Overview
Work in the field where health and information technology intersect
Learn to use technology, clinical guidelines, information systems and data management practices to optimize the collection, storage and use of information in healthcare. Gain in-demand skills that can be applied to nursing, clinical care, dentistry, pharmacy, public health, occupational therapy and medical research. Here you’ll examine:
- The fundamental theories, principles and ethical standards of health informatics
- Technical foundations for effective systems analysis design and implementation
- Project management, quality control and performance evaluation
Information Box Group

Program highlights Learn More
- Diploma program that teaches in demand skills in the health sector
- Flexible online courses that fit your schedule
- Taught by industry experts
Health Informatics program features:
- Up-to-date knowledge and skills that today’s employers are looking for
- Convenient online instructor-facilitated courses
- Networking opportunities where you can connect with health informatics professionals

What you'll learn Learn More
- Fundamentals in theory and ethical standards
- The foundations in technical systems, analysis and design
- How to leverage IT systems to collect, code and classify data and information in the healthcare sector
Through our Health Informatics program, you’ll learn to:
- Critically examine the fundamental principles and theories of health information management
- Investigate the parameters of legal and ethical duties as a Health Informatics professional
- Build on technical foundations by incorporating project management elements and managerial strategies, for various stages of system design, analysis and evaluation
- Examine the role of the Health Informatician to develop, maintain and retrieve critical data from the information systems commonly found in health care
- Use project management skills for the health sector including applying the project life cycle within the context of IT as issues of outsourcing, quality standards, cost and risk management
- Demonstrate the impact of health informatics within the components of the healthcare system such as eHealth, telehealth, research and others
- Collect, code and classify health data
- Use health technologies to meet organizational goals
Learn more about the Health Informatics program
- Healthcare professionals seeking a second career or new career path
- Individuals with related study or a background in computer science or IT
- Individuals who are currently employed or seeking employment in the field of health informatics
- Health informatics professionals looking to upgrade previous educational background
- International professionals seeking Canadian education in health informatics
Earning a Diploma in Health Informatics opens doors to a wide range of career opportunities including:
- Data Analyst
- Healthcare Manager
- Health Systems Planner
- Quality Performance Specialist
- Health Information Systems Analyst
- Research Coordinator
- Health Policy Analyst
- Healthcare Advocate
- Health Systems Designer
- Healthcare Software Developer
Are you a current McMaster University undergraduate student?
Explore the ElevateYourSkills option to learn how you can earn a Health Informatics diploma as part of your degree.
- Use your electives to earn a professional certificate or diploma
- Fully online courses that you can fit into your schedule
- Providing you with real-life career skills and experience before you graduate
Check out our latest Program Preview webinar to learn more about the Health Informatics program
What Our Recent Graduates Say

Tracy
Project Management graduate
“I am constantly reinventing myself. McMaster Continuing Education has been transformative.”
I am constantly reinventing myself. McMaster Continuing Education has been transformative. I was introduced to new ideas and new skills. Because of that, I’ve had new opportunities in my career. McMaster Continuing Education is the best place to take professional development courses. The programs fit into your life.
Tracy
Project Management graduate

Adam
Business Administration graduate
“I feel very strongly that McMaster Continuing Education can really help you reinvent your career.”
I feel very strongly that McMaster Continuing Education can really help you reinvent your career. I found that the Business Administration program was really the best fit for me, because the learning that I was able to take in through this program was really cutting edge and current to the labour market. The learning that I took on is something I use every day.
Adam
Business Administration graduate

Tyson
Business Administration - Marketing graduate
“The instructors worked in the marketing field and taught us real-life experiences.”
Obtaining an education with McMaster Continuing Education helped me reinvent my career. I was a former banker and I wanted a career in marketing. Through this program, I was able to bridge that gap and get into the career that I wanted. The instructors were working in the marketing field, teaching us real-life experiences and that was very valuable to me.
Tyson
Business Administration - Marketing graduate
“I am constantly reinventing myself. McMaster Continuing Education has been transformative.”
I am constantly reinventing myself. McMaster Continuing Education has been transformative. I was introduced to new ideas and new skills. Because of that, I’ve had new opportunities in my career. McMaster Continuing Education is the best place to take professional development courses. The programs fit into your life.
Tracy
Project Management graduate
“I feel very strongly that McMaster Continuing Education can really help you reinvent your career.”
I feel very strongly that McMaster Continuing Education can really help you reinvent your career. I found that the Business Administration program was really the best fit for me, because the learning that I was able to take in through this program was really cutting edge and current to the labour market. The learning that I took on is something I use every day.
Adam
Business Administration graduate
“The instructors worked in the marketing field and taught us real-life experiences.”
Obtaining an education with McMaster Continuing Education helped me reinvent my career. I was a former banker and I wanted a career in marketing. Through this program, I was able to bridge that gap and get into the career that I wanted. The instructors were working in the marketing field, teaching us real-life experiences and that was very valuable to me.
Tyson
Business Administration - Marketing graduate
Other programs you may be interested in
Diploma in Health Informatics
DIPLOMA IN HEALTH INFORMATICS
Pursue your Diploma in Health Informatics with McMaster Continuing Education
Explore the requirements below and register today!
Information Box Group

