Online Ph.D. In Health Informatics

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Doctorate in health informatics programs train graduates for leadership roles in the field, like medical and health services manager. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), medical and health services managers make a median annual salary of more than $100,000. The BLS projects jobs for these professionals to grow 32% between 2019-2029.

Our list ranks the top health informatics Ph.D. programs for 2021. Prospective students can use the rankings to find the best fit for their budget and career goals. This article also introduces common courses and scholarship opportunities for health informatics students.

Health Informatics Ph.D. Students Frequently Asked Questions

Why Get a Degree in Health Informatics?

Health informatics blends technology with healthcare. A degree in health informatics strengthens analytical skills through coursework on topics like data analytics, health data visualization, and patient quality informatics. Graduates with a Ph.D. in health informatics can pursue roles like chief medical information officer, clinical data analyst, and healthcare IT consultant. Graduates can also pursue careers in academia and research.

An online doctorate in health informatics gives students the flexibility to balance their studies with professional and personal obligations.

How Much Does a Health Informatics Degree Cost?

The cost of a doctoral degree in health informatics varies by factors like school, enrollment status, and delivery format. In general, public universities charge lower tuition rates than private universities. Most public universities also offer tuition discounts to state residents. For example, the University of Minnesota charges $1,465 per credit for in-state students and $2,267 per credit for out-of-state students.

Graduate programs typically charge higher tuition rates than undergraduate programs. However, graduate students often qualify for additional forms of financial aid, including fellowships and assistantships.

The online learning format can also help degree-seekers save money. For instance, online students often save on many of the expenses that on-campus students incur, such as housing and commuting costs.

Calculating the Cost of a College Degree

Our affordability calculator considers your income, expenses, and expected financial aid to determine how much you can afford to pay for college. You can use the calculator to figure out tuition rates and monthly payments that work for your budget.

How Much Do Health Informatics Major Make?

Health informatics Ph.D. programs prepare graduates for top careers in the field, like health information manager and healthcare data scientist. Health information managers maintain patient records, while healthcare data scientists analyze information to improve patient outcomes. A doctorate also meets the education requirement for many academic and research positions, including college professor.

Medical and health services managers benefit from above-average salaries and much faster-than-average projected job growth, according to BLS data. The top-paid medical and health services managers earn over $189,000 per year.

However, salaries vary by factors like location, role, and experience. For instance, medical and health services managers who work for the government or in hospitals typically earn higher salaries than those working at doctors' offices and outpatient care centers.

Courses in Health Informatics

Health informatics Ph.D. programs build strong data analysis and research skills. Learners study topics like data analysis, health data visualization, and clinical informatics. Many doctoral programs offer specializations in areas such as clinical informatics, data science, and bioinformatics. In addition to coursework, doctoral students typically complete a dissertation.

Courses vary by school, but this section introduces courses commonly found in Ph.D. in health informatics programs.

Certifications and Licensure for Health Informatics

Most health informatics specialists do not need a license to practice. However, voluntary professional certifications can help graduates stand out in the job market and demonstrate specialized skills. These certifications typically set educational and experience requirements, which a doctorate usually meets.

Scholarships for Health Informatics

Health informatics doctoral students can pursue financial aid opportunities to help offset the cost of their degree. Unlike loans, scholarships do not require repayment, making them ideal forms of financial aid. In addition to the following scholarship opportunities, students can research scholarships based on factors like their state and career path.

Ph.D. in Health Informatics 2021

Genevieve Carlton

Genevieve Carlton holds a Ph.D. in history from Northwestern University and earned tenure as a history professor at the University of Louisville. An award-winning historian and writer, Genevieve has published multiple scholarly articles and a book with the University of Chicago Press. She currently works as a freelance writer and consultant.