Louisiana Health Informatics Masters Degree Programs

The Impact of Health Informatics in Louisiana

Louisiana’s healthcare landscape, marked by significant rural populations and health disparities, is undergoing a substantial transformation through health informatics. The state is actively investing in digital solutions to enhance access to care, improve outcomes, and bolster public health initiatives.

Louisiana uses the Louisiana Health Information Exchange (LaHIE) to link providers and facilitate the following:

• Real‑time patient record exchange via LaHIE to avoid duplicate tests and speed up diagnosis.
• Immediate access to lab results and medication history in emergencies
• Shared care plans across diverse settings, from rural clinics to urban hospitals

Other meaningful initiatives include:

• The Louisiana Department of Health driving health IT adoption, privacy standards, and public health reporting.
• The Louisiana Center for Health Innovation using data science and analytics to improve patient outcomes and support workforce development
• PelEX, a community‑driven HIE network that supplies actionable data to care teams and reduces readmissions

This widespread investment and ongoing development create a robust demand for skilled health informatics professionals in Louisiana. Pursuing a health informatics degree in the state offers a direct pathway to a rewarding career at the intersection of healthcare.

States Nearby

Take a look at even more schools in neighboring states.

• Texas
• Arkansas
• Mississippi

Choosing the Right Program for You

Quick Program Selection Guide

Choose Xavier University of Louisiana for specialized concentrations and comprehensive research opportunities.

Xavier’s 36-credit MS in Health Informatics offers three distinct concentrations (Population Health Informatics, Clinical Informatics, and Bioinformatics) with online delivery and capstone/research project requirements. Ideal for students seeking specialized expertise in specific informatics domains with rigorous academic standards including GRE requirements and 2.75 GPA minimum.

Select Louisiana Tech University for CAHIIM accreditation and professional certification preparation.

Louisiana Tech’s programs are CAHIIM-accredited with strong outcomes including 100% graduate satisfaction, 67% graduation rate, and 77% employment rate. The bachelor’s program prepares students for RHIA exam eligibility, while the master’s program offers asynchronous online delivery with no GRE requirement (3.0 GPA minimum). Perfect for students prioritizing accreditation and certification pathways.

Consider University of Louisiana at Lafayette for maximum flexibility and affordability.

UL Lafayette’s MS in Informatics with Health Informatics concentration offers the most flexible approach with no GRE requirement, thesis/non-thesis options, multiple course formats (8-week and 16-week), and affordable flat-rate tuition. Ideal for working professionals seeking career advancement without rigid academic barriers.

Types of Programs

Bachelor’s Level Programs

Louisiana Tech University offers a CAHIIM-accredited Health Informatics and Information Management bachelor’s program available online. This comprehensive curriculum blends medicine, management, and IT, preparing graduates for the RHIA exam with a 100% graduate satisfaction rate. The program requires maintaining a ‘C’ or better in all courses and prepares students for diverse healthcare roles across various settings.

Master’s Level Programs

Louisiana offers three distinct master’s-level approaches:

Xavier University of Louisiana (36 credit hours): Offers specialized concentrations in Population Health Informatics, Clinical Informatics, and Bioinformatics with capstone or research project requirements. The program emphasizes health data analysis, privacy, security, and healthcare technology management.

Louisiana Tech University: Provides a CAHIIM-accredited Master of Health Informatics with 100% online, asynchronous delivery across four quarters. The curriculum focuses on health information security, EHR infrastructure, and project management.

University of Louisiana at Lafayette (33 credit hours): Features a Health Informatics concentration within their MS in Informatics program, emphasizing data analytics, machine learning, database management, cloud computing, and big data applications.

Admission Requirements

Entrance Exam Policies

Louisiana programs show varying approaches to standardized testing:

• Xavier University: Requires GRE scores for admission
• Louisiana Tech: No GRE required for most applicants
• UL Lafayette: No GRE requirement

This variation allows students to choose programs based on their comfort with standardized testing and academic preparation.

