Master of Science in Healthcare Data Analytics

Degree

All applicants must have completed a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university. Applicants that have earned a degree from a non-US institution are required to submit a course-by-course credential evaluation, see “Transcript” section. 

Prerequisite Course

There are no prerequisite courses required to apply for this program.  

Applicants are encouraged to have taken a Statistics course and/or have had experience, or familiarity, with computer programming languages, such as R. Your familiarity could have been gained in formal coursework, or through work experience/independent study, but is not required to apply to the program. Please contact the Data Analytics program if you have any questions related to this.

Learn more about our online prereqs or select an MGH Institute course below to view its description.

• Introductory Statistics (3 credits) (Please be advised this course uses a different statistical software package than the one used/taught in the program.)

TOEFL/ IELTS
The language of instruction and clinical education at the MGH Institute is English and a high level of proficiency in both written and spoken English is required.  Applicants who have not completed either an undergraduate or graduate program where English is the language of instruction must demonstrate English Language proficiency as part of your application to the MGH Institute of Health Professions.  If you have questions about the language requirements, please contact the Office of Admissions.

• Applicants who are citizens of Australia, Canada (except Quebec), Great Britain, Ireland, South Africa, New Zealand, Guyana, an Anglophone country of Africa, or an English-speaking country of the Caribbean are not required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores.
• Applicants who are candidates for graduation from an accredited degree-granting program in the United States or at an English-speaking school in one of the countries listed above are also not required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores. Acceptance to the IHP will be contingent upon successful completion of this degree prior to matriculation.

Please note that in some circumstances, demonstrating English language proficiency may be required by the academic program even if you are a citizen of a country in which the (or one of the) national language(s) is English. Decisions about the need for TOEFL or IELTS scores are at the discretion of the academic program to which you are applying in coordination with the department of OES.

The IHP accepts either the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System). The test must have been taken within two years of the application deadline and official score reports are required. The minimum TOEFL (internet-based) score accepted is 89 and the minimum IELTS score accepted is 6.5.  

• To forward your TOEFL score please contact the Educational Testing Service (ETS).  The MGH Institute of Health Professions code is 3513.
• For IELTS, a Test Report Form may be mailed to MGH Institute of Health Professions and score information will be verified by the IHP directly. You may designate up to 5 schools to receive Test Report Forms at the time you register for the test.  To request additional Test Report Forms, contact your test center.

Please contact the Office of Admissions if you have any questions about the MGH Institute’s English Language requirements. 

Applicants are required to submit a transcript from each college and/or university attended, even if a degree was not received from that institution. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted throughout the application process, and official transcripts will be required of all accepted and enrolled students, prior to matriculation. For transcripts to be considered official they must be in their original signed and sealed envelopes when received.

Unofficial transcripts uploaded after application submission must include, 1) The name of the institution and 2) list the student’s name, and 3) contain a transcript legend. If an unofficial transcript is received without this information, it will not be accepted. Grade reports and copies of diplomas, or screenshots of a document will not be accepted.  

For official transcripts, the Office of Admissions strongly encourages the use of online electronic transcript ordering which can be sent admissions [at] mghihp.edu (directly via email) to admissions. If this is not an option and your institution does not participate in electronic transcript delivery, please request official transcripts to be sent to the mailing address listed below:

Admission Office
MGH Institute of Health Professions
36 First Avenue
Boston, MA 02129

Foreign Transcripts: Applicants that have earned a degree from a non-US institution are required to submit a course-by-course credential evaluation from one of the following NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) members: Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc., SpanTran: The Evaluation Company, World Education Services (WES), or the Center for Educational Documentation. If you earned your bachelor's degree outside of the U.S. this credential evaluation must document minimum equivalency of a US baccalaureate degree or higher.

Statement of Intent

All applicants are required to compose an essay that addresses the following: 

1. The reason you have applied to this program & MGH Institute of Health Professions
2. How your past experiences (academic, personal, and/or extracurricular) have influenced your decision to apply
3. Your specific area of interest and any applicable knowledge of statistics and/or programming skills
4. Personal characteristics that will contribute to your success
5. How completion of this program will assist you in reaching your professional goals.  

Essays should be 12 pt. font, double spaced, and no more than three pages in total. The statement of intent should be uploaded directly to your online application. 

Recommendation Letters

Applicants are required to provide one recommendation letter. All recommendations are processed through our online application. Please provide contact information for each recommender within your online application.

Recommendation letters should come from individuals who are able to address your academic ability, character and integrity, as well as your potential for graduate professional study. Letters should come from an academic or professional reference.

Resume or CV

Applicants are required to submit a current resume or CV.

Who do I contact for more information about the academic program, curriculum, or course requirements?
Please data-analytics [at] mghihp.edu (contact the Program).

