Program at a Glance
- Online, On Campus, and Blended
- Part-Time Study
- 16 Credits
- 8–12 Months to Completion
- 17 Core Faculty
- No GRE/GMAT
- Tuition & Fees—Part-Time Study*: $10,620
*Based on 2024–2025 Boston University tuition and fees.
Lead the Way in Healthcare IT Solutions
Available on campus, online, and in a blended format, the Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics at Boston University’s Metropolitan College (MET) is designed to expose students to modern health IT, including health data collection, processing, and storage. The Health Informatics certificate program primarily focuses on electronic medical data generated and stored in healthcare and public health organizations. By completing BU MET’s certificate program in Health Informatics, you will develop solid knowledge of health information technology and systems, including medical algorithms, electronic health records, clinical decision support, interoperability, data privacy and security, and regulations, while gaining valuable exposure to the latest medical technologies.

#4, America’s Top Online Colleges
Newsweek magazine ranked Boston University’s online programs #4 in the nation in its 2023 survey.
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#10, Best Online Master's in Computer Information Technology Programs
MET’s online master’s degrees in computer information technology are ranked #10 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for 2025.
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Computer Science Career Outlook
Top computer science careers in data science, software development, and other popular areas of IT.
Learn moreWhat Is My Career Outlook as a Graduate of This Program?
897,028
Total number of US Jobs
104,215
Annual job openings
+3.9%
Annual job openings
16%
Projected ten-year growth in jobs
(faster than average)
$115.8K
Median annual salary
Common job titles include:
- Chief Medical Information Officer (CMIO)
- Clinical Application Developer
- EHR Application Specialist
- Quality Officer
- Safety/Privacy Officer
- Health Informatics Data Manager
Employers seek expertise in:
- Python
- Software engineering
- SQL
- Data analytics
- EHR knowledge
- Cybersecurity
Why BU Should Be Your Top Choice for Computer Science Graduate Study
- Recognized & Certified: Boston University is recognized by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security as a Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Cyber Defense and Research. BU MET’s information security programs are certified by the Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS). The Health Informatics graduate certificate also shares courses with the MS in Computer Information Systems concentration in Health Informatics, which is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).
- Active Learning Environment: BU MET’s health informatics courses ensure you get the attention you need, while introducing case studies and real-world projects that emphasize technical and theoretical knowledge—combining in-depth, practical experience with the critical skills needed to remain on the forefront of the information technology field. In addition, you have access to BU MET’s Health Informatics Research Lab (HILab), which focuses on collaborative research and development in health informatics, bioinformatics, and clinical research.
- Engaged Faculty: In BU MET’s computer science graduate programs, you benefit from working closely with highly qualified faculty and seasoned industry leaders in a wide range of technology fields who are committed to teaching the latest technologies within the framework of ideas, concepts, and methods that drive innovation.
- Complimentary Medical Terminology Pre-Lab: Our self-paced pre-laboratory offers access to essential, basic tools necessary for those specializing in Health Informatics at BU.
- Extensive Network: Study alongside peers and professionals with solid IT experience, learn from faculty who have valuable contacts across several sectors, and benefit from an alumni community with strong professional connections.
- 15:1 Class Ratio: Enjoy an exceptional student-to-instructor ratio, ensuring close interaction with faculty and access to support.
- Valuable Resources: Make use of Boston University’s extensive resources, including the Center for Career Development, Educational Resource Center, Fitness & Recreation Center, IT Help Centers, Mugar Memorial Library, Center for Antiracist Research, Howard Thurman Center for Common Ground, George Sherman Union, Rafik B. Hariri Institute for Computing and Computational Science & Engineering, and many others.
- Flexible Options: Study at the pace that works for you, evenings on campus, fully online, or in the blended format that combines on-campus and online learning. Courses begin fall, spring, and summer; online courses have two starts per term.
- Track Record: Learn from the best—BU MET’s Department of Computer Science was established in 1979 and is the longest-running computer science department at BU. Over its four decades, the department has played an important role in the emergence of IT at the University and throughout the region.
Prepare for the Future of Technology with BU MET
The four-course Health Informatics graduate certificate is part of BU MET’s portfolio of computer science and IT graduate programs. For over forty years, the Department of Computer Science at Metropolitan College has prepared students to tackle contemporary challenges in the field. Our programs are uniquely flexible—we offer courses evenings on campus, fully online, or in a blended format that combines online study with occasional campus visits—so you can balance graduate school with your career, family, and other obligations. We take pride in providing training in critical specialization areas and emphasizing practical, insightful, and adaptable knowledge that can be immediately applied on the job while informing your career growth for years to come. We also offer extensive advising to help you identify the subjects you’ll need to achieve your career goals.
