Information for Prospective Students

Program Description

The Master of Biomedical Informatics (MBMI) Program is a ten-course degree program intended for professionals working in a clinical setting.  While we expect most students to enroll as part-time students, they may complete the program full-time by taking 3-4 courses per term for 3 semesters (approximately 16 months).  International students are required to enroll full-time to maintain their visa status, and all students must complete the requirements for the degree within 4 years.

The program curriculum consists of core biomedical informatics courses, core clinical informatics courses, electives, and a capstone project. All courses meet in-person on Penn's campus in Philadelphia. As most students are working full time while pursuing their degree, courses are scheduled in the early evenings to the extent possible. Students are encouraged, though not required, to draw upon their professional experience and goals when developing their capstone project.

The MBMI curriculum is designed around the 2017 AMIA Core Competencies, which represent the current best practices in informatics education at the Masters level. Students who complete the program will become proficient in informatics methods and clinical applications and be prepared to serve as applied informaticians in a variety of healthcare settings.  

Who Should Apply

The Master of Biomedical Informatics Program is designed to prepare students for informatics careers in a clinical setting. These can include:

  • Health informatics practitioner (such as Chief Research or Medical Informatics Officer, Chief Information Officer, or associated staff)
  • Healthcare administrator or leader
  • Clinical Knowledge Manager or similar role

To be successful in the program, students should have demonstrated experience (either through formal, didactic training or professional experience) with:

  • The history, goals, methods (including data and information use and production), and current challenges of the major health science fields;
  • Professional experience in a clinical or clinical research environment;
  • The U.S. healthcare system, including systems of recordkeeping, billing practices, and the roles of various healthcare professionals; and
  • Current healthcare challenges, including chronic disease incidence, prevalence, and management, emerging diseases, and acute clinical outcomes.

Diversity and Inclusion

The University of Pennsylvania and the Perelman School of Medicine seek to draw students from diverse backgrounds, including diversity of work and life experiences, interests, culture, socioeconomic status, race and/or ethnicity, sexual orientation, and disability. The University is committed to providing an accessible and inclusive environment where all students have access to our programs. The following offices are dedicated to supporting graduate students with a variety of backgrounds and needs.

University Resources for Specific Populations: