Missouri Health Informatics Degree Programs

Reasons to Study Health Informatics in Missouri

Robust Job Market & Diverse Opportunities

Health informatics is in demand across Missouri’s healthcare sector:

• 310,000 jobs supported, including nearly 310,000 in hospitals, with $19.3 billion in labor income annually (Missouri Hospital Association, 2019)
• Top health systems recruiting informatics talent: BJC HealthCare, Mercy, SSM Health, Ascension (St. Louis), CoxHealth (Springfield, with 12,600+ employees), Boone Health (2,000+ employees)

Strategic Investments & Innovation Hubs

Missouri supports health IT infrastructure and innovation:

• House Bill 11 (2025) allocates $9 million to transform existing Health Information Exchanges into a statewide Health Data Utility
• Missouri Technology Corporation (MTC) fosters life sciences and health tech startups through public–private investment
• Innovation hubs:
  • CORTEX (St. Louis) supports bioscience and health tech startups
  • Digital Health KC connects over 120 health IT firms in the Kansas City area
• Academic partnerships: University of Missouri-Columbia offers CAHIIM‑accredited MS in Health Informatics; Washington University’s Center for Applied Health Informatics drives clinical data applications
• Public health data modernization: Missouri DHSS is working on a strategic roadmap to upgrade its data infrastructure

Collaborative Ecosystem & Education Strength

Missouri blends academic excellence with practical implementation:

• Academic programs: University of Missouri-Columbia and Washington University deliver interdisciplinary health informatics education combining clinical, data, and technology training
• Research application: Washington University applies advanced analytics and decision-support systems in clinical and population health contexts
• Public health systems: DHSS modernization efforts and HIE-based data utilities create new roles for informatics professionals in population health and Medicaid support
• Innovation partnerships: Collaboration among startups, hospitals, academia, and government supports integrated care, analytics, and research initiatives

How to Choose the Right Program for You

Quick Take

Consider your specific interests within health informatics:

Choose Logan University for flexible, fully online programs with industry-expert faculty and three specialized tracks (Healthcare Leadership, Data Analytics, Applied Informatics).

Ideal for working professionals seeking career advancement with multiple start dates and practical, consulting-focused education at $675 per credit.

Select University of Missouri-Columbia for CAHIIM-accredited programs with proven employment outcomes and hybrid learning options.

Perfect for professionals with 3+ years of experience seeking leadership roles, with strong internship partnerships and pathways to doctoral studies.

Consider Washington University in St. Louis for prestigious biomedical informatics education combining data science with healthcare applications.

Excellent for students seeking research opportunities, machine learning expertise, and flexible 2-5 year completion timelines at a nationally recognized institution.

Choose Maryville University for healthcare administration focus with informatics integration in a fully online MHA program.

Ideal for professionals targeting executive healthcare leadership roles with data-driven decision-making capabilities, completed in two years without GRE requirements.

Select University of Missouri-Kansas City for comprehensive doctoral education in biomedical and health informatics research.

Perfect for students seeking academic careers or advanced research positions with interdisciplinary training and strong research infrastructure.

Consider University of Missouri-Columbia’s Ph.D. program for cutting-edge research combining computation, genomics, and health systems.

Ideal for students interested in advancing the field through innovative research with professional development through lab rotations and seminars.

Read on for all the details.

Types of Programs

Master’s Level Programs for Professional Advancement

Logan University offers three specialized concentrations (Healthcare Leadership, Data Analytics, and Applied Informatics) in a fully online format, while the University of Missouri-Columbia provides both campus-based and hybrid options with CAHIIM accreditation. Maryville University focuses on the intersection of healthcare administration and informatics through their MHA program, and Washington University in St. Louis offers a prestigious biomedical informatics degree combining data science with healthcare applications.

Doctoral Programs for Research and Academic Careers

The University of Missouri-Columbia offers a Ph.D. in Informatics with Health Informatics emphasis, combining computation, genomics, and health systems. The University of Missouri-Kansas City provides a comprehensive Biomedical and Health Informatics doctorate, while Washington University’s program emphasizes translational bioinformatics and clinical informatics research.

Administrative and Leadership-Focused Options

Maryville University’s MHA with Health Informatics and Analytics concentration and Logan University’s Healthcare Leadership track specifically target professionals seeking to combine business acumen with technical expertise for senior management positions.

Admission Requirements and Accessibility

Programs with No Entrance Exam Requirements

Logan University eliminates GRE requirements across all three concentrations while maintaining a reasonable 2.5 GPA minimum. Maryville University also waives GRE requirements for their MHA program, requiring only a 3.0 GPA and bachelor’s degree. Washington University in St. Louis continues this trend by not requiring entrance exams for their biomedical informatics program.

