Indiana University Indianapolis MS in Health Informatics

Indiana University Indianapolis offers a 36-credit Master of Science in Health Informatics that combines health care, information technology, data analysis, and clinical systems. Students can study online or on campus and choose a professional track with a practicum or project option or a thesis track with added research preparation.

Quick Facts

  • Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
  • Degree: MS in Health Informatics
  • Credits: 36
  • Format: Online or on campus
  • Program length: About two years full-time; part-time study is available
  • Start terms: Fall or spring
  • Tuition: $423 per credit in-state, $634 for Indiana Partners, and $1,178 out-of-state or international for 2025–2026
  • Tracks: Professional or thesis
  • Final requirement: Practicum, project, or thesis depending on track
  • Accreditation: CAHIIM-accredited through 2030; AMIA-approved

Program Overview

The MS in Health Informatics at IU Indianapolis prepares students to work with biomedical and clinical data, electronic health records, clinical decision support, health information standards, and patient privacy. The program also develops technical skills in statistics, programming, databases, analytics, and the design and evaluation of health information systems.

The Luddy School offers the degree in online and campus formats. Students complete the same 36-credit structure and select either a professional track or a thesis track. Both routes include seven core courses, three track courses, and two electives.

IU Indianapolis also benefits from its location near the IU Schools of Medicine, Nursing, and Dentistry, the Regenstrief Institute, and the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center. These connections may be valuable for students who want access to health-focused research, applied projects, or professional networks in Indianapolis.

Curriculum and Degree Tracks

The official degree requirements divide the 36 credits among a seven-course core, a three-course professional or thesis track, and two approved electives. The published full-time plan spans four semesters. Part-time students follow a longer schedule based on course prerequisites and availability.

Health informatics core

  • Introduction to Informatics
  • Informatics Project Management
  • Applied Statistical Methods for Biomedical Informatics
  • Foundations of Health Informatics or Introduction to Health Information Technology in Dentistry
  • Clinical Information Systems
  • Health Informatics Standards and Terminologies
  • Clinical Decision Support Systems

The core moves from informatics foundations and project management into clinical systems, standards, statistics, and decision support. Several advanced courses have prerequisites, so course order matters.

Professional track

The professional track adds Security and Privacy Policies and Regulations for Health Care, Human Factors Engineering for Health Informatics, and either a practicum or a thesis/project course. This route provides a direct applied option for students who want experience with implementation, privacy, usability, and workplace-based problem solving.

Thesis track

The thesis track includes Biomedical Analytics, a research methods course, and the Health Informatics thesis/project. This path may suit students who want deeper research preparation or expect to pursue doctoral study.

Elective options

Students choose two electives and may shape the degree around data science, programming, clinical research informatics, health information security, or health care systems. Published options include scientific and clinical data management, electronic health record design, machine learning in bioinformatics, biomedical computing, programming, health information exchange, biomedical analytics, natural language processing for biomedical records, consumer health informatics, cloud computing, interaction design, internship, and the business of health informatics.

Admissions

IU Indianapolis requires applicants to hold a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. The GRE is optional for MS in Health Informatics applicants. The program prefers preparation in fields such as biology, biochemistry, computer science, engineering, health information management, mathematics, nursing, physics, or statistics.

Applicants should also have coursework or equivalent experience in at least one of these areas: computer programming, databases, medical terminology, or human anatomy and physiology. Students whose preparation does not cover every area should ask the program whether prerequisite work will be needed.

The program lists fall and spring admission. Fall deadlines are January 15 for early action, April 1 for international applicants, and July 31 for domestic applicants. Spring deadlines are August 15 for international applicants and November 1 for domestic applicants. Students can use the Luddy School’s graduate admissions page to reach the application and current instructions.

Tuition and Financial Aid

For 2025–2026, Luddy Indianapolis lists graduate tuition by credit hour: $423 for Indiana residents, $634 for students who qualify for the Indiana Partners Tuition Program, and $1,178 for other out-of-state and international students.

  • Indiana resident base tuition: About $15,228 for 36 credits
  • Indiana Partners base tuition: About $22,824 for 36 credits
  • Other out-of-state or international base tuition: About $42,408 for 36 credits

These estimates multiply the published per-credit rates by 36 credits. They do not include mandatory fees, books, technology costs, living expenses, travel, or future tuition increases. Students from listed partner states and territories may qualify for the reduced Indiana Partners rate.

Full-time students who meet admission criteria receive consideration for admission-based scholarships. IU reports awards from $500 to $2,250 per semester, but availability and award amounts can vary.

Online and Campus Study

IU Indianapolis identifies the program format as online or on campus. This gives students a choice between remote study and access to the Indianapolis health and research community. The university does not state on the program page that students must mix online and campus courses, so applicants should confirm whether their preferred format can be completed without switching modes.

The published full-time map covers four fall and spring semesters. Part-time enrollment is also possible, but prerequisites affect sequencing. Students should request a personal plan if they expect to take fewer than three courses per term or want to use summer enrollment.

Accreditation and Professional Preparation

The MS in Health Informatics is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education. IU states that accreditation has been reaffirmed through 2030. The program is also approved by the American Medical Informatics Association.

The curriculum prepares students to analyze biomedical data, manage informatics projects, evaluate clinical information systems, apply health data standards, protect health information, and support clinical decisions. Electives can add skills in machine learning, natural language processing, cloud computing, electronic health records, research, or user-centered system design.

Career Outcomes

IU reports a $60,000 median starting salary and a 95% employed or continuing-education rate for program graduates. The program lists recent roles such as data analyst, data scientist, health care analyst, biostatistician, IT analyst, clinical data analyst, and application system administrator.

These figures describe reported outcomes for recent graduates and do not guarantee an individual result. Career options depend on prior education, technical skills, experience, location, and any clinical or professional credentials required by an employer.

Who May Find This Program a Good Fit?

IU Indianapolis may fit students who want a CAHIIM-accredited health informatics master’s with a choice of online or campus study. The professional track provides an applied practicum or project route, while the thesis track gives research-focused students a clearer path into analytics and research design.

The program may also suit students who want electives in machine learning, natural language processing, clinical data management, electronic health records, or health information exchange. Applicants who want a short fixed curriculum may prefer another program because IU requires 36 credits, follows prerequisite-based sequencing, and includes several elective and track decisions.

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