Data Science Track

Data Science (DS), a track in the Master of Science in Health Informatics program, is housed in the Department of Health Information Management, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS).

The Data Science (DS) track prepares students responsible for the development, evaluation, and management of health information technologies and systems. Graduates of this track analyze, design, implement, and evaluate health information systems. They will also have the ability to conduct in-depth data analytics projects to improve the quality of health care and reduce the cost of health care services. Students enrolled full-time can complete the program in 3-4 consecutive semesters.

There are online and on-campus versions of this track. The curriculum and course contents are identical in these two versions. Domestic students can choose either of them according to their situation or preference before the enrollment. International students are required to attend the on-campus version of the track.

Program Requirements

All students enrolled in the Data Science track are required to complete 36 credits.  Courses are chosen with the advisor and a Plan of Study will be developed to enable each student to design an in-depth study of Data Science considering student’s previous academic preparation and experience.

Around half of our courses are only offered once per academic year. In this case, if a student fails to successfully complete a course, the student must retake the course the next academic year. Furthermore, this may also prevent the student from registering for the advanced-level courses and delay the date of graduation. 

DS Curriculum

The Data Science curriculum allows students to choose from required courses and elective courses. Elective courses can be chosen from other health informatics tracks in the department, other departments in the SHRS or other academic programs within the University.

Required Courses (21 credits) 

• HI 2020 - Practical Statistics and Programming Using Python and R
• HI 2210 - Health Information and the Health Care System
• HI 2250 - Foundations of Health Informatics
• HI-2670 - Health Informatics Capstone/Internship
• HI 2454 - Data Science in Health Informatics
• HI 2453 - Data Analytics and Machine Learning in Health Science
• HI 2451 - Database Design and Big Data Analytics

Elective Courses (15 credits) 

• HI 2450 - Security, Privacy, Legal and Ethical Issues in Health IT
• HI 2410 - Health Vocabulary, Terminology & Classification Systems
• HI 2452 - Digital Health
• HI 2236 - Quality and Performance Improvement in Healthcare: Methodologies, Core Skills, and Lean Green Belt Certification
• HI 2632 - Leadership and Project Management
• HI 2650 - Practical Research and Evaluation Methods
• HI 2230 - Financial Management & Health Care Reimbursement
• HI 2235 - Trends in IT Management
• HI 2231 - Talent Management and Human Resources

Please note: All students are required to finish one Health Informatics capstone/internship and one course in medical terminology if they do not have that course or clinical background.  Pitt offers a Coursera course in medical terminology that can meet this program requirement and can be found at this link  https://www.coursera.org/learn/clinical-terminology, however the student can choose another medical terminology course as well. 

RHIA Track

The Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) track leading to a Master of Science degree in Health Informatics prepares students responsible for the development and management of health information systems consistent with the clinical, fiscal, administrative, ethical, and legal requirements of healthcare institutions. Graduates of this program analyze, design, implement, and evaluate health information systems. As members of the healthcare team, they interact with other healthcare professionals and administrators, and provide healthcare data for patient care, research, quality improvement, strategic planning, reimbursement, and related managerial functions. 

RHIA graduates work in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, health planning agencies, computer companies, consulting firms, information systems vendors, ambulatory care centers, research centers, rehabilitation facilities, and insurance companies.

The Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) Option

We offer courses within the RHIA track for students who are seeking eligibility to sit for the American Health Information Management (AHIMA) credentialing examination to become a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA).

The RHIA concentration leading to a Master of Science degree in Health Informatics is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). 

Results from the 2019 outcomes assessment reported to CAHIIM in the 2020 Annual Program Report (APAR) indicate:

• Graduation Rate: 100% 
• Employment Rate: 100%
• National Certification Exam (RHIA) Pass Rate: 100%

There are online and on-campus versions of this track. The curriculum and course contents are identical in these two versions. Domestic students can choose either of them according to their situation or preference before the enrollment. International students are required to attend the on-campus version of the track.

Program Requirements - RHIA

All students enrolled in the RHIA track are required to complete 36 credits (students enrolled full-time normally complete the program in 3-4 consecutive semesters).  Courses are chosen with the advisor and a Plan of Study will be developed to enable each student to design an in-depth study of Health Informatics considering student’s previous academic preparation and experience. 