Experience and Background Expectations

The University of Missouri-Columbia’s hybrid program specifically requires three years of relevant professional experience, targeting mid-career professionals ready for leadership roles. In contrast, other programs welcome recent graduates and career changers, providing foundational knowledge for those new to the field.

Academic Prerequisites and Flexibility

Most programs accept students from diverse undergraduate backgrounds, recognizing that health informatics benefits from varied perspectives including healthcare, technology, business, and data science. Some programs provide prerequisite courses or foundational modules for students lacking specific technical or healthcare backgrounds.

Doctoral Program Rigor

The University of Missouri-Kansas City requires GRE scores, personal statements, three recommendation letters, and demonstrates readiness for intensive research commitment. These programs target students with strong academic records and clear research interests.

Cost Analysis

Private Institution Premium Programs

Schools like Logan University offer competitive pricing at $675 per credit hour for their fully online programs. With typical program lengths of 36 credits, students can expect total tuition costs around $24,300. This pricing includes valuable add-ons like free HIMSS membership and industry-driven curriculum development, potentially providing excellent return on investment.

Public University Value Propositions

The University of Missouri-Kansas City’s doctoral program estimates costs at $24,595 for residents, providing exceptional value for a comprehensive doctoral education. The University of Missouri-Columbia’s programs likely offer similar in-state advantages, though specific pricing wasn’t detailed in the available information.

Premium Private Institution Investment

While not listing specific costs, Washington University in St. Louis represents investment in a prestigious institution with exceptional research opportunities and alumni networks. The 36-unit program’s flexibility in completion timeline (two to five years) allows students to manage costs through part-time enrollment.

Hidden Value Components

Logan University includes free HIMSS membership, industry expert faculty, and flexible start dates. The University of Missouri-Columbia offers internships, scholarships, travel awards, and pathways to doctoral studies. These additional benefits often justify higher tuition costs through enhanced career prospects and professional development opportunities.

Program Formats and Scheduling Flexibility

Fully Online Programs for Maximum Flexibility

Logan University offers 100% online delivery across all three concentrations. With multiple start dates yearly and self-paced learning within structured trimesters, these programs accommodate diverse professional schedules. Maryville University’s online MHA program offers similar flexibility with two-year completion timelines designed around working professionals’ needs.

Hybrid Models Balancing Flexibility and Interaction

University of Missouri-Columbia’s professional program, combines online learning with strategic on-campus sessions. This format provides networking opportunities and hands-on experiences while maintaining schedule flexibility for working professionals.

Campus-Based Programs for Immersive Experience

Washington University in St. Louis and the University of Missouri-Columbia offer campus-based options providing access to research facilities, faculty mentorship, and collaborative learning environments.

Flexible Completion Timelines

Logan University offers 1.5 to 2-year completion options, while Washington University allows two to five years for degree completion. This flexibility enables students to balance education with professional and personal responsibilities.

Specialization Areas and Career Pathway Alignment

Healthcare Leadership and Management Focus

Both Logan University’s Healthcare Leadership concentration and Maryville University’s MHA program prepare students for executive roles like Chief Medical Information Officers, healthcare administrators, and technology directors. The curriculum emphasizes strategic thinking, organizational leadership, and the business aspects of healthcare technology implementation.

Data Analytics and Business Intelligence Specializations

Logan University’s Data Analytics concentration and Maryville University’s analytics focus provide training in statistical analysis, predictive modeling, and data-driven decision making. These programs prepare graduates for roles in population health management, quality improvement, and healthcare business intelligence.

Applied Informatics and Practical Implementation

Logan University’s Applied Informatics concentration emphasizes hands-on problem-solving and consulting skills. This track prepares students to bridge the gap between technical possibilities and practical healthcare needs, focusing on system implementation, workflow optimization, and change management.

Biomedical Informatics and Research Applications

Washington University’s program and the University of Missouri system’s doctoral offerings combine clinical knowledge with advanced computational methods. These programs prepare students for research roles, academic positions, and innovative technology development in healthcare settings.

Clinical Informatics and Patient Care Integration

The University of Missouri-Columbia’s CAHIIM-accredited programs and other offerings prepare students to work directly with healthcare providers in optimizing clinical workflows and implementing patient care technologies.

Job Market Analysis for Degree Holders

Missouri’s health informatics sector is anchored by major academic medical centers including the University of Missouri Health Care and Children’s Mercy KC, alongside major health systems like BJC HealthCare and Blue Shield of California. The state offers diverse opportunities from entry-level research positions to senior principal analyst roles, with strong emphasis on Cerner/Epic EHR systems, clinical workflow optimization, and emerging specializations in behavioral health analytics and biomedical informatics research.

Salary ranges span from $32.57/hour for entry-level Epic analysts to $125K annually for senior healthcare informaticists, with specialized roles like pharmacy informatics specialists earning $57.81/hour and clinical informatics managers commanding competitive compensation.

