Master of Science in Health Care Informatics
Admission Requirements
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Ready to Learn More About the MS In Health Care Informatics?
Applying to the MS in Health Care Informatics program
Our admissions process is designed to be clear and supportive, helping you take the next step in your career with confidence. Every applicant is paired with an enrollment advisor who is available to guide them through each step. To contact an advisor, fill out the inquiry form at the top of this page, and an advisor will reach out to you within 48 hours. If you’d like to connect sooner, call 619-260-4580.
- New students are admitted to the online program three times a year: spring, summer, and fall
- New students are admitted to the campus program every fall
To be considered, please submit an application, official transcripts, letters of recommendation, and your resume or CV.
International applicants must also submit official TOEFL/ILETS/Duolingo scores and an official evaluation of foreign transcripts by one of the agencies listed at the bottom of this page.
Application Materials
College/University Transcripts
Applicants must submit official transcripts verifying their undergraduate degree. Official transcripts must be sent directly from the issuing institution to the University of San Diego Office of Graduate Admission.
Electronic submission of official transcripts is strongly recommended. Most institutions send transcripts electronically to [email protected]. If your undergraduate institution uses Parchment to fulfill transcript requests, please be sure to select University of San Diego-Graduate Admission from the drop-down menu.
If electronic submission is not available, please connect with your enrollment advisor for alternatives.
Resume or CV
Provide a current resume describing the nature, scope, and areas of responsibility of all your work experience.
Personal Statement
The personal statement, required of all candidates, gives our admissions team a better understanding of you as a person, your career goals, and your familiarity with the range of health informatics positions you might assume after graduation. It also provides a sample of your writing ability. The statement is submitted with your application.
Letters of Recommendation
Applicants are required to submit at least one letter of recommendation from a current or recent supervisor, or another professional contact, familiar with your qualifications and leadership potential.
If you are unable to obtain a letter of support from your current supervisor, you are required to submit two letters of support from a previous employer, board member, and/or previous professor who can comment on your experience and potential for graduate studies.
Interview
Once your application materials are reviewed, you’ll be scheduled for a virtual admissions interview with the Program Director. The goal of this interview is to explore your career aspirations, discuss the academic expectations and requirements of the program, and answer any remaining questions you have.
Additional requirements
- A bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited university
- Basic computer and information management skills, including familiarity and experience with Microsoft Office products (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
- Basic understanding of medical terminology (Non-health care professionals will need to complete the online medical terminology course by the end of the first term. This course is not part of the degree curriculum.)
- One year of work experience is preferred but not required
- GRE not required
- Students wishing to enroll in the online program must reside in an approved state. Confirm that your state of residency allows enrollment in a University of San Diego online degree program.
At a Glance
Prepare for your career in Health Care Informatics or Healthcare Data Analytics & AI with our HIMSS-approved program. Earn your degree at our San Diego campus or 100% online.
Are you an international applicant?
International students applying to our on-campus MS-HCI program need to be accepted earlier than the published deadlines to allow time for visa processing.
The next available start term for International Students is Fall 2026. Please note these deadlines:
- May 1, 2026 — Your application and all supporting documents (course-by-course transcript evaluation, letters of recommendation, English proficiency scores) must be complete and on file with the Office of Graduate Admission, and an admission interview must be scheduled with the MS-HCI program director. The admission interview is a required step and cannot be scheduled until your application and all support documents are on file.
- May 8, 2026 — Non-refundable tuition deposit is due from all admitted applicants
- May 20, 2026 — If accepted, all required immigration documentation must be uploaded to the University’s iTorero portal. Accepted students will need to pay their tuition deposit, confirm their acceptance, and set up their student account prior to gaining access to iTorero.
Required Documentation for International Applicants
International students with private funding who are interested in applying for the campus MS-HCI program will be required to meet additional requirements for admission, including:
English Language Exam Score
Acceptable exams include:
- An official score report from the Duolingo English Test
- An official score report from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT exam. Acceptable options include:
- The traditional computer-based test at a test center
- The TOEFL iBT Home Edition
- The TOEFL iBT Paper Edition (available in select countries only)
- An official score report from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic exam:
- The traditional computer-based or paper test at a test center
- The IELTS Online
Transcript and Credential Evaluation
- If you earned a degree from an institution outside the United States, you are required to submit an official international transcript evaluation (also called a foreign credential evaluation) as part of your application. Please note that the evaluation must be a course-by-course evaluation. You must order your official course-by-course evaluation from one of the following evaluation services:
- Verify that your country allows access to essential software like VPN or DUO, which is vital for seamless online access during your studies.
