The program information below was valid for the winter 2017 term (January 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017). This is the archived version; the most up-to-date program information is available through the current Graduate Studies Academic Calendar.
The Graduate Studies Academic Calendar is updated 3 times per year, at the start of each academic term (January 1, May 1, September 1). Graduate Studies Academic Calendars from previous terms can be found in the archives.
Students are responsible for reviewing the general information and regulations section of the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar.
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Admit term(s)
- Fall
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Delivery mode
- Online
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Delivery mode information
- The program is also offered on-campus or in a mix of online and on-campus formats.
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Program type
- Master's
- Professional
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Registration option(s)
- Full-time
- Part-time
- Study option(s)
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Minimum requirements
- An overall 75% average in a four year undergraduate degree program in a health or related field from a recognized educational institution.
- Experience in the health informatics field is considered an asset.
- Evidence of training in logical thinking processes which can be demonstrated by having passed an undergraduate course(s) in areas such as mathematics, statistics, or computer science.
- Admission is competitive. Meeting the minimum entrance requirements is not a guarantee of admission.
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Application materials
- Résumé/Curriculum vitae
- Indicating past academic and professional experience.
- Supplementary information form
- Transcript(s)
- Résumé/Curriculum vitae
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References
- Number of references: 2
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Type of references:
at least one of which must be from an academic source, unless more than 5 years have elapsed since the applicant last registered in a university course, in which case both references can be from professional sources. In the latter case, at least one of the professional referees must be asked to comment specifically on the applicant’s academic abilities.
- English language proficiency (ELP) (if applicable)
- Graduate Academic Integrity Module (Graduate AIM)
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Courses
- Required courses
- The MHI program requires the completion of 10 graduate-level courses. 8 (including the practicum course) of the 10 courses are required core courses. The remaining 2 courses are electives:
- CS 634 Security and Privacy in Health Systems
- CS 638 Principles of Data Management and Use
- PHS 611 The Health Care System
- PHS 612/CS 792 Data Structures and Standards in Health Informatics
- PHS 613 Information Technology for the Health Professional
- PHS 615 Requirements Specification and Analysis in Health Systems
- PHS 637 Public Health Informatics (offered online)
- PHS 641 Professional Experience Practicum
- In situations where a student has previously taken a course with learning objectives similar to that of a required MHI course, a higher level graduate course in the same domain area will be substituted.
- The MHI program requires the completion of 10 graduate-level courses. 8 (including the practicum course) of the 10 courses are required core courses. The remaining 2 courses are electives:
- Elective courses
- 2 of the required 10 courses are electives. The following online courses are currently offered and can be chosen as electives:
- PHS 603 Health Policy in Public Health
- PHS 608 Health and Risk Communication in Public Health
- PHS 609 Management and Administration of Public Health Services
- PHS 614 Evaluation of Public Health Programs
- PHS 616 Decision Making and Systems Thinking in Health Informatics
- PHS 631 Public Health Surveillance
- PHS 632 Health Economics and Public Health
- PHS 654 Systems Thinking and Analysis
- PHS 661 Geographic Information Systems and Public Health
- PHS 662 Global Health
- CS 636 Introduction to Computer Networks and Distributed Computer Systems
- STAT 631 Introduction to Statistical Methods in Health Informatic
- Students can also choose from online and on-campus courses offered by both
Computer Science and the School of Public Health and Health Systems with the permission of the program leader.
- 2 of the required 10 courses are electives. The following online courses are currently offered and can be chosen as electives:
- Required courses
- Link(s) to courses
- Academic Integrity Workshop
- Graduate Studies Practicum
- The professional experience component (i.e., a “practicum”) provides several advantages to students. It provides a way for students to gain their first work experience in the field of health informatics. Professional students who may already have experience in this area may choose to complete their workplace opportunity in an area less familiar to them, which will broaden their scope of practice. Workplace sites may include hospitals, government agencies, community-based organizations, integrated delivery systems, etc.
- Based on the increased demand for health informaticians in the work force, many practicum sites may be interested in hiring MHI graduates. A professional experience component will enable employers to assess the skills of future graduates, which may lead to potential hire of the student upon graduation.
- Students will be required to find their own workplace opportunity. However, they will receive on-going information from the School of Public Health and Health Systems (SPHHS) throughout their studies regarding potential employers seeking students. The School will ensure that workplace settings meet the following conditions:
- That the employer demonstrates commitment to education and student learning in the area of health informatics.
- That the employer provides a meaningful learning experience for the MHI student.
- That MHI students receive a positive working experience in a practical setting that will enhance the skills acquired in their course work prior to the work term.
- That the MHI students’ professional experience component goals are related to the program’s learning outcomes.
- Supervision and assessment of each professional experience component will be the joint responsibility of (1) a designated field supervisor employed within the organization where the professional experience takes place, and (2) a designated MHI advisor, who will be a SPHHS faculty member affiliated with the MHI program. The field supervisor will have primary oversight and responsibility for the day-to-day work experience of the student(s), and may assign specific objectives, work tasks, training exercises, projects, and assignments as part of the basis for assessment of the student. The main responsibilities of the faculty MHI advisor are to ensure that the professional experience is in accord with the overall educational objectives of the MHI program, to support both the student and field supervisor in questions of an advanced theoretical or conceptual nature, to provide helpful advice when needed, and to ensure the academic integrity of the professional experience by helping to formulate learning objectives for each student and reviewing the assessment of each student at the end of their work experience.
