Nursing Informatics Programs and Schools in Ohio
Ohio offers many unique opportunities for studying nursing informatics. With dozens of colleges and universities spread throughout the state, the choice is yours in terms of where you get your education.
For example, you can work towards your occupational goals by getting a master’s certificate from Ohio University. Or, if you prefer, you can attend Ohio State University and get a graduate degree in informatics. There are many other options, too.
The purpose of this guide is to highlight a few of Ohio’s most popular nursing informatics programs. Four programs are outlined in detail below to help you kickstart your search for the ideal program for your needs.
Ohio University
Ohio University might not be the state’s largest college, but it is the oldest public university in the Buckeye State. Located in Athens, the university boasts a beautiful campus set in a gorgeous location among the foothills of the Appalachian mountains. The proximity to the mountains means there’s easy access to hiking, biking, fishing, and other recreational activities.
The campus of Ohio University is home to about 20,000 students. Another 8,000 study online. Regardless of whether you’re on campus or off, you’ll have the advantage of participating in rigorous, high-quality programs that challenge you to learn, grow, and become a highly qualified graduate. Among the school’s more than 250 programs is the Clinical Informatics Certificate discussed below.
Nursing Informatics Program Information
Ohio University’s Clinical Informatics Certificate is a fully online graduate program that focuses on how informaticists store, retrieve, and analyze health information. At just nine credits, this is a very short program that can be completed in around one year.
Despite being a short program, you will gain valuable insights into the role of clinical informatics. You will take three courses to gain relevant skills, including:
- Health Informatics for the Health Professions
- Health Information Systems and Applications
- Program Planning and Evaluation in Healthcare
These courses are taught by domain experts with relevant real-world experience. Their expertise is invaluable in helping you determine how your classroom learning can be applied in healthcare settings.
An interesting feature of this certificate program is that you can stack it with other graduate certificates to earn a Master of Integrated Health Studies. Simply add a second area of study and complete a core curriculum, and you will have a master’s degree! Other areas of study include:
- Healthcare Leadership
- Clinical Informatics
- Health Policy
- Veterans Health
- Global Health
You can apply to this program by filling out a graduate application and demonstrating that you can manage graduate-level studies. Demonstration of this fact is evidenced by your undergraduate performance (you must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited school), professional responsibilities, and related criteria.
Kent State University
Kent State University is located in Kent, Ohio, and is a public research university offering undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees. The university boasts a number of accolades, including having a top-100 graduate school, a top-ranked MBA program, and a ranking as one of the top public universities in the nation, according to US News & World Report.
Kent State has about 33,000 students enrolled in programs across an eight-campus system. Additionally, the university offers a robust study abroad program with 200 opportunities to study in more than 60 countries worldwide. So, whether you study in Ohio or abroad, you can get a quality education that prepares you for the world of work.
Nursing Informatics Program Information
The Master of Science in Health Informatics from Kent State University is a 36-credit program that can be completed entirely online. Most students need just two years to complete the program, which means you can transition into working in this field faster than many students at other universities.
To provide you with the best experience, Kent State allows you to modify the degree program to best fit your background and your future goals. What’s more, you will learn from experienced faculty with management, research, and clinical applications backgrounds.
This program features seven-week accelerated courses that enable you to dive deep into your studies without being overwhelmed by a traditional full load of courses. You will take classes like:
- Health Informatics Management
- Clinical Analytics
- Health Information Systems
- Human Factors and Usability in Health Informatics
- Standard Terminologies in Healthcare
This program also offers several capstone requirement options, like a thesis, an internship, or a master’s project. Which capstone you pursue is up to you.
To apply, complete an online application and submit a $45 application fee. Additionally, you must:
- Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university
- Have a minimum 2.75 GPA or higher
- Submit three letters of recommendation
- Submit official transcripts
- Provide a resume or curriculum vitae, as well as a statement of purpose
Ohio State University
Ohio State University was founded in 1870, with the first graduating class eight years later. While its main campus is in Columbus, the school operates several regional campuses throughout the state. With 18 colleges and schools and more than 12,000 courses available each year, Ohio State is the largest and most comprehensive university in Ohio.
