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*: $12,320
*Based on 2023–2024 Boston University tuition and fees.
Learn to Secure & Safeguard Medical Data
Available on campus, online, and in a blended format, the Graduate Certificate in Medical Information Security & Privacy at Boston University’s Metropolitan College (MET) provides valuable exposure to the complex and varied factors that must be taken into account when addressing information security issues within healthcare systems.
From malware threats and email fraud to ransomware and cryptomining, healthcare-related cyberattacks are on the rise. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights, there have been over 3,000 healthcare data breaches reported since 2009. Attacks in 2019 increased 38 percent from 2018, with hacking, theft, and unauthorized access/disclosure topping the list of issues. Radware’s 2018–2019 Global Application and Network Security Report shows that the cost of recovering from a cyberattack, for the average healthcare organization, is $1.4 million.
Emphasizing healthcare data privacy and security, BU MET’s Medical Information Security & Privacy graduate certificate program presents the methods and skills needed for designing and building secure and reliable systems by developing an understanding of the special requirements of healthcare systems, where privacy of personal data must be balanced with access to patient records.
#8, Best Online Master's in Computer Information Technology Programs
MET’s online master’s degrees in computer information technology are ranked #8 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for 2024.
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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 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 Medical Information Security & Privacy 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 computer science 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 MET’s Health Informatics Research Lab (HILab), which focuses on collaborative research and development in health informatics, bioinformatics, and clinical research, and BU’s Center for Reliable Information Systems and Cyber Security (RISCS), which offers opportunities to collaborate and participate in research on system reliability and information security.
- 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.
- 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 Medical Information Security & Privacy 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 Healthcare Information Security
Metropolitan College’s Graduate Certificate in Medical Information Security & Privacy will equip you with:
- Advanced knowledge of the functionality, technical infrastructure, and best-practice deployment of healthcare IT, including medical algorithms, electronic health records, privacy and security, and regulations.
- Proficiency in security issues in computer systems, networks, and applications, and an understanding of the unique set of privacy and security needs in a healthcare environment.
- Competence sufficient to lead health IT initiatives, to design and implement advanced healthcare software solutions, and to manage the data privacy and system security challenges in a healthcare environment.
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 Medical Information Security & Privacy and the Graduate Certificate in Information Technology, plus three additional courses: Biomedical Sciences and Health IT (MET CS 570), Advanced Health Informatics (MET CS 781), 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.
Medical Information Security & Privacy Graduate Certificate Curriculum
(Four courses/16 credits)
MET CS 580 Health Informatics
MET CS 581 Health Information Systems
MET CS 695 Cybersecurity
MET CS 674 Database Security
MET CS 684 Enterprise Cybersecurity Management
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.
Medical Information Security & Privacy 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* | $12,320 |
*Based on 2023–2024 Boston University tuition & fee rates.
**Cost per credit is determined by course number (100–599 = $535/credit, 600–999 = $955/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?