GPA Requirements and Academic Standards

Requirements reflect different program philosophies:

• Xavier University: 2.75 GPA minimum
• Louisiana Tech: 3.0 GPA minimum for unconditional admission
• UL Lafayette: Standards not specified but generally accessible

Professional Experience and Background Diversity

Programs accommodate various professional backgrounds:

• Louisiana Tech: Requires relevant work experience for master’s program
• Xavier University: Welcomes professionals aiming to leverage health data
• UL Lafayette: Tailored for professionals seeking to leverage computing in healthcare

Additional Requirements

• Xavier University: Requires letters of recommendation and TOEFL for non-native English speakers
• Louisiana Tech: Streamlined admission process for working professionals
• UL Lafayette: Minimal barriers with flexible admission standards

Cost Analysis: Investment and Value

Public University Advantage

Both Louisiana Tech University and University of Louisiana at Lafayette offer public university pricing, providing excellent value for quality education. UL Lafayette specifically mentions “affordable, flat-rate tuition,” making it particularly attractive for budget-conscious students.

Private University Investment

Xavier University of Louisiana, as a private institution, likely requires higher tuition investment but offers specialized concentrations and comprehensive research opportunities that may justify the additional cost for students seeking advanced specialization.

Return on Investment Considerations

Louisiana Tech’s strong outcomes (77% employment rate, 100% graduate satisfaction) demonstrate solid career prospects. The CAHIIM accreditation and RHIA exam preparation provide clear pathways to professional certification and career advancement.

Program Formats and Scheduling Flexibility

Comprehensive Online Learning

All three institutions offer fully online programs:

• Xavier University: Online delivery with capstone/research project integration
• Louisiana Tech: 100% online, asynchronous delivery across four quarters
• UL Lafayette: Online or on-campus options with flexible course scheduling

Flexible Course Scheduling

UL Lafayette offers the most flexibility with both 8-week and 16-week course options, accommodating different learning paces and professional schedules.

Louisiana Tech provides asynchronous delivery across fall, winter, spring, and summer quarters, allowing maximum scheduling flexibility for working professionals.

Hybrid Options

UL Lafayette offers both online and on-campus options, providing students with choice in learning environment and delivery method.

Specialization Areas and Career Focus

Clinical Informatics Applications

Xavier University offers dedicated Clinical Informatics concentration focusing on patient care technology and clinical decision support systems.

Population Health and Public Health Informatics

Xavier University’s Population Health Informatics concentration addresses community health, epidemiology, and large-scale health data analysis.

Bioinformatics Integration

Xavier University provides specialized Bioinformatics concentration for students interested in computational biology and genomic data analysis.

Health Information Management

Louisiana Tech emphasizes traditional HIM skills with modern informatics applications, preparing graduates for RHIA certification and healthcare data management roles.

Data Analytics and Technology Management

UL Lafayette focuses on data analytics, machine learning, database management, cloud computing, and big data applications in healthcare settings.

Comprehensive Skill Development

All programs address essential areas including:

• Health data analysis and visualization
• Privacy and security management
• Healthcare technology implementation
• Project management and leadership
• Network infrastructures and system design

Making Your Decision

Self-Assessment Questions

• Do I need specialized concentration options or general informatics training?
• How important is program accreditation and certification preparation?
• What is my budget for education and preferred payment structure?
• Do I prefer structured academic requirements or maximum flexibility?
• Am I comfortable with standardized testing requirements?

What is the Job Market Like?

What kind of jobs can you apply for with your degree, and what are employers looking for?

The state’s employers emphasize both clinical expertise and technical proficiency, with particular strength in academic research institutions and comprehensive health systems. Take a look at our analysis of some recent job descriptions with health informatics.

Clinical Documentation & Medical Scribing

Entry-Level Clinical Support CVS Health (Oak Street Health) in Baton Rouge offers Clinical Informatics Specialist positions serving as Medical Scribes, requiring knowledge of medical terminology and medications from pre-medical degrees or clinical experience ($17.00-$25.65 hourly). These roles support primary care providers with clinical documentation, allowing providers to focus on patient care while scribes observe and document encounters in real-time.

Responsibilities include documenting patient encounters (80%), clinical documentation improvement (10%), and administrative support (10%). The position requires ability to assign CPT and ICD-10 codes, prepare After Visit Summaries, and leverage population health tools. CVS Health emphasizes this as an excellent opportunity for pre-med students seeking practical clinical experience before applying to MD/DO/PA/NP programs, requiring 1-2 year commitments and 40-45 hours weekly during clinic hours.

