Health Informatics PSM

Health Informatics

Health Informatics allows comprehensive management of medical information and its secure exchange between health care consumers and providers. The American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA) recognizes that there is a critical shortage of trained professionals to meet the demands of local health care providers. According to the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce the population in the metropolitan Charlotte region (which includes 13 contiguous counties in North Carolina and South Carolina) is over 2.5 million. Health care facilities are among the largest employers in the region and offer expanding career opportunities. These organizations have an urgent need for professionals who can bridge the gap between the worlds of medicine and information technology.  Informatics is one of the fastest growing areas in health care.  One recent independent analysis reported that postings for health care informatics jobs grew by 36% between 2007 and 2011. 

Health Informatics PSM at UNC Charlotte

UNC Charlotte is a leader in innovating to meet the evolving needs of our business community and the region’s workforce. The Health Informatics Professional Science Masters (PSM) is part of a larger interdisciplinary venture by UNC Charlotte’s College of Computing and Informatics and the College of Health and Human Services to offer cutting edge programs for career training and advancement. The program combines the academic expertise and support of two of the most dynamic colleges on the UNC Charlotte campus. The Health Informatics program is structured to provide students with the skills and knowledge to evaluate, modify, and implement medical information systems as well as educate others in their use. The program is open to include individuals with health and computing backgrounds who are interested in cross-training, as well as those with other backgrounds interested in employment transitioning.

What is a “PSM”?

Some call the Professional Science Master’s (PSM) degree ‘the MBA for science.’ It is a practitioner’s degree that is designed to allow students to pursue cutting edge research with world-class faculty in science or mathematics, while simultaneously developing practical business skills highly valued by employers. PSMs are distinguished from traditional masters degrees by the presence of an active advisory board and a capstone requirement that places students into internships with local leaders in the field. The Advisory Board, made up of business and industry executives with real world experience in the field, shapes the curriculum and provides access to internships and mentoring opportunities for students. In UNC Charlotte’s Health Informatics PSM students will learn from academic leaders and business practitioners and gain the skills necessary to advance in this rapidly growing and evolving career field. For more information on Professional Science Master's please visit sciencemasters.com.

About the College of Computing and Informatics (CCI)

The College of Computing and Informatics (CCI) provides academic programs in computer science, software and information systems, information technology, and bioinformatics. It is also the home to leading research centers and institutes including the Center for Digital Identity and Cyber Defense Research, the Bioinformatics Research Center, the Charlotte Visualization Center, the Diversity in Information Technology Institute, the eBusiness Technology Institute, and the Software Solutions Lab.

About the College of Health and Human Services (CHHS)

The College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) is the fastest growing College at UNC Charlotte. The College is comprised of the Department of Kinesiology, the Department of Public Health Sciences, the Department of Social Work, and the School of Nursing. The mission of CHHS to achieve excellence in teaching, research, and service.