The Health Care Informatics master’s program at MTSU, a concentration in Professional
Science, emphasizes the skills and experience that will prepare the next generation of professionals
to be competitive in the business and healthcare information technology workforce.
This interdisciplinary degree is well suited to traditional students as well as working
professionals. The M.S. in Professional Science is a groundbreaking master's degree
in the sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines that
helps equip students for work in public and private business enterprises and in academia.
Health Care Informatics is designed around concentration courses in information systems
applications and security, project management, business intelligence/analytics, and
healthcare law, and electives in valuable specialty areas like Six Sigma and Lean
Productivity Systems. This concentration is supplemented by a core of business courses
in accounting, statistics, managerial communication, leadership, and a capstone internship
experience. The program supports both part-time and full-time students, and limited
graduate assistantships are awarded on a competitive basis.
Degree leads to Community Health Systems position
Kenyia Roberson, a licensed registered respiratory therapist, was hired by Community
Health Systems as a team lead for implementing Cerner electronic medical records across
the organization. She landed the position just before finishing her master’s degree
in the Health Care Informatics program at MTSU. “This has been an amazing experience
and unique journey for me,” she says. Roberson gained healthcare IT exposure while
working in clinical settings and being a part of multiple hospital conversions such
as Meditech, Cerner, and Medhost and then later gained project management experience
at CHS. She was considering returning to school when she discovered the MTSU program
at a hospital’s education fair. “I enjoyed assisting facilities with their clinical
implementations and providing Go-Live support and training to staff,” she says. The
Kansas City, Missouri, native has worked across multiple patient populations and has
extensive experience as a respiratory therapist in neonatal and critical care units
within Middle Tennessee.
RN promoted in healthcare IT at Vanderbilt after master’s
Registered nurse Scott Simms earned a promotion to senior domain specialist in cardiology
for Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Health IT division after graduating from
the MTSU Health Care Informatics master’s program in 2014. He previously supported
the clinical use of computers as a systems support specialist 2 within the Vanderbilt
Heart and Vascular Institute. Simms came back to MTSU because of his satisfactory
undergraduate experience in Biology and because there are few post-grad Health Care
Informatics programs in the Midstate. “The program enlightened me to the industry’s
standards and improved my awareness with exposure to legal, managerial, and accounting
facets to healthcare,” he says. “This has made me a much more marketable asset for
a company as well as given me the tools to perform at a high level.” Simms, who holds
an Associate of Nursing degree from TSU, also had worked as an RN-Systems Support
Specialist and a registered nurse in the operating room and surgical ICU.
Related Media
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MTSU College of Graduate Studies
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MTSU | The University of Opportunities
Healthcare informatics and healthcare information technology make up one of Nashville’s
most advanced industries today, and graduates in these fields typically secure employment
earning salaries around double the national average. Nashville and the Middle Tennessee
region also represent the second-fastest growing technology job market and the eighth-fastest
growing economy nationwide. As a result, there is currently such surging demand for
data scientists in Middle Tennessee that current graduation rates in these fields
cannot supply enough qualified professionals, with even larger employment projections
in coming years both in Tennessee and nationwide. The M.S. program in Health Care
Informatics prepares graduates to enter one of many data science and technology sectors.
There is a clear focus on competence, attitude, and job readiness in the MTSU program.
Potential professional positions include:
- Clinical and business informatics process lead
- Clinical EMR support specialist
- Clinical informatics manager
- Clinical quality consultant
- Clinical/business analyst
- Director of clinical informatics
- Director of health informatics
- Health information systems project manager
- Informatics analyst
- Informatics consultant
- Informatics specialist
- Information analyst
- Manager of clinical and business informatics
- Population health analyst
- Solutions analyst
Employers of MTSU alumni include
While this M.S. degree prepares students for employment in many sectors of the health
care and IT workforces, internship sites and prospective employers include but are
not limited to:
- Blue Cross-Blue Shield
- Capella Healthcare
- Centennial Medical Center
- Community Health Systems
- Covenant Health
- Department of Veterans Affairs
- Healthways
- Hospital Corporation of America
- Humana
- Lifepoint Hospitals
- McKesson Corp.
- National Healthcare Corp.
- Saint Thomas Health Services
- Sarah Cannon Research Institute
- Tennessee Department of Health
- United Health Group
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center
The Master of Science (M.S.) with a major in Professional Science includes a business
core with specific concentrations in Actuarial Sciences, Biostatistics, Biotechnology, Engineering Management, Chemistry Analytics, Fermentation Science and Health Care Informatics.
The Professional Science Master's, as it is commonly called, combines the business
management skills commonly found in the traditional M.B.A.-type program with advanced
learning in specific science fields.
This interdisciplinary program is a partnership among the College of Basic and Applied
Sciences, College of Behavioral and Health Sciences, College of Liberal Arts, and
the Jennings A. Jones College of Business.
