An online doctoral degree in healthcare informatics may provide students with the skills and training needed to combine medicine and technology. Students enrolled in these research-heavy programs may learn how to complete the lifecycle of information systems, understand public health informatics, and communicate effectively. Coursework within these upper-level programs may include a dissertation requirement, several technology-focused electives, and major-specific courses, such as health information science, clinical healthcare, and consumer informatics.

Upon graduation, students may seek entry to upper-level employment in their chosen field. Doctoral-level graduates may find employment opportunities in consulting, research, and computer science.

Program Overview

• Prerequisite: Bachelor’s Degree at minimum
• Program Length: Three to five years to complete
• Post-Grad Options: Employment
• Projected Employment Growth: 22% (2010-2020)*

Program Coursework

The curriculum within an online doctoral degree in healthcare informatics may combine a few technology-based electives and major-specific courses as well as include a dissertation requirement. In these upper-level programs, students may study biomedical data, statistics and health systems, and computer sciences. Core healthcare informatics courses may include the following:

• Clinical Healthcare
• Telehealth
• Scientific Writing in Healthcare
• Consumer Informatics
• Decision Making in Healthcare
• Health Data Display
• Health Information Science

Career Options

Graduates of online doctoral in healthcare informatics may find career opportunities in research, development, computer science, and consulting. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for those pursuing careers as a medical and health services manager are expected to increase by 22% from 2010-2020.*

Possible careers include:

• Director of Medical Informatics
• Clinical Project Manager
• Systems Engineer
• Chief Technology Officer
• Medical and Health Services Manager

*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook