The Healthcare Informatics MBA degree is becoming an increasingly popular option for many students. It explores how technology and business intersect, with a particular focus on the healthcare industry, which is becoming increasingly reliant on information technology. The focus of the program is strongly on increasing the understanding of these elements, but equally so on how to ensure that data is delivered and kept securely, to the benefit of patients and health professionals alike.
Why Earn a Healthcare Informatics MBA?
If you are interested in the field of healthcare informatics, you would traditionally have had to complete the Master of Science (Ms) in Healthcare Informatics. The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM) considered this the highest possible degree in this field. However, with changes in the way healthcare is delivered, and how healthcare organizations are being run, there was an increased need for those who understood both the importance and science of healthcare informatics, and business management principles. This is provided by the Healthcare Informatics MBA, which effectively combines the two disciplines. Jump to 9+ Best AACSB Online MBA Programs for 2017.
Because the field is so complex, various universities have joined forces with CAHIIM, and also with the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), which provides certifications in fields such as health information management (HIM), healthcare security, health data analytics, and coding. Together, they have developed programs at the MBA level that also ensured students could become Registered Health Information Management Administrators (RHIAs). This means programs had to be developed in such a way that they met the minimum educational standards of an MBA degree, while also enabling students to successfully pass certifying examinations through experiential and educational opportunities specific to healthcare informatics.
The Healthcare Informatics MBA, as such, is one of the most complex degree programs. It covers information technology and information management in the health care industry, but also business administration, information security, and more. Graduates can take on a wealth of positions, across a variety of organizations, and their skills are in very high demand. Those who graduate from these programs are seen as pioneers in the industry.
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements are highly competitive for Healthcare Informatics MBA programs. While all schools can set their own requirements, they usually follow a similar format like those requested by the New England College, which looks for applicants who:
• Hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in this country
• Passed a TOEFL/IELTS if they are non-native ENglish speakers
• Provide official transcripts from any post secondary educational establishments that have been attended
• Provide a current professional resume
• Write a personal statement
• Provide two letters of professional and academic reference
Curriculum and Courses
Schools are entitled to set their own curriculum when it comes to their degree programs. However, in order to obtain regional accreditation as an establishment, the school must demonstrate a commitment to educational excellence. Additionally, to receive programmatic accreditation, which is particularly complex for a Healthcare Informatics MBA, as described above, those standards are even more stringent. The curriculum set by Southern New Hampshire University is an excellent example of what to expect from a high quality program that will equip you with a respected degree. Their curriculum includes:
• Healthcare Informatics
• Advanced Information Technology
• Social & Organizational Issues in Healthcare
• Mathematics and Statistics for Business
• Economics for Business
• Financial Reporting and Analysis
• Business Law
• Human Behavior in Organizations
• Business Environment, Innovations, and Entrepreneurship
• Accounting and Financial Analysis
• Leading in an Organization
• Marketing and Strategy
• Ethics, Corporate Culture, and Social Responsibility
• Finance, Economics, and Decision Making
• Government Impact on Business
• Operations Management and Technology
Career Outcomes and Job Titles
The field of healthcare informatics is growing rapidly and the demand for professionals with an in depth understanding of this field is rising just as quickly. The entire health care industry is looking for those who have advanced technological knowledge, but know at the same time how to apply this to sensitive patient information. Additionally, they look for those who have a full grasp of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). In order for the health care industry to meet its own demands, to stay within budget, and to never compromise on their quality of care, they need people who can effectively and efficiently manage the process of data.
With a Healthcare Informatics MBA, you can get to work in any medical center, hospital, or clinic, focusing on top level, executive administration. Some of the most common job titles for graduates include:
• Informatics faculty
• Data security manager
• Chief information officer (CIO)
• Clinical data analyst
• Systems designer
• Corporate health information officer
• Data engineer
Job Salary & Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that all Medical and Health Services Managers earned an average annual salary of $94,500 per year as of May 2015. This is at the bachelor’s degree level, and research has shown that holding an MBA can increase average earnings by around $15,000 per year, meaning you could earn around $110,000. The BLS also predicts a 17% increase in demand for these professionals from 2014 to 2024, which is much faster than the national average.
Scholarships and Grants
• Union Plus Scholarship Program, which is an award ranging from $500 to $4,000 for students who are dependent children of, spouses of, and/or retired members, or current members of any union that currently participates in a Union Plus program.
• AICP Scholarship Program, which is a $1,000 scholarship to those who study towards a business degree and currently hold a GPA of at least 3.0.
• QS Leadership Scholarship, which is a $10,000 award that students can apply for by attending the QS World Grad School Tour Fair, where they must complete the QS Graduate Applicant Survey. They will also be designated a topic, about which they must write a 750 word essay to be considered for the award.
• AKA Graduate Scholarship, which offers up to $2,500 from Alpha Kappa Alpha. They offer merit based and financial need based scholarships. There is no requirement to be a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha in order to be accepted, and students of any gender can apply.
• Mary Elizabeth Lockwood Beneventi MBA Scholarship, which offers a $2,000 to those who are currently enrolled in an MBA program. The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) sponsor this scholarship, although they do not require applicants to be members of the DAR.
Additional Resources
• International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua)
• Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association (JAMIA)
• American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA)
• World Health Organization (WHO)
• International Medical Informatics Association (IMIA)
