Develop Critical Skills in Health Information Management
Available online and on campus, the Master of Science in Health Informatics (MSHI) concentration in Health Information Management at Boston University’s Metropolitan College (MET) builds upon the eight-course health informatics curriculum to focus on the management of health data, information, knowledge, and projects.
Over the last decade, massive introduction of electronic health records (EHRs) has revolutionized healthcare by enabling physicians and care providers to access comprehensive patient records and treatment history. The deployment of EHRs relies upon professionals who possess interdisciplinary knowledge of healthcare and information technology—and who are capable of bringing together an understanding of business, science, and IT skills in order to effectively manage and secure patient medical information.
Program at a Glance
- Online and On Campus
- Part-Time or Full-Time Study
- 40 Credits
- 12–20 Months to Completion
- 17 Core Faculty
- No GRE/GMAT
- Tuition & Fees—Part-Time Study*: $30,100
*Based on 2023–2024 Boston University tuition and fees. Merit scholarship may reduce cost.
Advance Your Career with a Master’s in Health Informatics
The health information management professional facilitates the smooth flow of digital information between patient and clinician, healthcare administrators, technologists, and others in the healthcare organization. As stewards of EHRs, health information managers are critical to the wellbeing of the patient. They must have expertise in data management systems, information security, and project management, as well as a comprehensive understanding of health informatics.
The primary focus of the Boston University Health Informatics master’s program is on electronic medical data generated and stored in healthcare and public health organizations. As a graduate of the MSHI program, you will have a solid knowledge of healthcare IT systems and EHRs, and command of the latest medical technologies. The opportunity to add a concentration in Health Information Management (HIM) prepares you to compete for critical roles in this fast-growing area.
Access to BU MET’s Health Informatics Research Lab (HILab) allows you to tap into collaborative research and development in medical informatics, bioinformatics, and clinical research.
BU MET’s Health Informatics Program by the Numbers
- 92.6% of students enrolled in Health Informatics courses spring 2019 to fall 2020 reported a satisfaction level of 3 or above on a scale of 1 to 5 (5 being most satisfied).
- 90% of students graduating summer 2019 through spring 2020 were employed within 6 months.
- 83% of students starting summer 2019 through spring 2020 registered for a subsequent semester and 75% registered for the next academic year.
- 71% of students entering the program in 2015–2016 and 2016–2017 have graduated as of 2019–2020.
Accreditation Statement
The Health Informatics accreditor of Boston University’s Metropolitan College is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The College’s accreditation for the master’s degree in Computer Information Systems, Health Informatics concentration, has been reaffirmed through 2027. All inquiries about the program’s accreditation status should be directed by mail to CAHIIM, 200 East Randolph Street, Suite 5100, Chicago, IL, 60601; by phone at (312) 235-3255; or by email at info@cahiim.org.

#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 2023.
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CAHIIM Accredited
BU's Health Informatics master’s degree is the first and only such program in New England accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).
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A National Center of Academic Excellence
Boston University has been designated a Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Cyber Defense and Research by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security. Our information security programs are certified by the Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS).
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Computer Science Career Outlook
Top computer science careers in data science, software development, and other popular areas of IT.
Learn moreWhy Earn a Master’s in Health Informatics at BU?
- Accreditation: BU’s master’s degree in Health Informatics is the first such program in New England to be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).
- 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).
- Exam Eligibility: Completion of the CAHIIM-accredited master’s program entitles you to sit for professional certification exams offered through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), such as the Certified Professional in Health Informatics (CPHI™) and the Certified Health Data Analyst (CHDA®) exams. Along with demonstrating a high standard of proficiency and professionalism sought by employers, AHIMA certification ensures access to valuable networking resources, opens the door to higher earning potential, and paves the way for long-term leadership opportunities in the field.
- Active Learning Environment: BU MET’s Health Informatics courses introduce case studies and real-world projects that ensure you gain in-depth, practical experience with the latest technologies—and 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 Health Informatics master’s program, you benefit from working closely with highly qualified Boston University faculty and industry leaders in computer science, data analytics, medicine, and biomedical engineering.
- Extensive Network: Study health informatics alongside peers with solid experience in biomedical sciences, computer science, and healthcare; learn from faculty who have valuable IT 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 or fully online. 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.
