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Graduate Certificate Program in Health Informatics

Expand your knowledge of health care information technology and systems, and position yourself for success in this flourishing field.

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Earn Your Health Informatics Certificate Online and Take the Next Step in Your Career

Get up to speed on the latest technological advancements in the realm of health care data management and learn how to utilize clinical data to improve decision making with UMass Lowell's Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics. Intended for individuals with a background in health care or the medical sciences, this four-course program — which is available 100% online — provides a solid foundation of knowledge related to data analysis; health care IT; and electronic methods of organizing, storing and exchanging patient data.

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Complete in as Little as 9 Months

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One of the Most Affordable Tuitions in the Nation

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Apply Anytime

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Variety of Financial Aid and Scholarships Available

In recognition of the ever-evolving nature of technology, UMass Lowell's health informatics online courses accentuate the technical aspects of health data management, analysis, access, exchange, storage and retrieval in accordance with current state and federal regulations, corporate compliance data integrity, and meaningful use standards.

Career Outlook

2.58M
Jobs (2020)
+6.2%
% Change (2020-2021)
106.4K/yr
Median Earnings
313,405
Annual Openings
Source: Lightcast, 2022
Employment of medical records and health information technicians is projected to grow 11 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. The demand for health services is expected to increase as the population ages.
—U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2019
HIMSS Badge UMass Lowell is an Academic Organizational Affiliate of Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society.

Gain Knowledge That Is in High Demand

The demand is high for health information professionals who possess a valuable blend of health care experience and information technology knowledge at hospitals, public health organizations, long-term and memory care facilities, medical centers, and other institutions that involve health care.

One Success Leads to Another

Apply credits from lower credentials to higher ones. Our programs are designed to build upon themselves:

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Graduate Certificate Program in Health Informatics
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Master of Science in Health Information Management: Health Informatics Option

Students who successfully complete UMass Lowell's Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics with a GPA of 3.2 or higher can waive the GRE requirement when applying to the Master of Science in Health Information Management program. Additionally, upon acceptance into the master's program, students can transfer certificate courses in which they earned a grade of 3.0 or higher into the master's program.

Have Questions?

For more information about the Graduate Certificate Program in Health Informatics, please contact Sandra Guy at Sandra_Guy@uml.edu.

Curriculum Outline

- Required Courses: 2
- Electives: 2

Required Courses (2 / 6cr)

Electives (Choose 2 / 6cr)

Course Descriptions

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. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

CSCE Graduate Restrictions

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. 3 credits.

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. 3 credits.

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. 3 credits.

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. 3 credits.

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. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

CSCE Graduate Restrictions

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. 3 credits.

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. 3 credits.

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. 3 credits.

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. 3 credits.

Graduate Certificate Requirements

Students enrolled in graduate certificate programs through UMass Lowell must complete all courses indicated in the curriculum outline. Students may complete the certificate program at their own pace by registering for and successfully completing one or more courses each semester, depending upon his/her personal time constraints. Students are required to maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 with no more than one course grade below B to receive the certificate.

Online courses meet throughout the year during the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters (see Calendar for details). Online students generally log into their online course website one or more times per week to retrieve lectures and assignments or to participate in a chat session. Online students should expect to spend 6 to 10 hours per week engaged in course-related activities for each course. For more information on online courses, visit our online program home page .

Completing a Graduate Certificate Program

Graduate certificate courses must be completed within a five-year period with a minimum 3.0 grade point average and no more than one course with a grade below B. Once all courses for a graduate certificate have been completed, students must complete and submit the Graduate Certificate Clearance Form. Students must submit their clearance form to their coordinator. The coordinator will apply them in SIS, Graduation Tracking.

Tuition & Fees

At UMass Lowell, we believe that students should have as much information as possible up front so they can make informed decisions before enrolling in a degree program or signing up for a course.

Tuition for all undergraduate courses offered through the Division of Graduate, Online & Professional Studies is the same for both in-state and out-of-state students. Tuition for all online graduate courses is also the same for both in-state and out-of-state students. Tuition is priced per credit. To calculate the tuition for a course, simply multiply the per-credit tuition by the total number of credits per course. Exception: If the total number of course contact hours is greater than the total number of credits, the per-credit tuition is instead multiplied by the total number of contact hours.

