Health Data Analytics (MS)

New admissions to this program have been suspended for the 2024-25 academic year.

Admission Requirements

The MS program is available to students who have completed an undergraduate degree in biostatistics, statistics, mathematics, computer science or a related discipline and have competency in college-level calculus, statistics, regression analysis, as evidenced by transcripts from postsecondary institutions attended by the applicant.

This program is available to both part-time and full-time students; however, the part-time student must be cognizant that courses are offered on an alternating basis, usually every two years. Part-time students must pursue the recommended course sequence as courses are available.

The following are additional requirements for admission:

  • Recommended minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • Graduate application submitted to the Graduate School 
  • Non-refundable application fee
  • At least two letters of recommendation written within past twelve months, submitted via the Graduate School (gradadm@louisville.edu)
  • Students are asked to submit a current curriculum vitae (CV)
  • All postsecondary transcripts (requires foreign credential evaluation if not from accredited U.S. institution)
  • Statement of goals (i.e., general research interests)
  • Admission interviews by the HMSS Health Leadership Committee are required and are in addition to your application for admission. An interview provides the HMSS Health Leadership Committee an additional source of information and perspective about your potential fit for the University of Louisville.
  • If candidate’s primary language is not English, one of the following:
    • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam with a minimum score of 79 
    • IELTS score of 6.5 or higher
    • Duolingo English score of 105 or higher
    • Degree from an accredited U.S. institution (requires provisional admission with evaluation of English language competency)

Application Deadlines

Fall semester – Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Applications preferred by July 1st.

  • Domestic student are encouraged to apply no later than 30 days prior to the start of the fall semester.
  • International students encouraged to apply no later than 120 days prior to the start of the fall semester. 

Spring semester – Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Applications preferred by November 1st.

  • Domestic student are encouraged to apply no later than 30 days prior to the start of the fall semester.
  • International students encouraged to apply no later than 120 days prior to the start of the fall semester. 

Summer semester – Applications are not accepted.

For information on the application process, please contact:
Program Coordinator Senior
Department of Health Management and Systems Sciences
School of Public Health and Information Sciences
University of Louisville
485 E. Gray Street
Louisville, KY 40292
P: 502-852-2797 
Email: sphishms@louisville.edu

Program of Study

The MS in Health Data Analytics is designed to train students in fundamentals of public health, data warehouse/database creation and management, compliance with Federal codes and regulations regarding PHI, and advanced analytics skills. As a major component of this degree, students are required to complete a discovery-based project that is a thorough analysis of a selected complex data set to reveal patterns and relationships.  The capstone project requires the rigorous application of multivariate techniques such as regression model building and other analyses for single and multiple groups. Students must submit a written report of their findings and write a detailed synthesis and discussion on the choice of the methodologies used in the analyses, and the meaning of the analyses.

Program Requirements

There are 33 total credit hours in this curriculum, broken down as follows:

  • 27 credit hours of required coursework
  • Three (3) credit hours of capstone project
  • Three (3) credit hours of project management (practicum/internship)

To graduate, students must successfully complete the 33 credit hour curriculum, including the Capstone course and project, and have an overall 3.0 GPA in program coursework.  All courses within the curriculum are required and there are no electives.

Academic Standing

To maintain good academic standing in the MS in Health Data Analytics program, students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher for all coursework in the program. A student must be in good academic standing in order to receive the degree.

Any MS in Health Data Analytics student with a program cumulative GPA below 3.0 will be placed in probationary status. Any student who remains in probationary status for two consecutive terms may be considered for dismissal from the program.

Coursework

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallHours
PHPH 523 Public Health in the United States 1 [3]
PHST 620 Introduction to Statistical Computing 3
PHST 680 Biostatistical Methods I 3
PHMS 644 Biomedical Foundations for Health Analytics 3
 Hours9
Spring
PHMS 670 Statistical Data Management 3
PHMS 641 Data Mining I 3
PHMS 638 Data Security & Electronic Health Records 3
PHMS 639 Health Data Analytics Practicum 3
 Hours12
Year 2
Fall
PHMS 671 Statistical Analysis for Population Health 3
PHMS 643 Data Management in Health Service Research 3
PHMS 642 Data Mining II 3
PHMS 637 MSHDA Capstone Course 3
 Hours12
 Minimum Total Hours33
1

PHPH 523 fulfills the accreditation requirement that all graduates from the School of Public Health and Information Science receive foundational instruction in public health. The three (3) credit hours for PHPH 523 do not accrue toward the 33 credit hours required for the Master of Science in Health Data Analytics degree completion. Students with a prior degree and/or coursework from a CEPH accredited school or program of public health may be relieved of this requirement, per approval of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

Health Data Analytics Practicum (PHMS 639, 1-3 s.h.) 

The practicum experience places the student in a non-academic environment where health data analytics are used for decision support and strategic planning.  The deliverables will include 1) a written report to the instructor on the experience gained during the practicum, and 2) an outline on the activities specific to the site where the practicum is completed. The practicum should include no less than 200 contact hours at the practicum site. The manager at the practicum site will be asked to complete an evaluation of the student.

MSHDA Capstone Course (PHMS 637, 3 s.h.)

This course is designed to provide final preparation of the student to sit for the Certified Health Data Analyst Examination offered by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management (CAHIIM) and the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).  The certification with the MSHDA degree provides prospective employers evidence of the student’s ability to perform professional level health data analytics. This course is also intended to provide a cumulative, rigorous, and discovery-based project.

Accreditation

The School of Public Health and Information Sciences is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).

The University of Louisville is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

For more information, see the School’s accreditation webpage.