Program Description
The Master of Arts in Health Informatics is an interdisciplinary graduate program that integrates health sciences, information and computer technology, and management to address the growing demand for digital transformation in health care systems. The program provides advanced training in research methods, health data analytics, system design, and policy development, while cultivating leadership, project management, and ethical decision-making skills.
Anchored in evidence-based practice, the program develops competencies necessary for the design, implementation, and evaluation of health information systems, as well as the application of informatics in clinical care, population health, and biomedical research. Graduates of the program are prepared to assume leadership roles as health informaticians, project managers, data scientists, researchers, and policy advocates, contributing to innovation, quality improvement, and equitable access to healthcare.
Program Objectives
The program aims to:
1. Provide advanced theoretical and applied knowledge of health informatics as an interdisciplinary field bridging health sciences, information systems, and management.
2. Develop student competence in the design, implementation, and evaluation of health information systems for clinical, public health, and research applications.
3. Strengthen research capacity through rigorous training in research design, biostatistics, data analytics, and evidence-based problem solving.
4. Foster leadership and project management skills that enable students to direct health informatics initiatives in diverse organizational and cultural contexts.
5. Cultivate ethical awareness and adherence to data privacy, security, and governance principles in health informatics practice.
6. Prepare graduates to contribute to health policy and digital health reforms at institutional, national, and global levels.
Expected Program Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, graduates are expected to be able to:
1. Critically analyze theoretical and practical foundations of health informatics and apply them in diverse health care and public health settings.
2. Conduct independent and collaborative research in health informatics using appropriate designs, biostatistical tools, and data analytics techniques.
3. Design, develop, and evaluate health information systems that enhance decision-making, patient safety, and organizational effectiveness.
4. Apply advanced methods in data science, including machine learning and artificial intelligence, to support evidence-based health care and population health initiatives.
5. Demonstrate leadership in planning, managing, and sustaining technology-driven innovations within healthcare institutions.
6. Evaluate and apply ethical, legal, and policy frameworks related to data privacy, interoperability, and the responsible use of health information.
7. Contribute to policy development, advocacy, and reforms that promote digital transformation and equitable access to healthcare services.
Curriculum Structure (36 units)
Core Courses (12 units)
Foundations of Health Informatics (3 units)
This course provides an in-depth introduction to the field of health informatics, examining its historical development, disciplinary foundations, and evolving role in health care, public health, and biomedical research. Students analyze core concepts such as information systems, data-driven decision-making, and technology-enabled health services. Emphasis is placed on the interdisciplinary nature of the field, emerging innovations, and the implications of informatics in improving health outcomes and system efficiency.
Research Methods and Biostatistics in Health Informatics (3 units)
A rigorous study of research design, biostatistics, and analytic approaches applied to health-related data. The course covers quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method designs, sampling strategies, data collection, and ethical issues in health informatics research. Statistical applications for data analysis are taught using software tools, with emphasis on interpretation of results for evidence-based health practice and policy. Students are expected to design a research proposal demonstrating methodological rigor.
Health Data Standards, Privacy, and Ethics (3 units)
This course critically examines the standards, protocols, and ethical frameworks guiding the collection, sharing, and use of health data. Topics include data interoperability, coding standards, data governance, confidentiality, and legal compliance in digital health environments. Students engage in the analysis of case studies that illustrate ethical dilemmas, enabling them to evaluate the balance between innovation, security, and professional accountability in the responsible use of health information.
Health Information Systems Design and Evaluation (3 units)
An advanced study of the principles, methodologies, and frameworks in the design, implementation, and evaluation of health information systems. Students examine system development life cycles, user-centered design principles, workflow integration, and system evaluation models. The course combines theoretical perspectives with practical case studies to prepare students for addressing challenges in system adoption, optimization, and sustainability in clinical and public health settings.
Specialization Courses (18 units)
Clinical Decision Support Systems (3 units)
An exploration of decision-support technologies and their role in enhancing clinical care and patient safety. The course examines the design, integration, and evaluation of decision support systems within electronic health records and other digital platforms. Emphasis is placed on evidence-based practice, usability, and the impact of these systems on clinical outcomes, efficiency, and the quality of care delivery.
Electronic Health Records and Data Management (3 units)
This course provides a comprehensive analysis of electronic health records (EHRs), focusing on structure, functionality, and implementation challenges. Students learn methods of data acquisition, storage, retrieval, and analysis, alongside critical issues of data integrity, interoperability, and governance. Case studies of EHR implementation in varied healthcare contexts are used to highlight best practices and lessons learned.
Public Health Informatics (3 units)
An advanced study of informatics applications in population health, disease surveillance, and health program management. Students explore how information systems and digital tools support epidemiological analysis, health promotion, and disaster preparedness. The course emphasizes the integration of informatics into public health interventions, policy development, and resource allocation to improve population health outcomes.
Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence in Health (3 units)
This course introduces students to advanced methods in data analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence with direct applications to health care and biomedical research. Topics include predictive modeling, natural language processing, image recognition, and big data management in health systems. Students engage in hands-on exercises with health datasets and critically assess the opportunities and challenges of AI in clinical and public health settings.
Health Technology Leadership and Change Management (3 units)
A comprehensive examination of leadership and organizational change theories as applied to the introduction and management of health technologies. The course addresses strategies for fostering innovation, managing resistance, and building organizational capacity to adopt and sustain informatics-driven reforms. Students apply leadership frameworks to case studies and develop strategies for guiding health organizations through digital transformation.
Project Management in Health Informatics (3 units)
An applied course on the principles, tools, and practices of project management in health informatics. Topics include project design, planning, scheduling, risk assessment, resource allocation, and monitoring and evaluation. Students learn to apply established project management frameworks to develop practical plans for health informatics initiatives, emphasizing efficiency, accountability, and measurable outcomes.
Thesis Requirement (6 units)
Master’s Thesis in Health Informatics (6 units)
The thesis serves as the culminating academic requirement of the program. Under faculty supervision, students conduct independent, original research that addresses a significant issue in health informatics. The process involves development of a research proposal, review of literature, methodological design, data collection and analysis, oral defense, and submission of a final manuscript of publishable quality. The thesis must demonstrate scholarly rigor, contribute new insights to the discipline, and offer practical implications for health care practice, policy, or systems innovation.