Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics

The Graduate Certificate program at the Duke University School of Nursing provides opportunities for students who already have a bachelor's degree to gain specialized knowledge within health informatics at the School of Nursing.

The program is open to health care professionals with a bachelor's degree from an accredited school. 18 credits are required to complete the certificate program. Sample Matriculation Plan (pdf)

Admission Requirements for Certificate in Health Informatics

Applicants for the Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics program at the Duke University School of Nursing must possess:

• Bachelor’s or graduate degree.
• Undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
• One year minimum health-related work experience in engineering, computer science, health administration, public policy, life sciences, or other health care fields.
• Completion of the online application for the Certificate Program.
• One official copy of all post-secondary educational transcripts. Official transcripts must be submitted from all universities attended. International transcripts should be sent to a credential evaluation agency such as World Education Services (http://www.wes.org/).
• Resume or curriculum vitae.
• Basic computer skills.
• Two letters of reference to include health care experience and attesting to academic ability, professional competency, and personal qualifications. Use the Duke University School of Nursing reference forms.
• Personal statement from the applicant. (For details consult the online application.)
• Must possess physical and mental skills and abilities necessary to successfully complete the School of Nursing curriculum.
• Personal interview. Other arrangements will be made when distance is a factor.
• $50 non-refundable application fee, payable by credit card online, or by mailing a check or money order made out to "Duke University School of Nursing" to Duke University School of Nursing, Office of Admissions and Student Services, Box 3322, Durham, NC 27710. Do not send cash. No application will be processed until the application fee is paid.

The Informatics Specialty is a distance-based program that uses both synchronous and asynchronous teaching methods for individuals who wish to specialize in informatics.

Duke’s Informatics Specialty:

• Responds to the growing need for trained health informaticians through 2018
• Recognizes the importance of leveraging electronic health care data to improve human health
• Incorporates interdisciplinary informatics education into its curriculum

Why Choose Duke University School of Nursing

• Distance-based curriculum that requires just three days on campus each semester. Most students are employed full-time and find that although they are busy, they can manage the course workload.
• Innovative and personalized instruction that uses synchronous and asynchronous teaching methods. In addition to using learning management systems, we also use webinars to discuss and present class content.
• Emphasis on clinical informatics and real-world application.
• Diverse and applied learning activities throughout the curriculum.
• Faculty with expertise in nursing informatics, health informatics, biomedical informatics, and other fields.
• Practicum in informatics provides the opportunity to increase competence in the informatics role.
• The American Nurses' Credentialing Center offers a generalist exam for nursing informatics. You may sit for this exam when you meet the eligibility requirements upon completing Duke's Nursing Informatics program.

Informatics Faculty

The strength of the Informatics Specialty at Duke is directly related to our faculty. In addition to faculty from within the School of Nursing, the Informatics Specialty uses an interdisciplinary cadre of faculty to provide the fullest possible perspective on informatics.

Program Objectives

The Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics is designed to train health professionals to:

• Apply technology to improve human health.
• Improve data, information, and knowledge use in health care.
• Understand and articulate requirements for health information systems.
• Build competence in design, implementation, and evaluation of health information systems.
• Enhance opportunities for professional advancement.

Curriculum

• N410. Health Information Exchange Standards, Methods and Models
• N412. Health Systems Project Management
• N414. Data, Information, and Knowledge Representation
• N415. Introduction to Health Informatics
• N416. System Design, Implementation, Evaluation and Maintenance
• N498. Synthesis of Specialty Practice

Admissions Requirements

The Graduate Certificate Program accepts applications for admission for spring entry only. To apply, students must have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited post-secondary institution with at least a cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Applications are available online and must be submitted prior to May 1.

More Information

• Deadlines
• Sample Matriculation Plan
• Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics Program and Gainful Employment