How to Get a Master's Degree in Health Information Technology
Earning your master's in health information technology brings you closer to the pinnacle of the health profession. One of the few "hands off" health professions, becoming a health information specialist puts you in charge of the information systems, databases, analysis, security, and electronic files that are essential to everyday patient care and privacy.
A patient's medical file is extremely important, for obvious reasons. In years past, those files were usually hand-written, and there was often only one copy. Today, however, health information experts compile the information on a person's medical history into electronic files, and then maintain the files to ensure accuracy and thorough updates. But in order to make this happen, the computer systems must be very reliable, and the people who run them must understand all the requirements and responsibility of the health information field.
It's a good time to become a health information technician. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field of health information is expected to grow much faster than the average, and the job market will be good, especially for those who have a strong knowledge of computer software.
A Guide to the Master's Degree in Health Information Technology
The master's degree in health information technology puts you in the driver's seat of a new and exciting career. Whether you choose a traditional degree path or reach for an online master's in health information technology, you have many options available to you when it's time to launch your new career.
Degrees in Health Information Technology and Health Informatics
A certificate is a good way to obtain entry into the field, while an associate's degree will give you more advanced training. The bachelor's degree in health information technology is required to move forward into the more challenging master's of health information technology program.
What Can You Do with Your Master's Degree
Earning your master's in health information technology can take you down several different career paths. Here are just a few of the options you have when you earn your master's degree:
- Medical secretary
- Medical coder
- Health information technician
- Health care information manager
- Registered health information technician
- Registered health information administrator
How to Apply for the Master's Degree in Health Information Technology
Before you can apply for the master's in health information technology, you have to know which school is right for you. Finding the proper degree program requires patience, research, and a clear view of what matters in a quality degree.
Step One: Find the Right Master's in Health Information Technology Program
Your research into master's programs should start with the most basic "must have" criteria. Learn everything you can about potential schools to narrow a very long list down to a short one of the best candidates.
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How to Get a Master's Degree in Health Information Technology
Earning your master's in health information technology brings you closer to the pinnacle of the health profession. One of the few "hands off" health professions, becoming a health information specialist puts you in charge of the information systems, databases, analysis, security, and electronic files that are essential to everyday patient care and privacy.
A patient's medical file is extremely important, for obvious reasons. In years past, those files were usually hand-written, and there was often only one copy. Today, however, health information experts compile the information on a person's medical history into electronic files, and then maintain the files to ensure accuracy and thorough updates. But in order to make this happen, the computer systems must be very reliable, and the people who run them must understand all the requirements and responsibility of the health information field.
It's a good time to become a health information technician. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field of health information is expected to grow much faster than the average, and the job market will be good, especially for those who have a strong knowledge of computer software.
A Guide to the Master's Degree in Health Information Technology
The master's degree in health information technology puts you in the driver's seat of a new and exciting career. Whether you choose a traditional degree path or reach for an online master's in health information technology, you have many options available to you when it's time to launch your new career.
Degrees in Health Information Technology and Health Informatics
A certificate is a good way to obtain entry into the field, while an associate's degree will give you more advanced training. The bachelor's degree in health information technology is required to move forward into the more challenging master's of health information technology program.
What Can You Do with Your Master's Degree
Earning your master's in health information technology can take you down several different career paths. Here are just a few of the options you have when you earn your master's degree:
- Medical secretary
- Medical coder
- Health information technician
- Health care information manager
- Registered health information technician
- Registered health information administrator
How to Apply for the Master's Degree in Health Information Technology
Before you can apply for the master's in health information technology, you have to know which school is right for you. Finding the proper degree program requires patience, research, and a clear view of what matters in a quality degree.
Step One: Find the Right Master's in Health Information Technology Program
Your research into master's programs should start with the most basic "must have" criteria. Learn everything you can about potential schools to narrow a very long list down to a short one of the best candidates.
Focus on Accredited Master's Degree Programs
Accreditation is one of the most important "must have" points in your research. Accreditation is awarded by an independent body that studies the rigors of a degree program's curriculum, the expertise of faculty and staff, the quality of facilities offered, and more. An accredited school is proven to meet standards of excellence.
Attending an accredited degree program ensures the value of your degree. Many employers will recognize only accredited degrees, and the vast majority of colleges and universities will not accept transfer credits from a program that has not met accreditation standards. Federal financial aid is also dependent upon whether a program has earned accreditation.
Resources
- U.S. Department of Education.
The Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs is an updated listing provided by the U.S. Department of Education.
The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs accredits over 2000 programs in over 20 health specializations.
Let WorldWideLearn.com make the accreditation question easier by reading through the Accreditation Answers section.
Choose Your Format: Online, Campus, or Both
Choosing how you will learn is a crucial step in deciding if you prefer an online education format, an on-campus setting, or a little bit of both.
When you opt to earn a master's degree online, you are proving your technological savvy. A flexible schedule allows you to handle work and family obligations while still pursuing your master's degree program.
For those who prefer to learn in the more traditional way, on-campus education might be your ideal. There is plenty of one-on-one "face time" with teachers and peers, and there is also the advantage of true hands-on training.
For the best of both worlds, opt to earn a master's degree online through hybrid courses. Most of your classwork would be done in the online world, but you would visit a satellite classroom to take tests and handle essential hands-on training from time to time.
Resources
The easiest way to determine if a school is based online or on-campus is to check out the school's official Web site. The information is often clearly stated in the general information about the degree program.
If you decide you would prefer on-campus education or hybrid learning, make a point of visiting the college or satellite classrooms. Look over the facilities and decide if this is a place where you would feel comfortable.
Learn all about the latest trends and innovations in online learning and hybrid education by perusing the education articles on WorldWideLearn.com.
