Frequently asked questions: Master of Health Informatics program

The Master of Health Informatics program is a great fit for you if: 

• You are passionate about health care, public health or health technology and want to apply information science to health‑related challenges. 
• You are drawn to a curriculum that combines the expertise of three University of Michigan schools, developing your skills in informational, computational, behavioral and organizational sciences. 
• You want to practice in the real world, through hands-on projects, internships and client‑based work.
• You are interested in using emerging artificial intelligence techniques to improve care delivery and patient health.
• You are interested in leadership roles in health management, consulting or systems implementation. 

You can apply to the MHI program with any undergraduate degree. Health informatics is a highly interdisciplinary field. Applicants come from all academic and professional backgrounds, including social sciences, natural and life science, engineering, business and health professions. We will teach you everything you need to succeed.

Experience with programming or statistics is helpful, but not required. Many students enter the MHI program with little to no programming background, and every student takes Programming I as a core course.

MHI graduates build successful careers across health systems, tech companies, health care product organizations, consulting firms and startups — anywhere data, technology and health care intersect. Career paths include:

• Clinical care: improving patient portals, electronic health records and bedside interfaces
• Consumer health products and services, such as fitness trackers
• Mobile health applications: developing tools that support nutrition, medication adherence or chronic condition management
• Management and consulting for health care organizations, nonprofits and public health agencies, using data to improve how care is delivered
• Medical and public health research, such as analyzing immunization or population health data to identify trends and vulnerable communities

Explore MHI career outcomes. 

You’ll be supported by UMSI’s Career Development Office, which offers personalized career coaching, internship and career courses for academic credit, access to job and internship opportunities, a robust on-campus recruiting program and career resource library, and access to a strong network of UMSI and U-M alumni, career mentors and employers.

You’ll build a foundation in health systems, policy, emerging technologies, and behavioral and organizational science — then apply those skills through a hands-on, interdisciplinary capstone. Many courses feature practical components, helping local clients solve real-world information problems. Explore the MHI curriculum. 

UMSI faculty are leaders in community health informatics, artificial intelligence applications in health care, mobile technology and human-centered design. Because the MHI program is offered jointly by the School of Information, School of Public Health and Medical School, you will have access to the best of University of Michigan expertise. Meet UMSI faculty. 

Most of your classes will be taken in the School of Information, which is on North Campus. You may also take classes on Central Campus or the Medical Campus, which are within a few miles of each other and connected by a free U-M bus. 

Your UMSI courses will be based in the Leinweber Computer Science and Information Building, a state-of-the-art facility featuring modern classrooms, design and AR/VR studios, a maker lab and a student lounge. The Leinweber Building is connected by a bridge to the College of Engineering, enabling collaboration and shared events. Nearby, you will find the Duderstadt Center, an interdisciplinary innovation hub that is open to all members of the U-M community, as well as casual dining options, a coffee shop, wooded trails and fountains. 

MHI students are encouraged and actively supported by the Career Development Office to pursue internships, which most students do between the first and second year of the program. You can take a one-credit elective course, SI 505: Career and Internship Search Studio, to get prepared for a successful internship search, and you can earn up to nine course credits from approved internships. To see examples of MHI internships, explore internship outcomes. 

At UMSI, graduate students can engage in research projects with UMSI faculty and doctoral students. You’ll gain exposure to cutting-edge methodologies and technologies, preparing you for career paths in academia and industry. There are a few options for students interested in research:

• Research Experience Development Program: REDP is a cocurricular offering that pairs students with experienced UMSI researchers, allowing you to develop research skills while providing valuable assistance to faculty and advanced doctoral students.
• Independent Study: If you would like to explore a research area or topic with a UMSI faculty member that is not offered through an existing course, you may choose to enroll in an independent study course, earning one to three credits toward your MHI degree.
• Master’s Thesis Option Program: Work closely with a faculty advisor to conduct original research and write a thesis. You will apply to MTOP at the end of your first year in the MHI program and, if accepted, enroll in the MTOP course in the fall and winter terms of your second year. The program is a good fit for students whose future interests include a doctoral program or a research-oriented career. 

