On-Campus Online

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

To apply to the MS in Health Care Informatics (MS-HCI) program, please submit an application, official transcripts, letters of reference and your resume. International applicants must also submit official TOEFL/ILETS/Duoling scores and an official evaluation of foreign transcripts by one of the agencies listed at the bottom of this page.

New students are admitted to the MS-HCI online program three times a year: spring, summer and fall. The MS-HCI campus program admits students every fall.

USD is pleased to offer a dedicated enrollment staff to assist interested students throughout the application process. There is no charge for this service. Simply fill out the inquiry form at the top of this page and an advisor will reach out to you. You may also reach us by phone at (888) 832-0239.

Application Materials

College/University Transcripts

Applicants are required to provide official transcripts documenting their undergraduate degree. Official transcripts are sent directly from the college or university to the University of San Diego Office of Graduate Admissions. This is usually done electronically to [email protected]. If your undergraduate university cannot send transcripts electronically, they can be sent via postal mail to:

Office of Graduate Admissions
University of San Diego
5998 Alcala Park
San Diego, CA 92110-2492

Please note that transcripts sent via postal mail will likely cause delays in the processing of your application.

Resume

A resume describing the nature, scope and areas of responsibility of all your work experience is required. Please upload your resume with your application.

Statement of Purpose/Personal Statement

The essay, required of all candidates, gives us 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.

Recommendations

Applicants are required to submit one letter of support, ideally from a current employer. Letters of support from professional colleagues, past supervisors, or academic advisors will also be accepted.

Interview

All prospective students will be scheduled for an admissions interview once their application is complete and ready for review. This interview will be held via Zoom teleconference with the Academic Director, with the goal of exploring your career aspirations, discussing the academic expectations and requirements of the program, and answering any remaining questions you have.

Start your application now

Additional requirements for admission

Successful completion of 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 (preferred but not required)

Are you an international applicant?

International students applying to our on-campus MS-HCI program will 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 2024 (classes start September 2024). Please note these deadlines:

May 1, 2024 – 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 Admissions, and an admission interview 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 20, 2024 – if accepted, all required immigration documentation must be uploaded to the University’s iTorero portal. Accepted students will need to 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 on-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 Test of English as a Foreign Langage (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
- An official score report from the Duolingo English Test
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:

Important Visa Information

The University of San Diego does not offer scholarships or graduate assistantships to international students, and does not provide Optional Practical Training (OPT) outside of the required practicum. 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 the F-1 record 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 new admitted international students

At a Glance

Prepare for your career in Health Care Informatics or Healthcare Data Analytics with our HIMSS-approved program. Earn your degree at our San Diego campus or completely online.

Program Length 24 months

Total Units 37 Units

Cost Per Unit $925

Next Term Starts January 9, 2024

Application Deadline December 1

Program Length 20 months

Total Units 42 Units*

Cost Per Unit $1,690

Next Term Starts September 4, 2024

Application Deadline August 2, 2024

Program Details

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a degree or work experience in health care required for admission?

Your bachelor’s degree can be in any discipline, and health care experience is not required. If you have not worked in health care, 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. However, the University of San Diego does not provide Optional Practical Training (OPT) or scholarships for 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. You may review the visa eligibility and application procedures here.

How many units is my program?

The online MS-HCI program is a total of 37 units.

Students will enroll in two prescribed courses each semester for a total of 6 semester units.

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.

ONLINE: $925/unit. The total tuition cost for the 37-unit program is $34,225
CAMPUS: $1,690/unit. The total tuition cost for the 42-unit program is $70,980

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 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 on-campus and the online degree programs?

Whether you attend online or on-campus, you’ll find the faculty and curriculum substantially the same. Below is a list of the primary differences:

The online program is 37 units; the on-campus program is 42 units
The cost per unit also varies: $925/unit online vs. $1,690/unit on-campus
Campus-based students also have additional fees associated with being on campus (health services, parking, etc)
Online students take one accelerated class at a time, and each class lasts just 7 weeks. On-campus students take 2-3 classes concurrently and follow a more traditional semester pace.
On-campus students attend a seminar course which isn’t required for online students
New students may start the online program in Fall, Spring or Summer, but the on-campus program only accepts new students in the Fall and Spring.
Minor differences in coursework exist for each track.

Please refer to the specialization pages for more information about specific courses included in each track.

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