George Mason University Online MSHI Program - MS in Health Informatics

• Master of Science in Health Informatics

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By Sara Navratil Reviewed By Jocelyn Blore

Updated January 9, 2024

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For the 2023-2024 academic year, we have 112 schools in our MHAOnline.com database and those that advertise with us are labeled “sponsor”. When you click on a sponsoring school or program, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details.

George Mason University’s (Mason) College of Health and Human Services offers a CAHIIM-accredited online Master of Science in Health Informatics (MSHI) degree. The curriculum focuses on data mining and analysis, and supports the widespread use of electronic health records. Health informatics is a field that encompasses the creation, analysis, storage, and use of health-related information. It is a blend of fields including healthcare administration, computer science, and technology. The purpose of health informatics is to promote collaboration between the various healthcare providers of patients.

The completely online George Mason University MSHI program is designed for clinical professionals, healthcare administrators, data science professionals, IT professionals, and other technology-driven professionals. No prior work experience is required either in healthcare or information technology, though it is helpful.

Graduates of the program may go on to data analytics careers in health information technology, public health organizations, and other healthcare services. George Mason University is located in Fairfax, Virginia, and touts one of the few CAHIIM-accredited health informatics programs in the country.

Admission Requirements: Applicants to the online MSHI program must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a GPA of 3.25 or higher. Work experience is not required, but is considered as a part of the overall admission process. No GMAT/GRE scores are required. Applicants must have taken (or must complete) basic level computer science/technology, statistics, and mathematics before beginning the program. Applicants must submit an online application, pay the application fee, and send unofficial transcripts and all other required documentation. The application fee is waived several times a year. International students who do not have a degree from a country where the primary language is English are required to provide proof of language proficiency. In addition, all transcripts must be submitted in both English and the original language granted. Hard copies must be sent via postal mail if the applicant is accepted into the program.

Study Plan: The online MSHI can be completed in as little as 28 months. Students can start in the fall or spring, and the program is offered part-time and full-time. Courses are taught in eight-week modules. Once students complete the required MSHI courses, they participate in a semester long practicum experience that begins with a pre-capstone seminar course. Students then choose an in-person practicum or a master’s thesis practicum. Students should expect to login four or more days per week and spend 8 to 12 hours doing online coursework each week, plus additional time for synchronous course meetings.

Curriculum: The Mason online MS in Health Informatics program consists of 39 credits. The 33 credits of required courses include introduction to the US health system, health data: vocabulary and standards, health data integration, advanced statistics in health services research, computational tools in health informatics, introduction to health informatics, data mining in healthcare, healthcare databases, statistical process control, comparative effectiveness analysis using observational data, and advanced health information systems. Once the required health informatics courses are completed, students take six credits of practicum courses during a semester-long period: pre-capstone professional development seminar and capstone field practicum in health systems management.

Online Experience: All courses for the online MS in health informatics are 100 percent online. Classes are delivered through a combination of asynchronous and synchronous formats. Mason uses Blackboard as their online learning management system. There is a online Blackboard orientation program to help students learn to navigate the system. Students access all courses through the myMason Portal. Course delivery may include group work, chat rooms, discussion boards, or other ways of interacting with faculty and peers. Courses are collaborative and active. Tests and quizzes can be completed online. Students have access to free antivirus protection and can download Microsoft Office 365 ProPlus for free. The ITS Support Center is available 24/7 to answer questions and give technical support. Students have access to all services that on-campus students have such as library, academic advising, and career counseling.

On-Site Requirements: The program is 100 percent online. For the practicum, students can choose a master’s thesis or an in-person practicum. Students are welcome to visit campus anytime and participate in campus graduation.

Mason online MSHI tuition numbers are listed below, and do not include the distance education fee or any other additional fees. Potential online students should contact the admissions department of the College of Health and Human Services for cost clarifications and updates. George Mason University offers some merit scholarships to graduate students. Students can also apply for federal loans through the FAFSA. Prospective students can find out more by contacting the Mason Office of Student Financial Aid. Students also have the option of seeking scholarships and financial aid from outside resources. In addition, some businesses may offer tuition reimbursement programs for employees seeking a higher degree.

Sara Navratil

Writer

Sara Navratil is a freelance writer and a Certified Canfield Success Principles Trainer. She's the owner of Sara Liza Life, a company dedicated to helping people rewrite their lives. She enjoys researching and writing about healthcare-related topics, including information on online MHA programs. When not working she likes to read, bake, and spend time with her family.