Department of Data Science, College of Computing • Houghton, MI • Online • $1,448/Credit
Michigan Technological University offers 2 Health Informatics programs:
- MS
- Graduate Certificate
Program Overview
| Program | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS in Health Informatics | $43.4K campus / $44.6K online (all residencies) | 2–3 years online (5+ semesters) | 30 |
| Graduate Certificates (4) | $13.0K–$17.8K | 2 semesters | 9–12 |
Michigan Tech assembles its master’s from certificates: a 12-credit foundation plus two 9-credit focus certificates, one of them in artificial intelligence for health care. Unlike KU’s single on-ramp certificate, students choose their specialties certificate by certificate, and most finish holding the MS plus three certificates.
Quick Facts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Program Types | MS in Health Informatics; four stackable graduate certificates |
| Format | Online, or on campus in Houghton; identical course requirements |
| Practicum Hours | None required; optional report or thesis |
| RN License Required | No; no clinical or work experience required |
| Who It’s For | Technically minded students wanting AI, security, or population health data skills |
| Distinctive Coursework | Python, systems analysis, applied machine learning, AI in health care, penetration testing |
| Certification Pathway | Fits AMIA AHIC Track 1 with work experience |
| Tuition | $1,448 per credit for all residencies, plus $38 per online credit (2026-27) |
| Accreditation | No CAHIIM accreditation claimed; HLC institutional |
| Admission | Rolling; no GRE; STEM-designated |
MS in Health Informatics
The estimated tuition for the MS in Health Informatics at Michigan Technological University is approximately $44,580 online or $43,440 on campus (30 credits at $1,486 or $1,448/credit).
The program can generally be completed in about two to three years online, in as few as five semesters.
MS Curriculum
Everyone completes the Foundations certificate, which starts with Python. Students then add two of three 9-credit focus certificates: AI in Healthcare, Security and Privacy in Healthcare, or Public Health Informatics.
- SAT 4650 Introduction to Applied Computing in Python Programming (3)
- SAT 5001 Introduction to Health Informatics (3)
- SAT 5111 Security and Privacy (3)
- SAT 5131 Systems Analysis and Design (3)
- AI focus: EET 4501 Applied Machine Learning, SAT 5114 Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare, SAT 5141 Clinical Decision Support and AI Modeling (3 each)
- Security focus: SAT 5283 Information Governance and Risk Management, SAT 5817 Security Penetration Testing and Audit (3 each)
- Public health focus, three of: SAT 5317 Internet of Medical Things and Remote Patient Monitoring, KIP 4740 Epidemiology, SAT 5165 Introduction to Big Data Analytics, SAT 5424 Population Health Informatics (3 each)
- Thesis option: 20+ course credits plus 6–10 thesis credits; report option: 24+ course credits plus 2–6 report credits
More curriculum details are available here.
You Should Know
- The department lists Foundations as 12 credits plus two 9-credit focus certificates (30 credits), and also an elective, report, or thesis band of 6–10 credits. The pages do not reconcile these figures; thesis or report students may need more than 30 credits.
- The Security and Privacy certificate is described as three courses, but only two are listed.
- The Foundations certificate page lists UN 5550 Introduction to Data Science in place of SAT 5001. The degree page’s list is used here.
- Health informatics courses run in fall and spring; the pages conflict on whether any run in summer.
MS Practicum and Capstone
- No practicum or internship is required.
- Students choose coursework only, a report (2–6 credits), or a thesis (6–10 credits). The coursework option may require an oral or written exam.
- The online program page mentions exposure through community clinics, but gives no hours, credits, or process.
Without a required placement, the degree fits students who already work in health care or IT. Others should use the report or thesis to build a portfolio project, since AHIC certification and most employers expect hands-on experience.
MS Admissions
Admission is rolling with no GRE, and no programming prerequisite, although Python starts in the first course.
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution; GPA typically 3.0 or higher.
- RN license or health care experience: not required.
- Three recommendations, resume, statement, transcripts.
- No application fee for domestic applicants.
- Apply at least one semester ahead for funding consideration. Start terms are not clearly stated.
- Current Michigan Tech undergraduates can take an accelerated route that counts up to nine bachelor’s credits toward the MS.
Graduate Certificates
The estimated tuition for the Foundations of Health Informatics certificate at Michigan Technological University is approximately $17,832 online (12 credits at $1,486/credit). Each 9-credit focus certificate is about $13,374 online.
Each certificate can generally be completed in about two semesters.
Graduate Certificate Curriculum
- Foundations of Health Informatics: 12 credits
- Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare: 9 credits
- Security and Privacy in Healthcare: 9 credits
- Public Health Informatics: 9 credits
You Should Know
- The focus certificates require SAT 4650 (Python) or equivalent background.
- International students must be admitted to a degree program to earn a certificate.
Graduate Certificate Admissions
- Bachelor’s degree; GPA typically 3.0; resume. No GRE or GMAT.
Tuition
Michigan Tech charges one graduate rate, $1,448 per credit, regardless of residency. Online courses add $38 per credit, for $1,486 per credit (our total).
| Program (2026-27) | Credits | Online | Campus |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS in Health Informatics | 30 | $44,580 | $43,440 |
| Foundations certificate | 12 | $17,832 | $17,376 |
| Focus certificate | 9 | $13,374 | $13,032 |
- On-campus students also pay $139 per fall or spring semester in activity and technology fees.
- Rates from Michigan Tech’s 2026-27 cost of attendance page.
Be aware that:
- Whether online students pay the semester activity and technology fees is not clearly stated.
- Thesis or report students who exceed 30 credits pay for each added credit.
- Out-of-state students pay the same rate as Michigan residents.
Because every certificate credit counts toward the MS, a student can buy one certificate at a time and stop at any point with a credential in hand.
Why Choose This Health Informatics Program?
Ideal for students who want technical depth, especially in AI or cybersecurity, and want to build the degree in pieces.
Ideal student. Someone comfortable learning Python, interested in machine learning, clinical decision support, or health care security, and working while studying online.
What it is not. There is no health information management content leading to RHIA, no required practicum, and little management or leadership coursework.
Watch the details. Some certificate course lists are incomplete or inconsistent on the university’s pages, so confirm the plan of study before enrolling.
Accreditation
Michigan Tech’s pages make no claim of CAHIIM accreditation, and none is assumed here.
Michigan Technological University is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
A master’s in health informatics from an accredited university fits Track 1 of the AMIA Health Informatics Certification, which also requires 4 years of informatics work in the past 6 at 50% or more of work time.
Other Michigan Health Informatics Schools
See all Michigan health informatics programs, browse the health informatics school directory, or read the health informatics degree guide.