If you are thinking of earning a master’s degree in health informatics, you have a lot of factors to keep in mind. Not only will you consider convenience, but you’ll probably look at cost as well. Northern Kentucky University (NKU) offers a comprehensive online Master of Science (M.S.) in Health Informatics program that prepares you for a career in this growing field, and at a significantly lower cost than many other options.
The Perks of Online: Comparing Costs
Compared to other programs that can cost in excess of $100,000 in total tuition and fees, NKU’s online M.S. in Health Informatics is very affordable. Further, many state schools charge out-of-state students higher tuition rates than in-state students. In fact, out-of-state tuition can be more than twice that of in-state tuition at some schools. NKU does not differentiate between in-state and out-of-state residents when it comes to tuition, so students can expect to pay the same amount, regardless of where they live.
Plus, students in NKU’s accelerated, online program can earn their degree much faster than in traditional programs, putting the advanced credential to work — and taking advantage of increased opportunities and income — as quickly as possible. Students must complete 33 credit hours of coursework to earn their M.S. from Health Informatics from NKU. With the program’s seven-week-long courses, determined students can finish their master’s degree in as few as 12 months. Comparatively, lengthier programs may require over 40 credit hours for degree completion, and traditional semester-long courses can equate to substantially longer program durations.
Why Pursue a Master’s in Health Informatics?
The field of health informatics is seeing exponential growth. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects there will be 1.8 million healthcare industry job openings each year from 2022 to 2032. Today’s healthcare technologies evolve rapidly and drive positive change in the industry. As such, many job openings in the field will involve health informatics in one way or another. Job candidates with a master’s in this field of study will have a distinct advantage when pursuing managerial roles versus those who do not.
Online Study Vs. On-Campus Study
There are many advantages to earning a degree online as opposed to attending classes on a college campus. One of the most important benefits is convenience. Online programs offer a level of flexibility that on-campus programs simply cannot match. While they are as rigorous as their on-campus counterparts, online programs tend to be more manageable for people who have careers or family commitments, making it easier for them to study.
Students who pursue degrees online also enjoy financial advantages. For example, they do not have to deal with the costs associated with commuting, such as gas and parking. They also do not have to worry about the costs of on-campus housing.
Plus, students who continue working while they earn their degree online can save immensely in terms of opportunity costs — meaning the quantitative or qualitative costs of missed opportunities. In this case, an online student who keeps working while in school can continue making a salary and pursuing career advancement opportunities. If an on-campus student quits work to attend school, they would forego their income and potential career opportunities — hence, opportunity cost. This is an important factor to consider when determining and comparing the potential return on investment of a degree program.
But earning a degree online is not easy. The coursework can be just as challenging as the courses students take on campus. It takes discipline to study online as well as a great deal of motivation. Access to a reliable computer with a fast internet connection is a must.
In addition, online students need to have excellent writing skills, since most of the communication with professors and other students will take place in writing — emails and discussion board posts, for example.
Why NKU for an M.S. in Health Informatics?
The NKU M.S. in Health Informatics online program is affordable and flexible. Students can complete the program in just one year. The rigorous curriculum encompasses current, relevant subjects such as data management and analytics, population health, information governance and evolving technologies like artificial intelligence and mHealth. Through comprehensive and cutting-edge studies, this program ensures that students gain the knowledge and skills they need to jumpstart their careers.
Learn more about NKU’s online M.S. in Health Informatics program.