Key Takeaways

Market Overview: Missouri’s health informatics landscape centered around major academic medical centers (University of Missouri, Children’s Mercy KC), large health systems (BJC HealthCare), and proximity to Cerner headquarters creating strong EHR expertise concentration, with diverse opportunities from research to clinical applications.

Technical Skills: Strong emphasis on Cerner/Epic EHR systems, healthcare analytics (SAS, SQL, Python), biomedical research platforms (AWS, Snowflake, REDCap), and specialized healthcare terminologies (SNOMED, LOINC, ICD-10, RxNORM) with growing focus on behavioral health analytics and value-based care modeling.

Clinical Integration: Heavy emphasis on nursing and pharmacy backgrounds with current licensure requirements, clinical documentation optimization, pediatric healthcare specialization, and public health surveillance applications with strong academic medical center integration.

Leadership Opportunities: Management positions ranging from $70K-$125K annually requiring clinical backgrounds combined with IT project management experience, with senior roles emphasizing behavioral health financial modeling, clinical workflow optimization, and biomedical research leadership.

Educational Requirements: Academic medical centers prefer Master’s degrees with clinical credentials, university positions require PhD/MD/DO for faculty roles, and EHR certifications required within 120 days of hire, reflecting the market’s emphasis on advanced education and professional development.

Geographic Distribution: Kansas City dominates with Children’s Mercy KC and proximity to Cerner headquarters, St. Louis offers BJC HealthCare opportunities, Columbia provides university research positions, and Jefferson City features state government public health roles.

Compensation: Competitive ranges from $32.57/hour entry-level to $125K+ annually for senior roles, enhanced by Missouri’s favorable cost of living and comprehensive academic medical center benefits including tuition assistance and professional development opportunities.

Technical and Data Management Skills

Advanced Healthcare Analytics and Predictive Modeling

Blue Shield of California (California, MO) recruits Senior Principal Medical Informatics Analysts for behavioral health at competitive salaries, requiring 10+ years experience with SAS certification, healthcare contracting expertise, and behavioral health financial modeling capabilities. These roles focus on value-based contracting analytics, cost of healthcare measurement, and coordination of care opportunities with emphasis on financial contractual arrangements and provider implementation.

Cerner EHR Expertise and Clinical Workflow Design

Multiple Missouri employers prioritize Cerner platform expertise. Vector Consulting Group (Kansas City) seeks Clinical Informatics Analysts at $61-$64 hourly requiring strong Cerner backgrounds including orders work, ambulatory and acute clinical workflows, and experience with healthcare terminologies including SNOMED, LOINC, ICD-10, CPT4/HCPCS, and RxNorm. These positions emphasize business process mapping and workflow optimization across healthcare settings.

Epic EHR Systems and Research Integration

Children’s Mercy KC employs Research Informatics Applications Analysts starting at $32.57/hour requiring Epic certification within 120 days, with focus on pediatric healthcare environments and research applications. University of Missouri Health Care offers Nursing Informaticist positions at $79K-$113K annually requiring Epic/EHR expertise combined with nursing practice knowledge for clinical documentation optimization and system implementation.

Biomedical Informatics and Data Science Applications

University of Missouri-Columbia recruits Biomedical Informatics faculty and software engineers requiring PhD/MD/DO credentials with expertise in clinical decision support, natural language processing, machine learning, and data infrastructure including AWS, Snowflake, i2b2, and PCORnet Common Data Model. These positions emphasize FAIR data principles, reproducibility, and scalability across healthcare research networks.

Clinical Informatics and Healthcare Integration

Nursing Informatics and Clinical Documentation

University of Missouri Health Care employs Nursing Informaticists at $79K-$113K requiring Bachelor’s degrees in nursing with 5+ years RN experience and Missouri nursing licensure. These positions focus on clinical documentation optimization, EHR workflow design, nursing informatics council collaboration, and liaison responsibilities between nursing leadership and IT operations for system enhancement and staff education.

Pharmacy Informatics and Medication Management

Children’s Mercy KC seeks Pharmacy Informatics Specialists at $57.81/hour requiring PharmD/RPh degrees with 5-7 years pharmacy experience and Epic Willow certification. These roles integrate pharmacy practice with computer science for clinical data systems management, medication process optimization, and interdisciplinary team leadership for evidence-based pharmaceutical care standards.

Clinical Applications Support and Training

BJC HealthCare (St. Louis) employs Clinical Applications Specialists at $70K-$110K focusing on technical support, healthcare professional training, and clinical application optimization. These positions require collaboration with cross-functional teams, development of training materials, compliance auditing, and continuous monitoring of clinical application effectiveness across healthcare departments.

