Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics

Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics

The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Health Informatics program prepares students for careers in health informatics. By integrating health sciences, information technology, computer science, data science, and behavioral sciences, this interdisciplinary program equips students with the skills and knowledge to improve patient care and enhance population health outcomes.

Health informatics is an applied science that brings together health care, medicine, IT, and data science to solve problems and support decision-making in health care management and patient care. This field encompasses the collection, storage, and communication of health data, the analysis of data for informed decision-making, the use of computer and telecommunication technologies to support health care systems, and the management of technology projects to ensure successful health applications.

The curriculum includes 70 credits of core health informatics courses, covering topics such as health information systems, information security, data science, computer programming, health care databases, data mining, data analytics, project management, and process improvement. Students gain both theoretical knowledge and practical technical skills needed to succeed in this rapidly growing field.

Courses are offered in on-campus and online formats, and the program can be completed on a full- or part-time basis. A minimum grade of C is required in all major courses. Students should consult their academic advisor to ensure they meet all graduation requirements. College of Public Health Advisors Maria Perez and Julio Diaz-Carroll support students in the program, and Professor Sanja Avramovic serves as the faculty advisor.

For more information about the field of health informatics, visit our Health Informatics FAQ.

Curriculum Information

Students can complete the program on a full-time or part-time basis, allowing flexibility to meet the objectives of the undergraduate BS program.

For detailed curriculum information, including brief descriptions of the required courses, please refer to George Mason University's Catalog.

Admissions Information

The HAP Undergraduate Admissions page provides an overview of the admissions process. For detailed information on requirements, deadlines, and fees, visit the George Mason University Office of Admissions website.

If you are a current George Mason undergraduate student and wish to declare health administration as your major, please print the Change/Declaration of Academic Program Form and meet with a health administration advisor to obtain their signature. Please visit the CPH Advising page to determine which advisor you should contact.

Opportunities

The BS in health informatics gives students a strong background in information systems, health management, computing science, and health care. It provides students with the necessary business skills and scientific knowledge for the field of health informatics. It also prepares graduates with the right skills to enter a fast growing and in-demand job market.

Graduates from the program typically work as support staff in technology firms focused on health informatics applications. Top graduates continue their education toward an MS in health informatics. An accelerated BS-MS program in health informatics and an undergraduate Health IT minor are also available.

The following outcomes were measured for the Bachelor's in Health Informatics program in the academic year 2022-2023 and Spring 2024 semester:

• Acceptance Rate: 90% (70 applied, 63 accepted)
• Enrollment Rate: 52% of accepted students enrolled (33 enrolled)
• Average time to degree completion: 3.6 years (based on AY 2022-2023 graduates; 8 graduates within Summer 2022, Fall 2022, and Spring 2023)
• Employment Post-Program Completion:
  • 50% employed (full- or part-time)
  • 83% employed or pursuing further education
    Response rate: 75% (Health Informatics)
• Program graduation rate: Not available (Program began in Fall 2021; six-year rates pending)
• Retention Rate: 100% one-year retention for first-time Freshmen (Fall 2022 cohort returning in Fall 2023)
• Student Satisfaction: 100% of respondents agreed they were satisfied with their George Mason education
  Response rate: 50% (Health Informatics)