Study the Academic Programs
You've narrowed down your options by accreditation status and educational format. Now, look at the degree programs themselves
When you look at a list of a degree program's faculty, are there any names you recognize? Are the faculty members active in professional organizations or at the forefront of research? Remember, a degree program is only as good as those experts who are teaching it.
- Curriculum opportunities.
What kind of courses are offered that can enhance or supplement your master's in health information technology? Classes in business, management, nursing, and computer science are good options for learning even more about your profession.
A great deal of your time in the master's program will be spent on research, so make sure the facilities are up to par. Check out the library of the brick-and-mortar school, and look at the virtual research publications available to you through online means.
Resources
Want to know more about that shortlist? With just a few clicks, you can request information on your chosen schools through WorldWideLearn.com.
Go back to the school Web site and go through it again, this time looking for specific indicators of the academic muscle a degree program can provide.
Pay close attention to the profiles and interviews in academic journals. The best of the best degree programs will get noticed!
Evaluate the Quality of the Degree Program
A quality degree begins with a quality program. Narrow down your shortlist even further by focusing on the quality of the master's degree programs. These points will help you begin:
How long the degree program has been in place is a good question to ask, especially of online health information technology programs. Many of them might be tied in with older brick-and-mortar schools, but some are just starting out and building their own traditions. No matter how long their history is, make sure it is solid.
A solid reputation matters, too. Read every review you can get your hands on, and pay attention to what kind of reputation the degree program is building for itself.
- Graduation and placement rate.
Out of those who start the master's in health information technology program, how many graduate? What is the placement rate for those graduates?
Knowing someone is in your corner matters when the job hunt is on, and career support is needed long after that degree is handed over. Look into how much support you can expect from each college on your shortlist.
Resources
- U.S News and World Report.
The annual rankings of the best degree programs can be found in this publication. Several rankings in the health field are right at your fingertips with just a few clicks.
Call the admissions office and ask for the most recent statistics on demographics, graduate rate, placement rate, average test scores, and the like.
Read message boards, join discussion forums, and pay attention to professional blogs. You might be surprised by all the tidbits of information you can find in a basic search!
Ask about career support, curriculum, teachers, and what to expect from a particular school. Those who have blazed the trail before you will be your best sources of information.
Step Two: Apply to Master's Degree Programs in Health Information Technology
By this point, you have narrowed down a rather large list. Now it's time to look at the schools on the shortlist and determine what they'll need from you.
Prerequisites
Most master's in health information technology programs will require a bachelor's degree for entry into the program, but some will accept an associate's degree and extensive work experience in the field. Check carefully with your chosen degree programs to ensure you meet all the basic degree requirements.
Whether you attend a traditional classroom setting or opt to earn a master's degree online, the testing will be the same. The basic tests, including the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), will be required. You might have to take other tests as well, depending upon the requirements of each particular program. Keep in mind that test scores can sometimes take months to arrive, so look into application deadlines and take those tests early!
Application Must-Haves
Obtain transcripts from all the institutions you have attended. Also collect information on any certifications or special programs you might have participated in that could contribute to your application.
- Letters of recommendation.
You will need at least one letter of recommendation, and possibly several more, depending upon the requirements of your chosen degree program.
Any degree program will want to know why you are pursuing the master's in health information technology, as well as why you chose their college to do so. They will also want to evaluate your communication skills. The personal essay covers all of those bases.
Your experience in the field can pay off in a big way when it is coupled with an outstanding application and glowing letters of recommendation.
Financial Aid Matters
Start with the Free Application for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA) to find out how much financial aid you could receive. Keep in mind that only accredited schools have the option of federal financial aid.
Many degree programs offer scholarships to award academic achievement, special milestones, or even non-traditional students who choose to return to school and complete a degree. Scholarships might also be offered by civic organizations, professional organizations, and employers.
A grant is financial assistance offered during the course of your career path that does not have to be paid back. Federal Pell grants are the most well-known, but don't discount grants that come from other sources, such as a state lottery or private programs.
Student loans are a popular, low-interest way to fund your education without depleting your pocketbook. There is a wide variety of student loan options to fit every life situation.
To learn more about options to help fund your education, browse the financial aid section of WorldWideLearn.com.
Step Three: Prepare for the Master's in Health Information Technology Program
In the world of health information technology, new advances are happening every day, and those innovations can have a significant impact on your job. Stay on top of the latest research and happenings in your field as you prepare to enter the master's program.
- Join professional organizations.
Organizations dedicated to the field of health information technology are a great bet for expanding your knowledge. Start with the Health Care Information and Management Systems Society, the American Medical Informatics Association, and the National Association of Health Data Organizations, just to name a few.
Now that you have joined those professional organizations, attend the conferences they offer! Conferences are a great source for networking, recruiting, and more. Take notes, pay attention, and even volunteer for panels if you have expertise to share.
Choose journals that offer a wealth of information that will keep you up-to-date on the happenings in the health information field. Perspectives in Health Information Management is a good place to start, as is Advance for Health Information Professionals.
Master's Degree in Health Information Technology: The Road Ahead
An individual's medical record stays with a person throughout his or her entire life. It is a permanent, accurate view of the conditions, treatments, and health issues that person has faced throughout their lifetime. Protecting that information and helping to ensure its accuracy is an essential part of providing excellent medical care. As a health information expert, you will be at the forefront of the challenge, and your expertise could make a difference in the well-being of those whose records you keep.
Sources
- Best Health Schools, U.S. News and World Report
- Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
- Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs, U.S. Department of Education
- Guide to College Majors in Health Information Technology, WorldWideLearn.com
- Health Information Careers
- Health Information Management Specialization, Capella University
- Health Information Technology, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- Medical Records and Health Information Technicians, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Online Degree Programs in Health Information Technology, Job Profiles
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