Earn a master's degree in health information technology at New York's #1 public university

The Master of Science in Applied Health Informatics degree program exposes students to the latest tools and techniques in data analytics, clinical information systems management, and project management required to successfully manage technologies run by health systems, payers, and technology companies to improve patient outcomes. Developed by a team of Stony Brook faculty and industry experts, students learn about deployment and the application of information technology to solve problems in healthcare.

The MS/AHI program is designed to:

  • Foster critical thinking, evidence-based practice, leadership and professionalism with an emphasis on the development of knowledge, skills and competencies required to succeed in healthcare technology environments.

  • Utilize multiple instructional methodologies including, but not limited to, problem-based learning, case studies, and student presentations.

  • Focus on the application of healthcare information technology with the primary purpose of responding to high-demand workforce needs.

  • Include 12 credits of experiential learning (depending on delivery mode selected) through a 360-hour practicum or a quality improvement (capstone) project

About the Master of Science program in Applied Health Informatics

  • 48 total credits
  • Hybrid (HyFlex) or Online (synchronous)
  • Full-Time (15 months) or Part-Time (in as little as 27 months)
  • 360-hour Summer Practicum/Internship or a Quality Improvement Project (Capstone Project) (Practicum placements are typically at area health systems/providers, health IT vendors, health tech startups and/or payers)
  • Clinical Systems Lifecycle Management Specialization (Prepares students with the knowledge and skills needed to deploy and manage systems, manage projects and programs, and improve and optimize workflows)
  • Data Analytics Specialization (Prepares students with the knowledge and skills needed to maximize the value of data, exposing students to tools such as Python, R, SQL, Tableau® and Power BI®) 
  • STEM-designated

What is applied health informatics?

Applied Health Informatics is a specialty field in which technology is used to store, retrieve and analyze health information. Health informatics professionals are a critical part of multidisciplinary teams representing clinical, administrative and information technology disciplines that develop, implement and support the tools needed to improve patient outcomes. Health information technology solutions include:

  • electronic medical record systems that allow providers to document and communicate medical information
  • population health tools that support value-based medicine
  • activity trackers and other consumer-facing apps that help people achieve and maintain good health
  • patient portals that link people with their health care information
  • predictive analytics and visualization tools that bring data to life
  • revenue cycle management processes that optimize administrative services
  • artificial intelligence and algorithms that provide novel insights to improve patient outcomes
  • and much more

Careers in health informatics / health information technology

Our students have had internship experiences at organizations such as Stony Brook Medicine, Mount Sinai Health System, Catholic Health, Caron Treatment Centers, New York Cancer and Blood Specialists, Odyssey House, Parsley Health and Yosi Health.

Our graduates are employed at health systems, community practice networks, health IT vendors, health tech startups, payers and consulting firms. They are employed in roles such as:

  • Data Analyst at Northwell Health
  • Operations Associate at Flatiron Health
  • Quality Assurance Lead at NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
  • Project Coordinator at Catholic Health
  • Manager, Advanced Analytics at Known
  • Project Manager at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
  • Solution Architect at Particle Health
  • Revenue Cycle Management Analyst at Stony Brook Medicine
  • Product Manager at Softheon

Learn more about industry roles and job descriptions developed by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS).