Find your perfect college degree
The healthcare analytics market may be expected to reach $158.90 billion in 2030 from its actual value of 21.10 billion in 2021, the market research and strategy consulting company Emergency Research has announced.
This whooping 6.5 times projected growth rate provides various lucrative opportunities in the next decades for many sectors and groups of individuals, including the healthcare sector, public health organizations, and medical establishments, as well as the allied health professionals and health services managers looking for career growth and students aspiring a career in the healthcare field.
When systematically harnessed, analyzed, and leveraged with the appropriate technology and methodology, information from healthcare Big Data can provide meaningful insights that can significantly enhance healthcare services for the betterment of communities and the general population.
These improvements include enhanced patient care and outcomes, personalized medicine, early disease detection and prevention, evidence-based decisions, healthcare equity and access, medical science research and innovation, and public health planning and preparedness.
Fortunately, universities and other learning institutions see the need to offer a bachelor’s degree program in health informatics that strikes a balance between technical and medical aspects to equip students with the ability to translate complex medical information into technology solutions and the other way around.
While many schools across the country are offering Bachelor in Health Informatics in the traditional face-to-face setup, numerous educational establishments are also offering online degrees in Health Informatics, further enhancing the opportunities for more people to become efficient and effective health informatics professionals, especially adult learners who have to juggle work, family and personal responsibilities.
The Lowdown
Enrolling in an online degree program for a Bachelor in Health Informatics equips students with the specialized knowledge to navigate the complexities of healthcare data and a comprehensive understanding of informatics principles. Students explore subjects encompassing the healthcare and data analysis fields.
With the availability of online degree programs, educational establishments make the Bachelor in Health Informatics program more accessible to a wider population, like working professionals, geographically remote learners, individuals with limited mobility, caregivers and parents, adults with hectic schedules, and individuals seeking self-paced learning.
Methodology
Many colleges and universities nationwide offer online Bachelor of Health Informatics programs. Students will have to spend significant time going through each learning institution and assessing the curriculum to ensure the program suits their career goals. Lucky for you, we have gathered a list of schools offering the best online Bachelor’s in Health Informatics programs so you can save time and effort.
The schools listed here, and presented in random order, were selected based on specific criteria relevant to the Health Informatics bachelor’s degree program. These factors include the following:
- Offers 100% online or hybrid Health Informatics bachelor program,
- Features a comprehensive curriculum covering core health informatics topics like data management, the basics of medical coding, information security, medical terminologies, healthcare systems, and ethics,
- Employs health care professionals as faculty members, banking on their relevant industry expertise and experience,
- Utilizes a user-friendly and reliable technology platform for online learning that is compatible with students’ devices,
- Provides adequate opportunities for interactions with professors and fellow students through discussion forums, live sessions, and communication channels, among others,
- Makes use of textbooks, multimedia materials, and software tools that are readily available or easily accessible,
- Offers opportunities for hands-on experience, internships, and practicums in healthcare settings,
- Provides access to essential student support services like technical support, academic advising and tutorial services,
- Provides federal financial aid and other financial assistance programs to reduce college expenses,
- Accepts transfer credits for students with prior college credits,
- Institutionally accredited by a recognized accrediting body that ensures quality education standards.
Check our Methodology and explore how we choose the best online bachelor’s programs.
10 Best Online Bachelor’s in Health Informatics Programs
George Mason University
Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics (Online and Hybrid)
Virginia-based George Mason University offers a Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics degree program that integrates health and behavioral sciences with information technology, data science, and computer science.
This program is available fully online and concentrates on health data analytics. It’s also offered in a traditional on-campus program with some courses available in hybrid formats.
Students can choose to complete the program on a part-time or full-time basis, leading to degree completion. It includes 70 credits of health informatics courses as part of the major requirements.
George Mason University is approved by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
What Makes this Program Unique:
- An accelerated program from bachelor to master in health informatics is available after completing 147 to 159 credits satisfactorily.
- Research opportunities are available for students in this program.
Did You Know?
- GMU is the largest public research university in Virginia. The University takes pride in having a six-year graduation rate higher than the national average with no disparity based on economic status or ethnicity.
- The National Science Foundation ranks the University in the top ten in research growth among public universities in the US.
Louisiana Tech University
Bachelor of Science (BS) in Health Informatics & Information Management (Hybrid)
Louisiana Tech University offers a BS in Health Informatics and Information Management both online and on campus, which requires 120 credit hours and is handled by its College of Applied & Natural Sciences, Department of HIIM, or Health Informatics and Information Management.
