Health Information Systems

The Master of Science in Health Information Systems at the University of Pittsburgh is a highly regarded graduate program designed to prepare students for innovative leadership and advanced technical roles in the rapidly evolving healthcare industry. This comprehensive curriculum integrates core principles of health informatics, information technology, and healthcare management to equip graduates with the skills necessary to improve patient care, enhance clinical workflows, and optimize health data management. Students will gain a solid foundation in electronic health records, data analytics, health IT systems, and the legal and ethical considerations associated with healthcare information. The program emphasizes practical experience through hands-on projects, internships, and collaborations with healthcare organizations, enabling students to apply their knowledge in real-world settings. Interdisciplinary coursework fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills, preparing graduates to address complex challenges in healthcare delivery and health information management. Designed for both recent graduates and healthcare professionals seeking to update their skills, the program offers flexible learning options, including full-time and part-time tracks. Graduates of the Health Information Systems program are well-positioned to pursue careers as clinical informaticians, health IT project managers, data analysts, health information managers, and policy advisors, contributing to health system improvements on local, national, and global levels. The University of Pittsburgh’s strong partnerships within the healthcare sector, experienced faculty, and innovative research environment ensure students receive a high-quality education aligned with current industry standards and future trends. Whether you aim to lead health IT initiatives, develop new health information technologies, or shape healthcare policies, this program provides the comprehensive training and professional network necessary for success in the dynamic field of health information systems.

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 

                                OR

• 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. 

The University of Pittsburgh offers a comprehensive financing options framework for students pursuing the Health Information Systems program. Tuition fees vary depending on residency status, with in-state students benefiting from lower rates compared to out-of-state students. For the academic year, in-state students are charged approximately $20,000 per year, while out-of-state students pay around $41,000 annually. The university provides detailed information about the cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, books, and personal expenses, which students are advised to consider when planning their finances.

Financial aid opportunities are available through federal and state grant programs, including Pell Grants and state-funded scholarships, which aim to reduce the financial burden for eligible students. The university also offers institutional scholarships based on academic merit, need, and other criteria, which can significantly offset tuition costs. Students are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine their eligibility for federal aid programs.

In addition to grants and scholarships, the University of Pittsburgh promotes work-study programs that allow students to earn income while gaining practical experience related to their field of study. Many students also finance their education through student loans, with options provided by federal loan programs, which typically have favorable interest rates and flexible repayment plans.

For international students, financial aid options are more limited, and they are advised to explore external scholarship opportunities and private funding sources. The university also offers payment plans that distribute tuition costs over manageable installments throughout the semester, making it easier for students to manage their finances without large upfront payments.

Besides traditional financing, students may consider external funding sources such as private scholarships offered by healthcare organizations, foundations, and professional associations related to health information management. The university provides resources and counseling services to assist students in navigating financial aid processes and planning their educational investments wisely. Overall, the University of Pittsburgh strives to make the Health Information Systems program accessible through a combination of institutional support, federal aid, scholarships, and flexible payment options, ensuring students can focus on their academic and professional development without undue financial stress.

The Master of Science in Health Information Systems at the University of Pittsburgh is a comprehensive program designed to prepare students for the rapidly evolving field of health informatics. This programme emphasizes the integration of information technology, management, and healthcare to improve patient outcomes and healthcare delivery systems. Students gain a solid foundation in health data management, electronic health records, clinical decision support systems, and healthcare interoperability standards. The curriculum combines theoretical knowledge with practical application, including coursework in health data standards, software development, database management, and health policy.

Throughout the program, students have opportunities to engage with cutting-edge technologies and participate in projects that address real-world healthcare challenges. The program is tailored to fit the needs of working professionals, offering flexible scheduling options such as evening and part-time courses. Graduates are well-equipped to pursue careers in health IT management, clinical informatics, health data analysis, and health information consultancy. The University of Pittsburgh's strong connections with healthcare organizations and its reputation for research excellence provide students with valuable networking and internship opportunities. Faculty members are experts in the fields of health informatics, information systems, and healthcare administration, guiding students towards innovative solutions for healthcare information challenges. The program's ultimate goal is to produce leaders who can effectively leverage technology to improve healthcare quality, safety, and efficiency across various healthcare settings.