Health informatics certificates are ideal for people considering a health informatics career without committing to a degree. Whether offered by a college or through a massive open online course platform, a health informatics certificate program is a great first step for tech professionals wanting to specialize in health information systems.
This article is your guide to picking the best health informatics college certificate to suit your needs and career goals, including some of the best health informatics college certificates for distance learning. You’ll also learn about the healthcare information technology jobs you’ll qualify for by completing this academic program in healthcare information systems.
What Is a Health Informatics Certificate College Program?
A health informatics certificate college program is an educational program offered by a higher education institution at the graduate or undergraduate level. It equips students with the skills they need to apply for entry-level jobs dealing with hospital information systems and assisting with the delivery of healthcare or to transfer into a full degree program in the same field of study.
What’s the Difference Between a College Health Informatics Certificate and Professional Certification in Health Informatics?
The difference between a college health informatics certificate and a professional certification in health informatics is that the first is a diploma awarded for the completion of a course or series of courses by a college or university while the other is a professional credential awarded by a regulatory body in the healthcare field formally validating the specialized skills and knowledge of health informatics professionals.
Students in a certificate program must pass a set of required classes and demonstrate that they developed the skills needed to handle digital health records. Certifications in health informatics are meant for professionals with already established health information careers and require the completion of a certification exam. Many careers in healthcare informatics require professional certification.
Health Informatics College Certificate vs Health Informatics Certification: Key Differences
| Health Informatics Certificate | Health Informatics Certification |
|---|---|
| Certificates do not come with expiration dates | Certifications usually have expiration dates |
| Certificates are awarded by colleges or universities after the completion of a certificate program | Certifications are awarded by a recognized regulatory body in the healthcare industry following the completion of an exam |
| You don’t usually need work experience to enroll in a certificate program | Most health informatics certifications require applicants to have acquired a certain amount of work experience |
How Long Does It Take To Get a Health Informatics Certificate at College?
It takes about eight to 12 months to get a health informatics certificate at a college. Many programs in this fast-growing field offer a very flexible schedule, making it great for part-time students. Some certificates in the field of health informatics require mandatory internships which can add to the time needed to graduate but does open up students to more employment opportunities post-graduation.
Best Health Informatics Certificate Undergraduate Programs
| School | Program Name | Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University | Informatics Certificate | $5,489/semester (in-state, full-time); $14,976/semester (out-of-state, full-time) |
| Borough of Manhattan Community College | Health Informatics Certificates | $265.00/per credit (in-state); $320.00/per credit (out-of-state) |
| Cleveland State University | Health Informatics Undergraduate Certificate | $483.75/credit hour (in-state, fewer than 12 credits/semester); $690.55/credit hour (out-of-state, fewer than 12 credits/semester); $5,805.00/semester (in-state, full-time); $8,286.60/semester (out-of-state, full-time) |
| University of Wisconsin Milwaukee | Undergraduate Certificate in Health Care Informatics | $512.13/credit (in-state); $1,006.50/credit (out-of-state) |
| University of Phoenix-Arizona | Health Information Systems Certificate | $398/credit |
Best Undergraduate Health Informatics Certificate Programs: Explained
In the following section, you’ll find a detailed breakdown of the best undergraduate healthcare informatics certificate programs listed in the table above. These certificate programs are all offered by accredited universities, guaranteeing that the quality of education is up to standard, and will adequately prepare you for an advanced degree program or an entry-level position in health informatics.
Health Informatics College Certificate Program vs Health Informatics Associate Degree
Health informatics college certificate programs are similar to health informatics associate degrees, as both offered by accredited institutions, but do have some key differences. Primarily, these differences have to do with their credit requirements, time commitment, and cost, as well as the educational and career opportunities they allow their holders to pursue after graduating.
- Credit requirement. The average health informatics associate degree requires the completion of 60 credits while most undergraduate certificates only require a total of 10 to 30 credits, depending on the program. Associate degree credits are also more easily transferable to a bachelor’s degree, as many belong to partner programs.
- Time commitment. Most associate degree programs require two years to complete, while health informatics certificates can often be completed within a semester for full-time students or a year for part-time students.
