Our editors constructed this list of the best online Masters in Health Information Management programs based on publicly available information regarding each school’s academic quality, reputation, student satisfaction, and value. Only regionally accredited institutions of higher learning with online Masters in Health Information Management, Health Information Technology, or Medical Informatics degree programs were considered.

#1. Brandeis University

One of the most prestigious schools in the United States, Brandeis University is a private research university in Waltham, MA with a highly regarded and competitive online master’s degree program in Health and Medical Informatics offered through its School of Graduate and Professional Studies.

Program Overview

The online Master of Science in Health and Medical Informatics was designed to help meet the increasing demand for healthcare professionals with the technical skill and business knowledge required to improve health care delivery systems through information technology. Program graduates will be ready to step in and manage health information systems from development to implementation in a wide variety of healthcare settings. The online Masters in Health and Medical Informatics requires 10 online courses (30 credit hours) to complete, with no campus visits required.

Accreditation

Brandeis University’s online degrees are regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

>>> Click here to learn more about the Masters in Medical Informatics degree from Brandeis University <<<

#2. University of Illinois Chicago

A highly regarded public research university in Chicago, IL, the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) boasts with the largest medical school in the United States and one of the oldest and most prestigious Health Informatics master’s degree programs in the world.

Program Overview

UIC’s online Master of Science in Health Informatics prepares medical and technical professionals to design, implement, and manage health information technology strategies within their organizations. Graduates of the program will benefit from UIC’s extensive alumni network working in the healthcare industry around the world. No GRE is required for admissions and admitted students can choose from three different start dates per year. The entire Health Information Management program can be completed in two years of online coursework with no campus visits required.

Accreditation

The University of Illinois at Chicago is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The online Masters in Health Informatics is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).

>>> Click here to learn more about the Masters in Health Informatics online from the University of Illinois at Chicago <<<

#3. Southern New Hampshire University

A private, highly ranked university in Hooksett, NH with a tradition of innovative adult education, Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) offers a number of highly regarded online degree programs in Health Information Management and related areas.

Program Overview

SNHU’s online Masters in Information Technology with a concentration in Healthcare Informatics teaches health and technology professionals skills and strategies for designing and implementing healthcare informatics technologies and actual IT project management within a healthcare setting. Program graduates will be well prepared to take advantage of expanding employment opportunities within the medical informatics field. The entire online degree in Healthcare Informatics requires 12 courses and 36 credit hours to complete, including 3 online health information management courses.

Accreditation

SNHU is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

>>> Click here to learn more about the Masters in IT with a Healthcare Informatics Concentration from Southern New Hampshire University <<<

#4. Drexel University

A private research university in Philadelphia, PA, Drexel University has earned an international reputation for engineering and technology research and its highly ranked online school offers several top health information degree programs.

Program Overview

Drexel Online’s online Masters in Health Informatics focuses on health informatics systems and the “psycho-social” aspects of the healthcare industry. Students in this program will learn the knowledge and skills in health information management to improve health outcomes through the implementation of quality, efficient health information systems. The entire Drexel Masters in Health Informatics program is 15 online courses (45 credit hours) long, with no campus visits required.

Accreditation

Drexel University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.

>>> Click here to learn more about the online Master of Health Informatics from Drexel Online <<<

#5. Northeastern University

A private, globally ranked research university in Boston, MA, Northeastern University has been recognized for its unique cooperative learning methodology and award-winning selection of online degree programs in health information management and numerous other fields.

Program Overview

Northeastern’s online Master of Science in Health Informatics is a joint venture of the College of Information and Computer Sciences and Bouve College of Health Sciences. An interdisciplinary master’s degree program, students develop the clinical, technical, and management skills needed to improve healthcare outcomes through the use of information technology. Participants in the online program benefit from the exact same academic standards, course content and faculty as the campus-based program. Completion of the program requires 11 online health information courses (33 credit hours) and a final capstone project demonstrating what the student has learned.

Accreditation

Northeastern is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

>>> Click here to learn more about the Master of Science in Health Informatics from Northeastern University <<<

#6. Walden University

An exclusively online university with headquarters in Minneapolis, MN, Walden University developed out of a socially progressive experiment to help working adults earn doctoral degrees and into one of the most successful and unique providers of online degrees in health information management and many other subject areas.

Program Overview

Walden’s online Masters in Health Informatics trains students in the knowledge and skills they need to successfully integrate medical information technologies into healthcare organizations in a way that makes healthcare services more effective and efficient. Program graduates will be able to apply their training to improving health diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes and reduce the occurrences of medical errors within a diversity of health care environments. Walden’s patented MobileLearn technology allows students to decide how they want to learn by enabling them to access lectures and coursework through their phone, computer, pad, or other technology device.

