The residential HI program prepares students to pursue careers in a wide range of healthcare organizations and related settings, such as hospitals and clinics, pharmaceutical firms, health insurance companies, research labs, governmental and non-governmental agencies and beyond. The program focuses on understanding, designing and developing information technologies to transform and integrate health systems in the 21st century.
Course work combines classes in computer science, health and biomedical informatics, and health management. The core HI curriculum includes courses in health information systems; information storage, retrieval and management; and research methods and outcomes analysis.
During the summer between the first and second year of the program, informatics students have the option of completing a 12-week internship in an approved health organization under the guidance of a qualified and motivated preceptor. Internships allow students to apply knowledge and develop skills as they increase their understanding of the complex relationships within health-care organizations. Student interns usually are paid a monthly stipend by the host organization.