Online B.P.S.: Health Informatics

PROGRAM TIME TO COMPLETION: at your own pace

Explore Health Informatics Tools and Techniques

Healthcare occupations in the U.S. are growing much faster than the average for all occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This rapid increase in employment will add about 1.8 million openings each year from 2022 to 2032.1 Alongside this growth is the swift development of technology for storing and analyzing health-related data.

The health informatics program concentration can help you take advantage of these flourishing careers by building your ability to identify and implement data-driven solutions in diverse healthcare settings. Add field-specific technology and best practices to your skill set and boost your leadership potential for in-demand health informatics careers.

Health Informatics Competencies

As you move through the online health informatics program coursework, you'll acquire competencies from the following courses:

  • Accounting Concepts
  • Analytics and Digital Visualization
  • Economics Analysis
  • Health Informatics
  • Problem Solving Methods in Health Informatics
  • Programming and Databases for Health Informatics

With each competency you gain, you'll hone leadership, management and problem-solving skills in addition to field-specific knowledge. You can compile highlights from your competencies into a portfolio that will demonstrate your skills to potential employers and managers.

Concentration Learning Outcomes

With essential informatics skills, you could step into positions that streamline healthcare delivery, analyze the cost of services, secure patient privacy and more. When you complete the online health informatics program, you'll be able to identify and implement best practices in:

  • Accessing public health data resources
  • Delivering efficient healthcare using population health management approaches
  • Designing data-driven solutions for healthcare systems
  • Identifying tools to use for precise, personalized medicine
  • Managing health-related databases
  • Presenting complex data analysis to stakeholders
  • Protecting patient privacy and security
  • Supporting clinical decisions with data
  • Using programming tools such as Python and SQL to analyze and manage databases
  • Visualizing data with open-source tools such as Tableau Public

Concentration Courses (18 credits)

ACCT 278: Introduction to Accounting Concepts for Managers (3 credits)

This course introduces financial and managerial accounting, equipping students with the knowledge and skills necessary to analyze, interpret and use accounting information effectively. The course covers the fundamental concepts and principles of accounting, including the financial accounting process, reporting requirements, financial statement analysis, cost accounting systems, cost-volume-profit analysis and incremental analysis. Students will gain a thorough understanding of how accounting information is used to make informed business decisions and assess the financial performance of organizations.

BADM 361: Introduction to Analytics and Digital Visualization (3 credits)

This course introduces data visualization and modeling techniques in a data-rich business setting. It covers the process of formulating business objectives, data preparation and study design, followed by implementation and evaluation of predictive models for a variety of practical business applications. The course takes a learning-by-doing approach with the use of industry best practice technology.

DSCI 352: Programming and Databases for Health Informatics (3 credits)

This course covers fundamental topics in programming and database systems for health informatics. Students are introduced to general programming principles using the Python language and core concepts of database processing and systems. Several database models are explored with emphasis on the relational model. Students will develop software applications to manipulate large sets to solve a variety of health informatics problems. Additionally, students will create, load and access a database using an existing database management system. Restricted to students enrolled in competency-based education program only.

DSCI 355: Problem-Solving Methods in Health Informatics (3 credits)

This course will provide a broad overview of data science and statistics concepts, methodologies, implementation techniques and programming. Topics will include supervised and unsupervised learning models, quality control and optimization via linear programming. Applications to organizational operations are emphasized.

ECON 214: Foundations of Economic Analysis (3 credits)

This course introduces microeconomic and macroeconomic concepts, equipping students with the knowledge and skills necessary to analyze, interpret and use economic information effectively. The course covers the fundamentals of production and market analysis and introduces students to macroeconomic models and policy. Students will be able to characterize production and trade utilizing concepts of opportunity costs and comparative advantage, analyze the effect of changing economic conditions on market outcomes and interpret macroeconomic models to analyze economic policy.

HLTH 310: Introduction to Health Informatics (3 credits)

This course introduces fundamental terminologies and components in health informatics. Through case studies, students are exposed to important and current topics, including electronic medical records (EMR), Electronic Health Records (EHR), health data and ethics, standards and sourcing in administrative, clinical and financial aspects of healthcare.

 

Visit the B.P.S. Curriculum page to learn more about the Health Informatics Concentration.

 

Take Part in Flourishing Health Informatics Careers

With your B.P.S. in Health Informatics, you can pursue a career as a health informaticist, health information technologist, medical registrar and more. Because the online health informatics program also emphasizes leadership skills, you can start your journey toward roles with additional management responsibilities.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that overall employment growth for health information technologists and medical registrars in the U.S. will add about 3,100 openings each year from 2022-2032.2 Of those jobs, management roles for companies and enterprises make the highest median annual wage – $77,170 compared to $62,990 for the group as a whole.2

Top-Paying Health Informatics Careers

Settings for health information technologists and medical registrars with some of the highest median annual pay as of May 2023, include:2

  • Management of companies and enterprises: $77,170/year
  • Administrative and support services: $67,920/year
  • Professional, scientific and technical services: $66,470/year
  • Hospitals (state, local, and private): $62,580/year

Learn more about potential career opportunities for the online B.P.S. by visiting the Career Outlook page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to commonly asked questions about Winthrop University’s online B.P.S. Health Informatics program. Visit the B.P.S. FAQ page for more information.

How do I apply to the B.P.S. Health Informatics degree?

Your first step is to start your online application. You'll need:

  • Official transcripts from each institution you've attended
  • A GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale from prior institutions (including a 2.0 GPA during your last term of attendance)
  • A short essay is optional but encouraged
  • Work experience is helpful but not required

Visit the admissions overview page to learn more.

How many credits are in the B.P.S. Health Informatics degree?

Each concentration in the B.P.S. degree includes six courses, which total 18 credits. Read more about the B.P.S. Curriculum.

Do I have to choose a concentration in the B.P.S. degree?

Yes, all students must choose a concentration from one of the four options. Read more about the B.P.S. Curriculum.

Can I move from one concentration to another after enrollment?

Yes, your advisors can help you move to another concentration if desired.

What is the value of a Health Informatics concentration?

The online B.P.S. Health Informatics concentration allows you to build essential leadership skills while focusing your study on how data-driven solutions are utilized in healthcare systems. This concentration boosts your potential for in-demand health informatics careers.

What kind of career can I pursue with an online B.P.S. in Health Informatics?

With the B.P.S. in Health Informatics, you can pursue a career as a health informaticist, health information technologist, medical registrar and more. Because the B.P.S. program also emphasizes leadership skills, you can pursue roles with additional management responsibilities. Additional career trajectories include:

  • Clinical informatics specialist
  • Health information administrator
  • Health informatics specialist or consultant
  • Health scientist
  • Informatics nurse
  • Medical records specialist
  • Pharmacy informatics specialist
  • Population health specialist
  • Public health informatics specialist

Read more about B.P.S. career outcomes.

1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. "Healthcare Occupations." April 17, 2024. Retrieved July 11, 2024, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/home.htm.

2 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. "Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars." April 17, 2024. Retrieved July 11, 2024, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/health-information-technologists-and-medical-registrars.htm.