Health Informatics *ADDENDUM*

Mission Statement: The Master of Science in Health Informatics program prepares future leaders in health informatics to leverage technology tools to improve health and healthcare outcomes through the execution of data-driven management techniques and strategies, to adapt to rapidly-changing landscapes, and to provide leadership and innovation to the health informatics profession.

The Master of Science in Health Informatics prepares students for a career in health informatics through the interdisciplinary study of the design, development, adoption, and application of technology based innovations in healthcare services delivery, management, and planning. The courses provide a graduate education to individuals with varied backgrounds to learn skills in healthcare, technology, informatics and leadership. The curriculum is delivered in an online format, with full- and part-time options, and is intentionally flexible and readily applicable to students regardless of where they live.

 

The Master of Science in Health Informatics is a 36 credit hour curriculum that develops and enhances skills in a variety of professional areas, including healthcare quality, information management, technology, innovation and leadership. This degree culminates in a practicum, which includes a practical experience and capstone project.

 

The Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics is an 18-credit hour program that provides students with the core health informatics courses they need to broaden and enhance their professional knowledge. All courses in the Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics are also transferable to the Master of Science in Health Informatics program.

The University of New England is Accredited by: NEASC

REQUIRED COURSES:

• HIN 601                The Healthcare and Public Health Landscape
• HIN 605                Introduction to Health Informatics (pre-req: 601)
• HIN 610                Healthcare Quality (pre-req: 605)
• HIN 615                Computer Science for Health Informatics Professionals (pre-req: 605)
• HIN 620                Database Design, Standards, Access, Modeling  (pre-req: 615)
• HIN 625                Health Information Legislation, Compliance, Privacy and Security (pre-req: 605)
• HIN 700                Project Management (pre-req 605)
• HIN 715                Information Visualization: Turning Data into Insight (pre-req:  620)
• HIN 740                Emerging Opportunities in Health Informatics (pre-req: 605)
• HIN 745                Master's Project in Health Informatics (pre-req: 605)

Electives – choose one from each of the following categories:

LEADERSHIP ASPECTS OF HI:

• HIN 720                Leadership and Strategic Management in Health Settings (pre-req: 605)
• HIN 725                Organizational Behavior, Work Flow Design, and Change Management (pre-req: 605)

USABILITY AND HI:

• HIN 730                Human Factors for System Development (pre-req: 605)
• HIN 735                Measuring the User Experience (pre-req: 605)

Degree Plan for Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics:

• HIN 601                The Healthcare and Public Health Landscape
• HIN 605                Introduction to Health Informatics (pre-req: 601)
• HIN 610                Healthcare Quality (pre-req: 605)
• HIN 615                Computer Science for Health Informatics Professionals (pre-req: 605)
• HIN 620                Database Design, Standards, Access, Modeling  (pre-req: 615)
• HIN 625                Health Information Legislation, Compliance, Privacy and Security (pre-req: 605)

Audit Policy

A student may, with prior consent of the Program Manager or designee, enroll in a course for an audit grade (AU). This must be requested at the time of registration for the course and must be accompanied by signed approval of the instructor and Program Manager or designee. This applies to both matriculated and non-matriculated students. Reversal or change of an audit grade is not possible. Once enrolled for AU the grade becomes permanent on a student's academic record. The student who wishes later to be graded for such a course must re-enroll in and pay for graded credit. In auditing a course, the student is expected to complete all lectures and discussion boards, but is not permitted to submit course work for evaluation, take examinations, receive grades, or earn credit. Auditing a course does not count toward enrollment status (i.e. part-time, full-time, etc.) and therefore cannot be considered for financial aid purposes, veteran's benefits, etc.

Leave of Absence

Matriculated students must enroll and successfully complete at least one course per term. A leave of absence (LOA) for a specified period of time, not to exceed one academic year, may be granted to a matriculated student with the authorization of the Dean and the Program Manager or designee. If not enrolled for one full term, students must contact their Student Support Specialist and complete the required Request for Leave of Absence form available from Registration Services. Application for readmission is not necessary if the student returns as planned. However, the student who does not return at the specified time will be administratively withdrawn and will be subject to readmission procedures. Policy on leave of absence tuition credit is located in the Financial Aid section of the University catalog located at www.une.edu/sfs/online.

