Master’s of Science

M.S. Health Informatics and Analytics: Admission Requirements

In addition to the online application, the following are required for acceptance:

• A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
• Unofficial transcripts of all academic work attempted beyond high (secondary) school can be used for admission review. An official (officially certified) final transcript must be submitted if an applicant is offered admission.
• Three letters of recommendation (Academic and/or Professional)
• Statement of purpose describing the applicant’s experience and objectives in undertaking graduate study in Health Informatics and Analytics

International Applicants

• Official GRE test scores are required for international applicants. The GRE can be waived if the applicant holds a terminal degree (Ph.D., MD, or JD). or the applicant has earned a degree from an accredited institution in the United States with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
• Official scores from either the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo assessment are required for applicants whose first language is not English. The English language assessment can be waived if the applicant has earned a degree from an accredited institution in the United States with a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Recommendations

For the Health Services Outcome Concentration:

• One semester of calculus and one semester of statistics
• Experience in one or more of the following: computer sciences, health sciences, information systems, life sciences, or in an informatics discipline.

For the Data Science Concentration:

• Two semesters of calculus and one semester of statistics
• Experience in one or more of the following: computer sciences, health sciences, information systems, life sciences, or in an informatics discipline.
• Working knowledge of at least one high-level programming language (e.g., Python, Java, R, or C/C++/C#)
• Familiarity with computer systems and applications.

Deadlines

UNC Charlotte’s Office of Graduate Admissions must receive a completed online application by the following dates:

• Fall Admission (August):
  • ​Priority Application Submission Deadline: March 1^st    
  • Final Application Submission Deadline: August 1^st
• Spring Admission (January):
  • Priority Application Submission Deadline: October 1^st  
  • Final Application Submission Deadline: December 1^st

Applications received after the Priority Application Submission Date will be reviewed on a space available basis. Applicants may submit their application earlier than the deadline for consideration for admission.

Information pertaining specifically about admissions to the Health Informatics Certificate Program can be found on the Graduate Certificate Admissions Page 

M.S. Health Informatics and Analytics: Degree Requirements

The School of Data Science seeks a diverse group of HIA students. Applications are evaluated on a number of factors, including past academic performance, GRE scores, statement of purpose, and relevant work experience The Health Informatics and Analytics program leverages its position within the School of Data Science and capitalizes on the strength of its partner colleges, the College of Health and Human Services and the College of Computing and Informatics, to prepare national and international students to advance the professional practice of health informatics through a thorough grounding in data science, system architecture, and health analytics.

Plans of Study for the Master’s Degree:

The MS is comprised of 36 credits hours/12 courses. The plan of study is divided into core and elective courses.

• 6 credit hours of Foundational Core courses
• 12 credit hours of required Core courses
• 9 credit hours of ‘Selective’ courses
• 6 hours of Restricted Elective courses
• 3 credit hours of an Internship or Capstone course

Starting in the fall of 2022 the HIA program began offering two pathways for matriculating students into the MS program. The two options are:

• Health Services Outcomes (HSO) Concentration: The HSO Concentration is most suitable for students with a health-related background
• Data Science (DS) Concentration: The DS Concentration assumes more background in computing and statistics.

Each concentration has its own selection of Foundational Core, Core, and Selective courses. They share the same broad selection of Restrictive Elective courses.

Estimated Time to Degree:

• A full-time student (9-12 credit hours/3-4 classes per semester) can complete the program in roughly 15-18 months.
• A part-time student (3-6 credit hours/1-2 classes per semester) can complete the program in approximately 24 months.

More information about the degree requirements and courses is detailed in the Course Catalog.

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