(Offered cooperatively by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee College of Health Professions and Sciences, Zilber College of Public Health, and School of Information Studies.)

UWM offers a certificate in Health Care Informatics, a Master of Science (MS) in Health Care Informatics, and a Ph.D. in Medical Informatics. The undergraduate certificate is available in a semester-based in-person or online format or in the self-paced competency-based Flexible Option. It is available to students in any undergraduate major or university special students. The Flexible Option program allows for admission in any month.

Hospitals, clinics, private practices, health insurers, and other healthcare organizations have an extensive and complicated health information management infrastructure. Now more than ever, the healthcare industry needs professionals skilled in managing IT and who are well-versed in the unique needs of the healthcare systems. This certificate is valuable to students in the health professions, information studies, and related areas of study, such as public health, who are seeking professional employment in the health care industry.

Learning in the Health Care Informatics certificate demonstrates your knowledge and skills with a recognized credential. Completing this certificate signals your increased value to employers and can lead to expanded job opportunities or a graduate program in the field.

Learning goals for the six course (18 credit) certificate:

  • Overview of the terminology and practices of health care
  • Introduction to information technology theory and application
  • Analysis and design of information systems in a healthcare environment
  • Design, creation, and management of healthcare database systems
  • Legal aspects of information products and services

Please see the requirements tab for complete information about curriculum and to declare this certificate.

See more information about the UW Flexible Option.

Requirements

Certificate goals:

  1. Introduction to information technology theory and application;
  2. Analysis and design of information systems in a healthcare environment;
  3. Design, creation, and management of healthcare database systems; and
  4. Legal aspects of information products and services.

Curriculum

To obtain the certificate, the student must complete, with a minimum grade point average of 2.5, 18 credits in approved certificate courses of which 12 must be earned in residence at UWM. 

HS 222Language of Medicine3
or BMS 205 Introduction to Diagnostic Medicine
HS 224Computational Tools for Healthcare Professionals3
or INFOST 110 Introduction to Information Science and Technology
INFOST 315Knowledge Organization for Information Science and Technology3
or INFOST 370 Data Analysis and Visualization for the Information Professional
HI 537Health Information Technology and Management3
HCA 541Healthcare Information Systems Analysis and Design3
or INFOST 340 Introduction to Systems Analysis
INFOST 465Legal Aspects of Information Products and Services 13
or HS 311 Law and Ethics for Healthcare Professionals
Total Credits18
1

HS 311 allowed only in Flexible Option. All other students enroll in INFOST 465.

Admission

Students can declare this certificate by contacting their advisor. Certificates are awarded upon completion of all requirements or at time of graduation for students seeking a bachelor’s degree.

A 2.5 GPA requirement is effective for students who declare this certificate summer 2021 or beyond.