Nursing Informatics Certificate

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Information technology innovations in health care have led to an increasing demand for nursing specialists with a firm grounding in informatics.

This certificate was created to meet that growing need.

Health care organizations across industries are rapidly adopting electronic information systems. This trend has created tremendous opportunity for informatics nurse specialists in a range of disciplines — from health care organizations to firms that develop and sell health care information technology.

With the 19-credit graduate certificate in Nursing Informatics, you’ll be able to provide leadership in the conceptualization, design, and research of computer-based health care information systems in virtually any setting.

The Nursing Informatics Certificate will prepare you to enhance the quality of patient care and outcomes through the assessment, development, implementation, use, and evaluation of information tools.

If you’re a nurse with a master’s degree in another specialty area or field, the Nursing Informatics certificate program will provide you with essential knowledge and skills in nursing and health care informatics, allowing you to support evidence-based practice and improve patient care.

This rigorous certificate program is based on UMSON’s established Nursing Informatics master’s program and can help facilitate your transition to further study in that program.

Certificate courses can be taken online except for the practicum hours that need to be completed in a select setting. For out-of-state students, practicum sites will be arranged where they reside.

Program Snapshot

Length

As little as 3 semesters

Format

Online (includes an in-person practicum)

Tuition and Fees View overview

In State Tuition: $873.00/credit
Out of State Tuition: $1,549.00/credit

Credits

19
In addition to tuition, students are charged fees by the university and the school to support various educational services. These fees vary by program, semester, and course enrollment.
Spring 2024 Priority Deadline: Nov. 1. All other applications must be received by Jan. 2. Completed applications received after this deadline are reviewed on a space-available basis.

Courses You'll Take

 Course Listing:

  • NURS 736 Technology Solutions for Knowledge Generation in Health Care
  • NURS 737 Nursing Informatics Concepts and Practice in System Adoption
  • NURS 738 Practicum in Nursing and Health Informatics
  • NURS 784 Information Technology Project Management
  • NURS 785 Health Care Database Systems
  • NURS 786 Systems Analysis and Design

Course Descriptions:

To view course descriptions for upcoming courses, search the course catalog.

 

Sample Plans of Study

Spring Start

Semester 1 (Spring)
NURS 786 Systems Analysis and Design 3
NURS 736 Technology Solutions for Generating Knowledge in Health Care 3
Semester II (Summer)
NURS 785 Health Care Database Systems 3
Semester III (Fall)
NURS 784 Information Technology Project Management 3
NURS 737* Nursing Informatics Concepts and Practice in Systems Adoption 3
Semester IV (Spring)
NURS 738* Practicum and Health Informatics 4
 Total Credits 19

Fall Start

Semester 1 (Fall)
NURS 736 Technology Solutions for Generating Knowledge in Health Care 3
NURS 784 Information Technology Project Management 3
Semester II (Spring)
NURS 786 Systems Analysis and Design 3
Semester III (Summer)
NURS 785 Health Care Database Systems 3
Semester IV (Fall)
NURS 737* Nursing Informatics Concepts and Practice in Systems Adoption 3
Semester V (Spring)
NURS 738* Practicum and Health Informatics 4
 Total Credits 19

*Denotes courses that must be taken in this program. No waivers or transfer credits accepted.

Scholarship Opportunities

Your nursing education is an important investment. Financial aid and scholarships can help make your goals a reality.

UMSON offers multiple opportunities to help you afford your education.

Type of Aid Award
Federal Scholarships and Loan Opportunities various award amounts
Donor-Funded Scholarships $500-2,000 per semester
(offered during the fall and spring semesters)
Conway Scholarship full scholarship: tuition, fees, and books
(based on in-state tuition)

Did you know? Our certificate programs are eligible for Federal Student Aid. If you are interested in learning more about how you can apply financial aid to this certificate, contact University Student Financial Assistance.

Learn More About Financial Aid and Scholarships

All students receiving funds through the University must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year by UMB's award priority deadline.

  • FAFSA Submission period: Oct. 1 (of the previous year) through Feb. 28
  • FAFSA School code: 002104

The UMB Office of Student Financial Assistance & Education is available to guide prospective and current students through the FAFSA application process and the financial aid award package.

Contact Us:

UMSON Scholarships and Grants Office
410-706-0489 | nrsscholarships@umaryland.edu

UMB Student Financial Assistance and Education Office
410-706-7347 | aidtalk@umaryland.edu

Admission Requirements

In This Section:

Deadlines:

  • fall and summer enrollment: rolling admissions review begins Feb. 1 
  • spring enrollment: rolling admissions review begins Sept. 1

Qualifications:

  • A bachelor's degree in nursing and a master’s degree in nursing or a different field, including but not limited to nurse practitioner tracks, health services, community/public health, business, etc.
  • An active, unrestricted U.S. registered nurse license for the state in which their practicum is located.
  • A cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 for their undergraduate and graduate programs (strongly preferred).

Application Materials:

Material

Submission Guidelines

Online Application and non-refundable $75 application fee.

Start your application now via the Admissions Dashboard.

The Admissions Dashboard is where you will:

  • submit your online application and fee
  • submit/request any supplemental documents
  • check your application status.

You can save your progress and return to your application at a later date. We recommend that you continue to log in for regular updates.

One recommendation. Your recommendation must come from a mentor, teacher, employer, fellow student, or professional colleague who can speak knowledgeably about your potential to successfully complete the certificate program.

Submit/request these materials via the Admissions Dashboard.

 

Typed résumé or CV. Be sure to include your full name with your résumé submission.

Essay. Please submit a concise essay (no more than 350 words) addressing the following: How will earning this certificate impact your care of the population you expect to serve after graduation?

Official transcripts. An official transcript from every institution previously attended or currently attending must be submitted in a sealed envelope, as prepared by the sending institution. Electronic transcripts from University System of Maryland institutions will be accepted in lieu of official, sealed transcripts.

Returning students are not required to submit UMSON transcripts; we will upload a copy of your UMSON transcript to your application.

Have each institution submit electronically to admissions.nursing@umaryland.edu.

Residency classification. Applicants who are claiming in-state (Maryland) residency MUST apply for in-state status. 

Complete a residency application and submit it either by mail, e-mail, or fax to the Office of the Registrar using the instructions supplied at the bottom of the residency application. The completed application, signed and dated, should be submitted prior to the first day of enrollment for the term and program for which you are seeking admission.

Applicants without a High School Diploma or College Degree in the U.S:

  • If you do not have a degree from a U.S. high school, college, or university, you are required to demonstrate English proficiency.
  • If you have completed coursework outside of the U.S., you must have your transcripts evaluated.

More information.

If you have questions regarding the admissions requirements or process, contact the Office of Admissions and Student Scholarships to avoid errors that could delay the processing of your application.

What You'll Do

After completing the Certificate in Nursing Informatics, you'll be able to:

  • Analyze nursing information requirements and design system alternatives
  • Manage information technology
  • Identify and implement user training strategies
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of clinical and/or management information systems
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