Academic Research & Biomedical Informatics

Advanced Research Positions Ochsner Clinic Foundation in New Orleans seeks Health Informatics Researchers requiring PhD or Master’s degrees in biomedical informatics, bioinformatics, computational biology, computer science, or related fields ($80,000-$120,000). These positions develop research portfolios as independent investigators, teach biomedical/health informatics in graduate programs, and provide advanced analytics for health system-level initiatives.

Requirements include track record of publications, post-doctoral training (PhD) or 5+ years professional experience (Master’s), and expertise in programming (Perl, Python, Java), databases (MySQL, Oracle, RedCap), statistical analysis (R, SPSS, SAS), and EPIC systems. Preferred qualifications include investigator-initiated research funding, web interface development (React, Vue.js, Svelte), API development, and Linux-based system experience.

Tulane University in New Orleans offers Assistant/Associate/Full Professor positions in Biomedical and Health Informatics requiring PhD, MD, or equivalent doctoral degrees with research experience in genomics, biostatistics, medical/health informatics, bioinformatics, computational biology, or translational medicine. Advanced positions require established track records of sustained R01 grant funding. The Tulane Center for Biomedical Informatics and Genomics focuses on multi-omics integration, functional genomics, and precision medicine applications.

Clinical Nursing Informatics

Clinical Implementation & Support Ochsner Health seeks Nursing Informatics Specialists requiring Bachelor’s degrees in Nursing or Allied Health, current Louisiana RN licensure, and 3+ years clinical experience including 2+ years supporting automated information systems ($60,000-$80,000). These positions coordinate and facilitate projects throughout entire lifecycles, leading installation and testing of application enhancements and educational program design.

Responsibilities include serving as liaison between clinical and IT departments, providing end-user testing and validation, developing audit tools, and maintaining regulatory compliance records. The role requires extensive travel throughout facilities, flexible scheduling (24/7 availability), and physical demands including exposure to blood, body fluids, and tissues in patient care areas.

Health System Informatics Leadership

Epic-Focused Management Roles Baton Rouge General offers Manager positions for Ambulatory Informatics requiring Epic certification, proven leadership skills supervising clinical applications teams, and strong technical backgrounds. These strategic roles oversee management, operation, and accountability of clinical information systems across hospital networks, emphasizing Epic system focus with comprehensive project management responsibilities.

Requirements include Bachelor’s degrees in technical fields (strongly preferred), previous clinical applications experience in healthcare settings, and supervisory experience. Responsibilities encompass strategic planning, implementation, training, evaluation, system maintenance, and serving as liaison between Epic implementation staff and operational teams while monitoring project progress and conducting stakeholder reviews.

Specialized Clinical Analytics

Laboratory & Technical Specializations Baton Rouge General seeks Clinical Informatics Analysts requiring current Louisiana licensure as clinical professionals (MT/MLT, Radiology Tech, Respiratory Tech) with 3-5 years clinical healthcare experience ($80,000-$100,000 for Radiology positions). These roles support clinical information systems planning, development, training, implementation, evaluation, and maintenance while serving as resources between Information Systems and Patient Care Areas.

Qualifications include 2-3 years personal computer experience, PC hardware troubleshooting capabilities, and strong interpersonal communication skills. Responsibilities involve educating clinical staff on information systems, troubleshooting system issues, collaborating on communications development, cross-training IS staff on clinical functions, and evaluating enhancement requests.

Commitment bonuses are available for certain positions, particularly in radiology technology specializations, reflecting high demand for these specialized skills.

Remote & Consulting Opportunities

Virtual Health Informatics Support VirtualVocations in Baton Rouge offers remote Health Informatics Specialist positions requiring 2+ years experience in informatics roles with clinical information systems, basic understanding of clinical treatment modalities and accreditation standards, and demonstrated change management/project management knowledge. These roles research, collect, and analyze information to identify opportunities and develop solutions while maintaining knowledge of applicable laws and regulations.

Telligen offers Health Informatics Solution Coordinator positions focusing on Qualitrac application support for Medicaid contracts, requiring Bachelor’s degrees in Business, Healthcare, or IT with 0-3 years relevant experience. These specialized technical support roles serve as subject matter experts providing operational support, documentation maintenance, product validation, and application support.