Around half of our courses are only offered once per academic year. In this case, if a student fails to successfully complete a course, the student must retake the course the next academic year.  Furthermore, this may also prevent the student from registering for the advanced-level courses and delay the date of graduation.

Please note, before graduation, students are required to demonstrate a body of knowledge in math statistics, computer programming, anatomy, and physiology, medical terminology, pathophysiology, and pharmacology. 

RHIA Track Internship

Students in the RHIA track are required to complete an internship as part of their curriculum requirements. The overall goal of the internship is to provide students with practical experiences to apply their knowledge and skills that they learn in their re- spective graduate programs.  The internship is 3 credits, and requires a minimum of 180 hours of student participation.

Healthcare Supervision and Management Track

Health Care Supervision and Management (HSAM), a track in the Master of Science in Health Informatics program, is housed in the Department of Health Information Management, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS).

The Health Care Supervision and Management (HSAM) track provides students an opportunity for knowledge, skills, and career advancement.  Qualified students with interests in administration and supervisory management in health care, long-term care, and rehabilitation may pursue this 36 credit track in HSM.  Students enrolled full-time normally complete the program in 3-4 consecutive semesters.

This program is designed for students who wish to attain knowledge and skills at the graduate level to prepare for a supervisory management position or to upgrade competencies developed earlier in his/her career.

There are online and on-campus versions of this track. The curriculum and course contents are identical in these two versions. Domestic students can choose either of them according to their situation or preference before the enrollment. International students are required to attend the on-campus version of the track.

Program Requirements

All students enrolled in the Health Care Supervision and Management track are required to complete 36 credits.  Courses are chosen with the advisor and a Plan of Study will be developed to enable each student to design an in-depth study of Health Care Supervision and Management considering student’s previous academic preparation and experience.

Around half of our courses are only offered once per academic year. In this case, if a student fails to successfully complete a course, the student must retake the course the next academic year. Furthermore, this may also prevent the student from registering for the advanced-level courses and delay the date of graduation. 

HSM Curriculum

The Health Care Supervision and Management curriculum allows students to choose from required courses and elective courses. Elective courses can be chosen from other health informatics tracks in the department, other departments in the SHRS or other academic programs within the University.

Required Courses (30 credits)

• HI 2210 - Health Information and the Health Care System
• HI 2250 - Foundations of Health Informatics
• HI 2452 - Digital Health
• HI 2231 - Talent Management and Human Resources
• HI 2632 - Leadership and Project Management
• HI 2230 - Financial Management and Health Care Reimbursement
• HI 2455 - Database Design and Management for Healthcare
• HI 2236 - Quality and Performance Improvement in Healthcare: Methodologies, Core Skills, and Lean Green Belt Certification
• HI 2670 - Health Informatics Capstone/Internship
• HI 2235 - Trends in IT Management

Electives (6 credits)

• HI 2450 - Security, Privacy, Legal and Ethical Issues in Health IT
• HI 2410 - Health Vocabulary, Terminology & Classification Systems
• HI 2650 - Practical Research and Evaluation Methods
• HI 2451 - Database Design and Big Data Analytics
• HI 2454 - Data Science in Health Informatics
• HI 2453 - Data Analytics and Machine Learning in Health Science
• HI 2020 - Practical  Statistics & Programming using Python and R

Please note: All students are required to finish one Health Informatics capstone/internship and one course in medical terminology if they do not have that course or clinical background.  Pitt offers a Coursera course in medical terminology that can meet this program requirement and can be found at this link  https://www.coursera.org/learn/clinical-terminology, however the student can choose another medical terminology course as well. 

Health Informatics Track

Health Informatics (HI), a track in the Master of Science in Health Informatics program, is housed in the Department of Health Information Management, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS).

The Health Informatics (HI) track prepare students responsible for the evaluation and management of health information technologies and systems.  Graduates of this track analyze, design, and evaluation health information systems.  They may also perform data analytics projects to improve the quality of health care and reduce the cost of health care services.  Student enrolled full-time can complete the program in 3-4 consecutive semesters.

There are online and on-campus versions of this track. The curriculum and course contents are identical in these two versions. Domestic students can choose either of them according to their situation or preference before the enrollment. International students are required to attend the on-campus version of the track.

