*Based on 2025–2026 Boston University tuition and fees. Merit scholarship may reduce cost.
Become Proficient in Healthcare IT
The MS in Computer Information Systems (MSCIS) concentration in Health Informatics exposes individuals to health electronic applications and the collection, processing, and storage of data. Graduates of this program will have a solid knowledge of data communication and computer networks as well as biomedical databases. Each of these areas includes data security and privacy components, which are essential for dealing with medical data. In addition, the foundations of health information technology and electronic health records give graduates a solid exposure to the latest medical technologies, as well as to the electronic record systems used in hospitals and other medical organizations. Students also have the opportunity to take a course that will expose them to the modern IT project management tools and techniques.
The MSCIS is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). Completion of a CAHIIM-accredited program is required in order to be eligible to sit for professional certification exams offered through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), such as the Certified Professional in Health Informatics (CPHI™) exam. 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.
The MS in Computer Information Systems Concentration in Health Informatics is also available on campus in Boston. Learn More.
Curriculum
A total of 32 units is required.
Students must complete the core courses and Health Informatics concentration requirements.
Prerequisites and Corequisites
Applicants to the program are required to have a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a regionally accredited institution. Students with limited academic background in information technology or computer science may be required to enroll in one or more of the following complimentary labs. Recommendations will be provided upon admission.
Prerequisite:
MET LB 102 Introduction to Computer Information Systems
All students are required to enroll in the following complimentary labs, regardless of their background. These labs can be taken simultaneously while enrolled in the MSCIS program.
Corequisites:
MET LB 103 Core Mathematical Concepts
MET LB 104 Foundations of Probability
Core Courses
(Four courses/16 units)
One of the following:
And these three courses:
Students who have completed courses on core curriculum subjects as part of their undergraduate degree program or have relevant work-related experience may request permission from the Department of Computer Science to replace the corresponding core courses with graduate-level computer information systems electives. Please refer to the MET CS Academic Policies Manual for further details.
Concentration Requirements
(Four courses/16 units)
Master’s Thesis Option
(8 units)
Students have the option to complete a master’s thesis in addition to the program’s eight course (32 unit) requirements. The thesis option is to be completed within twelve months and is available to Master of Science in Computer Information Systems candidates who have completed at least four courses toward their degree and have a GPA of 3.7 or higher. Students are responsible for finding a thesis advisor and a principal reader within the department. The advisor must be a full-time faculty member; the principal reader may be part-time faculty with a PhD (unless waived by the department).
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.
Enjoy an average 24:1 student-to-instructor ratio.
Work closely with highly qualified Boston University faculty and industry leaders in computer science, medicine, and biomedical engineering.
Many courses prepare you to leverage artificial intelligence for the analysis, development, and integration of modern information systems.
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.
BU MET’s Department of Computer Science was established in 1979 and is the longest-running computer science department at BU. Over the course of its existence, the department has played an important role in the emergence of IT at the University and throughout the region.
All graduate students are automatically considered for merit scholarships during the application process and nominated based on eligibility. Learn more.
Rankings & Accreditations
#12, Best Online Master’s in Computer Information Technology Programs
MET’s online master’s degrees in computer information technology are ranked #12 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
Graduate with Computer Information Systems Expertise
Students who complete the MSCIS degree concentration in Health Informatics will be able to:
Understand the lifecycle of healthcare information system (HCIS) acquisition, development, implementation, and support.
Comprehend key healthcare delivery workflows, analyze how HCIS changes those workflows, and manage these changes.
Lead health IT initiatives; engage in biomedical research; design, implement, and manage advanced IT solutions.
“The knowledge and skills I have learned at BU MET have created more possibilities for me. The computer science skills I have learned, such as Python, Java, SQL etc., and the accumulated knowledge of healthcare information will help me pursue a career related to data analytics, such as a healthcare data analyst. In addition to seeking a job in the field of data analytics, I plan to be involved in some research related to healthcare systems.” Read more.
Zhidong Wu (MET ’21) Senior Lead Generation Specialist II, Biocytogen MS, Computer Information Systems; Concentration, Health Informatics
Advance Your Career
BU MET’s Computer Information Systems master’s with a concentration in Health Informatics prepares you for a wealth of different roles, such as Clinical Application Developer, Health Informatics Specialist, Health Information Technician, Health Information Manager/Director, Clinical Data Analyst, Privacy Officer, Software Developer/Engineer working on health-related information systems, EHR System Integration Specialist, and many others.
Recent graduates have found job opportunities and career paths at companies such as:
Boston University
Fidelity Investments
IBM
US Army
United States Air Force
Boeing
Oracle
Liberty Mutual Insurance
Accenture
Bank of America
Lockheed Martin
Microsoft
PwC
United States Marine Corps
US Navy
Tata Consultancy Services
Booz Allen Hamilton
Apple
AT&T
EMC
Raytheon
Dell EMC
Infosys
State Street
General Motors
MEDITECH
Partners HealthCare
Staples
UnitedHealth Group
Verizon
Cisco
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.
The AI career shift is here. Pick the AI Master’s built for how work actually changes. Organizations are moving past AI experiments. They want outcomes: faster decisions, better services, stronger products, and real productivity. Accenture’s Pulse of Change shows the direction clearly: 86% of C-suite leaders plan to increase AI investment in 2026. It also […]
Artificial intelligence has arrived in higher education amid a familiar mix of urgency and unease. Institutions feel pressure to respond quickly, even as they worry about hype, mission drift and whether today’s technologies will still matter tomorrow. The challenge is not whether to engage with AI, but how to do so in ways that are […]
A Complete Comparison: Online vs. On-Campus Computer Science Master’s at Boston University If you’re searching for an online master’s in computer science or weighing an in-person graduate experience, Boston University offers two strong pathways—each designed for a different kind of learner. This guide compares: BU’s Online MS in Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence (CS+AI) and […]