Accreditation

Walden University is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

>>> Click here to learn more about the online Masters in Health Informatics from Walden University <<<

#7. Northwestern University

Northwestern University is a prestigious, highly competitive private research university in Evanston, IL with one of the largest endowments of any American school and a select number of masters degree programs offered online through its School of Continuing Studies.

Program Overview

Northwestern’s online Masters in Medical Informatics degree is offered by the School of Continuing Studies in partnership with the Feinberg School of Medicine. Professionals with backgrounds in healthcare or information technology are able to obtain the knowledge and experience necessary to manage information technology systems within hospitals, health systems, and many other health-related environments. An interdisciplinary professional degree program, the Masters in Medical Informatics online blends computing and clinical skills with the emerging field of medical informatics. Graduates will be prepared to understand and influence developments in the medical informatics field from a theoretical, practical, and managerial perspective.

Accreditation

Northwestern University is regionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

>>> Click here to learn more about the online Masters in Medical Informatics from Northwestern University <<<

#8. New England College

Established just after WWII to provide higher education opportunities for returning veterans, New England College is a private liberal arts college in Henniker, NH with a tradition of pioneering and innovative degree programs for working professionals in healthcare and other in-demand industries.

Program Overview

New England College’s online Masters in Health Information Management degree is designed to prepare working professionals for leadership roles within their organizations through the development of skills in communications and conflict resolution and the design and implementation of health information management systems. This online HIM masters program also covers a broad area of business and management knowledge, including departmental design and management, capital and operating budgeting, strategic planning, and infrastructure design. The program builds on the the existing knowledge and prior experience of students and can be completed in 17 months entirely online.

Accreditation

New England College is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

>>> Click here to learn more about the online Masters in Health Information Management program from New England College <<<

#9. Capella University

Capella University in Minneapolis, MN is a private, master’s level university recognized for its academic quality and student support services as well as a large selection online masters degree programs in information technology, healthcare and many other areas.

Program Overview

Capella’s online Masters in Information Technology with a Health Information Management concentration focuses on information systems, databases, system security, data analysis, and decision support, as well as business and management. Graduates of the online Health Information Management program will know how to use information management and security technologies to promote and support efficient health care delivery and management, while reducing errors. The entire program requires a minimum of 48 quarter credit hours to complete, with students allowed to transfer in as many as 12 credit hours from previous study.

Accreditation

Capella University is regionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

>>> Click here to learn more about the online Masters in Health Information Management from Capella University <<<

#10. Bellevue University

A private university in Bellevue, NE, Bellevue University has built a top-ranked online school recognized for strengths in student engagement and evaluation and offering several online masters degree programs in healthcare, technology and other fields.

Program Overview

Bellevue’s online Masters in Management of Information Systems with a concentration in Healthcare focuses on strategic information systems within the healthcare industry, teaching working professionals the knowledge and skills they need to design, implement, and manage health information technologies. The Healthcare concentration provides professionals unfamiliar with the healthcare industry the general knowledge and language they need to work effectively within a healthcare environment.

Accreditation

Bellevue University is regionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

>>> Click here to learn more about the online Masters in Management of Information Systems with a Healthcare concentration from Bellevue University <<<

Those who have decided to pursue a degree in health information management will be making a wise career decision according to recent statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics. In the next 10 years, the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics estimates that an additional 37,000 jobs will be added to the field. Whether one wants to choose his or her own hours or work full-time, there are a variety of options that can meet one’s wishes.

Clinical Laboratory Technologist

A clinical laboratory technologist has the job of transcribing information that results from lab tests. A clinical laboratory technologist will have to communicate with other medical professionals and insurance companies to make them aware of the changes in a patient’s health. The clinical laboratory technologist may also be responsible for communicating the results of a lab test with a patient through an email system.

Medical Coder

The main job of a medical coder is to translate the insurance codes that appear on a statement into a sum of money so that a patient knows how much he or she owes an insurance company. Every time an insurance company distributes funds for a patient, a code is generated. This code puts forth information such as the type of injury that the patient has suffered and the extent to which the insurance company is offering coverage. The medical coder has the task of translating complex codes that can often have multiple meanings or be part of a complex medical case. A medical coder usually makes about $40,000 when he or she works for a hospital. If a coder decides to open his or her own firm, then he or she may make up to $100,000 a year or more. One may ultimately sell the coding firm to a hospital and be able to make hundreds of thousands of dollars on the sale.

