Minor in IST/HPA
Minor in Information Sciences and Technology in Health Policy and Administration (IST/HPA)
Hospitals, physician offices, nursing homes, or other health care organizations in the modern world of medicine could not survive, much less save patients' lives, without high quality information systems professionals assisting their clinical staff. From developing artificial intelligence decision-making systems to providing bedside information technology, information sciences and technology has become integral to today's health care. Penn State's minor in Information Sciences and Technology in Health Policy and Administration (IST/HPA) was developed to meet the needs of the health care industry for well-trained information technology professionals.
In fact the ability to put technology to work is fast becoming one of the most critical basic skills a professional can have.
That is why Penn State believes that students in all fields should be able to build an academic program that enables them to become knowledge workers. And, that is why the School of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) is working closely with educational partners around the University to develop joint minors such as this one in the College of Health and Human Development’s Department of Health Policy and Administration (HPA).
There is a growing and critical need for persons with expertise in the field of health care information technology applications or health informatics. The IST/HPA minor provides you with a solid base in the information sciences and technology through courses in IST’s core curriculum, the same ones taken by all students majoring in IST. You may then select from a group of HPA courses in which you will study the application of information technology in such areas as health care planning, financing, and marketing.
Job opportunities for information science and technology professionals, especially in healthcare, are growing rapidly. Earning vary by region, organization size and type, specialty area, professional level, and education. Nevertheless, salaries for IST staff with a bachelor's degree are in the $50,000 to $60,000 range. IST managers with a masters degree have a median salary of $75,000 to $90,000 (Health Information Management Systems Society).
The ability to put technology to work is fast becoming one of the most critical basic skills a professional can have. That is why Penn State believes that students in all fields should be able to build an academic program that enables them to become knowledge workers. And, that is why the School of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) is working closely with educational partners around the University to develop joint minors such as this one in the College of Health and Human Development’s Department of Health Policy and Administration (HPA).
Students must apply for entrance to this minor no later than the beginning of their seventh semester at Penn State. A grade of “C” or better is required in all courses to successfully complete the minor.
Prescribed Courses
IST 110 Introduction to Information Sciences and Technology 3
IST 210 Organization of Data 3
IST 220 Networking and Telecommunications 3
HPA 470 Health Care Information Management 3
Additional Courses (Select Two)
HPA 433 Health Planning Methods 3
HPA/BB H 440 Principles of Epidemiology 3
HPA 447 Financing Health Care 3
HPA 455 Strategic Planning and Marketing for Health Services 3
Total Required 18
