Known as the “Sunshine State,” there are a range of Health Informatics Degrees in Florida. Florida resides in the southeastern region of the U.S. and is a peninsula between the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean. It is known around the world for its beaches, golf courses, auto racing, and amusement parks. Florida has the fourth largest economy in the country, which is driven by its 19 metropolitan areas. The state is home to a large variety of public and private colleges and universities that offer many different degree programs. The following schools offer undergraduate and graduate health informatics programs in Florida.
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Situated in the state’s capital, Tallahassee, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, nicknamed Florida A&M or FAMU, was founded in 1887. It is the only historically African American university in the State University System of Florida. Today, the institution embraces students of all races and ethic origins. It is devoted to meeting the needs and challenges of today’s students through academic excellence and caring. Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University provides a student-centered academic atmosphere that abides by its core values. The core values include excellence, scholarship, openness, diversity, accountability, fiscal responsibility, collaboration, service, fairness, courage, integrity, respect, freedom, collegiality, ethics, and shared governance.
Health Informatics and Information Management
The Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics and Information Management focuses on the incorporation of information technology and management for various types of health care organizations. The curriculum consists of two parts: a pre-professional component and a professional component. In the pre-professional part, students complete two years of general education and science courses. The professional part consists of two years of rigorous coursework in health informatics and information management. Laboratory and clinical experiences at nearby healthcare facilities are also included in the program. Students are also required to participate in a six-week internship experience at a local healthcare facility. After finishing the program, graduates are eligible to take the national certification examination to gain the Registered Health Information Administrator credential.
Contact
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
1700 Lee Hall Drive
Tallahassee, Florida 32307
850-599-3000
ugrdadmissions@famu.edu
Website
Florida International University
Florida International University was the first and only public research institution in Miami, Florida. It was founded in 1965. It focuses on research as a major part of its mission and offers degrees at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. The university strives to become a leading urban public research institution that focuses on learning, innovation, and cooperation. It is devoted to high-quality instruction, high-tech research, and mutual engagement with local and international communities. Florida International University is ranked number one in the country for granting bachelor’s and master’s degrees to Hispanic students.
Master of Science in Health Informatics and Management
The Master of Science in Health Informatics and Management program is intended for professionals seeking to advance their knowledge of using health information to improve the delivery of health care. The program incorporates information technology and management concepts in the processes of health care delivery. Students progress through the program as a cohort, consisting of no more than 35 students. Classes are only offered on Saturdays and students have the ability to complete the program in as little as 14 months. The courses provide students with the practical applications of concepts and theories. The curriculum includes courses in leadership and organizational behavior in health care systems, design and management of health information systems, business intelligence applications, database management, information security, and quality assessment in health care. Students must also complete professional development seminars.
Contact
Florida International University
College of Business
11200 SW 8th Street -CBC 200
Miami, Florida 33199
305-348-7444
Website
Nova Southeastern University
Situated in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Nova Southeastern University is a private, research school that is committed to providing a diversity students with innovative and individualized education. It was established in 1964 as a small graduate school and has evolved into a large university educating approximately 27,000 students. Nova Southeastern University prides itself on its traditional values, yet forward thinking atmosphere. The mission of the school is to provide a diverse variety of innovative undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs that promote intellectual inquiry, excellence, research, leadership, and community commitment. It strives to provide students with a lively, life-long learning atmosphere to promote integrity in their lives and careers.
Master of Science in Biomedical Informatics
The Master of Science in Biomedical Informatics intends to educate students to become leaders in the development, distribution, and assessment of health information technologies used in the healthcare field. The curriculum focuses on clinical informatics and students learn about computer science and relevant applications and management and assessment of health information technology. The program requires the completion of 43 credits of coursework and a practicum that consists of hands-on experience in a health information technology environment. The required courses include management information systems in health care, information security in health care, managing organizational behavior for medical informatics, clinical decision support systems, survey of medical informatics, and database systems in health care. The courses can be completed entirely online. Students also have the option of participating in a paid internship opportunity at clinics within Nova Southeastern University. There are also a variety of practical learning opportunities around the area of the university.
Contact
Nova Southeastern University
3301 College Ave
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314
800-541-6682
julienne@nova.edu
Website
Seminole State College of Florida
Seminole State College of Florida is a public state institution residing in Sanford, Florida. It strives to provide service to the community by offering a highly quality, learning-centered educational environment that anticipates and meets the needs of the surrounding area. It is committed to improving the educational and economic strength in the area by encouraging academic excellence and student success. The college offers five bachelor’s degree programs, two-year college credit degrees, specialized career certificates, continuing professional education courses, and adult education classes. It consistently works on improving its programs to meet the needs of students and the community.
