The MHI, or Master’s in Health Informatics, is a graduate program that focuses on data, surveys, and numbers to inform impactful healthcare decisions. The perfect combination of technology, data, and healthcare creates great opportunities across multiple fields.

Careers in Health Informatics and Information are expected to rise significantly in the next seven years according to O-net online, leading to a rise in programs offering a Masters in Health Informatics.

This article will provide prospective students with a chance to learn more about Health Informatics, understand what it takes to get a masters in health informatics degree, and career opportunities available for those with an MHI. For students interested in the next step, we have compiled a list of master’s in health informatics online programs.

Health Informatics is an analytical and statistical approach to making healthcare decisions and solving problems within public health by focusing on data, medical records and the devices and/or methods used to store, retrieve, and analyze healthcare information. 

There are several reasons an individual interested in both technology and healthcare should consider a master’s degree in health informatics. 

With the continuously growing field of technology and the importance of technology in healthcare, there is no question why health informatics is gaining popularity. Since the healthcare field provides jobs for millions of people nationwide, making it a leading source of employment in the nation, between 2024 and 2034, there is an expected 7% job growth for medical records and health information technicians. 

With technology having a dramatic effect on how everyday business is conducted across all lines of work, it is vital that its integration into society is carried out by educated and experienced professionals. Even though there are plenty of opportunities in the field for those who complete their bachelor’s degree, as it is usually required, completing a Master’s in Health Informatics can be a life-changing accomplishment. This advanced degree will provide the credibility, knowledge, training, and skills needed to advance in the field of health informatics.

An MHI degree can benefit both recent bachelor’s graduates seeking higher education and mid-career professionals seeking a career change. An individual interested in a master’s degree in health informatics should have a strong interest in technology and data, and a desire to help individuals and populations through healthcare and services. 

Individuals with experience in information technology and a desire to integrate the diverse aspects of the medical field are invited to participate in Master’s in Health Informatics programs across the United States. Master’s in health informatics online programs are now more widely available for those interested in this degree online.

Just like other programs, the Masters in Health Informatics curriculum & courses will vary across schools, concentrations, and the amount of time a student chooses to complete their degree.

Similar to other masters programs in the public health field, the time to complete the program will depend on whether the student attends full-time or part-time and which specialization is chosen. On average, health informatics master’s programs consist of more than 30 credits and could take 2 years to complete, depending if the courses are in-person or online.

The curriculum for an MHI degree consists of core courses, specialization or elective courses, and a capstone or thesis. The core courses will cover health care systems, introductory health informatics, legal and ethical issues in health informatics, and data analytics. Some core courses include database design and implementation and IT strategy and management courses. One thing to note is that courses are often named differently across universities, even though their focuses are usually similar.

Specialization options in health informatics masters programs vary from program to program but can be broken down into basic categories:

The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management (CAHIIM) is the primary accrediting body for health informatics and health information management programs. CAHIIM accreditation ensures academic quality, provides public recognition, and promotes continuous quality improvement through monitoring & reevaluation of programs. 

When looking for CAHIIM-accredited programs, it is important to remember that most universities opt into this accreditation because they offer both health informatics and health information management programs. For those studying health information management, CAHIIM accreditation is necessary to be eligible for the AHIMA professional Health Information Management certification exams.

While many jobs do not yet require a Master’s-level degree, employers are looking for individuals with the skills and experience provided by the MHI degree. Some jobs an individual with a master’s degree in health informatics may pursue are:

These careers may design, develop, test, implement and evaluate informatics systems, collect and analyze clinical data, review and protect medical records, design and implement clinical databases, or many other options.

Health Informatics professionals can not only apply their expertise while working in the field, but can also work with upper division agencies in the development and training of new informatics systems. 

The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) is a non-profit that provides community, professional development, public policy and leadership in the Healthcare Information field. Their mission is to “Globally, lead endeavors optimizing health engagements and care outcomes through information technology”.

The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) is a worldwide association for health information professionals. This organization provides opportunities for networking among current professionals and for advancing knowledge throughout a career. Additionally, this organization seeks to educate its members, keep them up to date on the latest best practices, and improve their skills and abilities in clinical record handling and management.

We provide school listings of both on-campus and online health informatics programs. An online masters in health informatics could be a fit for an individual who desires to work while in school or their public health program of choice would require the individual to move.

Information last updated February 2026