR can be leveraged for population health management. The course uses industry-leading EHR software as a learning tool to demonstrate how electronic health record technologies are used in a healthcare setting.