- Cost. The cost of undergraduate certificate programs in health informatics is often lower than that of an associate degree program due to the lower number of required credits and the shorter time required to graduate.
- Educational opportunities. By completing an Associate Degree in Health Informatics, you can typically transfer all 60 of your earned credits toward a bachelor’s program, significantly reducing the amount of time it’ll take you to graduate. Meanwhile, the credits you earn from completing a certificate program aren’t always eligible for transfer.
- Career opportunities. The depth of knowledge you gain from earning an associate degree qualifies you for a wider range of jobs in the healthcare industry than earning an undergraduate certificate. That being said, if you already have a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology and want to transition toward the healthcare industry, a certificate can be enough.
Best Online Associate Degrees
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Best Associate Degrees
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Is an Undergraduate Health Informatics Certificate Worth It?
Yes, an undergraduate health informatics certificate is worth it for IT professionals who want to dive into the world of healthcare data management. An undergraduate health informatics college certificate equips you with the skills you need to start a career in health informatics as a clinical analyst, health information technician, medical assistant, or clinical informatics data analyst.
Best Health Informatics Certificate Graduate Programs
| School | Program Name | Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Boston University | Health Informatics Graduate Certificate | $520/credit |
| Central Penn College | Healthcare Informatics Certificate | $672/credit |
| University of Illinois | Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Health Informatics (PBC HI) | $750/credit |
| University of Illinois | Post-Master’s Certificate in Health Informatics (PMC HI) | $750/credit |
| University of Missouri | Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics | $10,186.80 for the program |
Best Graduate Health Informatics Certificate Programs Explained
If you already have an undergraduate degree, the best graduate health informatics certificate programs can give your resume a boost and strengthen your career in health informatics. The list below dissects the health informatics college certificates in the table above in more detail.
Health Informatics Graduate Certificate Program vs Health Informatics Master’s Degree
A graduate certificate in health informatics is an advanced credential similar to a master’s degree. That being said, while both require students to hold at least an undergraduate degree to apply, the time they take to earn, their admission requirements and purpose, and the qualification they provide you with do differ.
- Timeline. Similar to undergraduate degrees and certificates, graduate certificates take significantly less time to earn compared to master’s degrees. This is not only due to the higher number of credits required for a master’s degree but is also due to the higher research requirements master’s programs typically come with.
- Admission requirements. The admission requirements for a graduate certificate are typically less demanding than those of master’s degrees. This is primarily due to the fact that health informatics master’s degree programs are of a higher level than certificates.
- Learning purpose. A graduate certificate is typically designed to teach its students a limited set of specialized, hands-on skills for health informatics and, while a master’s degree is also meant for specialization, it generally covers a broader range of areas of study.
- Qualification. While graduate certificates and master’s degrees are both post-baccalaureate health informatics programs, a master’s degree typically holds more weight when applying for jobs in the field due to being a more advanced program with more demanding completion requirements.
Best Online Master’s Degrees
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Best Master’s Degrees
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Is a Graduate Health Informatics Certificate Worth It?
Yes, a graduate certificate in health informatics is worth it for anybody with an undergraduate degree who wants to boost their candidacy for more advanced technical specializations. Earning a graduate certificate comes with many benefits such as a higher earning potential, faster career advancement, and the possibility to transfer your credits to a graduate degree program.
Health Informatics Certificate Program Coursework
Health informatics certificate program coursework can vary from the undergraduate to the graduate level. That being said, fundamental courses concerning health informatics, database management in healthcare, clinical records, ethical issues in healthcare, and the history of the healthcare system are commonplace among most programs. Here are some example courses you may find in a certificate program.
Introduction to Health Informatics
An introduction to health informatics course is usually one of the first courses you’ll take during an undergraduate certificate program. This course is designed to provide you with a basic understanding of the field of study as well as the scope of what a career in health informatics usually involves.
Database Management in Healthcare
The main task of health informatics professionals is the manipulation of healthcare data using information technology, which is why all certificate programs offer some form of a database management in healthcare course. In it, you’ll learn how to use modern data analysis tools within the context of the healthcare industry.
