Best Online Bachelor’s in Health Informatics Degree Programs

Before enrolling in an online master’s in health informatics, consider factors like cost, curriculum, and formatting. Visit the link below for more program selection tips.

Health informatics refers to the organization of health records to improve patient outcomes and help healthcare organizations run efficiently. The field blends business, technology, and healthcare knowledge. Health informatics specialists rely on technologies like databases and electronic records programs to classify and store healthcare records. In addition to storing healthcare records, health informatics professionals may create records and check healthcare data for its accuracy.

Some health informatics jobs involve entering medical data into healthcare records, while other roles focus on maintaining the privacy of health information through cybersecurity methods. Health information managers oversee healthcare information systems, ensuring that organizations follow legal and regulatory requirements for storing and using healthcare data.

By maintaining accurate records, healthcare informatics professionals help doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals care for patients. Many health informatics jobs require a bachelor’s degree, including positions like health information manager.

A bachelor’s degree in health informatics trains students to manage healthcare data, including patient histories, electronic medical records, and other medical information. Students take courses in healthcare regulations, data analytics, and health information management.

In addition to major requirements, undergraduates take general education courses designed to build critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Many programs also offer electives so students can customize the degree for their interests and professional goals. A bachelor’s in health informatics generally takes four years of full-time study to complete.

Most colleges and universities require high school transcripts, letters of recommendation, and SAT or ACT scores for admission. Students with prior college credit must also submit college transcripts. After gaining admission to the college or university, applicants may also need to complete prerequisite courses and meet other requirements to declare a health informatics major.

In addition to managerial roles, graduates with a bachelor’s in health informatics qualify to pursue online master’s programs in healthcare informatics.

When considering an online health informatics bachelor’s degree, prospective students should always check the school’s accreditation status. Accredited colleges and universities meet high standards with respect to faculty qualifications, student learning outcomes, and academic rigor. Schools may receive regional or national accreditation, with regional accreditation generally considered the more prestigious of the two.

Programs within a school may also receive accreditation. The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education grants programmatic accreditation for healthcare informatics programs.

Accreditation benefits students in several ways. First, many employers prefer candidates with an accredited degree, and graduate programs often require an accredited bachelor’s degree for admission. Additionally, only students at accredited institutions qualify for federal financial aid. Students can verify a school’s accreditation status through the Council for Higher Education Accreditation’s database.

The following list introduces several common health informatics jobs for graduates with a bachelor’s degree. However, some positions may require additional experience, education, or professional certification.

Health informatics students and professionals benefit from joining professional organizations. Many professional organizations offer training resources, professional certifications, and networking opportunities to help members advance their careers. These organizations may also connect members with health informatics jobs through their career centers.