Margarete L. Zalon, R.N., ACNS-BC, FAAN, Program Director
margarete.zalon@scranton.edu
570-941-7655
Program Objectives
The online Master of Science in Health Informatics at The University of Scranton will provide graduates with a firm understanding of an emerging discipline located at the intersection of information science, computer science, and healthcare. The focus will be on the resources, devices, and methods required to optimize the acquisition, storage, retrieval, and use of information in health and biomedicine. The program will explore a number of health informatics tools that include not only computers but also clinical guidelines, formal medical terminologies, and information and communication systems. Graduates will understand how health informatics applies to the areas of nursing, clinical care, dentistry, pharmacy, public health, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and biomedical research.
Program of Study
The program of study consists of eleven, 3- credit hour online courses modules, for a total of 33 graduate credit hours. Each course is offered on-line in an 8-week format. The capstone course at the end of the program provides the opportunity to use learning from previous courses for a precepted experience to complete an applied health informatics project.
Admission Requirements
An applicant for the program must possess a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university and have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.00 on a grading scale of 4.00. Applicants falling below this level may submit other evidence of their ability to complete graduate work such as grades in other graduate level courses, scores on the Graduate Record Examination, and/or a record of progressively higher work responsibilities. A completed application, together with official transcripts of undergraduate and graduate work taken elsewhere, letters of recommendation, any required test scores, and other supporting documents, should be received at least ten days before the term in which the student wishes to begin graduate study. If an applicant does not have the necessary background in either healthcare or information technology, the student will be required to complete a foundational one-credit module in either or both areas (HINF 501 and/or HINF 502). Students may also opt to take an examination to place out of the one-credit modules. These modules are taken concurrently with the first three-credit course, HINF 520. International students, whose native language is not English, must demonstrate their proficiency in English by meeting criteria established for admission to the University.
Curriculum
- HINF 520 - Introduction to Health Informatics
- HINF 530 - Healthcare Knowledge for Health Informatics
- HINF 535 - Principles of Computer Science and Software Development
- HINF 540 - Information Technology for Health Informatics
- HINF 545 - Database Principles and Applications
- HINF 550 - Population Health for Health Informatics
- HINF 560 - Business Management and Communication for Health Informatics
- HINF 570 - Public Policy for Health Informatics
- HINF 580 - Current Trends in Health Informatics
- HINF 590 - Health Informatics Capstone
- One 3-credit elective from the following: ERP 510, ERP 515, HAD 501, HAD 510, HAD 512, HAD 513, HAD 517, HR 501, NURS 507, NURS 590, NURS 591, OM 543
Those students without the requisite background in healthcare and computer information technology may be required to take one or both of the following:
- HINF 501 - Introduction to Healthcare
- HINF 502 - Computer Information Technology for Health Professionals
Clearances: Students are required to comply with clearance and other requirements for the healthcare organization or agency for the capstone course. These clearances generally include a criminal background check and may include FBI fingerprinting, two-step tuberculosis testing, hepatitis B vaccination, flu vaccination and/or drug screening as well as other requirements. These clearances may require additional fees at the student’s own expense. Delays in completion of these requirements may delay enrollment and/or completion of capstone course requirements.