Overview
The MS Applied is a master’s degree designed for individuals wanting to obtain practical competencies in biomedical informatics and data science. Using AMIA guidelines, we presume that the health sciences informatician should be capable of developing or leading innovative applications of information technology and information systems that address clinical or public health priorities.
The MS Applied requires that students complete core courses, student seminar, electives, and capstone. The core courses provide a broad overview of foundational content in biomedical and public health informatics, clinical informatics, health information systems, and data science. The student seminar provides a forum for students to explore current topics, learn directly from experts in the field, and develop a professional network and support structure. Electives can be chosen from relevant offerings from across the university. The program culminates with a 200-hour, student-designed, faculty-supervised capstone that provides students an opportunity to develop or apply relevant competencies within a professionally-relevant project.
The MS Applied program is offered in online and onsite formats. While the formal requirements for these offerings are the same, there are some important distinctions with regards to the intended audience, visa/citizenship requirements, course availability, and how the capstone is executed.
Online Offering
The online MS Applied is by far the most popular. This format allows students to continue working full- or part-time while completing the degree requirements within a 36-month window.
While current employment is not a requirement of admission to the online program, most students pursuing this option are working full- or part-time within the health field. Because a visa is not required for the online program, we consider applicants from all countries. Except in cases where students either live near campus or arrange to spend time in residence in or near Baltimore, students in the online program would only be able to take courses that are offered in an online format. Undertaking a capstone as an online student requires flexibility and the support of one’s employer.
Students applying to the online offering of this degree should be aware of additional state-specific information for online programs and Title IV Gainful Employment Disclosure.
Degree requirements:
| BIDS Program | Master in Applied Health Science Informatics-Online |
| Completed in | 15-36 months |
| Total Quarter Credits | 60 quarter credits/30 semester credits |
| Core Courses | 18 quarter credits/9 semester credits |
| Electives | 30 quarter credits/15 semester credits |
| Student Seminar & Grand Rounds (required/core) | 4 quarters credits/2 semester credits (1 quarter credit/.5 semester credits) |
| Ethics | Mandatory School of Medicine ethics training |
| Capstone (required) | 8 quarter credits/4 semester credits |
CORE COURSES
All programs follow the School of Medicine’s standard for minimum grade requirements as outlined in the “Grading Policy” below, and include core, selective and elective coursework, a weekly seminar, Grand Rounds, and a capstone (or thesis) project.
- Introduction to Precision Medicine Data Analytics
- Introduction to Biomedical Informatics
- Applied Clinical Informatics
- Health Science Informatics: Knowledge Engineering and Decision Support
- Design Discovery for Health Care
- Database Querying in Health
For detailed description of core courses, seminar/grand rounds, the capstone, as well as electives please visit our “Courses” page.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Eligible students:
- Hold a terminal degree (Master’s or doctorate) in a relevant area of healthcare, or
- Hold a bachelor’s degree in a relevant area of study, plus 5 years of related work experience, or
- Hold a bachelor’s degree in a relevant area of study.
The Admissions Committee considers the undergraduate and/or graduate academic record, statement of purpose, professional experience, letters of recommendation, and overall motivation of the individual to pursue graduate studies. Target average GPA is 3.5 or above (on a 4.0 scale).
Relevant areas of study or employment include but are not limited to medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, nursing, ancillary therapies, librarianship, biomedical basic science, computer science, information science, business and information technology. Those with non-healthcare educational backgrounds are expected to have worked in healthcare for a number of years. Preferred skills include demonstrated abilities at leadership and in organizational-level thinking.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications are accepted each year from September 1 through April 7. The supporting documents listed below must be received by the SOM admissions office by the April 7th deadline. Applications will not be reviewed until they are complete and we have all supporting letters and documentation.
Required documents for application include:
- Curriculum vitae
- Three letters of recommendation
- Official transcript of school record
- Certification of terminal degree
- Personal statement
This program does not require the GRE.
GRADING POLICY
- Students must earn a grade of B minus or higher in BIDS’s core courses.
- At most, two courses with grades less than B– may be counted towards the coursework requirements. No course with grades less than C- may be counted. The overall grade point average of the courses counted towards the coursework requirements must be a 3.00 or higher (B average). At most, two independent study courses can be counted towards the course requirements.
- Other than independent study courses, no courses with grades of S or Pass/Fail can be counted towards the coursework requirement unless that course is not offered for a letter grade. Be sure to consult your advisor or the program director before registering for a Pass/Fail course. Courses with grades of S or Pass/Fail will not be included in the grade point average calculation.
- A grade of D or F will result in probation; a second D or F would be cause for being dropped from the program.
PROBATION AND ACADEMIC DISMISSAL
- If it is determined that a graduate student has failed to meet performance requirements as dictated by their program and/or their Advisor, they may be placed on probation. Upon being placed on probation the student will receive an email and official letter from the Program Director. An ad hoc subcommittee, comprising at least three members of the Executive Committee (of the Director’s choosing) will be assembled, and a formal meeting with the student scheduled. During the meeting the student will have the opportunity to review the grade with the committee, and to develop consensus on a plan to monitor future progress in the program, including a time line for meeting the program’s expectations. The notification and committee proceedings will become part of the student’s permanent record, as will documentation of the students’ ongoing progress. On review of the fellows’ academic progress, the committee will recommend the students continuance or dismissal from the Program.
- Regarding academic dismissal, students will be automatically dismissed from their academic program in the event that any of the following occur:
- The student fails to meet the requirements / goals laid out within the probation’s designated timeframe and any other conditions set for reinstatement to good academic standing while on academic probation.
- The student earns two or more D or F grades cumulatively over the course of their entire program of study.
- Dismissal decisions based on academic performance are final and cannot be appealed. While a student cannot appeal the School’s decision to dismiss them, a student may appeal the award of the original grade(s) that led to the dismissal.