Online On-Campus

Master of Science in Health Care Informatics

Health Care Analytics Specialization

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Health Care Analytics Specialization

The Health Care Analytics (HCA) specialization is intended for students who are passionate about a career in data science. In this track, students take a deep dive into all facets of data analytics as they apply to health care informatics, including biostatistics, machine learning and systems analysis and design. Courses in this track are taught by informaticists who currently work in data science, meaning our students get unparalleled insight and instruction from experts in the field of analytics. Graduates of this specialization will be able to proficiently utilize advanced analytics tools and programming skills to design unique solutions that solve a wide array of current and evolving health care problems.

This track is for students who: have some exposure to health informatics and are interested in working in data science, analytics or health informatics research. Many students who complete this track choose to pursue a career in health care research, data science and/or health care analytics and some will also go on to pursue doctoral-level studies in data science.

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Health Care Analytics Online Specialization Courses

Prior to beginning your first term, you’ll be required to complete the program orientation course, which generally takes about 12-16 hours. The course is self-paced but is mandatory. Please plan your schedule accordingly.

Term 1

Course Units

This MS in Health Care Informatics course provides students with necessary skills to understand the basis for health care informatics. Empha…

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3

Provides opportunities to gain advanced skills in data and knowledge management. Addresses applied skills in database design, data structure…

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3

Terms 2-5

Course Units

This MS in Health Care Informatics course develops knowledge and hones skills concerning the management of people in healthcare organization…

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3

This MS in Health Care Informatics class explores methods for measuring and analyzing the burden of disease in populations. Students will ap…

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3

This MS in Health Care Informatics course focuses on the evaluation of patient safety and quality of care outcomes from a systems perspectiv…

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3

This MS in Health Care Informatics class prepares students, based upon prior knowledge achieved in the health care informatics program, to a…

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3

This MS in Health Care Informatics course provides students with the necessary skills to perform statistical analysis of data in order to pr…

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3

This course will explore methods and tools to address a variety of health care issues by leveraging data to design, solve, and test a data-d…

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3

This MS in Health Care Informatics course provides an overview of the health care delivery system, professional roles, care delivery models,…

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3

Prepares students in the planning, analysis, design, and implementation of computer-based information and technology systems. Includes syste…

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3

Term 6

Course Units

This MS in Health Care Informatics class introduces theory and applied practice of clinical documentation systems. Includes hands on experie…

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3

This course will explore the application of machine learning (ML) to the health care setting. ML is a field of computer science that trains …

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3

This is the final course in the online section of the Health Care Informatics program sequence and is given during the final 14-week semeste…

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1

Health Care Analytics On-Campus Specialization Courses

Course Units

This MS in Health Care Informatics course provides students with necessary skills to understand the basis for health care informatics. Empha…

Read More
3

This MS in Health Care Informatics course provides an overview of the health care delivery system, professional roles, care delivery models,…

Read More
3

Prepares students in the planning, analysis, design, and implementation of computer-based information and technology systems. Includes syste…

Read More
3

Provides opportunities to gain advanced skills in data and knowledge management. Addresses applied skills in database design, data structure…

Read More
3

This MS in Health Care Informatics course provides students with the necessary skills to perform statistical analysis of data in order to pr…

Read More
3

This MS in Health Care Informatics class introduces theory and applied practice of clinical documentation systems. Includes hands on experie…

Read More
3

This MS in Health Care Informatics course develops knowledge and hones skills concerning the management of people in healthcare organization…

Read More
3

This MS in Health Care Informatics course focuses on the evaluation of patient safety and quality of care outcomes from a systems perspectiv…

Read More
3

This MS in Health Care Informatics class prepares students, based upon prior knowledge achieved in the health care informatics program, to a…

Read More
3

The HCI seminar course provides the student with the opportunity to work collaboratively with faculty and student colleagues to address conc…

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2

This course provides the Health Care Analytics, Data Science, and Informatics student a review of health care standards, terminologies, and …

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2

This course will explore methods and tools to address a variety of health care issues by leveraging data to design, solve, and test a data-d…

Read More
3

This course will explore the application of machine learning (ML) to the health care setting. ML is a field of computer science that trains …

Read More
3

This MS in Health Care Informatics class explores methods for measuring and analyzing the burden of disease in populations. Students will ap…

Read More
3

The Health Care Informatics Seminar is worth 4 units for students in the Health Analytics track.


Course Calendar for HCI online


Praise From HIMSS

As a HIMSS Approved Education Partner (AEP), we congratulate the administration of the University of San Diego for creating an online M.S. in Health Care Informatics that provides an intensive curriculum exposing students to MBA-type courses in many different topics so critical to the health informatics. We are pleased to see topics like financial management, strategic planning and leadership, systems analysis and design, data hygiene/cyber security and others. Further, we applaud the design of the 37-unit program that provides students with the opportunity to take two 7-week courses…

JoAnn W. Klinedinst, M.Ed., CPHIMS, PMP, DES, FHIMSS, FACHE
Vice President of Professional Development, HIMSS


Frequently Asked questions

How much time will I need to dedicate to this program?

While this will vary from student to student, most part-time campus students, as well as online students, spend approximately 20 hours per week on their studies, split between assigned coursework and participating in their online course discussions and/or seminar. Of course, full-time campus students spend more time due to a larger course load.

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. The number of units is slightly different – 37 for the online section and 42 for the campus section, which is primarily due to a campus-based seminar course that is taken each term. In both formats, you will study the same material, learn the same concepts and tactics, have the same faculty, and walk away with the same proficiencies and abilities. On-campus students interact with one another directly within the classroom while online students engage in virtual sessions and online discussion forums. Another minor difference is that online students are required to complete a capstone project in their final term. Finally, the campus section admits new students two times a year (Fall & Spring), whereas the online section admits new students in Fall, Spring and Summer.

What courses will I take that are unique to the Health Care Analytics Specialization?

While all three tracks will cover some aspect of health care analytics, the courses specific to this track are Advanced Health Care Analytics, Machine Learning Applications for Health Care, Population Health Analytics, and Data Structures and Terminologies.

What careers can I pursue with a Health Care Analytics Specialization?

Typical job titles that graduates of this track pursue include:

  • Decision Support Specialist
  • Clinical Data Specialist
  • Data Integrity Officer/Analyst
  • Research Data Specialist
  • Data Quality Manager
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EXPLORING YOUR FUTURE IN HEALTH INFORMATICS?

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