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Educational Programs Overview


PROGRAMS OF STUDY

Research Master of Science (MS)

The Master of Science program is a full-time, 2-year program. Students are required to complete 10 core curriculum courses and 9 thesis credits, in addition to research rotations, seminars, and electives. The master’s thesis and its defense culminate the degree. Students may optionally pursue a Data Science Specialization with this degree. Information about research interests of BIME faculty is available on our faculty page, and information about faculty research is available on our research page. For information on how to apply, please see our application page.

Research Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The PhD program is a full-time program of study. Students are required to complete 10 core courses and are expected to participate in research rotations, seminars, and electives. Upon completion of the required core BHI coursework, students must pass a qualifying exam (typically at the beginning of 2nd year) to proceed with dissertation work. The general exam follows the qualifying exam, resulting in candidacy to the doctoral degree upon satisfactory completion. The doctoral dissertation and final exam culminate the program, with most students completing their degree within 4 to 5 years. Students may optionally pursue a Data Science Specialization with this degree. Information about research interests of BIME faculty is available on our faculty page, and information about faculty research is available on our research page. For information on how to apply, please see our application page.

Research Post-doctoral Studies

Post-doctoral training fellowships are funded by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) Biomedical Informatics Research Training Grant, and are 2 years in length. Trainees are required to take 4 courses from the BHI core curriculum, in addition to leading and participating in colloquia. They also work closely with faculty in a particular area of research, deepening their knowledge in biomedical and health informatics. Information about research interests of BIME faculty is available on our faculty page, and information about faculty research is available on our research page. For information on how to apply, please see our application page.

Clinical Informatics Fellowship 

The University of Washington (UW) Clinical Informatics Fellowship provides comprehensive training and experience in clinical informatics. This accredited fellowship has been developed by faculty in the Department of Biomedical Informatics and Medical Education (BIME) in collaboration with UW Medicine Information Technology Services and the Department of Family Medicine, the sponsoring department. Core informatics rotations will be through the UW Information Technology Services group. Fellows will be able to work with Cerner (inpatient), Epic (ambulatory), Enterprise Computing (clinical analytics, data visualization, system wide quality improvement), and Priority Projects. The fellows will rotate in settings spanning from community sites to county hospitals to tertiary care sites, including the University of Washington Medical Center and Harborview Medical Center, with strong mentorship initially transitioning to independent clinical informatics practice. Didactics are provided through the joint School of Nursing and BIME UW Clinical Informatics and Patient Centered Technologies program, an online master’s degree program offered for clinicians since 2004. Upon completion of the program, fellows will receive a Master of Science degree. In their first year, fellows will also rotate to Seattle Children’s Hospital, working in the Children’s Hospital Association award-winning Clinical Effectiveness program. This program has created over 60 clinical pathways, with clinical decision supports, and analytics.  Fellows also maintain eligibility to practice clinically in their own medical discipline. Information about research interests of BIME faculty is available on our faculty page, and information about faculty research is available on our research page. For information on how to apply, please see our application page.

Online Master of Science in Clinical Informatics & Patient-Center Technologies MS Program 

The Online Master of Science in Clinical Informatics & Patient-Centered Technologies  (CIPCT)   program is designed for health care professionals seeking to utilize health information technology in order to improve health care quality, patient safety and clinical outcomes. CIPCT is offered jointly through the University of Washington School of Nursing and School of Medicine. Online courses make it possible for working professionals nationwide to earn an advanced degree while retaining their position.

The program joins an exclusive group of organizations authorized to offer Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS)-approved healthcare and health information technology education and training programs that prepare candidates for advanced knowledge in health IT or healthcare. In addition, this curriculum serves as a solid foundation to prepare the student to take a HIMSS certification exam. Information about research interests of BIME faculty is available on our faculty page, and information about faculty research is available on our research page. For information on how to apply, please see the application page.

Teaching Scholars Program 

The Teaching Scholars Program (TSP) at the University of Washington is a one-year professional development program for educators in the health professions who have a passion for teaching and a desire to become academic leaders.

The Mission of the Teaching Scholars Program is to prepare University of Washington Health Sciences faculty for positions in academic leadership. The Program values and supports the ongoing professional and educational development of participants. For information on how to apply, please see the admissions page.

Center for Leadership and Innovation in Medical Education (CLIME)

CLIME is the Center for Leadership and Innovation in Medical Education. Its mission is to advance and support medical education at the UW School of Medicine and throughout the WWAMI region, and to promote an integrated continuum of medical, graduate and lifelong education at all levels. CLIME offers a variety programs focused on building a community of educators for networking and mentoring, supporting educational scholarship, and developing teaching resources.

Faculty Development 

The Department of Biomedical Informatics and Medical Education (BIME) highlights development of faculty teaching and evaluation skills and focuses in particular on implementing teaching/learning best practices and maintaining work-life balance. The department organizes multiple faculty development workshops annually, many in collaboration with the Center for Leadership and Innovation in Medical Education (CLIME) and the Office of Faculty Development. These workshops are open to all health professions faculty members with appointments or affiliations at the University of Washington. Workshop presenters include UW faculty both within and outside BIME as well as nationally recognized education leaders from other institutions. Sessions are half-day and are typically interactive and experiential with hands-on activities. Workshops focus on basic teaching, learning, and evaluation skills, as well as special topics.