Frequently Asked Questions

Healthcare informatics is about helping organizations manage their data more effectively to improve the quality of care and enhance efficiency. Informatics exists for clinical and business purposes, giving organizations the system-processes and tools to predict, collect, store, manage and analyze data.

Using health informatics effectively also enhances collaboration and improves care. For example, nurses, doctors and entire clinical teams rely on emerging healthcare technologies to better communicate, collaborate and coordinate patient care.

Getting the right information to the right person at the right time is essential for good patient outcomes. Informatics is the engine that powers this collaborative data mechanism.

Both are strong standalone credentials, but they’re built for different levels of commitment.

• The master's in healthcare informatics is a 39-credit program covering the full range of analytical, managerial and technical skills the field demands. It’s a strong fit for professionals who want to work in health informatics at a high level, regardless of where they’re starting from.
• The Advanced Certificate in Healthcare Informatics is a 12-credit program you can complete in about a year. It’s a good fit for professionals who want focused, graduate-level training without a full master’s program.

If you complete the certificate and decide to continue, all 12 credits apply directly toward the master’s degree.

Health informatics and health analytics are closely related fields that work together in most healthcare organizations, and many employers expect professionals to be familiar with both. The distinction comes down to function:

• Health informatics focuses on the systems and processes used to collect, manage and share health data. This includes building and maintaining electronic health records, ensuring interoperability between systems, managing data security and privacy, and supporting the day-to-day flow of clinical information across an organization.
• Health analytics takes that data and searches for patterns and insights that can drive decisions, such as predicting future patient needs, measuring the impact of treatment changes, identifying inefficiencies or guiding organizational strategy.

In practice, the conclusions reached through health analytics depend on the quality and accessibility of the data that health informatics makes possible. Professionals who understand both are better positioned to bridge the gap between data collection and data-driven decision-making.

The Master of Science in Healthcare Informatics curriculum covers both disciplines, giving you a foundation in data management alongside the analytical skills to put that data to work.

For more details, read “Health Informatics vs. Health Analytics: What’s the Difference?”

CAHIIM accreditation signals to employers that your degree meets rigorous national standards for curriculum quality, faculty qualifications and professional ethics.

Graduates of CAHIIM-accredited programs have received an education that meets the highest quality standards in the field, which can strengthen your competitiveness for roles across healthcare organizations, technology firms, research institutions and government agencies.

One thing to note: Completing a program with CAHIIM accreditation in health informatics does not confer eligibility for the Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) credential. This credential requires graduation from a CAHIIM-accredited health information management program specifically, not a healthcare informatics program.

If RHIA eligibility is a goal, contact an enrollment specialist at 516.619.2209 or online@adelphi.edu to discuss whether this program is the right fit for you.

To apply for the healthcare informatics master’s degree, you’ll need:

• Bachelor’s degree in any field from an accredited four-year institution
• Minimum 2.75 cumulative undergraduate GPA
• No GRE or GMAT required

To apply for the advanced certificate, you’ll need:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year institution
• Minimum 2.75 cumulative undergraduate GPA
• No GRE or GMAT required

Visit our admissions page for additional information and to see the materials you’ll provide with your application.

Visit the tuition page for fees and financial aid information. You can also contact an enrollment specialist at 516.619.2209 or online@adelphi.edu to discuss how you can finance your degree.

You can transfer up to 9 credits of comparable graduate coursework (completed with a grade of B or higher), which could reduce the total cost.

• The Master of Science in Healthcare Informatics is designed for part-time students and typically takes two years to complete. The program requires 39 credits, and you can begin in the fall or spring. See more about the master’s curriculum.
• The Advanced Certificate in Healthcare Informatics is a 12-credit program most students complete in about a year. See more about the certificate curriculum.

Online students have access to the full range of Adelphi support services, from enrollment questions to academic tutoring. Here's who to contact and how to reach them.

General support
For questions about tuition, financial aid or the application process, Adelphi's enrollment specialists are available at 516.619.2209 or online@adelphi.edu.

Military and veterans benefits
Active, reserve and veteran military students and their families using Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits or other veterans affairs program benefits can contact Adelphi’s Veteran Support Services team at veteransupport@adelphi.edu.

Technical support
The Office of Information Technology Help Desk can help resolve technical questions and issues. Reach the Help Desk at helpdesk@adelphi.edu or 516.877.3340. IT manuals, tutorials and videos are also available online.

Library access
Online students can visit the Adelphi Libraries virtually to contact a librarian or access the collection directly, including more than 80,000 free e-books.

Academic support
The Center for Academic Support and Enrichment is dedicated to nurturing students’ academic success. You can schedule time with an academic tutor whenever you need or attend a group session, all online.

Yes. Adelphi is ranked in the top 20 percent of colleges for veteran and military benefits, and is a recognized Top Yellow Ribbon School by U.S. Veterans Magazine.

Several benefits apply to the online MS in Healthcare Informatics:

• GI Bill (Chapter 33/Post-9/11): Eligible students can receive up to 100 percent of tuition coverage based on credits enrolled each semester
• Yellow Ribbon Program:Eligible Chapter 33 recipients may receive additional funding beyond the standard benefit, with the VA and Adelphi each contributing up to $4,000 for a potential total of $8,000
• Concurrent Admissions Program (ConAP): Allows soon-to-enlist or currently enlisted military personnel to take courses while continuing their service

To get started, submit your Certificate of Eligibility to the One-Stop Student Services Center at onestop@adelphi.edu. Include your full name and Adelphi student ID.

For questions about eligibility or obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility, contact the veterans support team at veteransupport@adelphi.edu.

Learn more about military financial aid benefits or explore our broader veteran and military resources for Adelphi students.