Fall 2022 Tuition

 Cost Per Credit Cost Per 3-Credit Course*

Graduate
Online $585 $1,755
Online Business** $655 $1,965
Online IT and Engineering*** $600 $1,800
Online Education $470 $1,410
Online Doctoral Education $495 $1,485
On Campus View Here

*Please Note: If the number of contact hours exceeds the number of credits, tuition is calculated by multiplying by the total number of contact hours.

**Applies to ACCT, BUSI, ENTR, FINA, MGMT, MKTG, MIST and POMS courses.

***Applies to CHEN, CIVE, EECE, ENGN, MECH, PLAS and MSIT courses.

The cost to audit a course will be charged the rates listed above.

Additional Fees

Graduate
Online Registration Fee Per Term $30
Late Fee For Non Payment $50
Program Application Fee $50

Looking for Financial Assistance?

UMass Lowell offers a variety of financial aid and scholarship options.
Learn More »
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Registration

Current students can register using SiS Self-Service. New students who have not already applied and been accepted to a program must use the Non-Degree Registration Form.

You can take courses without being officially enrolled in a certificate or degree program, but you must meet course prerequisites. Registrations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Class size is limited. We recommend that you register early to reserve your place in class.

For more information, please visit our Registration Page.

New Students

If you have not already applied and been accepted to a program.
Register with Non-Degree Reg. Form

Current Students

If you have applied, been accepted to and are currently enrolled in a program.
Register with SIS Self-Service

Questions?

Program Support:
Contact: Sandra Guy
Email: Sandra_Guy@uml.edu
Phone: (978) 934-5437
Email our Advising Center for assistance, or call 800-480-3190 to speak with an advisor.

Please Note: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented within this website, the Division of Graduate, Online & Professional Studies reserves the right to implement new rules and regulations and to make changes of any nature in its program, calendar, locations, tuition and fees. Whenever possible, appropriate notice of such changes will be given before they become effective. In applying for a degree program or registering for courses, each student assumes full responsibility for knowledge of and compliance with the definitions, regulations and procedures of UMass Lowell as set forth on our website. For additional information, please refer to the Graduate Program Policies found within the UMass Lowell Graduate Catalog.

Applying into an Online Graduate Certificate Program

UMass Lowell Graduate Certificate Programs provide knowledge and expertise that are vital in today's rapidly changing workplace. In many cases, graduate certificate courses may be applied toward a master's degree at UMass Lowell. Most graduate certificates consist of four courses, for a total of 12 graduate credits. This is a great way to earn a graduate-level credential on the way to earning your master's.

WHO CAN APPLY?

Holders of an appropriate bachelor's degree

HOW TO APPLY?

Learn more about specific application requirements for your program of interest. When you're ready, you can apply online or download an application at http://www.uml.edu/grad.

There is a $50 application fee for all programs except engineering and business, for which there is a $75 application fee. NO Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is required for graduate certificate programs. Credits earned from a graduate certificate may be used toward a related graduate degree with the approval of the graduate program coordinator. Students who complete a graduate certificate with a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or better in a UMass Lowell graduate certificate program (3.20 or better in a graduate certificate from the College of Fine Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences) may be able to waive the GRE when applying to a related master's degree. Note: the GRE is not required for many master's degrees including education, criminal justice and more. Graduate Certificate Programs must be completed within a five-year period with a minimum 3.0 grade point average and with not more than one course with a grade below B. Courses completed for one certificate may not be used for other certificates. Once you have completed all of the courses required for your certificate, please complete and submit the Graduate Certificate Clearance Form.

For specific information regarding any of the above application materials (which may vary for some programs), please see UMass Lowell's Graduate Application Requirements at https://www.uml.edu/Grad/Process/.

Applications can be completed and submitted at any time during the year. Each application is processed — and each applicant notified — as soon as all admissions materials have been received and reviewed. For additional details, please visit https://www.uml.edu/grad/.

Graduate Program Admissions Requirements

Admission to all graduate programs at UMass Lowell is contingent upon successful completion of a bachelor's degree. In many cases, applicants may register for a course before they have formally applied into the program; however, students requiring financial aid may want to wait until they have been formally accepted into the program to ensure that their course(s) will be covered. Contact UMass Lowell's Office of Graduate Admissions if you have questions about the application process.

Apply Now

Questions Regarding Your Graduate Application?

Email Graduate_Admissions@uml.edu or call 800-656-4723 (for U.S. students) or 978-934-2390 (for international students).

For General Assistance:

For general questions about registering for courses or to find out who the advisor is for your graduate program, call 800-480-3190. Our admissions and advising teams are here to help!

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