Anyone seeking a degree in health care informatics should be aware that the field is fairly nuanced. It focuses on applying information technology to enterprise-based data systems and analysis, all with the end goal of improving patient care. It is also important to note that this is different from health information technology, which focuses on patient records stored in electronic form as well as compliance, billing and coding for these records.
This probably sounds more complicated than it is. To put it more simply, "health care informatics" is about using technology to provide better health care, while "health information technology" is about using technology to organize health care information.
Fortunately, a variety of online degree programs for health care informatics are available to help explain the field in more depth. An online education's flexibility can be beneficial to many different kinds of students, whether they are brand-new to college or coming back to higher education after many years. And earning an online degree in this field may help students to earn positions in hospitals, health insurance organizations, policy institutes, research facilities or anywhere else that health care informatics can be put to good use.
Finding an online school that is the right fit for you takes time and research, even in the health care informatics field. That's why we created this list of featured online colleges in the discipline, chosen using data that came from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
Visit our methodologies page to learn more about how we use official data to evaluate schools.
Students looking for online degree programs for health care informatics can find two options through Southern New Hampshire University. The first is the university's online Bachelor's of Science in health information management, and the other is its online Bachelor's of Science in health care administration with a focus on health information management.
One reason to consider SNHU is the ease of its online application process, which does not require a fee nor the submission of former transcripts. In fact, staff at the university seeks out those prior transcripts and then does a subsequent transcript evaluation. Another factor making this school attractive is the ability of students to transfer in up to 90 credits toward an undergraduate degree.
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2500 North River Road, ManchesterThe online Associate of Applied Science in health information management degree program offered at Portland Community College can be utilized through the Desire2Learn platform. Students can access all assignments, lectures, quizzes and videos through this interactive, online learning tool. Only the practicum class in this degree program requires attendance at an actual site.
In fact, this two-credit practicum course also incorporates practice exams to help graduates prepare to take the national Registered Health Information Technicians, or RHIT, exam. This certification may be beneficial to anyone seeking a job or interested in standing out among other applicants. PCC's open admissions policy only sweetens the deal, making the school easily accessible to applicants who have earned a high school diploma or a GED certificate.
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1200 SW 49th AvenueStudents interested in online colleges for health care informatics may find the Bachelor of Science in health informatics degree program offered through King University to be a suitable fit. The program comprises 12 different courses, all which can be completed entirely online. Particularly hardworking students interested in a quick completion may be able to finish this degree in as little as 16 months.
Courses at King University are generally five weeks each. Students also may be able to transfer in credits to the school or take advantage of reverse articulation agreements with other Tennessee community colleges. Additionally, the university is a military-friendly school, meaning that military students should be able to find help with making their academic choices.
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1350 King College RoadCompetency-based learning is at the heart of online education at Western Governors University. This simply means that students pass their classes once they can prove their skills through papers, projects, exams or other types of assessments. This competency-based approach is even used in the online Bachelor's of Science in health information management degree program offered through the university.
Further distinguishing this degree program is the fact that students can take as many courses as they want each semester, and tuition at Western Governors is charged by semester, not by the number of credits a student is taking. This can help to cut down both time and money costs for completing a degree program, depending on the number of courses a student can handle at one time. The university's open admissions policy is the cherry on top of this customizable opportunity.
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4001 South 700 East,Suite 700Health care informatics degree programs are an important part of teaching students how to apply technological solutions to the challenges they may work to overcome in the health care industry. This section takes a look at coursework students may complete during health care informatics degree programs, as well as the skills they may develop during this coursework.
Professionals who pursue the health care informatics field must develop a strong understanding of how computer systems are used in the medical field. In order to teach students this understanding, online colleges for health care informatics may include the following courses in their curriculum.
In order to be successful in a health care informatics career, candidates should be accomplished at a number of industry-relevant skills. The following are some of the abilities they may want to focus on developing as they work on their degree programs.
As technology rapidly evolves and becomes more entrenched in the health care field, the education students receive at online colleges for health care informatics becomes increasingly important to performing the job. This section explores various positions that health care informatics students may pursue after completing their studies, with job descriptions and education requirements for each career.
Although some clinical data managers may be able to find employment after completing a bachelor's degree, these professionals are generally required to earn a master's degree in computer science or engineering, or a graduate certificate in health informatics or clinical data management.
Analysts are usually able to find work after earning a bachelor's degree in a computer-related discipline, but positions and requirements can vary wildly depending on the employer. Some employers prefer candidates to have earned a master's degree; others may prioritize candidates who have taken business classes as well as computer classes; still others may accept candidates with non-computer-related degrees so long as they have established technical experience.
In order to earn a position as a medical records director, candidates are expected to have at least an associate's degree, though many employers prefer candidates with a bachelor's degree.