Post-Baccalaureate Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Informatics

POST-BACCALAUREATE GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS

Program Overview

This certificate is designed for students who have earned a bachelor’s degree in social work, nursing, healthcare administration, public health, business, computer design, or related fields and want to enhance their fundamental skills in health informatics. Health Informatics is an evolving discipline at the intersection of data science, health information technology, health information management, and data analytics focused on improving health and healthcare by bringing theory into practice through enabling technologies.

In as little as two semesters, this inter-disciplinary certificate program can be completed and will prepare students with the principles in health informatics, health care data management and analytics, and much more!

The four courses taught by renowned professors and industry experts prepare students for the field of health informatics in several ways, including boosting their marketability and opening doors to professional advancement and opportunities. In addition, throughout each of the four courses, students will be supported in career planning, informatics-oriented resume and portfolio creation.

This curriculum is designed to prepare you to sit for one of the following certifications:

…please note, individual agencies have different practice and discipline requirements.

 

Students will be better-prepared and more competitive in the following career fields:

  • Clinical informatics analyst/coordinator
  • Health informatics analyst/coordinator
  • EHR documentation specialist/technician
  • Health outcomes analyst/coordinator
  • Population health analyst/coordinator
  • Social determinants of health analyst/coordinator
  • Health equity research manager

….just to name a few!

Courses

The courses below allow students to meet the education requirements for a certificate.

Course Number Course Title Course Description
NURS-HI 5383 Principles of Healthcare Informatics Health information management, clinical information systems, decision support systems, clinical research and health assessment systems, technology assessment, and healthcare accounting. Focus is on US healthcare and the role of informatics within the US healthcare system.
NURS-HI 5384 Healthcare Data Management and Analytics Development, integration, and management of healthcare information systems, patient care systems, and healthcare delivery applications. Utilizes case studies and real-life application scenarios.
NURS-HI 5385 Health Information Systems Management Introduction to project management principles and tools used for managing the development of healthcare analytics projects and information systems. Application of systems theory, hardware requirements, personnel requirements, vendor, negotiations, software, database, telecommunications, and use of the internet.
NURS-HI 5386 Social Determinants of Health and Healthcare Informatics Introduce the concepts of SDOH and explore the relationships between SDOH and Health informatics. Include how healthcare informatics can be employed to bridge the gaps experienced by vulnerable populations.

Requirements to receive the certificate: Students must complete 12 semester credit hours (SCHs) from the list of approved courses and maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

The certificate could be completed in two semesters by taking two (2) courses in the fall semester and two (2) courses in the spring semester.

For those students who have interest in a certain area of informatics, individual courses could be taken as electives in other programs [with faculty approval].

Admission Requirements

Students applying directly to the certificate program:
Basic admission requirements must be met before a student can be accepted. Prospective students must apply to the university through the Office of Admissions, pay the application fee, and submit official transcripts to the UT Arlington’s Admission’s Office. The Admission’s Office is also responsible for calculating the admission GPA. All steps necessary to complete an application (i.e. submitting transcripts, paying fees) must be completed prior to progressing in the application process.

Contact Us:
Those interested in this certificate should email  us for more information at telehealthadvising@uta.edu.

Resources

Policies:

While University faculty and staff members give students academic advice and assistance, each student is expected to take responsibility for his or her education and personal development. The student must know and abide by the academic and disciplinary policies given in the catalog and MSN handbook, including rules governing quantity of work, the standard of work required to continue in the University, scholastic probation and dismissal, and enforced withdrawal.

Students will not be relieved of their responsibility to know the policies, deadlines and rules of the University on the grounds that they were not told. If students have questions regarding policies, it is the University’s expectation that the student will consult his/her academic advisor for guidance and resolution.

All students are expected to be familiar with the following sources of information.

Course Load

Graduate education requires students to have dedicated time to devote to studying, completing assignments, preparing for, and completing clinicals and other course work. Students are encouraged to consider their work schedules and commitments considering the demands of the program and adjust accordingly.  Commitments which compete with graduate study may result in suboptimal academic performance and place the student in academic jeopardy.

Study Time Recommendations

In general, for every-one graduate nursing semester credit hour of enrollment a student should allocate 5 hours of study time outside of class. For example, a 3 semester credit hours course, may reasonably require 15 hours of work, outside of class, plus anytime needed to complete clinicals.

Employment Recommendations

Students are encouraged to evaluate their energy level, familial and personal obligations, and school commitments before starting their degree program.

Tuition

Tuition and Affordability - Admissions - The University of Texas at Arlington (uta.edu)

Financial aid is not available to students enrolled in certificates programs. However, students seeking financial aid assistance, should review the Scholarships and MAV ScholarShop resources.

Academic Calendar

Students should review the academic calendar prior to enrolling and prepare accordingly.

Student Success

Student Success resources are available to all students achieving academic success at UT Arlington. Our dedicated faculty make every effort to assist students in meeting their academic goals across a wide variety of subject areas.

UTA CONHI is unique among many comparable universities for the remarkable amount of resources dedicated to student success. Learn more about our offerings on help with courses and writing/speaking.

ACADEMIC ADVISING

Students in the MSN program are welcome to meet with an advisor. Once admitted to UT Arlington, students may enroll in their coursework using the degree plan provided by the academic advisor and proceed to registration. Students are encouraged to contact their advisor with any questions. Learn more about Health Informatics Advising. 

UTA's Department of Graduate Nursing is unique among many comparable universities for the remarkable amount of resources dedicated to student success. Learn more about our offerings on help with courses and writing/speaking.

HIMSS Approved Education Partner

The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, Inc (HIMSS) designated the University of Texas at Arlington as a HIMSS Approved Education Partner.