- Merit Scholarships: All applicants are automatically considered, and admitted students are nominated based on eligibility.
Master the Technologies to Succeed in the Field of Health Information Technology
Offered through BU MET’s Department of Computer Science, the MS in Health Informatics (MSHI) is ideal for those with a technology background who wish to contribute to advances in healthcare IT, as well as anyone who wishes to improve health outcomes and care delivery efficiency using the tools and informatics approaches of information technology.
With its focus on information systems, informatics principles, and information technology as it is applied to the continuum of healthcare delivery, the scientific field of health informatics has seen rapid evolution over the last decade. In order to meet the high demand for health information management (HIM) professionals, the BU’s Health Informatics master’s includes a concentration in Health Information Management. The program also offers a concentration in Applied Data Analytics.
Distinguished by its team of accomplished faculty members—who bring to the classroom impressive track records in research and industry leadership—BU MET’s CAHIIM-accredited Health Informatics program offers practical, hands-on education that provides interdisciplinary knowledge of healthcare and information technology. By learning to develop effective algorithms, analyze big data, and master tools to help visualize that data for end-users, graduates of BU’s Health Informatics program are prepared to excel in EHR companies, health IT start-ups, and healthcare organizations in roles such as health IT developer, lead pharmacy informaticist, software developer, health informatics specialist, clinical informatics specialist, clinical analyst, clinical informatics manager, and others.
Graduate with Expertise
In addition to the learning outcomes derived from Metropolitan College’s Health Informatics master’s degree program, the concentration in Health Information Management will equip you with:
- Knowledge and skills to perform analysis and provide documentation of requirements for architecture, design, and implementation of computer applications systems in healthcare.
- Proficiency in software and computing skills as they pertain to the design and healthcare implementation of database systems, data communications, systems analysis, and design.
- Ability to identify current and emerging information technologies that may have strategic value for healthcare; assess where those technologies have value; and manage the implementation of those technologies in the healthcare institutions.
Certificate-to-Degree Pathway
BU MET graduate certificate programs can serve as building blocks to a master’s degree. To be eligible for the degree, you must apply for admission and be accepted into the degree program. Connect with a graduate admissions advisor at csadmissions@bu.edu to learn more about this option.
The following graduate certificate programs have courses that may be applied to the master’s degree with a concentration in Health Information Management:
- Advanced Information Technology
- Digital Forensics
- Health Informatics
- Information Security
- Information Technology
- Medical Information Security & Privacy
- Project Management
Master’s in Health Informatics Curriculum
A total of 10 courses (40 credits) is required.
Prerequisites:
Applicants to the program are required to have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. Those without a background in healthcare must complete the free, self-paced Medical Terminology Pre-Lab (MET HE 100), which provides the basic understanding of medical terminology necessary to advance in the study of Health Informatics. 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.
Those without a background in information technology must complete the following course:
MET CS 200 Introduction to Computer Information Systems
Students who are declaring an MSHI concentration in Health Information Management must complete the core and required courses, plus two concentration requirements.
Core Courses
(Five courses/20 credits)
MET CS 570 Biomedical Sciences and Health IT
MET CS 580 Health Informatics
MET CS 581 Health Information Systems
MET CS 584 Ethical and Legal Issues in Healthcare Informatics
MET CS 781 Advanced Health Informatics
Required Courses
(Three courses/12 credits)
MET CS 695 Cybersecurity
Plus one chosen from the following pair:
MET CS 520 Information Structures with Java
MET CS 521 Information Structures with Python
And one more from the following*:
MET CS 625 Business Data Communication and Networks
MET CS 682 Information Systems Analysis and Design
*MS in Health Informatics students without business data communication and networks experience are recommended to take the course MET CS 625 (the prerequisite for MET CS 695) instead of MET CS 682.
Health Information Management Concentration Requirements
(Two courses/8 credits)
Those pursuing a concentration in Health Information Management must take two additional courses.
Choose one from the following pair:
MET AD 605 Operations Management: Business Process Fundamentals
MET CS 782 IT Strategy and Management
And one more from the following:
MET AD 642 Project Management
MET AD 715 Quantitative and Qualitative Decision-Making
Health Informatics 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.
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Please visit the BU MET admissions page for details on how to apply, financial assistance, tuition and fees, requirements for international students, and more.
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