The LOA period is considered as part of the time allotted to complete the academic program. Note: It is the responsibility of the student to contact the office of the Program Manager to indicate a change of plans.

Medical Leave of Absence

In the event that a leave of absence is taken due to medical reasons, a doctor’s note may be required in order to return to active standing within your program.

 

Adding, Dropping, and Withdrawing from Courses

• The last day permissible for matriculating graduate students to add or drop a course without financial penalty is the second day of class.

Students who withdraw from a course must do so in writing and must accompany a withdrawal form  and will receive a “W” on their transcript indicating withdrawal. Students will receive a partial refund if they withdraw from a course within the first or second week. Be aware that no portion of the tuition will be refunded after the second week of the course. Students who have not participated in the course by the end of the second week will be administratively withdrawn from the course and will not receive a tuition refund.

Email requests for withdrawals must be submitted from a student’s UNE e-mail to be considered.

Matriculating students who withdraw after completing more than 2/3 of a course will receive a grade of “WF” (withdrawn failing) or “WP” (withdrawn passing), based on the instructor’s assessment of the student’s current standing in the course. A “WF” is calculated as an “F” in the student’s GPA. Upon successful completion of the course, the new grade will be used to calculate the GPA. Students will be dismissed from their program after two failing grades (including a “WF”).

 

University Withdrawal

All matriculated students who wish to withdraw from the University must complete notification documentation available from Registration Services. Documentation must be signed by designated academic and administrative authorities.

 

Academic Integrity Policy

The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:

1.      Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.

2.      Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.

3.      Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.

4.      Multiple submission of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.

5.      Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.

Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Manager. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations.  Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final.  Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in The College of Graduate and Professional Studies Student Handbook.

Office for Students with Disabilities

Disability Services works to ensure that the University promotes respect for individual differences and that no person who meets the academic and technical standards needed for admission and continued enrollment at UNE is denied benefits or subjected to discrimination due to a disability.  Toward this end, and in conjunction with federal and state laws, the University provides reasonable accommodations for qualified students.

Transfer and Waiver Credit

To request consideration for transfer credit, a student must provide an official transcript and a course syllabus for each course. Transfer credit is awarded at the discretion of the College of Graduate and Professional Studies based on specific program details listed below. Requests for approval of transfer credit should be submitted to, and will be granted at the discretion of, the Program Manager.

Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics Program: Upon acceptance, students may apply to transfer up to two, 3-credit courses (maximum of six credits) into the program.

Master of Science in Health Informatics Program: Upon acceptance, students may apply to transfer up to three, 3-credit courses (maximum of nine credits) into the program.

Transfer courses must:

·         Be classified as graduate level.

·         Have been taken within five years of application.

·         Have been completed with a grade of “B” or better.

·         Be equivalent to one of the required program courses or an elective course that meets the goals of the student’s health informatics education.

·         Not have been applied toward any other degree.

Individuals who earned a Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics from the University of New England within the last five years may apply for admission to the Master of Science in Health Informatics program and request that all courses be accepted.  Current certificate students, who are in good standing, may apply to the Master of Science in Health Informatics program at any time during the certificate program by requesting a “change of major” with their Student Support Specialist.

Experiential Learning

Experiential learning is highly valued by the College of Graduate and Professional Studies.  Many courses within the College feature experiential-learning components.  However, at this time, no credit will be awarded to students for purely experiential learning experiences undertaken in lieu of coursework.

College Eligibility and Application Standards

Applicants who have earned a baccalaureate or graduate degree from a regionally accredited academic institution are eligible to apply for admission into online programs at the university. Graduates of colleges or universities that are accredited by other recognized accrediting bodies may be considered eligible after a review for exception by a committee consisting of the Dean of Admissions, the University Registrar, and the Dean of the College of Graduate and Professional Studies. The decision to admit an applicant to his or her intended program is made by an admissions committee based on a combination of criteria according to the requirements of the specific program.