Blood Bank Technology Specialist

A blood bank technology specialist has the important task of testing blood before it is used by a patient who needs a blood transfusion. A blood bank technology specialist will also ensure that blood has been properly labeled and does not contain any harmful chemicals or germs. The starting salary for a blood bank technology specialist is about $40,000.

These are a few of the popular career choices in the health information technology field. Each job is expected to grow more in demand as the field requires additional information specialists.

When one decides to enter the health information management career, one has a variety of career options. One can work from home or work a full 40-hour work week at the hospital. Individuals are drawn to this career for the flexible hours that they can enjoy, as well as the room that this career has for growth. The salaries for individuals in this field range from $30,000 to $80,000, depending on the position that one decides to take in this field. Here are some of the most common health information management careers.

Medical Transcriptionist

A medical transcriptionist is responsible for inputting any patient information into a computer. A nurse will usually take notes on a patient’s condition prior to an emergency room visit or medical appointment. He or she will then give the written notes to the medical transcriptionist to enter into a computer. A medical transcriptionist usually only needs a two-year associate’s degree to get started in the program. A medical transcriptionist may also be able to work from home with files that are provided to him or her from a doctor or nurse. The salary for a medical transcriptionist usually starts at about $32,000, and it can increase as a medical transcriptionist takes on overtime hours or is promoted.

Healthcare IT Maintenance Worker

The sole task of an IT maintenance worker is to make sure that a system is fully functioning at all times. He or she will make sure that the signal for a wireless internet systems is working, and he or she will also make sure that the email system for medical personnel is working at its top capacity. An IT maintenance worker has the responsibility of ensuring that a computer system is not attacked by viruses. This may mean that the IT maintenance worker has a role in choosing the computer systems for a hospital facility or in investing in new virus software for existing computers at a hospital. The starting salary for an IT maintenance worker is about $50,000, but the salary can easily increase to $80,000 as the IT maintenance worker is promoted.

These are some of the most popular career options that are available in the health information management field. One can expect to be promoted in this field quickly as the demand for additional workers grows stronger. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics estimates that the demand for workers will grow by 49 percent in the next 10 years.

Depending on the level of success that one wants to achieve in the field of health information management, there are a variety of options that one has. One can decide to pursue an associate’s degree and make a very respectable salary upon graduation, or one can pursue a doctoral degree and make hundreds of thousands of dollars in this field. One’s success is truly unlimited with the plethora of opportunities that await someone pursuing a health information management degree.

Associate’s in Health Information Management

The typical associate’s degree program prepares an individual for a career as a medical coder. A coder has the flexibility of choosing his or her own hours. The benefit of completing an associate’s degree program is that it can be completed in less than 2 years if a student decides to pursue courses year-round. One may even be able to graduate early by taking extra credits in a semester. One should also inquire about the offering of specific certifications, such as IT professional or blood technologist specialist.

Bachelor’s in Health Information Management

Most major universities now offer a degree in medical informatics. A health informatics degree can pave the future for any number of careers. One may obtain a four-year degree in health informatics and aspire to become a healthcare lawyer. One may obtain a four-year degree in health informatics and decide that he or she wants to attend medical school. For those who want to start working after obtaining this degree, the typical career paths are IT professional, project manager or even software developer. A growing number of students are pursuing this degree so that they can work for hospital software companies after graduation as developers.

Master’s in Health Information Management

A master’s degree in health information management typically focuses on the creation of integrated health care information, data management and decision support systems for hospitals and other healthcare institutions. Graduates of a master’s in health information management program will be able to thrive and innovate within an increasingly technology-supported and information-driven healthcare system. Graduates will be prepared for responsibilities in numerous areas, including enterprise-wide master patient index systems, health care data security oversight, strategic and operational information resource planning, clinical data analysis,health care data resources administration, medical vocabularies, clinical decision support systems, clinical classification systems, information systems development and the implementation of systems such as electronic health records.

Ph.D. in Health Information Management

With a doctoral degree in health informatics, one may be able to become a professor in a medical school, communications program or other degree program at a university. Some individuals pursue a Ph.D in this field so that they can do research for cutting-edge software development companies. As hospitals continue to have a growing need for individuals who understand information systems, those who have high levels of expertise will be required for positions with high salaries. One who has a Ph.D may be able to make a salary of upwards of $100,000 or more upon graduating from school with this degree.

These are a few of the top career choices that a person has when he or she pursues a health information management degree.