Master of Science in Health Informatics

Mission

The mission of the MS in Health Informatics is to prepare students with the knowledge and skills in health information technology that will enable them to enhance the health care delivery system, increasing the quality and affordability of healthcare. We have mapped our curriculum and we are following CAHIIM competencies.

Program Description

The Master of Science in Health Informatics degree program provides an interdisciplinary study of the design, development, adoption, and application of IT-based innovations in healthcare services, delivery, management, and planning. Marshall University’s Health Informatics program is the only of its kind in West Virginia. It’s ranked #14 Best Master’s in Health Informatics Degree Programs of 2025 and #1 in affordability.

This degree program also participates in the Health Science and Technology Academy (HSTA) tuition waiver program for West Virginia students who were part of the HSTA program.

 

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Accreditation

The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM) has awarded a seven-year Continuing Accreditation (2025–2032) to the Master of Science in Health Informatics (MSHI) program at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. This recognition confirms the program’s strong compliance with the CAHIIM 2022 Health Informatics Accreditation Standards, demonstrating Marshall’s ongoing dedication to excellence, innovation, and continuous quality improvement in health informatics education. The reaccreditation vote, held on May 22, 2025, highlights the commitment of the program’s faculty, students, and leadership in preparing future professionals who integrate healthcare, data analytics, and technology to improve patient outcomes and system efficiency.

The Master of Science in Health Informatics also falls under the Lewis College of Business’s AACSB International accreditation.

Growing Demand

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that employment for data scientists will grow 34% from 2024 to 2034. This is a “much faster than average” growth rate compared to all other occupations.

Reason for growth: The demand for data scientists is driven by the need to develop artificial intelligence (AI) models, conduct data analysis, and incorporate data-driven insights into business practices across various industries.

Industry ranking: In its analysis, the BLS ranked data scientists as the fourth fastest-growing occupation in the U.S. economy.

Median salary: The BLS reported the median annual wage for data scientists as $112,590 in May 2024.

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Advantages of Health Informatics

Renowned for its affordability and overall quality, MBA Healthcare Management notes that Marshall University’s Health Informatics program “[is] the nation’s #1 most affordable Master’s in Health Informatics degree” and “blends the didactic and experiential learning needed to prepare valuable professionals for leading today’s data and information-driven healthcare industry.” It is renowned for being the only graduate level Health Informatics program in the state of West Virginia.

The combination of skills and knowledge acquired through coursework in this unique academic model, together with the internships in the Health Informatics field at the academic, government or industry levels, will prepare students with the education and real-world experiences necessary to succeed as a leader in this emerging field.

Advisory Board Members

• Anthony Adkins – Director of Solution Services, Marshall Health Network
• Pete Andresen – Manager, Oracle Health
• Jodi Biller – Director of Clinical Improvement, MHC ACO, Marshall Health Network
• Adam Cremeans – Director of Ambulatory Applications, Marshall Health Network
• Kasi Gorli – MU HIN Student,  Marshall University
• Tim Hazelett – Chief Operating Officer, Cabell Health Department
• Dennis Lee – Chief Information Officer, VP and Chief Digital, Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters (CHKD)
• Michael D. McClellan – IT Internship Program Lead, Vandalia Health
• Melissa P. Mielcarek – Executive Director of the Heart Center, Saint Mary’s Medical Center
• Samantha Rice – 2023 Alumna, CPM EHR Trainer, Marshall Health Network
• Michael E. Robie – Vice President for Ambulatory and Physician Services, Vandalia Health
• Christopher L. Schafer – Population Health Division, Marshall Health Network
• Yasaswini V. Vundavalli – 2024 Alumna, Marshall University
• Kate Walther – IT Manager for Regulatory, Vandalia Health
• Lindsey R. Ward – School Placement Coordinator, Marshall Health Network
• Jordan Wilton – Director, Data Analytics, West Virginia Hospital Association

Admission Requirements

Applicants should follow the admissions process described in this catalog or at the Graduate Admissions website.

1. Students must have an undergraduate Grade Point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale for all previously completed undergraduate university work.
2. There is no requirement for the GRE

The Health Informatics program may admit applicants provisionally, on a limited basis, at the discretion of the program director.

Program Requirements

Health Informatics Practicum

MS Health Informatics students will be required to complete the Health Informatics Practicum (HIN 650), which includes successfully completing at least 400 hours in an educationally directed Health Informatics internship at one of several Health Informatics job sites, approved by the program director. The student practicums consist of job placements within the Health Informatics field at academic, government or healthcare industry levels.

Related Programs

Data Analytics Certificate

Outcome Statistics

CAHIIM Accreditation standards require programs to provide reliable information to the public on their performance, including student achievement as determined by the program. In compliance with this standard, the Health Informatics program in the Lewis College of Business at Marshall provides information on retention, graduation rate, acceptance, enrollment, time to completion, and graduate employment.

FAQ