Applied Clinical Informatics

The Master of Science in Applied Clinical Informatics at Vanderbilt University is a comprehensive program designed to equip health professionals with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively utilize health information technology to improve patient care, enhance clinical workflows, and advance healthcare delivery systems. This innovative program combines rigorous academic coursework with practical, real-world applications, preparing graduates to become leaders in the evolving field of health informatics. Students will explore a broad range of topics, including electronic health records, clinical decision support systems, health data analytics, interoperability, and health information security. The curriculum emphasizes the development of essential competencies in health information management, technology implementation, and data-driven clinical decision making. Through a blend of online coursework, expert faculty instruction, and hands-on projects, learners will gain valuable experience in designing, implementing, and managing health IT solutions within diverse healthcare settings. The program is tailored for healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and administrators, who seek to deepen their understanding of clinical informatics and leverage technology to improve patient outcomes. Graduates will be well-positioned to lead health IT initiatives, drive innovation in clinical practice, and contribute to the advancement of personalized medicine and population health management. Vanderbilt’s strong collaborations with healthcare organizations and its focus on interdisciplinary education ensure that students are prepared to meet the challenges and seize the opportunities presented by modern healthcare technology. Whether aiming to enhance individual clinical practice or to influence healthcare policies on a broader scale, students will find this program to be a valuable stepping stone toward a meaningful career in applied clinical informatics.

Requirements

Applicants must hold a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree. At least two years of relevant, post-undergraduate professional experience, education, or training is strongly preferred. GRE or MCAT scores are required. TOEFL exam is required for applicants whose primary language is not English.

Physician applicants who intend to apply for ABMS subspecialty certification in Clinical Informatics must have a) graduated from an appropriately licensed medical school located in the United States or Canada, or from a school located elsewhere that is approved by the ABPM; and b) successfully completed a residency in an ABMS-participating specialty by June 2015, and must be either board-certified or board-eligible at that time.

Applicants do not need to have formal training in Computer Science or a related discipline, but they need to demonstrate a strong interest and aptitude in Clinical informatics. Students without a computational background are encouraged to take at least one introductory-level courses in computer science before entering the program.

To Apply

Interested individuals must complete the Masters in Applied Clinical Informatics application.  The application must include:

• Statement of purpose
• Standardized test scores
• Degree program transcripts
• Curriculum Vitae (include education, training, honors and awards, professional experience, relevant publications and presentations)
• Three professional letters of recommendation
• Answers to the three specific questions
• All international applicants are required to provide scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), which is administered by the Educational Testing Service in Princeton, New Jersey. The Department requires applicants to meet or exceed a score of 600. International applicants who have obtained at least a masters level degree from an accredited US university are not required to provide TOEFL scores.

When choosing the Program within the online application  please make the following selections:

Program to which you are applying: Medicine-Non MD

Program: Master of Science in Applied Clinical Informatics

Degree: MSACI

Early application deadline is January 15, 2017.

The Vanderbilt University offers a comprehensive financing structure for students enrolled in the Applied Clinical Informatics program, designed to facilitate access to high-quality education while accommodating a diverse range of financial needs. The program provides several funding opportunities, including federal financial aid such as need-based grants and loans, institutional scholarships, and external scholarship options. Prospective students are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine their eligibility for federal grants like the Federal Pell Grant and Stafford Loans, which can significantly reduce the financial burden of graduate studies. Vanderbilt University also offers institutional scholarships that are awarded based on merit, need, or a combination of both; these scholarships often do not require repayment and can cover partial or full tuition costs. Additionally, there are work-study programs which allow students to earn money through part-time employment on campus, helping to offset living expenses. For international students or those seeking non-traditional funding sources, external scholarships from private foundations and professional organizations in healthcare and informatics may be available. The university's financial services team provides personalized counseling to assist students in understanding their options, preparing applications, and managing repayment plans for federal or private loans. Furthermore, the program's cost structure is transparent, with detailed tuition and fee information available on the university’s website, enabling applicants to plan their finances accordingly. Students are also encouraged to explore employer sponsorships and loan options to support their studies. In summary, Vanderbilt University’s Applied Clinical Informatics program offers a variety of financing options designed to make graduate education accessible, including federal and state aid programs, institutional scholarships, work-study opportunities, and external funding sources. The university provides extensive support and resources to help students navigate the financial aid landscape, ensuring that cost is minimized as a barrier to obtaining advanced training in clinical informatics.

The Applied Clinical Informatics program at Vanderbilt University is designed to equip healthcare professionals and IT specialists with the advanced skills required to implement, optimize, and evaluate health information systems within clinical settings. This program emphasizes the integration of informatics principles with clinical practice to improve patient care, enhance healthcare delivery efficiency, and support data-driven decision-making. Coursework typically covers topics such as health data management, clinical workflows, health information exchange, electronic health records (EHR) optimization, and health informatics standards. It prepares graduates to lead projects related to health IT implementation, ensure compliance with healthcare regulations, and foster interdisciplinary collaborations among clinicians, IT professionals, and administrators. The program aims to develop expertise in designing and analyzing clinical informatics solutions tailored to specific healthcare environments, ultimately contributing to better health outcomes. Students often engage in practical projects, internships, and research opportunities that reinforce their ability to translate informatics theories into real-world applications. The degree may be suitable for physicians, nurses, health IT specialists, and administrators seeking to deepen their understanding of clinical informatics. Vanderbilt University’s strong emphasis on research and innovation in health sciences provides a rich academic environment supported by leading faculty and state-of-the-art facilities. Graduates of the Applied Clinical Informatics program are well-positioned to lead digital transformation initiatives within healthcare institutions, influence health IT policy, and contribute to ongoing improvements in patient safety and quality of care. This program reflects Vanderbilt’s commitment to advancing healthcare through technology, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and preparing professionals to meet the evolving challenges of modern healthcare systems.