Associate in Science in Health Information Technology
Designed to provide students with the necessary knowledge of the practices for interpretation of medical documentation, the Associate of Science in Health Information Technology program strives to meet the demands of the conversion from paper-based to electronic medical records. Students gain a strong understanding of the basics of health science and various other topics, such as health law, database management, healthcare performance, and financial aspects of healthcare. The program requires a total of 70 credit hours and the major courses include management of health information operations, legal aspects of health information, advanced medical coding, health data analysis research and management, outpatient coding, database management, and medical terminology. Courses are available both on campus and online. Students must also complete practicum experiences that enable them to use software and other tools needed for future positions in health information technology. Individuals who have completed the program are eligible to take the Registered Health Information Technician examination.
Contact
Seminole State College of Florida
100 Weldon Boulevard
Sanford, Florida 32773
407-708-4722
wilsons@seminolestate.edu
Website
Tallahassee Community College
Tallahassee Community College is a public two-year institution founded in 1966 in Tallahassee, Florida. It is home to more than 15,000 students and prepares them for direct career entry or transfer to a university. The college offers more than 90 academic and career programs and it has partnerships with universities to enable students to earn their bachelor’s and master’s degrees on its campus. The mission of Tallahassee Community College is provide an educational environment that prepares individuals for success in an international economy. It offers a variety of education paths, career opportunities, and community involvement experiences.
Health Information Technology A.S.
The Associate in Science in Health Information Technology program introduces students to the basic principles of the healthcare delivery system, health information systems, and health information management. Students are required to complete a total of 28 classes, resulting in a total of 60 credit hours. General education and major courses are included in the requirements. Database concepts, legal and ethical aspects of healthcare, health statistics, health information technology, healthcare data and quality management, ICD coding system, advanced coding, reimbursement methodology, and principles of organization and project management are among the required major courses. A health information technology seminar and health information management practicum is included in the program to enable students to gain practical experience. The program also includes capstone courses that enable students to develop additional technical and professional abilities. After finishing the program, students have a firm understanding of health codes and they are ready to pursue positions in the field.
Contact
Tallahassee Community College
444 Appleyard Dr
Tallahassee, Florida 32304
850-201-6200
maxwelll@tcc.fl.edu
Website
University of South Florida
Situated in Tampa, Florida, the University of South Florida is a public, research institution that is a part of the State University System of Florida. It was established in 1956 and is now home to 14 colleges of education that offer more than 80 undergraduate programs and over 130 graduate, specialist, and doctorate programs. It is the fourth biggest public university in the state, educating nearly 48,000 students. The University of South Florida’s mission is to provide competitive education programs that develop knowledge, promote intellectual growth, and ensure the success of students in a highly competitive global environment.
Master of Science Health Informatics
The Master of Science in Health Informatics program focuses on health information systems informatics and clinical informatics. It also emphasizes the incorporation and interoperability of technology. Students gain broad technical abilities and organizational skills to succeed in senior-level positions. The program is offered entirely online in a lively, highly interactive virtual environment. A minimum of 32 graduate credit hours is required for completion of the program. The required credit hours include core and elective courses. Foundation in management information systems, introduction to health informatics, integrated medical records, health data management, e-healthcare ethics, legal aspects of health information management, and managerial communications are among the core courses. Students must also complete case studies in the field. After finishing the program, graduates will have the ability to obtain, store, and interpret health information. They will also be able to use a variety of database systems to manage medical information to provide better quality of care to patients in the healthcare field.
Contact
University of South Florida
4202 E Fowler Ave
Tampa, Florida 33620
813-974-2011
admissions@grad.usf.edu
Website
University of West Florida
Established in 1963, the University of West Florida is a mid-sized public institution residing in Pensacola, Florida. It offers undergraduate, graduate, and research programs to more than 12,000 students. It is devoted to assisting students in recognizing their maximum potential through small class sizes and highly qualified instructors that promote hands-on learning and leadership experiences. The mission of the University of West Florida is to provide individuals with access to superior, relevant, and affordable higher education to convey and discover knowledge. It strives to accomplish its mission through teaching, public service, scholarship, and research.
Medical Informatics Certificate Program
The Medical Informatics Certificate Program is available at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. It enables students to explore the interdisciplinary characteristics of medical informatics. Students learn about relevant concepts, such as e-prescribing, electronic health records, health information exchange, medical mobile technology, and home telehealth. The program includes practical and current examples of issues in the field to enable students to develop real abilities for future careers. The program is flexible and intended for full-time working professionals. It can typically be completed in one and a half years. Both the undergraduate and graduate certificate options require a total of four courses. The required courses include introduction to medical informatics, electronic clinical record systems, and advanced topics in healthcare information technology. Students then choose additional courses to complete the certificate, such as introduction to bioinformatics, public health planning and analysis, disease surveillance and monitoring, and computer applications in public health.
Contact
University of West Florida
11000 University Parkway
Pensacola, Florida 32514
850-474-2000
registrar@uwf.edu
Website
In today’s world, the healthcare is constantly changing and health informatics assists all types of healthcare facilities to provide better quality of care to an array of patients. With the wide variety of Health Informatics Degrees in Florida, the state is an excellent choice for those seeking a career in the field.
For more information on earning your Health Informatics degree, please see 20 Most Affordable Master’s in Health Informatics Degree Programs.