Emerging technologies are fundamentally changing the way we manage and apply knowledge. In addition, healthcare organizations must meet the challenges of the HITECH Act and HIPAA, as well as regulatory influences. As a result, the need for trained healthcare informaticians has increased dramatically over the last few years. In order to appropriately select and use technology to improve healthcare and to meet the requirements of regulating bodies, health informatics professionals need training in the use of informatics concepts and methodologies.

The advantage of this certificate program is that it offers an interprofessional learning experience and is open to graduates in all fields. This is an interprofessional program administered by the Center for Health Informatics, which is sponsored by the School of Nursing.

Approved as a Stackable Program: To encourage career and academic progression, students who have completed the Health Informatics Certificate may apply the courses towards the degree requirements for the Master of Science in Health Informatics. A separate application for admission to the MS program would be required.

The application process for the Health Informatics Certificate program is an online process. Detailed instructions on how to apply are posted on the Center for Health Informatics website.  Students are admitted for the fall and spring semesters only. Applications for the fall semester must be received by April 1st and by September 1st for the spring semester.

Admission Requirements:

• A bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution documented by submission of official transcript indicating the degree has been conferred before entering the program. Official transcripts from institutions attended are required. Students with degrees from outside the U.S. may be subject to transcript evaluation indicating the degree is equivalent to a U.S. degree and meets the minimum cumulative GPA requirements.
• A cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Applicants, who are not native speakers of English, whether domestic or international, must demonstrate they meet the Minimum English Proficiency Requirement.
• A background check is required during the admission process; it may affect the student's eligibility to enter the program.
• Three letters of recommendation from individuals who can assess your academic and professional background and potential for success in a graduate-level certificate program.
• A personal statement regarding applicant's career objectives and purpose.
• A current resume or curriculum vitae.
• A satisfactory phone or in-person interview.

Applicants will be assessed on the above criteria and selected applicants will in the judgment of the admissions committee, demonstrate the academic achievement, maturity, integrity, and motivation necessary for successful advancement. In addition, the committee looks for applicants who will contribute academic, nonacademic, and socioeconomic diversity to the class. The committee is interested in evidence of capacity for mature and independent scholarship.  

After an applicant has been admitted, the program may defer an applicant's admission for one year after which time the applicant must submit a new application.  Admission requirements are subject to change. In most cases, use the catalog of the year student entered the program.

Certificate Program Information:

Certificates are not granted retroactively. An individual who is not currently a degree-seeking graduate student at KU must apply and may be admitted directly to a certificate program.

The certificate program is not a means of entry into a graduate degree program. If students admitted to a certificate program are later admitted to a graduate degree program as degree-seeking, applicable courses taken for the graduate certificate program may, upon recommendation of the department and within general guidelines, be approved by the Office of Graduate Studies to be counted toward the degree.

While the courses comprising a certificate may be used as evidence in support of a student’s application for admission to a graduate degree program, the certificate itself is not considered to be a prerequisite and does not guarantee admission into any graduate degree program. The certificate program is not intended to serve as a default system for students in a degree program who find that they are not able to complete the degree for academic or other reasons. Should a student drop out of a degree program and seek admission to a certificate program, all certificate admission requirements must be followed for admission and conferral.

Graduate credit from another institution may not be transferred to a certificate program.

The graduate certificate program focuses on the theory and application of informatics, computer technology, knowledge management, and evidence-based practice that supports healthcare informatics and clinical decision-making. The program culminates with a mentored practicum experience and project.

Health Informatics Certificate 

Certificate requirements and course descriptions are subject to change. Any courses taken as an equivalent must be approved by the Graduate Director and the Office of Graduate Studies. In most cases, use the catalog of the year student entered the program.

Typical Plan of Study

The Health Informatics Certificate program consists of 17 credit hours. The 3-credit hour practicum (IPHI 856) requires a total of 200 clock hours and may be taken only after the majority of coursework is complete. This practicum may be taken over 1-3 consecutive semesters and must include the last semester in the program.

PharmD students who are concurrently completing the Health Informatics Certificate program will take IPHI 858: Health Informatics Practicum for Pharmacy instead of IPHI 856.

Example 1

Year 1
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours	Summer	Hours
IPHI 851	3	IPHI 850	2	IPHI 854	3
IPHI 853	3	IPHI 852	3	IPHI 856	3
	6		5		6
Total Hours 17

Example 2

Year 1
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours	Summer	Hours
IPHI 851	3	IPHI 850	2	IPHI 854	3
	3		2		3
Year 2
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours	Summer	Hours
IPHI 853	3	IPHI 852	3	IPHI 856	1
		IPHI 856	2
	3		5		1
Total Hours 17

TECHNICAL STANDARDS FOR ADMISSION

The Master of Science in Health Informatics degree and the graduate Health Informatics Certificate signify that the holder is prepared for entry into the practice of applied health informatics. Therefore, it follows that graduates must have the knowledge and skills necessary to function in a broad range of situations. The following abilities and expectations must be met by all students with or without accommodations admitted to the program.

1. Observation: Students must be able to observe: lectures, demonstrations, online written and recorded audio/visual material, online meetings, and research and practice situations. Observation necessitates the functional use of the senses of vision and hearing.
2. Communication: Applicants also must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in English with other students, faculty, staff and mentors/preceptors. Communication includes not only speech, but also listening, reading, and writing. Effective communication includes the ability to comprehend conversation, presentations, assigned readings, and the ability to present information verbally and in writing. 
3. Motor: A student must have sufficient motor function to attend classes, prepare assignments, use a computer keyboard, and make public presentations if required. Course requirements will also include field work in a variety of health organizations.
4. Intellectual, conceptual, integrative, quantitative, and problem-solving abilities: An applicant must be able to understand and learn factual information from readings and didactic presentations, gather information independently, analyze and synthesize learned material, and apply that information. In addition, an applicant must possess the ability to understand and work with measurements, carry out calculations and engage in reasoning, analysis and synthesis based on the calculations.  An applicant must be able to draw on all these abilities to be an effective problem solver.
5. Behavioral and social attributes: Integrity, reliability, self-direction, motivation, and the ability to work with diverse groups are qualities necessary for effective preparation for and practice in this field.  A student must have the emotional health required for: the full use of their intellectual ability, the exercise of sound judgment, and the timely completion of all responsibilities attendant to the completion of academic responsibilities.

NOTE: Reasonable accommodations will be considered and may be made to qualified students who disclose a disability, so long as such accommodation does not significantly alter the essential requirements of the curriculum and the training program, or significantly affect the safety of patient care. Students who disclose that they have a disability are considered for the program if they are otherwise qualified. Qualified students with a disability who wish to request accommodations should provide the appropriate documentation of disability and submit a request for accommodation to the University’s Office for Academic Accommodations.