News

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s online Master of Science in Healthcare Informatics program has earned national recognition from OnlineMasters.com, as the eighth best in the country.

Designed for working professionals, the fully online program prepares graduates to use technology and information management strategies to improve patient outcomes and organizational decision-making.

The ranking highlights SIUE’s continued leadership in healthcare informatics education and reflects the program’s longstanding commitment to preparing professionals to lead in the rapidly evolving intersection of healthcare, technology and data management.

“Our fully online Master of Science in Healthcare Informatics program had its first graduating class in 2013,” said Frank Lyerla, PhD, RN, professor and director of the Healthcare Informatics graduate program in the School of Nursing. “Since then, the program has reached several milestones including national recognition as a top program in the categories of affordability, value and overall.”

OnlineMasters.com evaluates graduate programs across the country based on factors including academic quality, affordability, student outcomes and reputation. SIUE’s placement among the top 10 programs nationwide reflects both the quality of instruction and the growing demand for healthcare informatics professionals equipped to navigate increasingly complex healthcare systems.

Another milestone for the program came in 2020 when it earned accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM), a distinction recognizing excellence in health informatics education.

Lyerla said the program’s interdisciplinary partnerships have also helped expand opportunities for students.

“Our program offers a dual majors degree option with the Healthcare and Nursing Administration program as well as a concurrent degrees option with the School of Pharmacy,” said Lyerla. “The success is credited to the dedication and expertise of our faculty, partnerships, and the support and leadership of the SIUE staff and administration.”

“Our mission is to prepare students to be innovative leaders in health informatics with the ability to use technology and manage information to achieve industry objectives and improve outcomes,” said Lyerla.

The recognition continues a strong tradition of national rankings and accolades for SIUE, reinforcing the University’s commitment to accessible, high-quality graduate education that meets workforce needs in an evolving world.