'Applied Health Sciences Informatics' Approved by MHEC

July 16, 2009- A new, intensive, one-year master’s degree program designed to prepare graduates for informatics leadership positions in clinical, public health and scientific settings will be offered beginning in September by the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. The Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) approved the new program in June.

According to program literature, graduates ”should be capable of developing or leading innovative applications of information technology and information systems that address biological, clinical, or public health priorities, studying how information is organized and used, and evaluating this work to contribute to the scientific field.” Program requirements include core, selective and elective coursework, grand rounds and a capstone project.

The program is a significant extension to the education programs the Division already has in place, such as the NLM Informatics Research Training Program and the research-based master’s degree. “The Applied MS is the first in a new range of programs the division is developing,” says Harold Lehmann, M.D., PhD., training program director for the Division of Health Sciences Informatics. “In addition to training career informaticians, we will be offering informatics training for clinicians and public health professionals.”

Experts say the program was greatly needed. “With the advent of health care reform, the demand for professionals with this type of training will only increase,” says Nancy Roderer, director of the Division of Health Sciences Informatics. “Health Sciences Informatics is a key component to the success of this initiative.”

Admission to the program is based on a candidate’s undergraduate and/or graduate academic record, statement of purpose, professional experience, letters of recommendation, results of Graduate Record Examinations (where required), and overall motivation to pursue graduate studies.

To learn more about the program, visit: http://dhsi.med.jhmi.edu 

To submit an application, visit the SOM website at: https://app.applyyourself.com/?id=jhu-med