The Best Online Master of Health Informatics Programs

Are you passionate about the intersection of healthcare and analytics? Consider a career as an informatics nurse. Nurse informaticists specialize in the use of medical data to improve patient care and healthcare delivery outcomes.

A master of science in nursing (MSN) provides the knowledge, skills, and clinical experience required for advanced practice roles. A specialization in nursing informatics prepares nurses with combined clinical and data science expertise.

This guide explores the best online master’s in health informatics programs, how to choose the right one for you, and tips on how to apply.

Working nurses need flexibility to juggle work and other responsibilities as they pursue an advanced degree. An online master of health informatics provides comprehensive training and practical experience in a flexible format. RNs can complete the program in 24 months with full-time enrollment. The schedule may include summer semesters or the flexibility to take more or fewer classes per semester as needed.

A master of health informatics requires between 36-42 credits and 130-225 practicum hours. Unlike in-person classes, online courses are:

Practicums can be completed online or in person at a clinical site near you, and many schools provide assistance with placement.

While applying to an MS in health informatics might seem daunting, early preparation can help make the process less stressful. Check each program’s website to determine if you qualify.

Applicants to an MSN in health informatics must have a bachelor’s degree in nursing and an unrestricted RN license in the state where they plan to work. Before you apply, discuss the program with your mentors and be sure your references are ready to speak to your strengths.

The following provides a snapshot of general admission requirements.

The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM) accredits health informatics programs. CAHIIM’s Health Informatics Accreditation Council reviews programs to determine whether they meet accreditation requirements.

Accreditation shows that a program meets rigorous education and career preparation standards established by a recognised authority. Ensure your program is accredited by CAHIIM because attending an accredited program can make it easier to receive financial aid, transfer credits, continue your education, and find a job. Other benefits of accreditation include:

A master’s in health informatics teaches you how healthcare and information technology intersect. This degree prepares you to collect, analyze, manage, and report on data. You’ll take courses such as health data management, managerial health finance, systems analysis and design, and a health informatics practicum.

Then, you’ll learn how to use that knowledge to implement programs and manage projects. Your work will improve workflow, healthcare costs, and patient care.

After graduation, you may find a position at a hospital or healthcare system as a nursing informatics specialist, informatics nurse, clinical analyst, or director/manager of clinical informatics.

The average salary for nursing informatics specialists is $91,282, according to January 2024 data from Payscale. Informatics nurses earned an average salary of $86,844 as of February 2025. Informatics nurses and specialists can earn higher salaries if they have an informatics certification, significant experience, and a doctoral degree.

A 2023 Nursing Informatics Workforce survey from the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society found that 60% of nursing informaticists reported earning an annual salary of $100,000 or more.