Healthcare Degrees Offered at Boston University
Boston University appears in our ranking of the Top 10 Best Master’s in Health Informatics Degrees.
Boston University offers its students the opportunity to study traditional areas in healthcare with their nursing and medicine programs, as well as healthcare with administration degrees like a Master of Public Health in Health Law, Bioethics & Human Rights, a Master of Science in Health Sciences Education, and a Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics. From studying healthcare emergency management at the graduate level to engaging in health services research at the doctoral level, Boston University offers its students a comprehensive and broad selection of degrees from which to choose. Prospective students interested in studying healthcare degrees at Boston University will need to contact the School of Public Health or the School of Medicine with inquiries about degree offerings.
In the case of the Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics, students will enroll in that program within the Department of Computer Science. This certificate program requires that students provide an official transcript, two letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and a resume to be considered for admission. The objective of the health informatics program is to help students understand how information is shared, transmitted, and stored in modern health care. Students will learn about data collection, storage, and processing of data, as well as the types of electronic medical data generation that is common within the industry. Classes in the program include Biomedical Sciences and Health Information Technology, Electronic Health Records, and Health Informatics.
Students who wish to attend school at Boston University through one of the school’s online degree programs may wish to enroll in the Master of Science in Health Communication program, which is designed to help students understand how to communicate on complex topics within health care. The program requires that students have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school and be able to provide professional and academic references, at least two personal statements, and a list of relevant work experience. Remaining in the program requires that students maintain a 3.0 GPA. Students will take ten classes in the program for a total of 40 credits. Classes for this graduate degree include The Biology of Disease, Contemporary Public Relations, Health Communication, Advanced Writing for Health Communicators, and Introduction to Epidemiology for Health Communicators.
Another degree option for those interested in advanced healthcare research is the Doctor of Philosophy in Health Services Research (Ph.D.) program, which is offered by the Department of Health Law, Policy & Management. Health care professionals who wish to conduct advanced research in the areas of industry, government or academic settings will benefit from entering this degree program. Students will take courses that include Quantitative Methods for Health Services and Other Public Health Research, Theory and Research on Organizations, and Evaluating Health Care Quality. Students must complete the requirements for the degree within seven years of entering the program which includes writing and defending a dissertation.
About Boston University
Established in 1839, Boston University is a private research university that was established by the United Methodist Church. The school is now considered a nonsectarian facility and has more than 3,900 faculty members providing services to a student body of more than 33,000. The school has an endowment of almost two billion dollars and is labeled by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education as an R1: Doctoral University, which means it has very high research activity. The school has had eight Nobel Laureates, 10 Rhodes Scholars, and 23 Pulitzer Prize winners acting as faculty at one time or another. The school’s athletic teams participate in NCAA Division I with a mascot named Rhett the Boston Terrier.
Boston University Accreditation Details
Boston University’s regional accrediting agency is the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education, and many programs, schools, and colleges also feature separate accreditations and approvals. For example, the American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation has accredited the program in Dental Public Health and the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education has accredited the graduate degree programs in health services administration. The Council on Education for Public Health has given its accreditation to the graduate level programs in public health at the university, and the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education has accredited the Ph.D. program in healthcare management.
Boston University Application Requirements
Boston University requires most of the standard application items routinely submitted for college applications. Undergraduate applicants will submit The Common Application, their high school transcript, a teacher evaluation, evidence of standardized tests, and additional items like portfolio materials if necessary. Some majors may require interviews or auditions, and all students must prove they are proficient in English if their first language is one other than English. Students interested in applying to graduate school will need to visit the college within Boston University under which their prospective program is offered. For example, graduate admissions to the College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences and its Athletic Training major will need to submit an application using the Athletic Training Centralized Application Service, as well as submit GRE scores.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Undergraduate students at Boston University will pay $52,816 for tuition for the year, $10,390 for room charges, and $5,330 for a dining plan. Students should also expect to pay for books and supplies, as well as pay various fees associated with their programs. Tuition for graduate-level programs varies. For example, students in a program offered by the College of Communication will pay $50,980 for tuition while students in programs within the Goldman School of Dental Medicine will pay $74,500 for tuition. Boston University offers room and board options for graduate students, so overall costs may increase for those programs if a student decides to live in one of the campus housing options.
To qualify for financial aid at Boston University, students must submit their FAFSA form on time. After receiving an acceptance letter from the university, a student will later receive a notification of an award from the financial aid office. The award may include federal loans, grants, or Work Study awards. Students may also apply for need-based grants and scholarships through private entities, as well as from the university for certain programs. For students entering programs in the School of Public Health and related areas, Boston University recommends that students investigate opportunities for tuition remission in addition to other forms of assistance like need-based aid, scholarships, loans, and fellowships.
Featured Articles:
5 Great Jobs for a Respiratory Therapist
5 Important Mental Health Jobs