Who do I contact for more information about the application process, my application status, or what documents to submit?
You are welcome to email the admission office, or call (617) 726-1304 weekdays between 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Eastern Time.

What is a good way to learn more about the MGH Institute?
Attend an admissions event for additional information.

Can I receive Financial Aid for this program?
Do not wait until you've been accepted to the program to learn about financial aid options available. Contact our Financial Aid office as soon as you have applied to ensure that you will be able to take advantage of all options available. When you apply for financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you'll need the MGH Institute Federal School Code: G22316.

Since this is not considered a full-time graduate program, you may not be eligible for most traditional financial aid programs. However, you may be eligible for employer tuition reimbursement if this is a graduate program of study in your profession.

What is your mailing address?
MGH Institute of Health Professions
Office of Enrollment Services
36 1st Ave.
Charlestown Navy Yard
Boston, MA  02129

Are there other Conditions of Admission?
Yes. If applicable, final transcripts and test scores must be submitted to satisfy the conditions of admission.

I’m an international student. Can I receive an F-1 Visa?
Please see General Information for Prospective International Students.

• Data analysis and visualization: learn programming languages such as Python, as well as how to effectively visualize and communicate data.

• Data management and storage: learn about databases and data management systems, as well as understanding how to store and organize large amounts of data.

• Healthcare informatics: learn about the use of technology and data in healthcare, including electronic health records (EHRs), clinical decision support systems, and other health information systems.

• Statistical analysis: learn about statistical methods and techniques for analyzing and interpreting data, such as regression analysis, hypothesis testing, and machine learning.
   

• Clinical outcomes: Outcomes related to the effectiveness of healthcare treatments and interventions. Examples may include measures of patient survival, disease management, and symptom improvement.

• Patient satisfaction: The degree to which patients are satisfied with their healthcare experience, including factors such as the quality of care, convenience, and communication with healthcare providers.

• Cost and efficiency: Measures of the cost of healthcare services and the efficiency with which they are delivered. For example, data analytics may be used to identify opportunities for cost savings or to optimize the use of resources.

• Population health: Refers to the overall health status of a population, including factors such as morbidity, mortality, and risk factors for disease. Data analytics can be used to identify trends and patterns in population health and to develop interventions to improve population health outcomes.

In healthcare data analytics, enterprise information systems (EIS) play a crucial role in the collection, storage, and analysis of data. By using EIS, healthcare organizations can more efficiently and effectively manage and analyze large amounts of data from a variety of sources, including patient medical records, claims data, and population health data.

For example:

• Clinical decision support: EIS can be used to provide real-time clinical decision support to healthcare providers, helping them to make informed decisions about patient care.

• Population health management: EIS can be used to track and analyze population health data, helping healthcare organizations to identify trends and patterns and develop interventions to improve population health outcomes.

• Quality improvement: EIS can be used to track and measure key quality indicators, such as patient satisfaction, clinical outcomes, and cost efficiency. This can help healthcare organizations identify areas for improvement and implement changes to drive better outcomes.

• Data integration: EIS can be used to integrate data from a variety of sources, allowing healthcare organizations to get a more complete and accurate picture of patient health and care.

Digital stewardship and governance in healthcare data analytics refers to the principles and practices that guide the responsible and ethical use of healthcare data for analytics and decision-making. It involves the development and implementation of policies, procedures, and systems to ensure healthcare data is collected, stored, used, and shared in a manner that protects the privacy and security of patients, and that complies with relevant laws and regulations, such as HIPAA in the US.

It also involves the development and implementation of best practices and standards for the management of healthcare data, such as the use of standardized terminology (e.g., SNOMED) and the adoption of data governance frameworks, such as the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) principles.

Finally, it involves the development and implementation of ethical guidelines and principles to ensure that the use of healthcare data for analytics and decision-making is fair, transparent, and accountable, and does not result in discrimination or harm to patients or other stakeholders. This may involve the use of explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) and other methods to provide clear and interpretable explanations for the decisions and actions of AI systems.

This concentration focuses on the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary for effective and responsible leadership and practice in the field of healthcare data analytics. This includes the ability to effectively manage and lead teams, communicate effectively with stakeholders, use data-driven decision-making and problem-solving skills, and uphold professional ethical standards.

Some specific skills and knowledge include:

• Understanding the role of healthcare data analytics in healthcare delivery and decision-making
• Familiarity with relevant laws, regulations, and professional standards, such as HIPAA in the US
• Knowledge of data management and governance best practices, such as the FAIR principles
• Understanding of statistical and computational methods and tools used in healthcare data analytics
• Ability to effectively communicate technical and complex information to a non-technical audience
• Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills

In addition to technical skills and knowledge, leadership and professionalism in healthcare data analytics also involves the development and maintenance of professional ethical standards, including a commitment to transparency, accountability, fairness, and non-discrimination in the use of healthcare data for analytics and decision-making.