StudyQA — Master: Health Information Systems

Description Contents Requirements Funding

The Health Information Systems (HIS) concentration leading to a Master of Science degree in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences prepares professionals responsible for the development and management of health information systems consistent with the clinical, fiscal, administrative, ethical, and legal requirements of healthcare institutions. Graduates of this program analyze, design, implement, and evaluate health information systems. As members of the healthcare team, they interact with other healthcare professionals and administrators, and provide healthcare data for patient care, research, quality improvement, strategic planning, reimbursement, and related managerial functions.

HIS graduates work in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, health planning agencies, computer companies, consulting firms, information systems vendors, ambulatory care centers, research centers, rehabilitation facilities, and insurance companies.

Why choose HIS at PITT!:

PITT and SHRS are currently ranked a top ten college in the US to study health professions according to College Factual as listed in a recent article in USA Today.
Our Health Information Systems Masters program is ranked among the best in the nation for its quality and affordability by MBA Healthcare Management.

The HIS Concentration Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) Option

We offer specialized courses within the HIS concentration for students who are seeking eligibility to sit for the American Health Information Management (AHIMA) credentialing examination to become a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA).

The Health Information Systems concentration leading to a Master of Science degree in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).

Results from the 2015 outcomes assessment reported to CAHIIM in the 2016 Annual Program Report (APAR) indicate:

A 100% employer satisfaction rate
A 100% graduate satisfaction rate
A 93% pass rate National Certification Exam

HIS Courses

All students enrolled in the Health Information Systems concentration are required to complete 41–42 credits. Courses are chosen with the advisor and a Plan of Study will be developed to enable each student to design an in-depth study of Health Informatics taking into account student's previous academic preparation and experience.

Most of our courses are only offered once per academic year. Please also note that you will have a required class that is offered during Summer - click on plan of study form below. If a student fails to successfully complete a course, the student must retake the course the next academic year. Furthermore, this may also prevent the student from registering for the advanced-level courses and delay the date of graduation.

HIS Plan of Study Form

Health Informatics & Foundation Courses (select 29-30 credits)

HRS 2420 Introduction to Health Information Systems, 3 credits *
HRS 2421 Security, Privacy & Legal Issues of HIS, 3 credits *
HRS 2422 Computer Programming for Health Informatics, 3 credits *
HRS 2423 Cloud Computing, HL7, and Analytics in Healthcare, 3 credits
HRS 2424 Database Management in Health Care, 3 credits *
HRS 2425 Data Analytics and Its Application in Genomics and Personalized Care, 3 credits
HRS 2426 Eval of Classification Sys, Reference Terminologies, & Data Capture Technologies in HC, 3 credits
HRS 2428 Software Engineering Project Management, 3 credits*
HRS 2431 Evaluation Methods in Health Informatics, 3 credits
HRS 2432 Telemedicine, Telerehabilitation & e-Health, 3 credits
HRS 2434 Business Issues and Data Analytics in Health Care, 2 credits
HRS 2439 Health Information Systems Internship, 3 credits *
HRS 2490 Electronic Health Records, 3 credits *
HRS 2901 Intro to Research Methodology, 3 credits
HRS 2910 Statistical Applications in Health & Rehab, 3 credits **
OR (BIOST 2011, 2041, 2042; PSYED 2018)
INFSCI 2150 Introduction to Security, 3 credits ^
INFSCI 2731 Security in E-Commerce, 3 credits ^
INFSCI 2621 Security Management, 3 credits
INFSCI 2620 Developing Secure Systems, 3 credits
Health Management Courses (select 6 credits)
HRS 2435 Financial Management Foundations for the Health Professions, 3 credits
HRS 2445 Human Resource Management/Labor Relations in Health Care, 3 credits
HRS 2465 Human Factors in Leadership Skill Development, 3 credits
HRS 2454 Lean Six Sigma & Other Improvement Methodologies for Health Care Management, 3 credits
HRS 2903 Issues in the Health System, 2 credits

HRS-2902 Topics in Health Care, 3 credits
HRS-2905 Ethical Issues in Health Care, 3 credits

* Required Course for All HIS Students
^ Additionally required courses for students interested in enhanced Security & Privacy content.

Thesis Option (6 credits)

HRS 2924 Graduate Research Proposal, 2 credits
HRS 2925 Graduate Research, 4 credits

Non-Thesis Option (select 6 credits) - Electives to be taken from above or at other schools within the University.

Please note: All students are required to take at least 30 credits within SHRS

**A comprehensive Examination is required and should be scheduled by the advisor and student.**

HIS-RHIA Courses

All students enrolled in the Health Information Systems/RHIA Option concentration are required to complete 41–42 credits. Courses are chosen with the advisor and a Plan of Study will be developed to enable each student to design an in-depth study of Health Informatics taking into account student's previous academic preparation and experience.

