Health informatics has a wide range of applications, from managing hospital bed usage at a local medical center to addressing global population health challenges. In this program, you’ll learn how health informaticians use data analysis to prevent diseases, improve patient safety and build decision support systems.
This program also focuses on the ways health informatics professionals create improved workflows in clinical settings, including using dashboards and data visualization tools. Developing effective management and analysis of health data can reduce costs and increase quality of care. Informatics expertise is highly valuable across industries, including clinical and non-clinical health care, academia, community health, global public health and more.
Further, this program trains an inclusive, multicultural and multidisciplinary group of students. Courses emphasize practical learning experiences to apply innovative informatics solutions in health care and population health. You’ll also gain theoretical and applied knowledge in health informatics to improve health outcomes for individuals and communities.
The knowledge and skills you’ll develop
In this program, you’ll dive into the analysis, science and interpretation of health care data. Courses offer a comprehensive understanding of how technology and data can be used together to improve public and private health care systems. Through your coursework, you’ll build competencies in:
- Analyzing and interpreting large sets of health care data.
- Applying leadership theories.
- Communicating complex information to multiple audiences.
- Recommending effective workflow solutions.
Additionally, you’ll explore the multidisciplinary nature of health informatics. You’ll learn how health informaticians collaborate with clinicians, biomedical and computational scientists, knowledge management professionals, educators and health care consumers to solve problems in health care delivery.
How does this program compare to a master’s in health information management?
While this health informatics program and the master’s in health information management both focus on health care data, they differ in their emphasis, skill sets and career outcomes. This degree emphasizes research, innovation and applying data for health care optimization. Courses highlight topics in health care databases, programming, telemedicine and population health analytics. Upon graduation, you can pursue roles as a health informatics analyst, clinical informatics specialist or a health care data scientist in various industries.
In contrast, a master’s in health information management (HIM) focuses on the accuracy, security and compliance of health care data. The curriculum covers medical coding, electronic health records management, data governance and regulatory policies. Graduates typically seek positions as compliance officers, health information directors, coding managers or privacy officers. While the HIM leans toward operational and compliance-based skills, health informatics is more technology-driven, emphasizing data science and system design.

Are you interested in the data-driven side of health care? Arizona State University’s online Master of Advanced Study in health informatics provides a deep understanding of how health care, technology and information sciences intersect. Upon graduating, you’ll be prepared to contribute data-driven solutions and make an impact as a critical component of the health care system.
You’ll build a clinical informatics foundation through a series of core courses that cover data analysis and modeling, health communication, innovative leadership and more. You’ll also explore your interests by completing electives on topics, such as data science, mobile health and modern health information technology.
The College of Health Solutions faculty displays a high level of research expertise, focused on creating a better future for all. Our faculty are lifelong learners dedicated to improving health outcomes for the communities we serve. Some of their research focuses on:
- Discovering the impact of the environment and policy on food security and community health.
- Exploring mechanisms involved in the development of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
- Harnessing big data to improve patient outcomes.
- Incorporating advanced technology to monitor and promote healthy lifestyles.
- Using state-of-the-art cognitive, behavioral and neuroscience techniques to study the components of human communication.
In the College of Health Solutions, students learn and prepare to become the health workforce of the future. Faculty and students also collaborate to research solutions to pressing global health challenges. Partnerships with the medical community offer students access to professional resources and networking opportunities with Mayo Clinic, Banner Health, HonorHealth, Dignity Health and more.
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Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the College of Health Solutions.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they’ve earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution. Preferred educational backgrounds include biology, computer science, medicine, nursing, pharmacy or public health.
Applicants must have a minimum of a 3.00 cumulative GPA in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's program. Alternatively, applicants must have a minimum of a 3.00 cumulative GPA in an applicable master's degree program.
All applicants must submit:
- Graduate admission application and application fee
- Official transcripts
- Personal statement
- One letter of recommendation
- Up-to-date curriculum vitae or resume
An applicant whose native language is not English (regardless of current residency) must provide proof of English proficiency.
No, Arizona State University’s diplomas don’t specify whether you earn your degree online or in person. All diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.