Students currently completing their undergraduate or graduate studies are encouraged to apply to our programs and, if admitted, are accepted on a conditional basis pending receipt of a transcript showing proof of graduation. Students must submit a letter “in good standing” from the institution from which they are graduating at point of application and supply proof of graduation before the end of the first term in which they are registered or they will be administratively withdrawn from the program.

University of New England transcripts will be obtained by UNE admissions staff from the Registrar’s office on behalf of applicants that have completed prior degrees or coursework at the university.

All applicants with international degrees or coursework are responsible for having their transcripts evaluated for degree and grade equivalency to that of an accredited institution within the U.S.

We accept foreign educational credential evaluations from all NACES® (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) members, as well as AACRAO (the American Association of Credentialed Registrars and Admissions Officers).

Please note: Any evaluations submitted to UNE by approved credential evaluators need not include the original transcript.

Please see the International Student Admissions policies for additional requirements regarding English language proficiency, ECFMG requirements and verification of financial support.

Application Process

·         Completed online application: http://go.une.edu/apply

·         Submission of $40 non-refundable application fee

·         Resume or Curriculum Vitae

·         Official transcripts reflecting conferral of prior degree (bachelor’s degree for master’s programs; master’s degree for doctoral programs) from a regionally accredited institution. All transcripts are to be submitted from the original institutions.

·         Note: Transcripts for any coursework appearing as transfer credit on the transcript of the conferred degree can be waived if the coursework is unrelated to the degree being sought. The program admissions committee defines all coursework not eligible for waiver.

Academic Prerequisites:

Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or international equivalent.

Undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.

Courses on ‘Introduction to Statistics’ and/or ‘Introduction to Research’ highly recommended

Application requirements

·         Complete the online graduate application and submit a $40 non-refundable application fee.

·         Submit official transcripts reflecting conferral of bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university. Applicants with international degrees should contact an Enrollment Counselor for more information.

o    Official transcripts should be mailed directly from the institution to:

University of New England

Online Worldwide Learning

ATT: Health Informatics

716 Stevens Avenue

Portland, ME 04103

·         Submit the following documents via email to informatics@une.edu:

o    Detailed statement of purpose (500 – 1000 words).  This statement should describe personal development and future goals; relevant professional experience; interest in graduate study in health informatics; and the capacity to succeed in a distance learning format, i.e., self-motivated, self-starter, comfortable with and access to a computer and the internet.

o    Current Resume or Curriculum Vitae.

o    Three professional references. In lieu of letters of recommendation, references may be contacted to provide a professional recommendation at the discretion of the admission committee

Technology requirements:

Courses in the Graduate Programs in Public Health are delivered by Blackboard, an online course management system with an audio component and the following are required to complete the program

• Access to the internet and to computer audio capability
• Specific software as described in course syllabi
• Capacity to succeed in a distance learning format

PROCEDURES AND POLICIES

• Applications for new students will be accepted for the summer, fall, and spring terms.
• Only fully complete applications (with all supporting documentation) submitted by the deadline will be considered by the Admissions Committee.
• Students not seeking a degree may enroll into individual courses as a non-matriculated student, space permitting and upon approval by the Program Manager. (Non-matriculated students must hold a bachelor's degree and may take up to two courses only.) Students wishing to take more than two courses in the program must apply to UNE and be accepted into the program prior to enrolling in the third course. Students cannot move from non-matriculated status to matriculated status within the same semester.

Learning Outcomes

1. Graduates will understand the American healthcare system and the effects technology and data have had on it.
2. Understand the complex system of legal and regulatory compliance that governs the healthcare system.
3. Apply core concepts of database design to facilitate managing the large amounts of data produced and captured in the healthcare setting.
4. Understand foundational concepts and theories of leadership and management, especially with respect to data-driven business intelligence.
5. Apply technology and the healthcare quality framework to meet the goals of the triple aim of improving the patient experience of care, improving the health of populations, and reducing the per capita cost of health care.
6. Analyze, evaluate, and apply the range of tools needed to implement new technology, including identifying, evaluating, selecting, implementing, and upgrading technological systems.
7. Evaluate the ways new and developing healthcare technology trends influence world-wide health outcomes, and propose potential technology-based solutions for increasing world-wide health outcomes.
8. Understand and apply project management tools, concepts, and best practices to oversee the successful completion of complex projects.