Cross-Disciplinary Integration

Clinical-Technical Bridge Roles Louisiana employers consistently seek professionals who can effectively bridge clinical practice with information technology. Baton Rouge General emphasizes clinical experience (3-5 years bedside patient care preferred) combined with technical skills, requiring professionals who can serve as liaisons between clinical departments and information systems teams.

Academic-Clinical Integration Tulane University positions integrate multi-disciplinary research including genomics, functional genomics, epigenomics, biostatistics, bioinformatics, computational biology, and clinical epidemiology. The institution emphasizes generating and analyzing big data to link environmental factors with DNA variants affecting gene expression and protein modification for precision medicine applications.

Physician Informatics Leadership

Medical Informatics Physician Roles Confidential employers in Shreveport and Lafayette offer Medical Informatics positions for physicians through platform-based recruitment, with Lafayette positions offering substantial compensation ranges ($200,000-$250,000). Epic in New Orleans seeks Physicians for Applied Informatics positions, emphasizing the growing demand for physician leadership in clinical informatics implementations.

Education & Certification Requirements

Entry-Level Positions:

• High school diplomas/GED with relevant experience
• Medical terminology knowledge from pre-medical degrees or clinical experience
• 1-2 years commitment expectations (especially clinical documentation roles)

Clinical Informatics Roles:

• Bachelor’s degrees in Nursing, Allied Health, or technical fields
• Professional licensure (RN, MT/MLT, Radiology Tech) in Louisiana
• 2-5 years clinical experience with information systems support
• Epic certification requirements (obtainable through employer training)

Research & Academic Positions:

• PhD/Master’s degrees in biomedical informatics, bioinformatics, computational biology, or computer science
• Track record of publications and research funding
• Programming expertise (Python, R, Java, Perl)
• Statistical analysis and machine learning knowledge

Leadership Positions:

• Bachelor’s/Master’s degrees in technical or healthcare fields
• Epic certification in relevant application areas
• Supervisory experience and project management expertise
• Strategic planning and team leadership capabilities

Salary Ranges & Benefits

Compensation Structure:

• Clinical documentation/scribing: $17.00-$25.65 hourly
• Nursing informatics specialists: $60,000-$80,000
• Clinical analysts: $80,000-$100,000
• Research positions: $80,000-$120,000
• Physician roles: $200,000-$250,000
• Academic positions: Competitive with tenure track benefits

Benefits Packages:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision insurance
• 401(k) plans with employer matching
• Paid time off and professional development
• Tuition assistance and education reimbursement
• Commitment bonuses for specialized positions
• Flexible scheduling options (some remote work available)

Geographic Distribution & Specializations

New Orleans Hub New Orleans serves as Louisiana’s primary academic and research center, hosting major institutions like Ochsner Health and Tulane University. The city offers opportunities ranging from clinical nursing informatics to cutting-edge biomedical research, with emphasis on multi-omics integration and precision medicine applications.

Baton Rouge Healthcare Corridor Baton Rouge provides comprehensive health system opportunities with Baton Rouge General leading Epic implementations and clinical informatics analytics. The area offers diverse roles from entry-level clinical documentation to senior management positions, with emphasis on Epic system expertise and clinical-technical integration.

Statewide Opportunities Louisiana’s health informatics market includes rural and specialized positions throughout the state, including Shreveport, Lafayette, and Hammond, reflecting the state’s commitment to healthcare technology advancement across diverse geographic regions.

Industry Focus Areas

Value-Based Care Implementation Louisiana employers emphasize value-based care models, chronic condition management, and population health initiatives, requiring professionals who understand documentation requirements for quality metrics and care gap closure.

Academic Research Excellence The state’s research institutions focus on genomics, translational medicine, and precision healthcare applications, offering opportunities for professionals interested in advancing biomedical knowledge through informatics approaches.

Epic System Leadership Louisiana demonstrates strong commitment to Epic implementations across major health systems, creating demand for certified professionals who can lead strategic technology initiatives and clinical workflow optimization.

Louisiana’s health informatics job market uniquely combines clinical excellence with research innovation, offering professionals opportunities to advance both patient care delivery and biomedical knowledge while working in the culturally rich environment of the Gulf South region.