McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics at UTHealth Houston partners with several universities across Texas to offer a variety of graduate level certificate programs. This gives students the opportunity to advance their knowledge of biomedical informatics and its applications in their area of study. These programs provide an avenue for students to concurrently enroll and complete specialized certificates with courses at both institutions.
Biomedical informatics is a multidisciplinary field that harnesses the power of data and information technology to improve healthcare outcomes, advance medical research, and enhance patient care. It continues to play a significant role in the transformation of healthcare systems and the development of innovative solutions, which is why so many professions are seeking knowledgeable candidates with this type of expertise. These partnerships allow graduate students from a variety of backgrounds, in various disciplines, to find career advancement in the blossoming healthcare informatics industry.
Our school has collaboration agreements to offer joint certificates in the following areas with these respective institutions whose students are eligible to participate in this integrated curriculum:
| Institution | Programs |
|---|---|
| Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) |
|
| UTHealth Houston School of Public Health |
|
| UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry |
|
| University of Texas El Paso (UTEP) |
|
Please ensure you review the Admissions Requirements for your particular program of interest. Feel free to visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page to also assist with your application journey.
| PROGRAM | FALL | SPRING | SUMMER |
| Certificate | July 1 | November 1 | March 1 |
| Master's | July 1 | November 1 | March 1 |
| PhD | December 1 | July 1 | N/A |
| DHI | March 1 | Only one DHI cohort will be admitted annually. | |
Interested in learning more? Visit the Prospective Student Information Session webpage for upcoming prospective student webinars. During the virtual events, you can explore all programs offered at McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics. Be sure to register for the event date and time that best works with your schedule!
The course curriculum and degree plan for all the Graduate Certificate programs are provided below:
Joint Certificates with Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU)
The Joint Certificate in Leadership Informatics is aimed at addressing the growing need for informaticians in leadership roles at healthcare agencies, particularly in areas such as specialty health clinics, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services. Informatics leaders in these areas are responsible for not only leading teams but also leveraging electronic health records (EHRs) and other health information systems to identify trends in specific populations. This data-driven approach allows them to devise strategies for improving healthcare delivery and setting organizational goals.
The Joint Certificate in Nonprofit Informatics program will provide students with essential finance and data science skills to analyze extensive datasets effectively. This analytical capability assists organizational administrators in generating insightful reports for board members, identifying grant opportunities, and making informed decisions for the organization’s operational goals.
Joint Certificate with UTHealth Houston School of Public Health
The 16-semester credit hour certificate in public health informatics is offered in conjunction with UTHealth Houston School of Public Health. Students will learn how information science and technology are applied in disease prevention and intervention in public health practice. The certificate can be completed online or in person.
Joint Certificate with UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry
The 15-semester credit hour joint certificate in dental informatics is offered in conjunction with UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry at Houston (UTSD). Students will focus on the opportunities and challenges in integrating technology in modern oral health care. The certificate requires both online and in-person courses which includes a practicum at UTSD. For information on how to apply, please refer to UTSD Application Criteria page.
| Certificate of Dental Informatics | |
|---|---|
| Courses | Credits |
| BMI 5300 - Intro to Biomedical Informatics (required) | 3 |
| BMI 5313 - Intro to Electronic Health Records | 3 |
| BMI 5315 - Quality and Outcome Improvement in Healthcare | 3 |
| SOD 5520 – Practicum in Dental Informatics (6 SCH) | 6 |
| Total Hours | 15 |
This partnership allows UTEP graduate students from a variety of backgrounds in both the College of Business and the College of Health Sciences to find career advancement in the blossoming healthcare informatics industry.
To earn a UTEP MBA with a Business Informatics for Healthcare concentration, students must satisfactorily complete the 48-semester credit hour curriculum which includes 39 semester credit hours of MBA core course work and nine semester credit hours of concentration specific course work.
The Department of Kinesiology Certificate of Biomedical Informatics allows students to fuse the scientific study of human movement with information technology innovations in healthcare. Ultimately, the implementation of informatics concepts, theories and practices allows kinesiology professionals to critically evaluate data and achieve better results.
The Certificate of Occupational Therapy Informatics helps those in the industry as they provide their clients with the skills needed for daily living and working. Health IT resources can enhance an occupational therapist’s ability to determine what types of interventions and activities are best for each person in their diverse client population.
The Certificate of Physical Therapy Informatics explores the health IT tools that allow those in the physical therapy profession to make better clinical decisions. A sound understanding of how to access and analyze a patient’s electronic health record can lead to more specific and customized recommendations.
The Certificate of Public Health Informatics provides future and current public health professionals with the opportunity to advance their health informatics knowledge. Students can explore the application of health technologies in disease surveillance, prevention and intervention in the public health field.
The Department of Rehabilitation Counseling Certificate of Biomedical Informatics unites new methods and tools to promote better client assessment. Using advanced health technology can aid rehabilitation counselors in evaluating their clients with disabilities as they help them live independently.
The Department of Social Work Certificate of Biomedical Informatics encourages future social work practitioners to explore health IT applications that help them serve their community more efficiently and effectively. By gathering, managing and interpreting data using informatics tools, social workers are better equipped to provide services for those in need.
The Department of Speech Language Pathology Certificate of Biomedical Informatics assists those who specialize in the evaluation and treatment of communication disorders and swallowing disorders in advancing their knowledge of health information technology utilization to improve patient outcomes.
Updated: 10/23/2024
For more information about the certificate programs please contact:
Office of Academic Affairs
D. Bradley McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics at UTHealth Houston
713.500.3591
[email protected]