The SACSCOC accredits the University. Its Health Informatics programs are approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics & Information Management Education (CAHIIM).
What Makes this Program Unique:
- The tuition costs for the online programs remain the same whether the student resides in Louisiana or not.
- During the first quarter, online students must seek the approval of the University’s HIIM Department for the proctor near their home who will be available for examinations. The students can also opt to use the ProctorU proctoring platform.
- Research opportunities and outreach activities are available for all students in the College of Applied and Natural Sciences.
Did You Know?
The University of Louisiana System is considered one of the country’s largest public higher education systems. It boasts five Areas of Excellence at Louisiana Tech, including the Center for Biomedical Engineering and Rehabilitation Science (CBERS), with research initiatives focusing on technology-based services for people with disabilities, micro biomedical devices, and cardiopulmonary support systems, among many others.
Mercer University
Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics (100% Online and Hybrid)
Georgia-based Mercer University offers its Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics in its Atlanta campus, a fully online curriculum, and a combination of live or asynchronous online classes and in-person classes.
The SACSCOC has approved the accreditation of Mercer University to award degrees, including baccalaureate levels.
What Makes this Program Unique:
- The faculty consists of highly credentialed and dedicated professors dedicated to guiding students.
- Mercer’s Informatics Club and UX Club are just some organizations that technology students can join to further their passions and interests.
Did You Know?
Instead of the usual merit-based scholarships, the University offers special discounts on tuition rates for working adults enrolling in its undergraduate programs. Other ways that the University provides financial aid resources include:
- Net Price Calculator for estimating tuition costs
- Assistance on Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Military benefits
- Affordable education opportunities through employer partnerships
The University discloses that 95% of its 2021 graduates were employed or entered graduate school within six months after graduation.
The Princeton Review ranks Mercer as one of the “Best Value” among national universities.
Oregon Institute of Technology
Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics (Online)
Through its online Bachelor of Science – Health Informatics degree program, Oregon Institute of Technology equips students with the skills and knowledge to succeed in their roles in information technology departments as they improve operations and boost the quality of the healthcare industry.
The program, which Oregon Tech Online delivers, requires 182 credit hours of BS in Health Informatics courses.
Oregon Tech is a Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)-approved. It also participates in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) initiative to provide online education.
What Makes this Program Unique:
- The BS in Health Informatics program is designed to provide learners with practical exposure to real system development and relevant experiential learning with the challenges faced by IT and healthcare professionals.
- Oregon Tech is a state-sponsored university that offers no out-of-state surcharge for students who are not Oregon residents.
- Scholarships are available for new or transfer students.
Did You Know?
The University’s BS in Health Informatics is the first of its kind across all Oregon public universities.
University of South Carolina – Palmetto College
Bachelor of Arts in Health Informatics (Online)
The University of South Carolina is offering an online Bachelor of Arts in Health Informatics degree program through Palmetto College, which is a part of the USC Upstate in Spartanburg. The program requires 121 to 122 credit hours.
USC and USC Upstate are both accredited by the SACSCOC.
What Makes this Program Unique:
A trained representative can help you plan your BA in Health Informatics journey. Students can also request a pre-assessment of previous college experience to ensure they meet the program’s prerequisites.
Did You Know?
Students can earn their first two years of undergraduate credit at one of Palmetto College’s local campuses and complete their bachelor’s in health informatics degree online.
The College of St. Scholastica
Bachelor of Science (BS) in Health Informatics & Information Management (Online)
The College of St. Scholastica offers students the opportunity to pursue their interests in the technology and business side of patient care by offering a BS in Health Informatics and Information Management program.
Through this degree program, which is available in either 100% online or on-campus format, students can gain information and the technical know-how to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the healthcare industry.
A total of 128 credits is required to graduate from the College of St. Scholastica, including 76 credits from Major courses.
The Minnesota-based College is a Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics & Information Management Education (CAHIIM)-approved to run the baccalaureate degree in Health Informatics and Information Management programs. It is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission or HLC.
What Makes this Program Unique:
- The College employs world-class scholars and industry experts as faculty members committed to investing in students’ success and lifting others.
- Experiential learning opportunities are available through the Professional Practice Experience.
- Completing the program earns the eligibility to take the exams for the Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) credential.
Did You Know?
- For students pursuing post-baccalaureate degrees, the College also offers an MS in Health Information Management and an MS in Health Informatics.
- The College has been at the forefront of the history of Health Information Management (HIM) since 1935 when it launched the first-ever bachelor’s program for HIM in the country.
