Frequently Asked Questions
Should I choose the Master's Degree or the Certificate Program?
The UC Davis Health Informatics Master's Degree is appropriate for those who seek advanced training in informatics and wish to redirect their careers to becoming health informatics researchers or clinical health IT directors at the systems-level. The Master's is a competitive, 43-unit residential program housed at the UC Davis School of Medicine in Sacramento, Calif. Selected courses within the program are delivered online; however, students are expected to be in residence for the majority of their studies. Most spend 18 months to two years completing coursework and then finish a master's-level research project and thesis. For more information on this program, please visit the UC Davis Medical Center's Health Informatics website.
The UC Davis Extension Health Informatics Certificate Program is intended to provide a short, focused educational experience with an applied focus (instead of a research emphasis). This 19-unit program is intended for those with prior experience in a health-related setting who are engaged in using or managing clinical data and want to participate in the design, implementation and utilization of health information systems.
Are the Certificate courses transferable to the UC Davis Master's degree?
UC Davis policy allows students to transfer up to 12 units into a graduate program. However, because there is not a direct, one-to-one correlation between courses in the Certificate and the Master's program, the Certificate courses are not automatically transferable. Each student’s request for transfer is considered on a case-by-case basis, subject to the approval of the graduate program chair. He/she would take into consideration your particular background in determining how/if to apply the courses, assuming you are successful in gaining admission to the Master's Program and have performed exceptionally well in the Certificate Program. This is similar to the process used at most academic institutions.
How long will it take me to complete the Certificate Program?
Students who choose to take two classes per quarter can complete the program in one year or less. Most full-time professionals find that they have time to complete one class per quarter, taking 18 months to complete the program.
How large is the program, and how many students have completed the course series?
Our typical class size is 20 to 30 students. Since launching the program in spring 2009, approximately 125 students have participated in at least selected courses. With the final two courses currently in development, our first cohort is scheduled to graduate in spring 2011.
Is the Certificate Program accredited?
There currently is no accrediting body for clinically-oriented health informatics programs (versus health IT certification programs such as the RHIA and RHIT). As with all UC Certificate Programs, courses are reviewed and approved by the chair of the appropriate school or college. Additionally, our programs are reviewed by the Academic Senate and a community-based Program Advisory Board to ensure a sound design and workplace relevance.
For IT professionals, there are a variety of certifications in health IT available to individuals through the American Health Information Management Association, which typically requires that you complete a certification examination of some kind. These certifications are for IT staff and those in technical positions (coders, IT administrators), not health informaticists. However, other certifications in this area are in progress. For more information, see http://www.ahima.org/certification.
The American Nurses Credentialing Center also offers an Informatics Nursing Certification exam. For more information, see:
- http://www.amia.org/
- http://www.ahima.org/certification
- http://www.nursecredentialing.org/NurseSpecialties/Informatics.aspx
What are the requirements to earn the Certificate?
The Health Informatics certificate is earned upon the successful completion of six courses (five required and one elective) with at least a "B" average in program coursework. Applying coursework toward a certificate also requires a grade of "C" or better in each course. You must submit an application and pay the nonrefundable application fee. Applications are due prior to enrolling in the third course of the program.
Once you complete the last course in the program, please submit a Notice of Completion. This action prompts our offices to review your file and take the necessary steps to get your certificate mailed in a timely manner.
What is the cost of the program?
As a self-supporting division, UC Davis Extension fees are charged on a course-by-course basis. In health informatics, course prices range from $950-$1,200. You can expect to pay about $6,500 for the 19-unit program, plus the cost of textbooks and a $45 application fee.
Will I receive a discount as a UC alumnus?
Alumni association members of any UC campus may enroll in one UC Davis Extension course per quarter at a 10 percent discount for up to $100 per course. Proof of membership is required when you enroll. Check with your alumni office for information on your membership status.
May I enroll in individual courses without completing the Certificate?
Yes, courses are open for individual enrollment if you meet all published prerequisites. You may also choose to sample a course or two before applying to the Certificate Program. If you plan to complete the Certificate Program, we ask that you apply before enrolling in your third course. That way, you will be sure to receive any program updates. Certificate candidates also have access to our web-based professional community networking site.
I don't have a background in health care. Am I qualified to enter this program?
The Certificate Program is designed for professionals with prior experience in a health-related setting who are engaged in using or managing clinical data and who want to participate in the design, implementation and utilization of health information systems. This includes physicians, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory directors, health program managers/analysts, chief information officers, clinical systems analysts, and technical systems managers.
We also encourage participation from those who possess a strong background in information technology on a professional level (CIOs, systems analysts), and wish to work in a health-related setting. Depending on your understanding of health care, we may advise preparatory coursework or reading. Please contact the program coordinator for guidance on program eligibility and preparation.
Since I am new to the healthcare field, what are the prospects of finding employment with this certification? For what kinds of roles does this Certificate Program prepare me?
If you have no prior experience in health care or information technology, it will be difficult to enter this field at a professional level. If you are thinking about changing careers, we recommend you do some prior research by reviewing available positions, the required qualifications and salary levels. A few good sources include:
For those with strong IT backgrounds, there are a variety of technical jobs in the health industry—much like in other industry settings (e.g., coders, programmers, systems analysts, security experts, system administrators). Your job prospects will depend upon the market in which you are applying (location, number of health institutions, availability of IT labor force in the area, etc.), as well as your skills and experience in IT. This program will give you the knowledge about how information systems are being applied in clinical settings.
I have limited programming experience. How technical are the courses?
It is not necessary to have programming skills; however, you should be generally familiar with programming concepts, including the ability to recognize what programming code looks like as well as how it functions. In the program, you will learn about data terminologies and standards, approaches to systems analysis and design, fundamental principles of knowledge representation and other technical concepts. Our objective is for you to be competent enough to interface between the clinical and programming realms; thus, the focus is on building a strong conceptual understanding of health informatics and not on equipping you with all of the skills needed to design and program systems on your own. If you lack ANY prior background in information technology, we highly recommend you take an introductory course. For those who come to the program with more experienced programming skills, there will be opportunities to use them in coursework, but non-programmers will have other means of modeling systems (such as diagramming tools rather than coding).
What is the salary range I can expect to earn once I am successfully employed?
Salaries vary greatly depending on the particular market and job you perform. Please see the resources referenced above.