Clinical Records
Clinical records play a vital part in the operation of the healthcare system as they determine how patients should be treated and billed by hospitals and insurance companies. In this course, you’ll learn how to store and secure clinical records electronically, with graduate degrees typically exploring more advanced concepts and techniques.
Ethical Issues in Healthcare
This course will help you gain a better understanding of the ethical challenges related to clinical records, database management, and handling of patient information in the healthcare industry. As a future health information professional, a mastery of the ethical, legal, and social issues in the field is vital to your success.
History and Evolution of the Healthcare System
This is a course that covers the history and evolution of the healthcare system in the USA. In it, you’ll learn about the economic, political, and social forces that have influenced the evolution of the American healthcare system over the years, allowing you to better understand its current state.
Best Online College Courses for Credit
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What Can You Do With a Health Informatics Certificate from College?
With a health informatics certificate from college, you can work as a health informatics specialist, a medical records specialist, an information clerk, a medical assistant, or a medical transcriptionist. By getting an undergraduate degree as well as a graduate certificate, you could eventually make your way to management positions after gaining experience in one of these positions.
Best Health Informatics Jobs and Careers With a Certificate
| Job Role | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Health Informatics Specialist | $87,377 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $45,240 |
| Information Clerk | $37,450 |
| Medical Assistant | $37,190 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $30,100 |
Best Health Informatics Certificate Jobs and Careers: Explained
The best health informatics certificate jobs play an important part in ensuring proper patient care and the smooth operation of the day-to-day functioning of healthcare facilities. These entry-level careers all require applicants to have an education and knowledge of health information technology. The section below provides a more detailed look at the jobs mentioned above.
Should I Also Get a Health Informatics Certification?
Yes, you should get a health informatics certification as it will boost your professional credibility and allow you to apply for much better-paying positions. They are awarded by recognized bodies in the industry to professionals who demonstrate technical competency. In the following section, you’ll find five of the best professional certifications for health informatics professionals.
Best Health Informatics Certifications
- Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA®). This certification is offered by The American Health Information Management Association to health informatics experts with a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Informatics or a related field. The exam costs $299 for non-members.
- Certified Professional in Healthcare Information & Management Systems (CPHIMS). This is a certification offered by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society. Eligible applicants need to complete a test that costs $599 for non-members and certifies the holder’s understanding of the importance of information technology in the healthcare industry.
- Certified Health Data Analyst (CHDA®). This certification offered by The American Health Information Management Association proves that you understand the application of data analytics in healthcare. You need professional experience in data analytics and the healthcare industry to apply for this $329 certification exam.
- Certified Professional Coder CPC® Certification Exam. This is one of the most popular healthcare certifications for information technology experts and is offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders. At its lowest, the exam costs $399 but additional preparation resources can be bought for an additional fee.
- HCISPP – The HealthCare Security Certification. This is another great certification for health informatics because it covers the security aspect of data in the healthcare industry. Offered by (ISC)², the exam tests whether or not you have the skills required to implement cyber security solutions in the healthcare industry.
Best Professional Certifications
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Is a College Certificate for Health Informatics Worth It?
Yes, a college certificate in health informatics is worth it for anyone who wants to advance their skills as health informatics experts. It gives you access to a wide range of career opportunities and can help you save time and money compared to a traditional degree program. Graduate and undergraduate certificates can both be beneficial to your career development.
Health Informatics Certificates FAQ
You can become a health informatics expert by enrolling in a university to get a bachelor’s degree or Master’s in Health Informatics or a related field. After you have gotten the knowledge you need, you can apply to internships and earn professional certification to improve your credibility before applying to entry-level positions.
Yes, while advanced knowledge of programming is not always required, a typical health informatician will need basic knowledge of programming. Programming languages like Python, C, SQL, and Java will make your job much easier as an informatics specialist.
Yes, health informatics is in demand in the United States. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for health informatics jobs is projected to grow by nine percent between 2020 and 2030, equivalent to a total of about 37,100 new jobs for health information specialists.
Yes, you can do health informatics without a degree if you have a college certificate or certification that proves your skills. Organizations will give you a chance if they know that you have the combination of technical and theoretical knowledge to work as a health informatics expert.
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