Applicants for the Health Care Informatics concentration:
- Must hold an undergraduate or graduate degree in a relevant field including the health
sciences, information technology, allied health professions, business, or statistics
and have a commitment to developing the necessary analytic and program management
skills and expertise required of today's health informatics professional.
- Should possess intermediate proficiency with multiple computer programs, including
but not limited to word processing, data management/presentation, and statistical
analysis packages commonly used in business and healthcare industries. Familiarity
with these programs is required and serves as the foundation upon which other skill
sets are developed.
- May be conditionally admitted to the program with backgrounds and experience outside
of the common student profiles described above or without a relevant degree or work
experience. Contact the program coordinator for details or for more information.
For complete curriculum details, click on the REQUIREMENTS button to the right.
Professional Science, Health Care Informatics Concentration, M.S.
Saeed Foroudastan, Director
Master of Science in Professional Science Program
(615) 494-7618
Saeed.Foroudastan@mtsu.edu
For more information about the Health Care Informatics concentration, contact:
Misagh Faezipour, Program Advisor/Coordinator
Health Care Information Coordinator
(615) 898-2110
Misagh.Faezipour@mtsu.edu
Suzanne Hicks, Internship Graduate Coordinator
Master of Science in Professional Science Program
(615) 904-8581
Suzanne.Hicks@mtsu.edu
The Health Care Informatics concentration in the Master of Science Professional Science degree emphasizes the skills and experience that will prepare the next generation of professionals to be competitive in the business and healthcare information technology workforce. This interdisciplinary degree is well suited to traditional students as well as working professionals.
Please see undergraduate catalog for information regarding undergraduate programs.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the Master of Science in Professional Science with a concentration in Health Care Informatics requires
- an undergraduate or graduate degree in a relevant field including the health sciences, information technology, allied health professions, business, or statistics, and a commitment to developing the necessary analytic and program management skills and expertise required of today's health informatics professional. Contact the program coordinator if you have questions about the relevance of your degree.
- applicants possessing intermediate proficiency with multiple computer programs, including but not limited to word processing, data management/presentation, and statistical analysis packages commonly used in business and healthcare industries. Familiarity with these programs is required and serves as the foundation upon which other skill sets are developed.
Application Procedures
All application materials are to be submitted to the College of Graduate Studies.
Applicant must
- submit application with the appropriate application fee (online at www.mtsu.edu/graduate/apply.php). Once this initial application has been accepted, the applicant will receive directions on how to enter the graduate portal to be able to submit other materials.
- submit official transcripts from all collegiate institutions attended;
- submit three letters of reference from mentors/colleagues able to speak to your ability to succeed at graduate study in health care informatics.
Degree Requirements
The Master of Science in Professional Science with a concentration in Health Care Informatics requires completion of 36 semester hours.
Curriculum: Professional Science, Health Care Informatics
The following illustrates the minimum coursework requirements.
Core Courses (15 hours)
ACTG 6100 - Accounting and Legal Issues for Managers
3credit hours
Surveys accounting skills and legal perspectives necessary for managers without undergraduate business degrees to enter the businessworld. Will not meet the requirements for the M.S. in Information Systems, M.Acc. in Accounting, or the M.B.A. degree programs.
BCED 6820 - Managerial Communication
3credit hours
Analysis of communication theory and communication processes with emphasis on development of executive communication skills essential for understanding organizational processes from a holistic perspective. Covers organizational theory, behavior, and interpersonal communication from both a domestic and global perspective.
BCED 6910 - Internship Program
3credit hours
A supervised program of related work experience. Provides experiential opportunities for the application of the theoretical concepts learned.
MGMT 6740 - Leadership and Motivation
3credit hours
Issues in leadership and motivation in business organizations. An examination of the theoretical framework for leadership and motivation processes serves as foundation. Emphasis on practical issues and applications of leadership development and motivation.
STAT 5140 - Probabilistic and Statistical Reasoning
3credit hours
Prerequisite: Must be enrolled in the Master of Science in Professional Sciences program; graduate level. Focuses on probability and statistics concepts. Topics include binomial and normal probabilistic modeling; important statistical concepts such as confounding, randomization, sampling variability and significance; statistical testing of significant differences and associations; and design experiments to test research hypotheses.
Concentration Courses (21 hours)
Required Courses (15 hours)
BLAW 6500 - Legal Aspects of Healthcare
3credit hours
The U.S. health care system; its major stakeholders; and the laws and regulations that apply to health care institutions, professionals, and suppliers including Medicare, electronic health records, health care fraud and abuse, compliance planning, certificates of need, health care business associations, federal tax exemption, liability and licensing issues, and ethics in decision making.
ET 6300 - PMI Project Management
3credit hours
Prerequisite: Graduate standing. Project management processes and knowledge areas as sanctioned by the International Project Management Institute (PMI). Successful completion of the course will earn 23 contact hours/professional development units (PDUs) issued by PMI.