While many people know Ohio State for its football program, the university is also a highly decorated academic institution. For example, Ohio State ranks first among Ohio’s public schools and is in the top 20 nationally among public schools. Additionally, the university ranks twelfth in the nation for innovation, is a veteran-friendly school, and ranks in the top ten in the nation for online programs.
Nursing Informatics Program Information
The Master of Science in Biomedical Informatics from Ohio State University is a 48-credit program that you can complete on a full-time or part-time basis. Either way, the curriculum breaks down as follows:
- 10 credits of core courses
- 26-27 credits of specialization courses
- 5-6 elective credits
A six-credit research thesis is also required to graduate.
The purpose of the curriculum is to guide you in an exploration of the tools used to gather and analyze biomedical information. You will also learn about the methodology for using that data to solve problems in the healthcare space. Other program highlights include studies in epidemiology, public health, and biostatistics.
As a result of your studies, you will develop expertise that enables you to pursue a range of post-graduate employment opportunities. This includes working in health technology, healthcare organizations, and state health departments, to name a few.
To apply, you must submit an online application and have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher. You must also take the GRE and achieve verbal and quantitative scores in the 50th percentile or higher. Your writing score must be 4.0 or higher.
University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati dates to 1819, when Cincinnati College and the Medical College of Ohio were both chartered. Those schools operated independently until 1870 when the University of Cincinnati was created and absorbed both schools. Today, UC is a large, thriving urban research institution that’s part of the University System of Ohio.
As a student at the University of Cincinnati, you will enjoy learning in a diverse environment with nearly 50,000 students in 14 colleges. More than one-quarter of the student population are minorities, which only adds to the rich diversity of campus life. UC also offers top-tier academic programs and ranks highly among public research universities in the U.S.
Nursing Informatics Program Information
The University of Cincinnati’s Master of Health Informatics is an online program with no campus visits required. What’s more, you will enjoy flexible scheduling that allows you to complete your coursework around your busy work and personal lives.
The curriculum offers well-rounded studies with opportunities to get real-world experience. This includes taking classes like:
- The Healthcare and Public Health Landscape
- Health Informatics, Information Systems, and Technology
- Health Information Legislation, Privacy, and Security
- Project and Program Management
- Database Modeling and Design
A practicum course is also required. You will design a practicum experience with the help of the course instructor and a preceptor. The experience emphasizes hands-on and meaningful experiences that are beneficial for improving the healthcare industry.
You don’t need any healthcare or IT background or experience to enroll in this program. Likewise, the GRE and GMAT are not required, provided you meet the minimum GPA requirements for admission.
To apply to this program, you must fill out an application and submit the following:
- Unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities you have attended
- A letter of intent
- Two letters of recommendation
- A resume or curriculum vitae
Nursing Informatics Work Opportunities in Ohio
At the time of writing, hundreds of informatics-related jobs are available in Ohio. While these jobs range in required experience, pay, and work location, the sheer quantity and diversity of jobs speak to the growing need for nursing informaticists in the state.
The work opportunities available to you depend largely on your training and experience. For example, if you have a nursing degree, RN experience, and a graduate degree in informatics, you will likely have the most options available for career advancement. What’s more, you might have the highest-paying options, too.
On the other hand, with a non-clinical master’s degree in health informatics, you might find fewer opportunities for work in a healthcare setting, but you might find a wide range of non-clinical positions available. For example, you might use your expertise in health informatics to work in the healthcare research industry or for local or state healthcare organizations.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that careers in this field will grow by 17 percent over the next decade. This is great news! No matter the specific direction you take, you can rest assured that job opportunities will be available in Ohio and nationwide upon graduation.
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