MS in Healthcare Policy & Research - Health Informatics track

Transforming Healthcare Through Information and Information Technology

Our Master’s track in Health Informatics applies information science and information technology in the service of better healthcare. We study, develop, and improve healthcare information technologies. To apply these information technologies effectively, we also study human and organizational behavior.

What is Health Informatics?

Core Training

Our core curriculum covers three domains:

• Information science and technology: Students study statistical methods, data management, data mining and natural language processing, informatics standards, and technology infrastructure.
• Health and healthcare: Students learn about domestic and global healthcare, shadow physicians and visit hospitals.
• Social and behavioral sciences: Students cover human factors, human-computer interaction, and diffusion of innovation to learn how to position information systems for success.

Innovation

Our track offers an innovative blend of healthcare system knowledge and key technical skills. Students study cutting-edge topics in healthcare such as big data, data mining, and analytics, culminating in a hands-on capstone project.

Collaboration is at the core of our track, with students and faculty from a range of fields, working with a wide array of collaborating NYC institutes. This diversity creates a unique learning environment. To get a sense of our culture, please take a look at our Admissions Information.

Our alumni hold positions in data and policy analysis, health information technology, process improvement, quality assessment and more. Many alumni pursue doctoral studies.

Full-time students can complete the health informatics curriculum in 12 months, and part-time students in 18-24 months.

Curriculum

Fall Term

• Biostatistics I with R Lab (4)
• Healthcare Organization and Delivery (3)
• Introduction to Biostatistics with Stata Lab (4)
• Introduction to Health Informatics (3)
• Master's Project I and Professional Development (1)
• Research Methods in Health Informatics (3)

Spring Term

• Artificial Intelligence in Medicine (3)
• Health Behavior and Consumer Informatics (3)
• Health Information Standards and Interoperability (3)
• Master's Project II (2)

Summer Term

• Clinical Informatics (3)
• Data Management (SQL) (3)
• Master's Project III (3)

Admissions Information

Admission to graduate degree programs in Population Health Sciences at Weill Cornell Medicine requires that applicants hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.

Health Informatics Prerequisites

Among our current students, some excel in the computational aspects of informatics such as statistics, predictive analytics, natural language processing, or software development. Others specialize in the managerial, clinical, and sociotechnical aspects of health informatics. We welcome this diversity in our student population and seek students who can understand both aspects of health informatics.

Quantitative reasoning: Every applicant must demonstrate strength in quantitative reasoning through excellent performance in undergraduate mathematics or statistics coursework, high scores on standardized tests, or both.

Computer Programming: All accepted students must be prepared to do some computer programming as part of their statistical and informatics methods courses. The strongest applicants have taken at least one undergraduate-level computer science or basic programming course and have some experience with programming or scripting languages such as R, Java, Python, or SAS. For those who have not taken relevant courses as an undergraduate, successful completion of high-quality online courses may be viewed favorably.

Healthcare or Biomedical Sciences: Previous coursework or work experience in clinical healthcare, biomedical sciences, or public health is viewed very favorably. We routinely welcome physicians, nurses, and other health professionals to our program.

Please Note: all accepted students who do not have previous experience with the R programming language will be required to complete a self-paced course on R during the summer before classes begin.

Application Requirements

• Online Application
  • Application fee: $75
  • Applications received by December 1/February 1 may receive a fee waiver. Please contact us once you are ready to submit your online application materials.
• Personal Statement
  Your personal statement should be no more than 2 - 3 pages in length and outline the following items:
  • Your interest in the field you are applying to
  • Any previous operational and/or research experiences you have in this field or a related area of study
  • Your career goals and how this degree will help you achieve them
  • Any skills, previous experiences, and/or other information that is not readily identified in the other items you submit that would make you an ideal candidate
• Resume/CV
• Three Letters of Recommendation
  • These letters can be from current/former academic mentors, current/former supervisors, and/or any other individuals who can speak to your capability to succeed in a program like ours, as well as your academic, research, communication, and leadership skills.
  • Once you designate your recommenders in the online application, the system will automatically contact them and provide instructions on how they can submit their letters.
  • All letters must be on official school and/or company letterhead.
• College Transcripts
  • College transcripts should be submitted for all previous colleges attended (undergraduate, graduate, and professional)
  • Official transcripts will be required upon acceptance, however, students may submit unofficial transcripts with their initial application
  • For international candidates: Transcripts that meet any of the following criteria must be translated by World Education Service (WES) or Education Credential Evaluators (ECE):
    • The transcript is not in English
    • International student's transcript is not on a 4.0 scale
    • Domestic student's transcript is not on a 4.0 scale
• GRE/GMAT scores (optional)
  • Scores are not required for admission.
• TOEFL/IELTS scores are required for all international students, who have not pursued a degree at an institution that teaches their curriculum in English.
  • To submit your scores, please use Institution Code: 2119

Submitting Materials

Application review is contingent upon the receipt of all supplementary materials listed above. For questions or concerns, please e-mail us at [email protected].

Official transcripts and test scores may be sent electronically to [email protected].

Deadlines for Fall 2021

• Application opens: October 2, 2020
• Deadline for fee waiver and consideration for merit scholarships: December 1, 2020/February 1, 2021
• Ultimate deadline: March 15, 2021