Overview

The Department of Health Services Management and Leadership at The George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services in collaboration with GW School of Business, Department of Information Systems and Technology Management, GW School of Engineering and Applied Science, Department of Computer Science, GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Nursing Education, and the GW Medical Faculty Associates is offering four certificate programs. These certificates address the demand for university-trained professionals who possess a variety of skills in the growing field of health information technology (HIT). The certificates are structured for both experienced health managers and clinicians with limited HIT experience and talented IT professionals with limited health care experience.

The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking and management skills as applied to health information technology and health care. Supported by a cross-disciplinary platform that links departments throughout The George Washington University, students gain the perspective necessary to work in today's collaborative health care environment.

By enrolling in the certificate programs, students will develop the skills necessary to:

• manage information technology (IT) resources in health care organizations,
• assess and understand the requirements for specific HIT applications,
• link IT to improve clinical outcomes and administrative decision making,
• formulate and implement HIT policy for their organizations,
• effectively manage organizational change associated with IT implementation,
• formulate strategies to help assure health information security, and
• evaluate the multiple electronic health record options available.

Each certificate offers 18 credit hours of course work that can be completed full-time in two semesters or part-time in three semesters. To be eligible for funding, the certificate program must be completed in one calendar year.

All of the courses are designed to meet the needs of adult learners. The certificate programs feature a combination of online and executive formats. The first course and the last course in the program are taught in a week-long, onsite format. The remaining courses are taught on-line in 7-week blocks. The on-site courses will be offered at GW's Ashburn, Virginia Science and Technology Campus, conveniently located five miles from Washington Dulles Airport.

Courses can be rolled into one of several accredited masters degrees offered at GW.

Tuition and Support:

The special tuition rate for these 18-credit certificates is $12,000.

This is a workforce development program offering tuition assistance of up to $10,000 by The United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of The National Coordinator. The intention of this program is to increase the HIT workforce by bringing newly qualified people into the field. ONC has specified several criteria students must meet to receive tuition assistance. Please note that we also welcome applicants who are not eligible for tuition assistance.

ELIGIBILITY CHECKLIST:

• I am a US citizen or permanent resident
• I have a bachelor's degree or higher degree in (a) a clinical health profession, or public health or (b) science, technology, engineering, or mathematics
• I have not enrolled in another recent health IT training program
• I have not received any prior ONC-funded Health IT training
• I am not currently a member of the health IT workforce
• I am not delinquent in the re-payment of federal debt
• I intend to complete the 18-credit certificate program within 1 year
• I intend to pursue a career in health IT

Trainees Must Also Meet The Following Criteria For the Training Role They are Applying for:

Clinician Leader:
Physician or current enrollment in an accredited program leading to a degree qualifying them for practice as a physician.
Or
Possession of other clinical professional baccalaureate degree, with at least 2 years of management experience, or 2) a master's degree, or current enrollment in an accredited program leading to a degree (master's level or higher) qualifying them for practice as a clinical professional

Public Health Leader:
Possession of a bachelor's degree in public health or a closely related field, and at least 2 years of management in a public health setting, or 2) a master's degree, or current enrollment in an accredited program leading to a degree (masters level or higher) qualifying them for practice as a public health professional

Health Information Management and Exchange Specialist:
Possession of a bachelors (or higher) degree in a clinical health profession or in a recognized Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) field.

Health Information Privacy and Security Specialist:
Possession of a bachelors (or higher) degree in a clinical health profession or in a recognized Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) field.

Programmers and Software Engineers:
Possession of a bachelors (or higher) degree in a clinical health profession or in a recognized Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) field.

View Our Four Certificate Tracks:

• Health Information Technology Certificate for:
  
  1. Clinicians/Public Heath Leaders - Courses
     
     This program is designed for professionals with a health care background and limited information technology knowledge.
     

• HSML Health Services Generalist Certificates for:
  
  2. Health Information Management and Exchange Specialists - Courses
  3. Health Information Privacy and Security Specialists - Courses
  4. Programmers and Software Engineers - Courses
  
  
  Each of these certificates is designed for professionals with a background in information technology with limited health care knowledge.
  

Contact Us

The George Washington University
School of Public Health and Health Services
Department of Health Services Management and Leadership
2175 K St, NW, Suite 320
Washington, DC 20037
Phone: (202) 994-5571
Fax: (202) 994-5577
Email: healthit@gwu.edu
Web site: www.gwumc.edu/healthit/

Department Chair: Robert E. Burke, PhD