University of Central Florida
Online Health Informatics and Information Management, BS
The University of Central Florida offers an online degree program for a BS in Health Informatics and Information Management, which prepares students to leverage information technology to improve the healthcare industry.
The program, handled by the College of Community Innovation and Education through UCF Online, requires 120 credit hours.
SACSCOC has institutionally accredited the University of Central Florida to award degrees at the baccalaureate and other levels.
What Makes this Program Unique:
- Florida resident students are eligible for a much lower tuition rate than their out-of-state counterparts.
- Hands-on internship opportunities are available.
- The UCF Online Connect Center allows students to communicate with a dedicated staff of coaches for support, academic advice, and other resources.
Did You Know?
UCF is often hailed as a leading college with top-rated online programs. It is notable for trailblazing academic innovation, as recognized by industry organizations.
University of Mississippi Medical Center
Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics & Information Management (Hybrid)
The University of Mississippi Medical Center offers a BS in Health Informatics and Information Management (BS HIIM) degree with all courses delivered online except for the professional practice courses.
The program equips students with functional and immediately applicable practical skills essential for success in the modern-day health informatics workforce.
The University’s Health Information Management accreditor is the CAHIIM.
What Makes this Program Unique:
UMMC offers two types of its BS HIIM online program:
- Traditional Online Program offers a curriculum for students with 60 hours of prior academic credit or degrees unrelated to health information technology.
- Progression Online Program is for students with a registered health information technician (RHIT) credential and 60 hours of prior academic credit or CAHIIM-accredited associate degrees from a regionally accredited institution.
Did You Know?
Statistics for UMC’s BSHIIM program outcomes for the academic year 2021-2022 include:
- 100% Graduation Rate, with students finishing the program in 3 years
- 100% Employment rate
- 100% RHIA Certification Exam Pass Rate
Liberty University
BS in Informatics – Healthcare Informatics (Online)
Liberty University addresses the need for the healthcare industry to adopt new technology and ensure the security of patient data by offering its 100% online program in BS in Informatics – Healthcare Informatics.
This degree program requires students to complete 120 credit hours toward graduation and takes an average of 3.5 years to complete. Students may be able to transfer credits as much as 75% of the degree total.
SACSCOC approved the institution accreditation of Liberty University.
What Makes this Program Unique:
- Online students can receive free textbooks for this program, saving them as much as $2,000 per year on their educational investment.
- The Experience Plus program allows students to earn additional college credit with their life and work experiences.
- Online students can access various resources at the University’s research portal.
Did You Know?
Liberty Online is a Christian college, which means that courses are taught with a biblical perspective to mold students into skilled professionals and individuals with good morals and ethics.
Colorado Technical University
Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management – Online Health Informatics
Through its online degree program for Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management – Health Informatics, Colorado Technical University allows students to explore data and information technology utilization in the healthcare industry.
This BS in Healthcare Management with a Health Informatics concentration provides 180 credit hours, including 109 credit hours of core healthcare management classes.
CTU holds university accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission or HLC. It also has state licensure from the Colorado Commission on Higher Education authorizing the University to award degrees.
What Makes this Program Unique:
The CTU Fast Track provides students the chance to accelerate their degree.
Did You Know?
CTU ranks among the best online bachelor’s programs according to US News & World Report for the ninth year. The University also received renewed recognition as a Purple Heart University in 2022 by the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be computer-knowledgeable to enroll in a Bachelor’s degree in Health Informatics?
No, while having some basic computer literacy skills can be advantageous, having prior knowledge of computers is not necessarily a requirement for enrolling in a Bachelor’s in Health Informatics program.
A good undergraduate curriculum for Health Informatics is designed to accommodate students with varying technological expertise.
Should I be interested in becoming a medical professional when enrolling in a Bachelor in Health Informatics?
No, having an interest or background in healthcare is not a prerequisite for the degree program, but it can be beneficial. In essence, the expertise of medical professionals like doctors, nurses, therapists, and dentists is grounded in medical knowledge and clinical practice.
On the other hand, health informatics professionals specialize in strategically using technology and data to enhance healthcare processes, data management, and decision-making.
Summary Points
- The massive projected growth rate of the healthcare analytics market until 2033 offers many lucrative opportunities for students and working adult learners considering a career in Health Informatics.
- Online bachelor’s degree programs in Health Informatics provide students with the appropriate information and tools to produce the valuable knowledge and skills to succeed in health data acquisition, analysis, and utilization to enhance healthcare and medical services and outcomes.
- The online Healthcare Informatics degree curriculum differs from one institution to another, and thus, students are advised to look into the course offerings, among other things, to ensure getting a quality education at great value for the money.
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