The program emphasizes the synthesis, retrieval, organization, and effective management and communication of knowledge. The core curriculum consists of courses from five different divisions. The MU program has ten core faculty and numerous clinical affiliations with faculty from diverse backgrounds and active research programs. Upon completion of the program, all fellows are expected to have basic competency in computer networks, decision support systems, database management systems, health information systems, information science, and research methods. Graduating trainees should be qualified for an academic career in medical informatics.
All fellows choose to work with a senior researcher on medical informatics projects.
In collaboration with a faculty mentor, fellows develop independent projects which includes writing proposals, system development, evaluation, and publications. A Master's degree in the above fields or in Computer Science, Health Services Management, or Library and Information Science. All programs allow for considerable work in outside areas. For example, a candidate in Educational Technology or Nursing would take courses in Computer Science, and in Computer Engineering, etc. The courses to be taken are worked out by the candidate jointly with the candidate's faculty advisory committee, according to the candidate's interests and goals.