Biomedical and Health Informatics

The Master of Science in Biomedical and Health Informatics at the University of Illinois at Chicago is a comprehensive graduate program designed to prepare students for innovative careers in the rapidly evolving field of health information technology. This interdisciplinary program combines principles from computer science, information science, healthcare, and biomedical sciences to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to develop, implement, and manage advanced health information systems. Students will explore topics such as electronic health records, health data analytics, clinical decision support systems, health information exchange, and healthcare IT policy and regulation. The curriculum emphasizes both theoretical foundations and practical applications, providing hands-on experience through lab work, projects, and collaborations with healthcare organizations. The program aims to produce professionals who can improve patient care, enhance healthcare operations, and contribute to medical research by leveraging cutting-edge informatics solutions. Graduates will be prepared for roles such as health informaticians, clinical analysts, health IT project managers, and data administrators. The program also offers opportunities for research and specialization in areas like public health informatics, biomedical research informatics, and healthcare data analytics. With access to state-of-the-art facilities and partnerships with local healthcare institutions, students gain valuable exposure to real-world challenges and innovative solutions in health informatics. The University of Illinois at Chicago’s School of Biomedical and Health Information Sciences is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive academic environment where students can thrive professionally and academically. This program is suitable for individuals with backgrounds in health sciences, computer science, information technology, or related fields who aspire to advance their careers in health informatics. Graduates will be equipped to contribute significantly to the transformation of healthcare through the intelligent use of information technology, ultimately improving health outcomes and healthcare delivery systems worldwide.

In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, students must meet the following program requirements:

• Minimum Semester Hours Required 96 beyond the baccalaureate.
• Course Work Students entering with an MS in Health Informatics earned at UIC may be allowed a maximum of 32 credit hours toward the PhD, depending on the electives taken. These students will develop an academic course plan, with approval of their primary advisor, that ensures their completion of any remaining core courses required, as well as additional elective course work in one or both tracks to fulfill the remaining course credit hours required for the PhD.

• Examinations 
  • Preliminary Examination: Required. A written and oral test of core competencies is required to evaluate the student's knowledge of the broad area of biomedical and health informatics and his or her specific content area. All students must take an examination prepared individually by the examination committee following the completion of all course work.
  • Dissertation Proposal Examination: Required. Upon completion of the comprehensive preliminary exam, the dissertation proposal must be defended before the student's dissertation committee (committee approved by the Graduate College).
  • Dissertation Defense: Required. A written dissertation with oral defense at a public session before the dissertation committee and other members of the academic community is required.
• Dissertation Required. Students must earn 40 to 48 semester hours in BHIS 599. Each student will be required to present two research seminars prior to graduation (mid-thesis and public PhD thesis presentation). Students must be registered during the semester of intended graduation.

Requirements

• Prior Degrees Master's degree in health informatics or related field is preferred. Transfer of graduate credits from another institution will be handled on a course-by-course basis. The complete prior credits transfer process is described on the Graduate College web page. Exceptional applicants who have completed a Bachelor of Science degree in health informatics or a related field, and wish to pursue a PhD will be considered for “Direct PhD Admission.” Such students will pursue the PhD degree without the requirement of first completing a master's degree. Direct PhD Admission is competitive. For fullest consideration, any student seeking admission should adhere to the early deadlines listed on the Graduate College website.

• Grade Point Average At least 3.00/4.00 for the final 60 semester (90 quarter) hours of undergraduate study and for all graduate degrees. In addition to the previous requirements, the cumulative GPA for any graduate-level course work must be at least 3.00/4.00.
• Tests Required GRE General Test with a minimum score of 152 (56th percentile) on the verbal and 151 (56th percentile) on the quantitative sections. GRE scores must be dated within five years of the candidate's application.
• Minimum English Competency Test Score All international students are required to submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), IELTS (International English Language Testing System), or PTE-Academic scores.
  • TOEFL If the applicant has taken the paper-based TOEFL, minimum scores in the range of 585–600 will be considered; in addition, the applicant must take the Test of Written English and submit scores in the range of 5–6. Applicants taking the iBT Internet-based TOEFL must have a minimum score of 95, with subscores of Reading 24, Listening 22, Speaking 24, and Writing 24, OR,
  • IELTS 7.0, with subscores of 6.5 for all four subscores, OR,
  • PTE-Academic 54, with subscores of Reading 51, Listening 47, Speaking 53, and Writing 56.
• Letters of Recommendation Three required, must be on letterhead. Recommenders should explain the context in which they have worked with and know the person about whom they are writing a recommendation. Recommenders should explore the student’s scholarly abilities, professionalism, organizational skills, and provide any other insights into the applicant’s qualities that demonstrate the applicant’s suitability for work at the doctorate level.
• Personal Statement Required. The statement should address the applicant’s goals for graduate study, career development, teaching, and research experience.
• Current Curriculum Vitae Required. Include scholarly activities and publications to date.
• Other Requirements Successful completion, before enrollment, of required courses equivalent to a course in basic computer programming (process-oriented advanced languages, such as C, Pascal, BASIC, Cobol, FORTRAN, Ada, Lisp, Smalltalk, Prolog, etc.; and/or object-oriented advanced languages, such as C++, C#, and Java; and/or web-based scripting languages, such as Perl, JavaScript, Python, PHP, and Ruby). The computer programming prerequisite may also be fulfilled, with permission of the Director of Graduate Studies, through completion of a nationally recognized MOOC (with proof through a signed letter). This prerequisite may be waived for those with comparable experience.
  Prerequisites courses HIM 486 and BHIS 406 (waived for those with clinical experience or for those who pass proficiency exams). These prerequisite courses are available online and are taught each semester including summer session. The proficiency exam is in current use and is available through the Director of Graduate Studies.

Scholarships

• Teaching assistantships
• Research assistantships 
• Graduate assistantships
• Global Education

The Master of Science in Biomedical and Health Informatics at the University of Illinois at Chicago is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the application of information technology to healthcare and biomedical sciences. This interdisciplinary program combines principles from computer science, information systems, biology, medicine, and healthcare to prepare graduates for careers that improve patient outcomes, enhance healthcare delivery, and advance biomedical research. The curriculum typically includes coursework in health data management, electronic health records, clinical decision support systems, health information exchange, data analytics, healthcare policy, and the ethical considerations surrounding health informatics. Students gain practical experience through laboratory exercises, projects, and internships that bridge theory and real-world applications. The program emphasizes developing skills in designing, implementing, and evaluating health information systems, ensuring data security and privacy, and understanding regulatory requirements such as HIPAA. Graduates are equipped to work in various sectors, including hospitals, healthcare IT companies, government agencies, and research institutions. The program often collaborates with local healthcare providers and industry partners to facilitate experiential learning opportunities. Admission requirements typically include a relevant undergraduate degree, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and evidence of computer programming skills or related experience. The department maintains a strong focus on research and innovation, encouraging students to contribute to advancements in health informatics through thesis projects and conference presentations. Overall, the MS in Biomedical and Health Informatics at UIUC aims to develop highly skilled professionals capable of leveraging information technology to improve health outcomes and the efficiency of healthcare systems worldwide.