Applied Health Informatics (AHI) Master’s Program

What Defines Fordham’s AHI Program?

Fordham University is driven by its Jesuit mission of academic excellence, service in the promotion of justice, and exercising discernment in all things. We are committed to being responsible stewards of technology and innovation, and to helping these technologies fulfill their potential of elevating the quality of life for everyone on this planet.

How We Are Fulfilling Our Mission

Meaningful Opportunity: Our program is committed to elevating the technological literacy of health care practitioners everywhere, regardless of income status. 50% of our students are philanthropically sponsored.

Transformative Learning: We incorporate the latest in adult learning pedagogy to structure a curriculum that fosters fluency in health informatics. Our retention rate is 37% higher than the national average for online/hybrid master’s programs.

Research that Matters: Our students work on real problems for our industry partners. Their work has a direct and immediate impact on the quality of health care delivery for these organizations.

Learn More About Our Program

How to Apply for a Degree in Health Care Informatics

To ensure that we are able to holistically evaluate the candidate’s suitability for the AHI program, the following application components are required: 

• Official Transcripts. AHI requires official transcripts from each candidate sent directly from the issuing college or university. Transcripts may be emailed to [email protected]. Unofficial transcripts can be used to make a preliminary determination on the application, but official transcripts will be required from the student before beginning their coursework.
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV). Applicants should submit a resume or CV that details their education, work experience, and any accomplishments of note. Submitted resumes should be in English.
• Personal Statement. Applicants are required to submit a 500-word essay that describes why they want to attend the AHI program, what their professional goals are, and their candidacy’s unique value proposition. Essays should also be written in English.
• Two Letters of Recommendation. Applicants are required to name two professional or academic recommenders. Letters should be signed and on official letterhead, submitted directly be the recommender. One letter should be from your most recent academic institution, unless you have been out of school for more than five years. It is not appropriate to submit letters from family, friends, or others who do not know the applicant in an academic or professional capacity. Applications can be submitted even if Fordham is waiting on the recommender’s submission.
• GRE/GMAT/MCAT Scores. If the applicant has two or more years of professional experience, they are eligible to submit a petition by emailing [email protected] to have their test score requirement waived. 
• An $80 non-refundable fee. Fees waived in cases of financial hardship. Email [email protected] to request a fee waiver. 

Learn More About Our Admission Process

Prospective students who have completed their applications by May 1 will be considered for a Dean’s Award. The Dean’s Award is a one-time, merit-based scholarship for up to $6,000 towards tuition. Funding for these awards varies from year to year. There is no separate application to receive an award. The decision will be based on the merits of the student’s program application, and everyone is automatically considered for an award.  

Other sources of funding for graduate education range from government agencies, employers, and foundations to academic departments and schools. Please visit the Tuition & Financial Aid page to learn more about financial options that are offered at Fordham.

Courses at a Glance

• Concepts in Health Informatics (4 credits)
• Models for Clinical Information (4 credits)
• Electronic Health Records (4 credits)

Flexibility in Course Modality
AHI offers online and in-person classes twice a day to complete project-based coursework. Limited-term residencies allow busy students to enjoy in-person, team-based learning while minimizing the travel burden.

Exposure to Industry Leaders
AHI partners with a variety of industry leaders from healthtech start-ups, larger corporate enterprises, academia, government agencies, hospital systems, and nonprofits to expose students to the wealth of opportunity in HI. 

Solving Real World Problems
Student capstone projects are not just intellectual exercises, but are designed to solve problems with real-world implications. Students may work on something relevant to their own practice, or they can collaborate with a partnering organization.

View Full List Of Courses

In the mid-1980s, John Chelsom, AHI Program Director, was an engineer studying for his Ph.D., working on a project to use artificial intelligence to manage the care of critically ill patients.

He visited a hospital in Finland where all the data in the critical care unit was gathered and stored electronically. At the time, such a database was like something out of a science-fiction movie. But even then, the head of the unit tempered Chelsom’s enthusiasm. “When I arrive each morning, I can tell instantly how each patient is doing before I even look at the chart,” the doctor said. “The sights, sounds, and even the smell of the room can tell me almost everything I need to know. Your computer will never be able to match that.”

The rapidly growing field also offers unique and almost limitless opportunities for students looking to develop and apply their technical skills. For instance, in the M.S. program at Fordham University, students gain a sound theoretical base in health informatics along with hands-on know-how, taught by faculty members who are all experienced with real-life applications in the field. That means the students are always learning leading approaches on the most cutting-edge technology, as they learn to do anything from building information systems in hospitals to analyzing information for clinical studies to creating apps that enable patients to manage their own health.

Learn More About Our Faculty