Get Online College Degrees in Informatics
Information Technology Programs at Online Universities
Aug 28, 2009
Informatics is a field which looks at how people and information technology interact. It also develops new uses for technology. “In many ways, informatics is a bridge connecting IT to a particular field of study such as biology, chemistry, fine arts, telecommunications, etc.,” advises the Indiana University website.
Informatics is less focused on the technical aspects of IT and more on the social applications of information technology. If a student currently works in an IT setting in a specific field, such as business or health care, informatics might be the right post-graduate degree to pursue.
Specialties in Informatics Online University Degrees
Students earning a Masters in Informatics will specialize their informatics education to a specific field. Northeastern University offers five specializations for students in their online Masters of Professional Studies in Informatics program (MPS). The different options for students in this online degree program include:
- Digital Media
- Geographic Information Systems
- Healthcare
- Information Security
- Project Management
Online College Degrees in Health Care Informatics
Between organizing patient records, streamlining health care delivery services and tracking the spread of disease, it’s no wonder that the field of health care is showing a particular interest in informatics. Here are three online post-graduate degrees available in this growing, new field:
- The University of Illinois at Chicago offers a 100% online Masters of Public Health in Public Health Informatics (MPH PHI). A comprehensive program is open to students with a bachelor’s degree, while a shorter, professionally enhanced program is open to MDs, clinicians and professionals with relevant degrees and experience.
- Walden University offers an MS in Health Informatics. The program teaches students how to develop and manage IT systems in health care settings, as well as how to develop eHealth initiatives.
- The University of Maryland University College has a Masters of Science in Health Administration Informatics Program (MS HAI). Prospective students need to have at least three years experience in either a health care setting or an IT setting in the health care field.
The Basics of an Informatics Degree
No matter what fields students apply their informatics knowledge to, some core knowledge is required. This may come from either previous education or work experience. The basics of Northeastern University’s MPS program include the following:
- A knowledge of IT strategy, finance and policies
- Networking and data communications
- Managing software projects
- Integration
Choosing a School for an Online College Degree
Choosing an online university for a post-graduate informatics degree is similar to choosing one for any IT degree. Prospective students must make sure the school is accredited and that the entire program is offered online. Students may choose a nearby college if they wish to have some campus interaction. One of Northeastern’s informatics classes, for example, requires one on-campus session a week.
If an online university doesn’t offer an informatics degree, a student currently in the field of IT or with a bachelor’s in IT may want to pursue these other post-graduate IT specialties:
Online Colleges Degrees in Informatics
Informatics, the field of tying together information technology to different fields, has a wide variety of applications. An IT professional currently working in a specific industry or an IT student with a passion for a certain subject, like music or chemistry, may find a post-graduate informatics online degree a good way to advance their careers. Health care is a very popular field for informatics, although health care experience or qualifications are usually required.
When choosing an informatics program, only consider schools that are properly accredited. Examine the program's requirements carefully to find out whether the program is available completely online, unless some college interaction is desired and feasible.
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