Program Requirements

All students enrolled in the Health Informatics track are required to complete 36 credits. Courses are chosen with the advisor and a Plan of Study will be developed to enable each student to design an in-depth study of Health Care Supervision and Management considering student’s previous academic preparation and experience.

Around half of our courses are only offered once per academic year. In this case, if a student fails to successfully complete a course, the student must retake the course the next academic year. Furthermore, this may also prevent the student from registering for the advanced-level courses and delay the date of graduation.

HI Curriculum

The Health Informatics curriculum allows students to choose from required courses and elective courses. Five elective courses are required to be chosen from courses offered in the department and two elective courses can be chosen from courses offered in the department, other departments in the SHRS or other academic programs within the University.

Required Health Informatics Courses (15 credits)

• HI 2210 - Health Information and the Health Care System
• HI 2250 - Foundations of Health Informatics
• HI 2020 - Practical Statistics and Programming Using Python and R
• HI 2451 - Database Design and Big Data Analytics; OR
• HI 2455 - Database Design and Management for Healthcare
• HI 2670 - Health Informatics Capstone/Internship

Elective Courses (21 credits)

• HI 2410 - Health Vocabulary, Terminology and Classification Systems
• HI 2450 - Security, Privacy, Legal and Ethical Issues in Health IT
• HI 2452 - Digital Health
• HI 2454 - Data Science in Health Informatics
• HI 2632 - Leadership and Project Management
• HI 2650 - Practical Research and Evaluation Methods
• HI 2231 - Talent Management and Human Resources
• HI 2230 - Financial Management and Health Care Reimbursement
• HI 2236 - Quality and Performance improvement in Healthcare: Methodologies, Core Skills, and Lean Green Belt Certification
• HI 2235 - Trends in IT Management

Please note: All students are required to finish one course in medical terminology if they do not have that course or clinical background.  Pitt offers a Coursera course in medical terminology that can meet this program requirement and can be found at this link  https://www.coursera.org/learn/clinical-terminology, however the student can choose another medical terminology course as well. 

The HIM department has affiliation agreements with approximately 120+ clinical sites for student internships. The following list provides a sample of these sites: 

• 3M/M*Modal
• Allegheny Health Network
• Center for Connected Medicine
• Excela Health
• Highmark
• Loma Linda University Medical Center
• OhioHealth
• Pitt CTSI
• Pittsburgh VA Hospital
• UPMC Health Care Organizations and Information Services Division
• UPMC Health Plan

Prerequisites for Graduate Internships

If a student chooses to complete their internship/capstone at a site that is under contract with the HIM department (or any other site where a contract is required, the items listed below are required.   If a contract is not required, the student must sign a waiver.  . The student’s advisor will provide detailed information and time guidelines for completion of the requirements once the student matriculates into the graduate program.

• Physical examination including proof or completion of specific immunizations
• TB test, 2-step
• Pennsylvania Criminal Record Check
• Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearance
• Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse Training
• FBI Background Check (includes fingerprinting)
• HIPAA Training and Certification
• Students must carry personal health insurance while participating in an internship

Students must carry professional student liability insurance coverage while participating in an internship. The University provides liability insurance for internships covered by clinical affiliation contracts.

Some sites may have additional requirements (i.e. drug screen, Covid-19 vaccine, influenza vaccine, or orientation programs specific to their  organization).

Internship sites may not allow a student to participate in an internship at their site if the background check reports that they have been convicted of a misdemeanor; a felony; or a felonious or illegal act associated with alcohol and/or substance abuse.

Additional Information:

Travel to internship sites is the responsibility of the student. Students are expected to have a car or to provide their own trans- portation to all remote sites; no exceptions will be made. Not all sites are accessible by public transportation.

All expenses for transportation, parking, meals, and costs of prerequisites associated with clinical education are the responsibil- ity of the student.

The HIM Department utilizes an outside document management vendor, EXXAT, to collect and track student compliance with internship/capstone requirements.  Cost for creating an Exxat account is $25/student.  Approximate cost for clearances is $125, and costs for physical exam and immunization status are dependent on health insurance coverage and provider costs.

Approximate cost for drug screen is $60.

The internship is 3 credits, and requires a minimum of 180 hours of student participation.

For more information on internships students are encouraged to contact their academic advisor.