Our degree programs are certified by the Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS)—the MS in Computer Information Systems has additional accreditation from the Project Management Institute Global Accreditation Center for Project Management Education Programs (GAC) and the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). Boston University is designated a Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Cyber Defense and Research by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security.
Gain Expertise in Health Informatics
Metropolitan College’s Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics will equip you with:
- An understanding of the American healthcare system, medical terminology, basic human anatomy and physiology, disease processes, diagnostic modalities, treatments associated with common disease processes, and the IT needs of healthcare providers as they diagnose and treat common diseases.
- Advanced knowledge of the functionality, technical infrastructure, system selection, and best-practice deployment of healthcare IT, including medical algorithms, project management, electronic health records (EHR), privacy and security, regulations, and health IT standards.
- Understanding of fundamental characteristics of data, information, and knowledge in the healthcare domain and proficiency in managing, processing, and analyzing healthcare data.
- Competence sufficient to lead health IT initiatives, to conduct biomedical research, and to design, implement, and manage advanced solutions.
Access to Complimentary Self-Paced Laboratories
As a student in BU MET’s Health Informatics program, you have free access to hands-on, noncredit preparatory laboratories or pre-laboratories offered through the Department of Computer Science. We offer the following self-paced laboratory (SPL):
- Medical Terminology Pre-lab (MET HE 100) provides a basic understanding of medical terminology that is necessary to advance in Health Informatics studies. This laboratory will help ensure that students from non-medical backgrounds have the fundamental knowledge of human anatomy, pathologies associated with it, and medical terminology. These are tools necessary for everybody who will specialize in the BU MET Health Informatics program. Email metcsapp@bu.edu to be enrolled in this free non-credit lab.
Certificate-to-Degree Pathway
You can earn the master’s in Computer Information Systems with a concentration in Health Informatics by completing the Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics and the Graduate Certificate in Information Technology, plus two additional courses: Enterprise Cyber Security (MET CS 695) and either Information Structures with Java (MET CS 520) or Information Structures with Python (MET CS 521). Students currently enrolled in a graduate certificate who are interested in transitioning into a master’s degree should contact their academic advisor to declare their interest in this pathway. A new master’s degree application is not required. Connect with a graduate admissions advisor at csadmissions@bu.edu to learn more about this option.
Health Informatics Graduate Certificate Curriculum
(Four courses/16 credits)
MET CS 570 Biomedical Sciences and Health IT
MET CS 580 Health Informatics
MET CS 581 Health Information Systems
MET CS 781 Advanced Health Informatics
Computer Science Faculty
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Tuition & Financial Assistance
Competitive Tuition
Our part-time rates are substantially lower than those of the traditional, full-time residential programs yet provide access to the same high-quality BU education.Comprehensive Financial Assistance
Our services include scholarships, graduate loans, and payment plans.How Much Does This Program Cost?
BU MET programs offer the flexibility of part-time study, either on campus or online. Tuition, fees, and total program cost are determined by enrollment status. Course enrollment in this certificate program is 1–2 courses (4–8 credits) in a semester, and tuition is charged the part-time per-credit rate.
Health Informatics Graduate Certificate (Online and On Campus)
Enrollment Status | Part Time |
Courses per Semester | 2 courses (8 credits) |
Time to Degree | 2 semesters (8 months) |
Tuition* | $550-$975 per credit** |
Fees per Semester* | $60 |
Total Degree Cost* | $10,620 |
*Based on 2024-2025 Boston University tuition & fee rates.
**Cost per credit is determined by course number (100–599 = $550/credit, 600–999 = $975/credit).
Questions? Please contact us to hear from an Admissions Advisor who can help you determine the best enrollment pathway. For information regarding financial aid, visit BU MET’s Financial Aid page.

Get Started
Please visit the BU MET admissions page for details on how to apply, financial assistance, tuition and fees, requirements for international students, and more.
What to Read Next: MET Computer Science & IT Knowledge Center
- How Long Does a Master’s in Computer Science Take to Complete—and What is the Cost?
- Why Get a Master’s Degree in Computer Science at BU MET?
- What Do My Career Options Look Like with a Master’s in Computer Science from BU’s Metropolitan College?
- Are There Different Computer Science Graduate Programs or Specializations at BU?
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