Diploma in Health Informatics
Earn a Diploma in Health Informatics when you successfully complete 8 core courses, plus 1 elective course* listed.
*Also: optional practical experience course in a healthcare setting
Diploma in Health Informatics Requirements
Academic Credit – 27 Units
Students must be accepted into the program before enrolling into courses. Please visit our Admission and Application Requirements page for complete details. Note for Future Degree Studies:
Program Prerequisites:
- Knowledge and skills with introductory level courses in computer applications, such as spreadsheets, word processing and programming;
- Database knowledge;
- Knowledge and skills in statistics, and mathematical literacy
- Successful completion of HTH 100 Understanding the Canadian Healthcare System*, equivalent course, or equivalent professional experience in the healthcare industry
Students who successfully graduate with the Diploma in Health Informatics and who wish to pursue degree studies at McMaster University, may be eligible to receive up to 24 units of undergraduate academic credit, as determined by the Faculty to which they are applying. Students must have completed their program and be accepted into the Faculty before this advanced standing is granted.
Core Courses (Complete all 8)
3.0 UNITS
HTH 101
Health Information Management I
3.0 UNITS
HTH 105
Information Systems & Technology
3.0 UNITS
HTH 109
Systems Analysis & Evaluation
3.0 UNITS
HTH 110
Health Informatics Data Analysis
3.0 UNITS
HTH 120
Foundations in Health Informatics
Elective Courses (Complete 1)
Health Informatics Courses
Health Informatics Courses
Advance your career with online Health Informatics courses
Explore course options below and register today!
Information Box Group
3.0 UNITS
HTH 101
Health Information Management I
3.0 UNITS
HTH 105
Information Systems & Technology
3.0 UNITS
HTH 109
Systems Analysis & Evaluation
3.0 UNITS
HTH 110
Health Informatics Data Analysis
3.0 UNITS
HTH 120
Foundations in Health Informatics
Health Informatics Schedule
Health Informatics Schedule
This schedule table displays courses planned to be offered this year and is a guide to planning your courses for the academic year. Please note: Spring term registration opens mid-March and Fall/Winter term registration opens mid-July. The schedule table is subject to change. Please visit the course pages to browse classes currently available for registration and the latest cost information.
Learning format definitions:
- VC = Virtual Classroom learning format
- O = Online learning format
- OSS = Online Self-Study learning format
For more information about our learning formats and to choose a format that works best for you, please visit our Learning Formats page.
Course Name (Course Code) | Winter 2023 | Spring 2023 |
---|---|---|
Health Information Management I (HTH 101) | Date: Jan 16 – Mar 26
Format: O |
|
Professionalism, Ethics & Professional Standards (HTH 103) | Date: Mar 13 – May 14
Format: O |
Date: Jun 12 – Aug 13
Format: O |
Privacy, Confidentiality & Security (HTH 104) | Date: May 29 – Jul 30
Format: O |
|
Health Information Systems & Technology (HTH 105) |
|
|
Systems Analysis & Evaluation (HTH 109) | Date: Feb 13 – Apr 24
Format: O |
|
Health Informatics Data Analysis (HTH 110) | Date: May 8 – Jul 9
Format: O |
|
Project Management for the Health Sector (HTH 111)
|
||
Health Informatics Practical Experience (HTH 114) | Date: Jan 1 – Apr 30*
Format: OSS |
Date: May 1 – Aug 31*
Format: OSS |
Foundations of Health Informatics (HTH 120) |
|
|
Health Data Standards and Classification (HTH 121) | Date: Feb 27 – Apr 30
Format: O |
|
Quality and Performance Evaluation (HTH 122) | Date: May 8 – Jul 9
Format: O |