Program Description
The dynamics within the healthcare industry are creating an information intensive environment that professionals must navigate as they deliver healthcare to patients. Clinical and non-clinical professions in the industry will be required to be knowledgeable and proficient in the development and usage of information technology. The future success or failure of healthcare organizations will be predicated on their abilities to effectively and efficiently manage the valuable asset of information. This curriculum blends the topics of leadership, system theory and management, technology, data management, and regulatory constraints so as to prepare graduates for critical leadership roles in healthcare organizations. As informatics leaders, graduates will assist in developing information systems in healthcare that positively impact patient care at an individual, local and national level.Prospective students would come from a variety of education backgrounds, including, but not limited to health information management, nursing, radiology, patient financial services, health care government agencies, clinical and administrative decision support, computing services, and pharmacy. Employment opportunities upon completion would include a variety of challenging prospects, including, hospitals, clinics, health information exchanges, elevated decision support, database administrators, clinical documentation specialists, and consultants.
This program is classified as a STEM program.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
As the health care industry develops, under vastly expanding regulatory mandates, there is a need for information systems that will meet the needs of all stakeholders and, the need to educate health informatics professionals will steadily increase. The American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA) boasts a membership of over 4000 members dedicated to advancing the health care industry through the deployment and diffusion of technology into the health care process. AMIA projects a need for more than 50,000 new health IT workers in the next five to seven years (http://www.amia.org). Additionally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the job outlook for Health Service Managers to increase at a rate of 22% over the next seven years.
PROGRAM MISSION
In harmony with the mission of Loma Linda University and the School of Allied Health Professions, the Department of Health Informatics and Information Management is dedicated to:
Educating competent health informatics professionals.
Promoting the health informatics management profession.
Extending the current knowledge of health informatics professionals at neighboring health care facilities.
Challenging students and department faculty to maintain high standards of ethical and professional behavior.
Encouraging students and faculty to seek a meaningful relationship with God and a balanced Christian lifestyle.
Program Length
6 quartersPossible Careers
Employment opportunities include hospitals, clinics, health information exchanges, elevated managerial roles, system development, project management, electronic health record system specialists, clinical decision support, database administrators, clinical documentation specialists, and consultants.Application Deadlines
| Quarter | Application Open | Priority Deadline | Final Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn of 2025 | Aug 8, 2024 | Aug 1, 2025 | Aug 1, 2025 |
| Autumn of 2026 | Aug 8, 2025 | Jul 1, 2026 | Aug 1, 2026 |
Admissions Requirements
- Provide evidence of completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. college/university or the foreign equivalent of a bachelor’s degree
- Provide three letters of recommendation that indicate a strong academic background and professional readiness
- Interview, if deemed necessary
- Complete the LLU application, including personal statement, and submit application fee.
- Regardless of nationality or citizenship, an applicant whose native language is not English or whose secondary education has been given outside the United State, is required to pass a test of English proficiency. Test results/scores are to be sent directly to LLU from the testing service. TOEFL scores are valid for two years from the test dates.
- Minimum GPA of 3.0. The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) may be requested and considered for GPA’s less than 3.0.
Discipline Accrediting Agency
The HEALTH INFORMATICS accreditor of LOMA LINDA UNIVERSITY is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The College’s accreditation for MASTER degree in HEALTH INFORMATICS has been reaffirmed through 2030. All inquiries about the program’s accreditation status should be directed by mail to CAHIIM, 200 East Randolph Street, Suite 5100, Chicago, IL, 60601; by phone at (312) 235-3255; or by email at info@cahiim.org.
Expected Cost of Attendance
The following estimated cost of attendance is based on full-time attendance for the number of months enrolled per academic year. Estimated amounts may vary based on a number of factors. Students may use these estimates when applying for financial aid.
Required Program Costs
Academic Year 2024-2025
| Year of Program Months Enrolled |
Year 1 9 |
Year 2 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees | $21,006 | $21,006 |
|
Books, Materials, Supplies & Equipment Allowance (May or may not be purchased through the school) |
$2,100 | $1,200 |
Other Educational Costs
Non-required costs that can be funded with scholarships/loans.
Notes
The cost of attendance varies from year to year. Please contact the office of Student Finance for up-to-date costs.- Estimated amounts are for the academic year specified only. Amounts are based on full-time attendance for the number of months enrolled per academic year. International students need to calculate 12 months of living expenses based on these amounts.
- Amounts are expected to increase each year consistent with inflation in the professional education sector.
- To qualify for financial aid, most students must be enrolled at least half time in an aid eligible program and be taking degree requirements. Half time is 6 units in a quarter for undergraduate programs and 4 units in a quarter for graduate programs.