Health Informatics Certificate
Program Director: Timothy P. Coffin, Ph.D., coffin@hood.edu
The Health Informatics Certificate Program is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in the rapidly evolving field of healthcare technology and data management. This comprehensive program combines theoretical foundations with practical applications, enabling students to contribute to the efficient and effective use of healthcare information systems. Students will learn to understand the fundamentals of health informatics, including terminology, standards, regulations, and ethical considerations.
They will demonstrate proficiency in managing health data, including collection, storage, analysis, and reporting. Additionally, they will learn to apply principles of information technology and systems management to optimize healthcare workflows and improve patient outcomes.
Application Requirements
No technology background required, but plus on admission. Students with relevant technology background are encouraged to apply, and discuss possible course waivers and substitutions with their assigned advisor. No healthcare background required, but plus on admission. Students with relevant healthcare background are encouraged to apply and discuss possible course waivers and substitutions with their assigned advisor. Students planning to change their careers are encouraged to contact an informatics advisor to discuss the program and its requirements. For these students, it is also particularly important to describe in the goals statement how they envision themselves in the informatics field.
Requirements for the Certificate
Required Core Courses
| HIFX 500 | Fundamentals of Health Informatics | 3.0 |
| HIFX 501 | Health Information System & Data Standards | 3.0 |
| HIFX 502 | Introduction to US Healthcare Systems and Economics | 3.0 |
| ITMG 516 | Introduction to Data Analytics and Business Data Mining | 3.0 |
ITMG 516 cannot apply to the master's program in Health Informatics, however the nine other credits earned in the certificate will.
Foundation Course
The foundation coursework represents background knowledge and skills necessary for successful completion of degree requirements. The foundation course may be waived by the program director, based upon an analysis of the student’s previous work. A student holding a baccalaureate degree in computer science will normally be granted exemption from, but not graduate credit for, the foundation course. Any foundation course required is in addition to the 12 credits required for program completion.
| CSIT 512 | Elements of Computer Programming | 3.0 |
| | or | |
| BIFX 502 | Foundations in Computer Science | 3.0 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3.0 |