Master of Science in Informatics

The Master of Science in Informatics 100% online degree program at the San José State University School of Information prepares graduate students for exciting careers focused on analyzing and managing data—and making that data secure and actionable for users within a specific field, such as health informatics or cybersecurity/information security analyst careers. 

The MS in Informatics program is designed for students interested in exploring connections between people and data through organization and visualization and using data to make informed decisions in safe and secure technology environments and information systems. The master’s degree program is delivered 100% online asynchronously, affording convenience and flexibility to get the formal training needed for career advancement in the rapidly expanding Informatics field. 

Preparing our Next Cybersecurity Workforce

The Master of Science in Informatics degree program is validated by the National Security Agency and the Department of Defense for exemplary cybersecurity education. This prestigious recognition was granted on May 31, 2024, and is effective through the 2029 academic year. 

High Demand, High Salaries

Career growth and salaries in cybersecurity/information security lead the nation as one of the fastest growing careers at 33% growth and the creation of 47,100 new jobs and a median salary of $102,600.00 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022). Health Information Specialist positions are also expected to grow by 9% and 37,000 new jobs until 2030 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022). 

Possible careers in the Informatics field include:

• Information Security Analyst
• Cybersecurity Professional
• Health Information Specialist
• Health Services Manager
• Clinical Data Analyst
• Information Architect
• Quality Assurance Lead
• Nursing Informatics Specialist
• Online Marketing Analyst
• User Experience Designer
• Web Application Developer

Learn more about the MS in Informatics program. Sign up to attend an online information session.

Customized Curriculum

The MS in Informatics program begins with foundational courses focused on human/computer interaction and the needs of the end user. Students then apply the Informatics skill set in one of two contexts focused on end users within a specific domain, with career pathway options including Health (including Telehealth) and Cybersecurity and Privacy. 

For students interested in pursuing a career as a Cybersecurity Professional / Information Security Analyst, course materials will introduce and prepare them to take the CompTIA Network+ and Security+ certifications. In addition, the curriculum includes 22 knowledge units related to network defense, risk management, and digital forensics, all derived from or mapped to components of the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education framework. This alignment ensures that students receive cutting-edge education that prepares them for critical roles in cybersecurity.

Students may also mix and match courses from the career pathway options to build a comprehensive general Informatics skill set. 

There are no internships in this executive-style program, but students have the option to complete an Organizational Consulting Project with a partner company to address a specific Informatics-related problem and gain real-world, hands-on experience. 

Convenient 100% Online Learning

The Informatics program is delivered exclusively online, meaning everything is offered online—including courses, academic advising, faculty office hours, guest speaker presentations, research assistant opportunities, convocation, and more!

There are no on-campus orientations or other required in-person events. Students interact with peers and instructors through web conferencing, social networking platforms, a web-based learning management system, and other interactive environments.

Most course content is delivered asynchronously, giving students the freedom to access the course at any time they choose, from any location. Some courses also include occasional “live” synchronous sessions.

Our school’s graduate programs received a score in the Exemplary range according to the Online Learning Consortium Quality Scorecard.

Accelerated Program

To earn a Master’s of Science degree in Informatics, students must successfully complete 30 units. The program is built to meet both the needs of students who want a faster pace and those who need to go through more slowly. A student must take all of the Foundations and Skills courses, but can take them over two years—or even longer—as the courses repeat very quickly and are not dependent on each other. Courses are offered in 8-week cycles, which affords the possibility of completing the degree in 12 to 18 months. However, the typical time to degree is 18 to 24 months.

The program’s flexibility and more general Informatics focus works well for both those who are just getting their careers started and those who are mid-career and need formal training. Working professionals can immediately apply their newfound knowledge and skills to their roles as Medical Services Managers or Information Security Analysts and be ready for career advancement opportunities.

Coursera Career Academy

Students enrolled in the Informatics program have the option to elevate their learning and career opportunities by taking not-for-credit online courses and earning micro-credentials and certificates from leading companies like Meta, IBM, and Salesforce. The Coursera Career Academy curriculum is available to Informatics students for free. 

Expert Faculty Instruction

Students in the MS in Informatics program are guided throughout their learning journey by expert faculty members who are not only current in the Informatics field, but also up to date on best practices for teaching online. Our faculty members bring practicum and theory to their courses and ready students for in-demand careers at federal and state government agencies, private corporations, hospitals and medical centers, and other data-centric employers. 

In his role as program coordinator, Jason Kaltenbacher, MBA and MA, serves as the main point of contact for prospective students and matriculated students alike. He is also a lecturer for several courses and draws on his background in electronic records management and professional work experience at Nike and the Oregon Secretary of State. He also runs his own consulting practice that offers nationwide records management policy and retention schedule development services. We invite you to meet Jason Kaltenbacher at one of our online open house sessions or to contact him directly at jason.kaltenbacher@sjsu.edu.

Dr. Tonia San Nicolas-Rocca has more than six years of industry experience in the analysis, design, implementation, and strategic use of wide area networking systems and security within multinational organizations. Her work in cybersecurity has been published in numerous peer-reviewed research journals and conference proceedings. She teaches courses on cybersecurity topics, such as Information assurance, network security and digital forensics. Her students have commended her ability to break down difficult concepts to ensure complete understanding and student success. 

Dr. Virginia Tucker lends her expertise in knowledge organization, information experience, expert search, and threshold concepts to students taking INFM 204 Human Centered Design. Prior to joining the School of Information faculty, Dr. Tucker was a product architect at Dialog/Thomson (now ProQuest), the client training manager at Dialog Information Services, and the Physics Librarian at Stanford University. She was a County Law Librarian for more than 10 years.

Dr. H. Frank Cervone brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in developing systems and services that have helped to advance the use of technology in higher education and health care environments. The major focus of his current work encompasses health information technology and health informatics, as well as security and compliance in health data management. He teaches INFM 206 Electronic Records Foundations and INFM 210 Health Informatics. In addition to his teaching duties, Dr. Cervone is the Executive Director of Information Services in the School of Public Health at a major research university in Chicago, IL.  

Harry Martin, MA, teaches courses at both the SJSU School of Information and SJSU Department of Public Health and Recreation. He also serves as IT Manager for the County of Santa Clara Public Health Department and Emergency Medical Services Agency. Martin has more than 20 years of experience directly supporting Public Health IT Systems for the County of Santa Clara. He teaches INFM 214 Health Data Analytics in the MS in Informatics degree program.

“Our MS in Informatics degree offers a strong general foundation that is widely applicable to any workplace sector that is information oriented, along with career pathway opportunities in health and cybersecurity and privacy.” — Jason Kaltenbacher, Program Coordinator

Learn More

• Attend an online open house or watch a recording.
• Sign up for future student emails.
• Download our brochure. 
• Discover online learning.
• Read an article about careers in informatics.
• Contact Jason Kaltenbacher, Informatics program coordinator.