The increasing reliance of health care systems on information technology (IT) is opening up new opportunities for health informatics specialists who have expertise in both nursing practice and health care IT. Health informaticists play key roles in the development and implementation of health care IT systems in areas such as clinical documentation, computerized practitioner order entry, and electronic health records. Students in the health informatics major develop knowledge and skills in clinical information systems, strategic planning, project management, and a variety of technologies. Knowledge builds on concepts of data-information-knowledge meta-structures and incorporates systems lifecycle planning and expert clinical domain modeling. The rigorous program combines online instruction with one campus session each semester.

The final course in this major is an intensive individualized practicum in a health care organization (minimum of 224 practicum hours) in which the student completes a project under the mentorship of an experienced clinician in the health informatics specialty.