Dual MS Health Informatics/MPH Program

Program Highlights & Accreditation

The Master of Science in Health Informatics and Master of Public Health (MS/MPH) dual degree program at Northeastern University prepares graduates to lead at the intersection of public health and health informatics. This interdisciplinary program, offered collaboratively by the Bouvé College of Health Sciences Department of Health Sciences and the Khoury College of Computer Sciences (implied, as it's often Health Informatics' home), integrates coursework from both the MSHI and MPH curricula. This structure allows students to save one year of study and reduce tuition costs compared to pursuing both degrees individually. Up to 15 credits of coursework can be counted towards both degrees.

The Master of Public Health (MPH) component of the program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), an independent agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The dual degree program meets CEPH accreditation requirements and is an academic organizational affiliate of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS).

Delivery Modes

The MS/MPH dual degree program is offered in the following formats:

• Online

• Full-time

• Part-time (Note: Part-time options may be available; prospective students should contact [email protected] for more information.)

Curriculum Overview

The MS/MPH dual degree requires the completion of 57 total credits. The curriculum is subject to change and includes:

• Public Health Courses (27 credits): Nine courses covering core public health disciplines such as Biostatistics in Public Health, Environmental Health, Introduction to Epidemiology, Public Health Administration and Policy, Society, Behavior, and Health, Principles and History of Urban Health, Race, Ethnicity, and Health in the United States, Urban Community Health Assessment, and Health Education and Program Planning.

• Health Informatics Courses (15 credits): Five courses including Introduction to Health Informatics Systems, Database Design, Access, Modeling, and Security, Key Standards in Health Informatics, Improving the Patient Experience through Informatics, and Quantifying the Value of Informatics.

• Selectives (9 credits): Students must complete three selective courses, choosing at least one from a Business/Management group (e.g., Business of Healthcare Informatics, Project Management, Organizational Behavior, Workflow Design, and Change Management) and at least one from a Healthcare group (e.g., Strategic Management and Leadership in Healthcare, Evaluating Healthcare Quality, Patient Engagement, Informatics, and Analytics).

• Practicum (3 credits): A minimum 200-hour, community-based internship. This experience allows students to apply classroom learning in a real-world health informatics/public health environment and network with professionals. Students work with faculty advisors for placement and have access to Northeastern’s Experiential Network (XN).

• Capstone (3 credits): A culminating experience where students integrate theory and practice. This can be a major research, program planning, policy development, management, service delivery, or evaluation project, or preparing for and passing the Certified in Public Health (CPH) Exam. Access to XN is also available for capstone-related projects.

Admissions Requirements

Admission to the MS in Health Informatics/MPH program is for the Fall term only. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the final deadline of June 1. All applicants must apply via the SOPHAS application system.

Key requirements include:

• Completed application submitted via SOPHAS.

• Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.

• Official transcripts from all previously attended institutions.

• Official Test Scores (specific tests not detailed in provided context).

• Two letters of recommendation.

• Personal statement.

• An interview may be required.

The program is open to both domestic and international students. International students who plan to study in their home country or who do not require a student visa are eligible to apply.

Career & Practical Experience

Graduates of the MS/MPH program are prepared for leadership roles at the nexus of public health and health informatics. The program emphasizes practical experience through a mandatory 200-hour practicum and a capstone project. Students also benefit from Northeastern’s Experiential Network (XN), which connects them with industry partners for short-term, virtual projects, enhancing their professional network and practical skills.