MBAI 6835 - IT Applications for Decision Making
2credit hours
(Same as INFS 6835.) Prerequisite: BIA 6000 or BIA 2610 and 3620. Focuses on application development using electronic spreadsheets to improve decision making efficiency and effectiveness. Uses a hands-on approach to develop skills in electronic spreadsheets and modeling applied to a variety of business situations. Not acceptable for credit toward the degree requirements for the M.S. in Information Systems but may be required as a prerequisite at the discretion of the program coordinator.
MBAI 6905 - Applied Business Analytics
3credit hours
(Same as BIA 6905.) Prerequisites: BIA 6000 and MBAI 6835 or BIA 2610 and BIA 3620; permission of department. An applied approach to the understanding, development, and application of prescriptive and data analytic tools to model and analyze business data. A hands-on focus utilized with both commonly-used spreadsheet software and specialized business intelligence software for the student to develop skills for self-service business analytics.
INFS 6300 - Management of Security Operations
3credit hours
Management of the information systems security function which includes understanding policy, governance, risk, and the application of appropriate solutions required to protect and enhance an organization's security posture. Topics include threats to security, risk assessment, application and data hardening, network security, fundamentals of encryption and authentication systems, and the application of appropriate response and recovery techniques necessary for business continuity.
HCI 6420 - Topics in Contemporary Health Care Informatics
1credit hours
Introductory seminar that covers the current issues surrounding technology and health care and the drive to produce better patient outcomes. Topics include the current health care informatics market, the current technological landscape and its limitations, and the role of data and informatics in improving patient outcomes.
6 hours from the following:
BIA 6910 - Business Intelligence
3credit hours
Prerequisite: BIA 6905 or QM 6770 or equivalent. A more advanced look at the application of business intelligence tools to solving business problems. Coverage will include the development and deployment of sophisticated reporting and dashboard systems to monitor and manage operations. Industry-standard business intelligence software utilized.
ET 6010 - Safety Planning
3credit hours
Advanced study of planning in occupational safety and health management, including program planning and development methods and techniques as well as various systems approaches to hazard control.
ET 6190 - Six Sigma
3credit hours
Prerequisite: MATH 1530 or equivalent or consent of instructor. The Six Sigma methodology is defined as a comprehensive and flexible system for achieving, sustaining, and maximizing business success. Through class instruction, simulations, and hands-on projects, students will be able to identify and focus on customers' critical-to-quality (CTQ) characteristics and solve problems using the define, measure, analyze, improve, and control (DMAIC) process and its associated tools. A Green Belt certification will be awarded upon successful completion of an industry/business Green Belt project.
ET 6390 - Productivity Strategies/Lean Systems
3credit hours
Prerequisites: Graduate standing and ET 3910 or consent of instructor. Topics include the human element (supervisory and teamwork skills), the theoretical aspect (laws and science covering service and production systems), and the practical aspect (tools for lean operational systems implementation). Theoretical and practical methods needed to complete a required industry/business project and obtain a certification in Lean Manufacturing.
ET 6870 - Engineering Management Systems
3credit hours
Prerequisite: Graduate standing. Advanced topics related to engineering management systems with a focus on innovation implementation for technical products, technical processes, and for business models in a technical environment. Implementation strategies integrating current and emerging technologies into manufacturing, health care and service industries. Components needed for the construction of new venture business plans to create new technology businesses and jobs.
HLTH 6510 - The Nation's Health
3credit hours
Investigates the determinants of health and the role of public health and health care on the health status of the population of the United States. Study of biological, socioeconomic, cultural, and behavioral factors that influence health status and care in America.
Our adjunct faculty bring outstanding professional experience to our programs. Many are industry leaders with decorated careers and honors. Importantly, they are innovative educators who offer hands-on learning to our students to prepare them to enter and thrive in a dynamic, and oftentimes emerging, industry and professional world. They inspire, instruct, and challenge our students toward academic and professional success.
Graduate Assistantships
Graduate assistantships are available on a competitive basis to full-time students
in the Health Care Informatics program. In addition to a monthly stipend, the university
also pays all tuition and most fees for assistantship holders. Non-Tennessee residents
who are awarded graduate assistantships are not required to pay out-of-state fees.
To learn more about the types of graduate assistantships and to download an application,
visit the Graduate Studies Assistantship page.
The College of Graduate Studies also awards a limited number of scholarships. For
additional information and applications, visit the Graduate Studies Finance page.
In addition to assistantships and scholarships, MTSU's Office of Financial Aid assists graduate students seeking other forms of financial support while in school.
Student Forms
Online or Hybrid Programs at a Glance
This program is available .
For More Information or Explore Your Options
Contact your department / program coordinator or advisor for more details about the program OR work one-on-one with your advisor to explore your options.
The Online Advantage
With over 25 years of experience in online teaching and learning, MTSU Online offers students access to innovative, high-quality programs. Designed with students in mind, our courses allow maximum flexibility for those unable to participate in person.
Resources and services for online students are available from MTSU Online or contact us at distance@mtsu.edu.