Most of our courses are only offered once per academic year. Please also note that you will have required classes offered during the Summer - click on plan of study form below. If a student fails to successfully complete a course, the student must retake the course the next academic year. Furthermore, this may also prevent the student from registering for the advanced-level courses and delay the date of graduation.

Health Informatics & Foundation Courses (23-24 credits)

HRS 2421 Security, Privacy & Legal Issues of HIS, 3 credits*
HRS 2422 Computer Programming for Health Informatics, 3 credits *
HRS 2424 Database Management in Health Care, 3 credits *
HRS 2428 Software Engineering Project Management, 3 credits *
HRS 2439 Health Information Systems Internship, 3 credits *
HRS 2490 Electronic Health Records, 3 credits *
HRS 2903 Issues in the Health System, 2 credits *
OR
HRS-2902 Topics in Health Care, 3 credits*
HRS 2910 Statistical Applications in Health & Rehab, 3 credits *
OR (BIOST 2011, 2041, 2042; PSYED 2018)

Health Management Courses (6 credits)

HRS 2435 Financial Management Foundations for the Health Professions, 3 credits *
HRS 2445 Human Resource Management/Labor Relations in Health Care, 3 credits *
HRS 2465 Human Factors in Leadership Skill Development, 3 credits
HRS 2454 Lean Six Sigma & Other Improvement Methodologies for Health Care Management, 3 credits
HRS-2905 Ethical Issues in Health Care, 3 credits

RHIA Option (11 credits)

HIM 1405 Medical Terminology, Pharmacology, & Pathophysiology, 1 credit *^
HRS 1020 Anatomy and Physiology, 4 credits *^
HRS 2416 Intro. to Health Information & the Healthcare System (with lab), 3 credits *
HRS 2433 Classification Systems in Health Care (with lab), 3 credits *
HRS 2457 Quality Management (with lab), 2 credits *
HRS 2456 Reimbursement Seminar, 1 credit *
HRS 2482 Legal Aspects in Health Care, 2 credits *

Electives/Additional Coursework

HRS 2420 Introduction to Health Information Systems, 3 credits
HRS 2423 Cloud Computing, HL7, and Analytics in Healthcare, 3 credits
HRS 2425 Data Analytics and Its Application in Genomics and Personalized Care, 3 credits
HRS 2426 Eval of Classification Sys, Reference Terminologies, & Data Capture Technologies in HC, 3 credits
HRS 2431 Evaluation Methods in Health Informatics, 3 credits
HRS 2432 Telemedicine, Telerehabilitation & e-Health, 3 credits
HRS 2434 Business Issues and Data Analytics in Health Care, 2 credits
HRS 2901 Intro to Research Methodology, 3 credits

IMPLEMENTATION DATE: 9/1/2016
* Required Courses for RHIA Option Students
^Undergraduate courses do not count towards the 41 required graduate credits. These courses can be taken prior to admission or while enrolled in the program.
Please Note: All students are required to take at least 30 credits within SHRS.

**A comprehensive Examination is required and should be scheduled by the advisor and student.**

Requirements

Healthcare professionals from various disciplines are encouraged to apply to this program. Applicants with other relevant training and career experience who wish to develop competencies in health information system applications also will be given admission consideration.
A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and completion of the following prerequisite courses:
- Computer Programming , 3 credits
- Statistics, 3–4 credits
A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) is required. Admission may be considered for applicants with a GPA of less than 3.0 if other supporting evidence of their ability to complete the graduate program is provided.
Complete the SHRS ApplyYourself online application.
Application fee of $50 – You may pay the application fee online or elect to pay by check or money order. Make check or money order payable to the University of Pittsburgh. You will be prompted to choose your payment type at the end of the ApplyYourself application process.
Three Letters of Recommendation are required. These recommendations should be from college level instructors or employers/professionals who have supervised your work in a paid or volunteer capacity. These individuals should be able to comment on your academic, professional and interpersonal abilities. People submitting recommendation letters on your behalf are encouraged to send their letters to our admissions office electronically through our application system. For those people who wish to submit their letter of recommendation on paper, please forward them a copy of our Recommendation Form and follow the directions for paper recommendations.
Statement of Purpose/Essay
Transcript(s) – Submit official transcript(s) from each college or university you have attended even if only one course was taken at that particular college or university. Course(s) posted for advanced standing on transcripts are not considered official. Please mail to the SHRS Office of Admissions, 4020 Forbes Tower, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260.