Public Health Surveillance and Data Integration

State of Missouri (Jefferson City) recruits Informatics Data Analysts requiring Bachelor’s degrees in Health Informatics with 2-4 years electronic health reporting experience. These positions support ShowMe WorldCare surveillance system implementation, HL7 standards knowledge, LOINC/SNOMED expertise, and collaboration with local public health agencies for disease surveillance and data modernization initiatives.

Leadership and Strategic Management

Healthcare Informatics Leadership

BJC HealthCare offers Sr. Healthcare Informaticist positions at $85K-$125K requiring comprehensive healthcare information systems knowledge, data analytics expertise, and cross-functional team leadership capabilities. These roles focus on innovative solution implementation, complex data analysis for decision-making, and healthcare technology integration for improved patient outcomes and process efficiency.

Clinical Informatics Management

TieTalent (Nevada, MO) recruits Clinical Informatics Managers requiring Bachelor’s degrees in nursing with 5+ years clinical/healthcare IT experience and 1+ year managing complex IT projects. These positions lead EHR implementation teams, manage clinical technology deployment, coordinate change management processes, and ensure regulatory compliance across healthcare facilities.

Biomedical Research Leadership

University of Missouri-Columbia offers faculty positions across all ranks (Assistant through Professor) requiring expertise in clinical information systems, quantitative/qualitative evaluation methods, risk adjustment analytics, and ontology development. These roles emphasize externally funded research program development, collaborative research support, and teaching responsibilities for graduate health informatics education.

Specialized Technical Competencies

Healthcare Financial Analytics and Value-Based Care

Blue Shield of California emphasizes behavioral health financial modeling, cost of healthcare analysis, and value-based contracting expertise. Positions require experience with financial healthcare analytics, provider contracting knowledge, and ability to navigate continuously changing business models while developing optimal behavioral health solutions and financial management best practices.

Electronic Health Record Optimization

ConcertoCare (Kansas City) seeks Health Informatics Analysts at $85K-$95K requiring eClinicalWorks expertise with 3+ years healthcare informatics experience. These roles focus on EMR functionality optimization, clinical workflow gap identification, stakeholder collaboration for system configuration, and end-user training for maximum system utilization and operational efficiency.

Research Data Infrastructure and Compliance

Missouri positions emphasize research informatics capabilities including REDCap deployment, FHIR integration, clinical EHR connectivity, and compliance with federal research standards. University of Missouri systems provide access to Greater Plains Collaborative PCORnet networks, Cerner Learning Health Networks, and statewide Medicare/Medicaid data integration for comprehensive longitudinal research studies.

Clinical Decision Support and Terminology Management

Multiple employers require expertise in healthcare standards including UMLS, LOINC, SNOMED, FDB, RxNORM, and clinical decision support system development. Positions emphasize ontology development, natural language processing applications, and clinical documentation improvement through technology-enabled solutions that support evidence-based care delivery and regulatory compliance.

Educational Requirements and Career Pathways

Clinical Background Integration

Missouri employers highly value clinical credentials with current licensure requirements. University of Missouri Health Care requires Missouri RN licensure or Nurse Licensure Compact multi-state credentials, while Children’s Mercy KC emphasizes pharmacy licensure (PharmD/RPh) with pediatric healthcare experience preferred. Veterans Affairs positions require comprehensive nursing education with specialized informatics training.

Advanced Degree Expectations

Academic medical center positions consistently prefer Master’s degrees in nursing, health informatics, or related fields. University of Missouri-Columbia requires PhD/MD/DO credentials for faculty positions, while Blue Shield of California prefers MPH, MBA, MS, MA, RN, or RHIA credentials for senior analyst roles, reflecting the market’s emphasis on advanced education and professional development.

Epic and Cerner Certification Requirements

Most clinical positions require EHR certification within 120 days of hire. Children’s Mercy KC requires Epic certification in relevant modules (Willow for pharmacy, applications-specific for research roles), while Vector Consulting Group emphasizes Cerner build knowledge across Med Surg, ED, and Surgical modules with workflow documentation expertise.

Research and Academic Integration

University of Missouri system positions emphasize research capabilities including grant funding experience, publication records, and collaborative research support. Biomedical informatics roles require expertise in open data infrastructure, FAIR data principles, and team-based software development using platforms like AWS, Snowflake, and specialized research networks.

Geographic and Compensation Trends

Salary Ranges Across Experience Levels

• Entry-level analysts: $32.57/hour (Epic Research Analyst) to $61-$64/hour (Clinical Informatics remote roles)
• Mid-level specialists: $57.81/hour (Pharmacy Informatics), $70K-$110K (Clinical Applications), $79K-$113K (Nursing Informaticist)
• Senior analysts: $85K-$95K (Health Informatics Analyst), $85K-$125K (Sr. Healthcare Informaticist)
• Leadership roles: Competitive compensation based on experience and credentials