Important Visa & Eligibility Information
- The University of San Diego’s Hahn School of Nursing & Health Sciences does not offer scholarships or graduate assistantships to international students. If you plan to study at the University of San Diego in F-1 or J-1 international student status, and are in need of the F-1 or J-1 Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20 or Form DS-2019) from the University, you will be required to submit documentation showing that you have the minimum amount of expenses estimated for your program available in cash assets.
- If you are currently in the U.S. on an F-1 or M-1 student visa, you are not eligible to pursue the online section of our program, per U.S. immigration regulations.
- International students who are currently in the United States on an F-1 student visa may be able to transfer their F-1 records to the University of San Diego. Please contact an enrollment advisor if you think this situation applies to you.
- Please review the immigration requirements for newly admitted international students
I’ve Applied — What Happens Next?
Once your enrollment advisor has submitted your application materials to the admission review committee, you can expect:
- Review and Interview: Your advisor will keep you informed as the committee evaluates your application and schedules your interview (if not already completed).
- Decision Notification: You’ll be notified by the Office of Graduate Admission regarding your admission status within a week.
- Preparing to Start: After acceptance, your advisor will help you finalize your enrollment and answer any final questions.
Please note: If accepted, you will be provided a link and instructions for making your admission deposit and confirming your intent to enroll. The non-refundable deposit is equal to 5% of the tuition cost for your first term and will be applied to your first tuition payment when you enroll.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a degree or work experience in healthcare required for admission?
Your bachelor’s degree can be in any discipline, and healthcare experience is not required. If you have not worked in healthcare, you will be required to complete an online medical terminology course, which is not part of the degree curriculum. This will help give you a foundational understanding of the terms and concepts discussed throughout the program.
Is a GRE or GMAT required for admission?
No! Neither the GRE nor the GMAT are required for admission to the MS-HCI program.
What if my GPA is slightly below the minimum required for admission? Can I still be considered for acceptance?
Absolutely! We understand that you are more than your undergraduate GPA. Your undergraduate GPA may potentially be offset by work experience, an admission essay, or fulfillment of a graduate-level course to show readiness for success in your graduate degree.
During your admission interview, our Academic Director will explore your career goals and identify any ways our team might be able to better support you through your graduate studies. Ultimately, our goal is your success. We want to ensure that the students who are admitted to our program have the experience, tools, and resources they need to graduate from the program and pursue their career goals.
Is this a STEM program?
Health Care Informatics is a STEM-designated degree.
In general, after graduating from a master’s program, international students are eligible to complete Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows them to work up to 12 months at a company in the U.S. to gain work experience before returning to their home country. Those who graduate from a STEM-designated program can extend their OPT to an additional 24 months.
How many units is my program?
The MS-HCI program is a total of 30 units. Students take a total of 10 required 3-unit courses over 5 terms. Students have the option of pursuing the dual-track, which consists of 12 required 3-unit courses.
What is the cost of tuition for the MS-HCI Program?
Tuition for the MS-HCI program varies depending on whether you attend on-campus or online.
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- Online: $995/unit. The total tuition cost for the 30-unit program is $29,850, and for the 36-unit dual track program is $35,820.
- Campus: $1,820/unit. The total tuition cost for the 30-unit program is $54,600, and for the 36-unit dual track program is $65,520.
Tuition amounts shown on this website, or in other university publications or web pages, represent tuition and fees as currently approved. However, the University of San Diego reserves the right to increase or modify tuition and fees without prior notice and to make such modifications applicable to students enrolled at USD at that time, as well as to incoming students. In addition, all tuition amounts and fees are subject to change at any time for the correction of errors. Please note that the displayed tuition covers only the cost of courses, and additional expenses such as books and other fees are not included.
What is the difference between the online and on-campus versions of this program?
In terms of the quality of education you will receive, there is no difference between the online and the on-campus formats of the HCI program.
- Both formats are 30 units, with the option to pursue a dual track totaling 36 units.
- The same material is taught by the same faculty across both formats
- The course learning outcomes and program learning outcomes are the same across both formats
Differences include:
- On-campus students interact with one another directly within the classroom, while online students engage in virtual sessions and online discussion forums.
- The campus section only admits new students in the fall, whereas the online section admits new students in the fall, spring, and summer.
- Online students take one accelerated class at a time, and classes run year-round. Each online class lasts just 7 weeks.
- On-campus students take 3 to 4 classes concurrently over a 14-week semester, depending on whether they are enrolled part-time or full-time. Campus students have the option to take online courses during the summer.
- The cost per unit varies: $995/unit online vs. $1,820/unit on-campus
- Campus-based students also have additional fees associated with being on campus (health services, parking, etc)
How much time will I need to dedicate to this program?
While the exact amount varies by student and will depend on your comfort level with the material being presented, you should plan to spend approximately 15-20 hours per week on coursework.
Students enrolled in the on-campus program will take three to four classes concurrently, requiring an additional time commitment.