*Based on 2025–2026 Boston University tuition and fees. Merit scholarship may reduce cost.
Degree Details
Boston University’s Metropolitan College (BU MET) offers a Master of Science in Health Informatics with a concentration in Health Information Management (HIM), designed to prepare professionals for leadership roles at the intersection of healthcare and information technology. Available both online and on campus, the 40-credit STEM-designated program can be completed in 18 to 24 months and emphasizes the management of health data, information systems, and IT projects within healthcare environments.
Master the Management of Health Data
The online MS 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, the widespread adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) has revolutionized healthcare by enabling physicians and care providers to access comprehensive patient records and treatment histories. The successful deployment and operation of EHRs depend on professionals with interdisciplinary knowledge in healthcare and information technology—individuals who can integrate business acumen, scientific understanding, and IT expertise to manage and secure patient medical information effectively.
Health information management professionals play a pivotal role in facilitating the seamless flow of digital information between patients, clinicians, healthcare administrators, technologists, and other stakeholders in a healthcare organization. As stewards of EHRs, these professionals are vital to patient care and safety. They must demonstrate expertise in data management systems, information security, and project management, along with a thorough understanding of health informatics.
The MS in Health Informatics (MSHI) concentration in Health Information Management is also available on campus in Boston.
The online Master of Science in Health Informatics concentration in Health Information Management consists of 10 courses (40 credits).
Prerequisites
Applicants are not required to have a degree in Computer Science for entry to a program within the Department of Computer Science. Upon review of your application, the department will determine if the completion of prerequisite coursework will be required, based on your academic and professional background.
Those without a background in healthcare must complete the free, self-paced Medical Terminology Pre-Lab (MET HE 100). The pre-lab 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 prerequisite:
Introduction to Computer Information Systems
A maximum of two graduate-level courses (8 credits) taken at Metropolitan College before acceptance into the program may be applied towards the degree.
Core Courses
(Five courses / 20 credits)
Required Courses
Plus one chosen from the following pair:
And one more from the following*:
*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
Those pursuing a concentration in Health Information Management must take two additional courses.
Learn about application requirements for BU MET graduate degree and certificate programs.
How You Benefit from a Boston University Education
A BU credential can help lay the foundation for career advancement and personal success.
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).
Benefit from a 15:1 student-to-instructor ratio.
Work closely with highly qualified Boston University faculty and industry leaders in computer science, data analytics, medicine, and biomedical engineering.
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.
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.
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.
US citizens and permanent residents are automatically considered for Merit Scholarships during the application process and nominated based on eligibility.
How you benefit from a Boston University Education
A BU credential can help lay the foundation for career advancement and personal success.
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Graduate with Health Informatics Expertise
BU Master of Science in Health Informatics graduates will be able to:
Work on healthcare data, information, and knowledge management and analysis.
Identify and address challenges and opportunities as the American healthcare system transforms into a digital, patient-centered system.
Understand the process of healthcare information system (HCIS) acquisition, development, implementation, and support.
Discuss ethical issues, social and organizational behavior management, and leadership skills.
Grasp major healthcare delivery workflows and understand how HCIS changes the workflows—and how to manage that change.
Understand common algorithms for health applications and IT components in representative clinical processes.
Understand fundamentals of cybersecurity.
Understand legal, security, and privacy issues related to health information management.
Lead health IT initiatives, conduct biomedical research and design, and implement and manage advanced IT solutions.
Advance Your Career
BU MET’s Master of Science in Health Informatics prepares you for a wealth of different roles, such as Chief Medical Information Officer, Clinical Application Developer, Clinical Data Analyst, EHR Application Specialist, EHR System Integration Specialist, Health Informatics Specialist, Health Informatics Data Manager, Health Information Manager/Director, Health Information Technician, Quality Officer, Safety/Privacy Officer, among others.
Take Advantage of Career Resources at BU MET
You will find the support you need in reaching your career goals through MET’s Career Development office, which offers a variety of job-hunting resources, including one-on-one career counseling by appointment for online students. You can also take advantage of tools and resources available online through BU’s Center for Career Development.
Recent graduates have found job opportunities and career paths in organizations such as:
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Boston Children’s Hospital
Colorado Access
Grand Circle Corporation
HealthEdge
Hyperion Software Corporation
John H. Stroger Hospital of Cook County
Jordan Marsh Company
Lifespan
Manhattan Vision Associates
Mantis Robotics
May Institute
Merck KGa/ EMD Group
Millipore Corporation
Modus Media International
Strategy&
Stryker
Suffolk University Sawyer School of Business
TASC
The Faxon Company, Inc
The Guidance Center
Truth Initiative
UMass Emergency Medical Services
University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center
Christel El Hayeck
BU MET has prepared me well for my next career phase. It facilitated a seamless transition from biology to health informatics and data analytics. I gained not only exposure to the healthcare industry, but also delved into other realms. This gave me a diverse skill set and a broader understanding of various domains. It also gave me the necessary tools to think strategically, logically, and efficiently—skills applicable across different fields.
Christel El Hayeck (MET ’23) Lead Associate, Strategy& MS, Health Informatics; Concentration, Applied Data Analytics
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