Yes, the MHI program is a STEM-designated program. 

While both are residential master’s degrees in information science, the Master of Health Informatics program is offered jointly by the U-M School of Information, School of Public Health and Medical School, with a specific focus on using information science to promote health and improve health care. You will develop expertise not only in information technology but in health domains. 

The Master of Science in Information program, by contrast, offers five pathways with broad applications across industries: UX Research and Design, Product Management, Big Data Analytics, User-Centered Agile Development, and Libraries, Archives, and Knowledge Environments in Society. 

Yes, MHI students are able to self-initiate dual degrees with other U-M schools and colleges. 

Ann Arbor is a vibrant college town that consistently ranks high on lists of the best places to live in the U.S. You will find plenty of restaurants, coffee shops, theaters, music venues, bookstores, parks and museums. Our location on the Huron River allows for kayaking and tubing in the summer, and ice skating in the winter. While many students have cars, which allows for easy access to Detroit and day trips across the beautiful state of Michigan, much of Ann Arbor is walkable. Buses run throughout the city and to the Detroit Metro Airport, and we are located on the Amtrak line. Learn more about housing, resources, entertainment and life in Ann Arbor. 

The MHI program draws students from a wide range of disciplines and professional backgrounds, and we value the perspectives they bring to the program. These students are united by a common interest in using information to foster healthier communities and better care. 

We look for applicants who have a team-oriented approach to problem-solving, are excited by interdisciplinary and project-based learning, and demonstrate leadership or service. In your application, show us how an MHI degree will support your future career goals and what you will contribute to the MHI community. 

There are no prerequisite courses for the MHI program. To apply, you need a four-year bachelor’s degree, or international equivalent, from an accredited college or university. We do not require the GRE.

Our favorite question! View application requirements and deadlines here. 

We release admissions decisions on a rolling basis as applications are reviewed, with the first MHI decisions typically shared in early to mid-March. All application status updates are sent by email.

There is an application fee of $75 for US citizens and permanent residents, or $90 for international applicants, which can be paid online via credit card when you apply. 

You can view fee waiver requirements and instructions here. 

UMSI offers scholarships ranging from partial to full tuition. You are automatically considered for scholarships as part of the admissions process, so you’ll want to submit your MHI application by the priority deadline of Jan. 15 for first consideration for funding. 

We make scholarship decisions based on a holistic review of your application materials. While merit is the main factor, we may also consider your motivation to attend UMSI and level of financial need. Learn more about UMSI scholarships. 

Scholarship offers are made on a rolling basis beginning in early to mid-March. For MHI applicants, first-round offers are included in your admissions letter, with subsequent rounds communicated separately.

You can search for external scholarships by using free online databases like those administered by College Board, FastWEB!, Appily and Scholarship America. Many private scholarships are offered by professional, corporate, trade, government, civic, religious and social and fraternal organizations. For specific suggestions regarding external funding, reach out to [email protected].

You are required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores unless you meet one of the following criteria:

• You are a native English speaker.
• You completed your entire undergraduate or graduate degree at an institution where all classes are taught in English.
• You are a current U-M student.

U.S. citizenship or permanent residency does not automatically exempt you from this requirement. View application requirements.

At this time, we do not accept credential evaluation reports for grade equivalencies. Please submit a copy of your transcript in English for the application review process. However, we do accept credential evaluation reports to help determine whether an international degree is equivalent to a four-year bachelor’s degree in the U.S. 

Yes. We review applications holistically, considering all materials in context — including your academic record, essays, letters of recommendation and relevant experiences. While our applicant pool is competitive, strengths in other parts of your application can help demonstrate your readiness to succeed academically, even if your GPA is below the preferred minimum.

For questions about the MHI program and the application process, please email [email protected]. We are happy to hear from you and help you decide whether the MHI program is a good fit for your goals and interests.