*Based on 2025–2026 Boston University tuition and fees. Merit scholarship may reduce cost.
Turn Health Data into Life-Changing Insights
As one of the few health informatics programs offered through a computer science department, the primary focus of the BU MET 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 information systems—including electronic health records (EHRs)—and command of the latest medical technologies.
BU’s Health Informatics master’s program offers optional concentrations in two high-demand areas of healthcare IT:
Applied Data Analytics
Health Information Management
Comprising the systematic application of information technology and computer science in medicine, public health, and related disciplines, health informatics is essential for improving the experience of patient care, improving the health of populations, and reducing per capita costs of healthcare—primary aims of the US healthcare system.
The MS in Health Informatics is also available on campus in Boston. Learn more.
Curriculum
Boston University’s Master of Science in Health Informatics consists of eight courses (32 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:
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.
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-faculty ratio in courses that are 100% online, while tackling complex issues alongside peers with solid academic and practical experience.
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 andInformation Management Education (CAHIIM).
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.
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.
Study closely with highly qualified Boston University faculty and industry leaders in computer science, medicine, and biomedical engineering.
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.
All graduate students are automatically considered for merit scholarships during the application process and nominated based on eligibility. Learn more.
Rankings & Accreditations
#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.
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.
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.
Lead health IT initiatives, conduct biomedical research and design, and implement and manage advanced IT solutions.
“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.” Read more.
Christel El Hayeck (MET ’23) Lead Associate, Strategy& MS, Health Informatics; Concentration, Applied Data Analytics
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 Information Manager/Director, Health Information Technician, Quality Officer, Safety/Privacy Officer, among others.
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
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.
Anatoly Temkin Assistant Professor Emeritus, Computer Science
Ming Zhang Assistant Professor, Computer Science Coordinator, BSCS Programs
Yuting Zhang Assistant Professor, Computer Science Director, Cybersecurity Coordinator, Computer Systems & Digital Forensics
Tanya Zlateva Dean, Metropolitan College & Extended Education Professor of the Practice, Computer Science and Education Education Director, Information Security, Center for Reliable Information Systems & Cyber Security
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