Graduate Certificate

Overview | Tracks | Prerequisites | Coursework | Tuition | Applying

Overview

The program is geared to meet the educational needs of health care professionals seeking additional training in information management and technology as well as non-health care professionals seeking training in health information management and technology. This is accomplished by providing students with a theoretical and practical understanding of the role of information in health care; a sound basis for implementing, developing, maintaining, and managing information resources and systems in health care; and skills in the management of health information, technology, and decision making.

Although all of our programs stand on their own and are usually completed as single units, they can also be used as entry points into higher programs. The Graduate Certificate program can thus be used as an entry point for enrollment into the Master of Biomedical Informatics (MBI) or Master of Science (MS) in Biomedical Informatics programs. The MBI program is offered both on-campus and via distance learning, while the MS program is offered on-campus only. Students choose to pursue studies in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology,  Clinical Informatics, Health Information Management as part of their masters program. Tuition and fee information can be found on the Registrar’s page.

Tracks

Clinical Informatics
The goal of the OHSU Graduate Certificate in Biomedical Informatics Program is to provide knowledge and skills in the application of information technology (IT) to health care. Graduates of the program have taken on additional IT responsibilities in their existing careers or embarked upon new careers as developers and managers of health care IT systems. In the program, individuals with a variety of backgrounds take courses in medical informatics, management and related areas to gain expertise to assume positions that require a thorough understanding of both IT and the health care environment.

Health Information Management Track
The Health Information Management track provides knowledge and skills in the application of information technology (IT) and Health Information Management to healthcare. The health information and management Graduate Certificate is CAHIIM-accredited and allows graduates to sit for the examination for the RHIA credential. Graduates of the program have taken on additional IT responsibilities in their existing careers or embarked upon new careers as developers and managers of electronic health records. In the program, individuals with a variety of backgrounds take courses in medical informatics, health information management and related areas to gain expertise to assume positions that require a thorough understanding of both IT and the health information management practice.

The HIM curriculum includes instruction in all of the required competencies established by CAHIIM.

News of Note:

Suggested HIM Course Schedule By Term

CAHIIM

For more information on the profession of Health Information Management please go to www.ahima.org or to your state association

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Prerequisites

We strongly recommend that all pre-requisites be completed prior to matriculating to the HIM track of the graduate certificate program. While we realize this may not be possible for everyone, all pre-requisites must be completed prior to enrolling in BMI 584 – Clinical Classification Systems.

Coursework

The goal of the graduate certificate program is to provide an educational experience for individuals who seek to enhance their knowledge of the intersection of health care and information technology (IT). Society has a need for more individuals with knowledge and skills in IT generally, and the graduate certificate program provides this with a focus on health care. As such, the graduate certificate program was developed with the needs of working professionals in mind. The course of study is most useful for those interested in gaining skills in medical informatics to complement their existing career as a physician, nurse, other health care professional, IT professional, administrator or librarian. Most program participants will take 1-2 courses per term and will require approximately two years for completion. Courses are offered on-line in consideration of the professional student's other obligations and location.

Coursework

Clinical Informatics Track

The curriculum consists of eight three-credit courses, for a total of 24 credit hours. Students are required to complete the following three courses (9 credit hours):

BMI 510 – Introduction to Biomedical Informatics 
BMI 512 – Clinical Information Systems
BMI 517 – Organizational Behavior and Management

Five elective courses (15 credit hours) can be chosen from any other classes in the course catalog.

Health Information Management Track
The curriculum consists of five three-credit courses, seven two-credit courses, and one four-credit course for a total of 33 credit hours.
Students are required to complete the following courses (33 credit hours). Courses with an asterisk (*) include HIM-specific domains/competencies and knowledge clusters. See the Domains/Competencies page for complete information. Course descriptions and syllabi are in the course catalog.

BMI 510 – Introduction to Biomedical Informatics* 
BMI 512 – Clinical Information Systems*
BMI 517 – Organizational Behavior and Management*
MI 537 – Healthcare Quality*
BMI 544 – Databases*
BMI 582 - Healthcare Data Management
BMI 583 - IT in Health Information Practice
BMI 584 - Clinical Classification Systems and Applied Reimbursement Methodologies
BMI 585 - Applied Management in Health Information Practice
Methodologies
BMI 586 - Applied Legal and Ethical Issues in Health Information Practice
BMI 587 - Research, Statistics, and Quality Applied to Health Information Practice
BMI 588 - Capstone Project and Professional Practice Experience
PHPM 524 - Introduction to Biostatistics*

Up to 3.0 related graduate level credits can be transferred in.

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Tuition

The tuition and fee schedules can be found on the registrar's page: OHSU Tuition and Fees Schedule (select "Medicine-Biomedical Informatics").

Members of AMIA, AHIMA, HIMSS, and AMDIS wishing to enroll in the distance learning Graduate Certificate Program are eligible for a 5% tuition discount. The discount only applies to courses taken towards the Graduate Certificate. To receive the discount, the applicant must include the membership number on the application. The discount only applies to regular full membership, and not student, institutional, or associate members. NOTE: The Department of Medical Informatics & Clinical Epidemiology does not honor OHSU staff fee privileges.

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Applying

Application Instructions

Applications for the Graduate Certificate Program are made directly to the Department of Medical Informatics & Clinical Epidemiology.
Transcripts should be sent to the following address:

Biomedical Informatics Graduate Certificate Program
Attn: Administrative Assistant
Oregon Health & Science University
Mail Code: BICC 504
3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road
Portland, OR 97239-3098

Applications are good for one year. If all supporting materials are not received within one year, a new application and fee payment will be required. Application fees are non-refundable.

For any questions, please contact Lauren Ludwig by phone (1.503.494.2252) or e-mail (ludwigl@ohsu.edu).