Master of Science

Health Informatics

The Master of Science in Health Informatics (MSHI) is a specialized program of study to serve the increasing workforce needs in the area of health information technology. The curriculum utilizes a multidisciplinary approach to include health care delivery concepts coupled with information technology in a changing environment. Courses are designed to prepare graduates in the area of privacy and security of health care information, leadership and policy within the health care environment, as well as emerging concepts in information technology as related to the health care setting. Graduates will be able to choose electives to aid in accomplishing their career goals within the area of health information technology.

This program may be completed online.

Unconditional Admission

Students are eligible to apply for unconditional admission to the Master of Science degree program in Health Informatics if they meet the following requirements:

  1. Applicants must meet the admission requirements for Graduate College.
  2. Applicants must have successfully completed HIM 3023 Introduction to HIM or demonstrate comparable background. The background may be demonstrated by previous coursework or by relative work experience, as determined by the MSHI Graduate Committee.
  3. Applicants must have successfully completed a three (3) semester hour course in computer programming, such as COMS 2203 or demonstrate comparable background. The background may be demonstrated by previous coursework or by relative work experience, as determined by the MSHI Graduate Committee.
  4. Applicants must provide a letter of intent that addresses their interests, goals, and reasons for applying to the degree program.
  5. Approval from the Program Director.

Conditional Admission

Applicants who fail to satisfy the grade point requirements for unconditional admission or who do not satisfy requirements 2-3 above may be admitted conditionally by the MSHI Graduate Committee to earn a maximum of twelve (12) hours of graduate credit. Conditional admission may require taking one or more undergraduate and/or graduate courses to remove those conditions. Any such courses must be completed with a grade of "B" or better. In addition, if the student was admitted conditionally due to grade point average, the student must earn a 3.0 or better cumulative grade point average in all graduate courses taken for the program by the end of the semester in which the twelfth (12) graduate hour is completed.

Academic Advisors

The MSHI Graduate Committee will assign a faculty advisor to each student admitted to the MSHI degree program. The advisor will assist the student in the design of a curriculum of study that leads to the fulfillment of degree requirements. Additionally the academic advisor and the Graduate College will monitor the student's progress. It remains, however, the student's responsibility to understand and to satisfy all degree requirements.

Degree Requirements

  1. A minimum of 35 semester hours of coursework at the graduate level must be completed. These hours include 29 semester hours of core requirements and six (6) hours of INFT, HI 5000-level or 6000-level electives, or electives that are deemed acceptable by MSHI Program Director.
  2. A cumulative grade point average of at least 3.00 in all graduate courses completed at Arkansas Tech University with a maximum of six (6) hours of "C" grades. A student receiving more than six (6) hours of "C" or grades lower than "C" should refer to the section of the catalog on Academic Probation and Dismissal.
  3. A minimum of 27 hours of graduate course work completed at Arkansas Tech University.
  4. Completion of all degree requirements within four (4) years of admission into the program.
Core Courses (23 hours)

HI 5092 Research in HIM
HI 6053 Emerging Trends in Health Information
HI 6063 Leadership in Health Informatics
HI 6073 Security and Privacy in Health Informatics
HI 6083 Health Care Policy
INFT 5403 Introduction to Information Technology and Systems
INFT 5203 Database Systems
MATH 5173 Advanced Biostatistics

HI 6991-6 Thesis Research - 6 hours
OR
HI 6983 Research Project AND Additional 3 hour elective

Elective Courses - Choose two courses (6 hours)

INFT 6013 Decision Support Systems
INFT 6903 Emerging Trends in IT
INFT 5053 Information Systems Resource Management
INFT 5303 Developing and Administering Web Sites
Additional approved electives may be available.

Candidacy

Graduate students admitted unconditionally must apply for candidacy to the selected degree program upon completion of twelve (12) graduate credit hours. Students admitted conditionally cannot apply for candidacy until all conditions assigned at the time of admission to graduate study have been removed.

Upon the completion of twelve (12) graduate hours, a hold will be placed on the students' record until a candidacy form has been approved by the Graduate Dean. Failure to apply for candidacy will result in the hold remaining on the students' record, and an inability to register for subsequent coursework. 

Students who have filed a candidacy form but do not enroll or receive graduate credit for one (1) academic year must submit a new candidacy form upon being readmitted into the same graduate program.  If admitted into a different academic program, students are not required to submit a new candidacy form until twelve (12) graduate credits have been accumulated within the new program.

Application for Graduation

In addition to satisfying all degree requirements, a candidate for a degree must file an Application for Graduation online or at the Registrar's Office. Students must apply for graduation upon completion of twelve (12) graduate credit hours.

Special Conditions of Graduate Credit

Graduate Credit Taken Prior to Admission to Arkansas Tech University

A maximum of nine (9) semester hours of graduate credit with a grade point average of "B" or better may be transferred from an accredited graduate school if deemed appropriate to the MSHI Graduate Committee, the Director of the MSHI program, and the Graduate College Dean. Students must send a written request through the MSHI Graduate Committee and program director to petition an acceptance of the transfer credit prior to requesting admission to candidacy to the graduate program. Graduate credit earned six (6) years prior to the completion date of all degree requirements may not be applied toward the degree without the approval of the MSHI program director and the Graduate College Dean. Credits earned by correspondence courses or for remedial purposes will not apply toward the graduate degree. No undergraduate course may be repeated for graduate credit.

Graduate Credit Taken After Admission to Arkansas Tech University

If after admission to graduate study, a student wishes to take a course at another institution to count toward degree requirements at Arkansas Tech University, the student must (in advance of enrollment) obtain written approval from the program director and the Graduate College Dean.