PROGRAM OVERVIEW
User experience design is the process of creating products that provide meaningful and relevant user experiences. The Usability and User Experience in Health Care Certificate (UUEH) program aims to cross-train students with health care knowledge and experience in user experience design methods. All required courses are offered online.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
2.0 GPA or higher
A minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale) for the last degree earned.
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- earned high school diploma
- minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale) in all coursework taken at all accredited higher education institutions; all post-secondary coursework is considered
- completion of the online undergraduate application (see link in application instructions)
- submit an application and requested materials by the deadline
Online Application
The UUEH application is available online and must be completed and submitted with all required supplemental documents, if applicable. The Graduate and Professional Admissions Application Guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to start the online application.
APPLICATION DEADLINES
Applications are accepted for the autumn semester each year. The application deadline for Autumn 2025 is May 1, 2025, for domestic students and April 1, 2025, for international students. The program will begin August 26, 2025.
THE UNDERGRADUATE UUEH PROGRAM BEST SUITS:
- Currently employed in hospital information technology or quality departments seeking those positions.
- Second or third-year undergraduate students are currently enrolled in health and rehabilitation sciences, engineering, business, computer science, or nursing.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
- Usability specialist
- User experience designer
- Human factors engineer
- Graduate school opportunities, clinical or research
- Job promotion/transition opportunities
CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS
To obtain the certificate, a student must successfully complete four required courses (12 credit hours) with a minimum C- grade required for each course. Students must also maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA in the undergraduate certificate program. Due to the nature of the program, transfer or EM credit cannot meet any certificate course requirements.
Before enrollment in the last required course, a graduation application must be submitted to the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (HRS) Office of Academic Affairs to formally receive the certificate at the end of the semester of course completion. Students who successfully complete the undergraduate certificate program are not eligible to participate in the Honors Program, Research Distinction, Latin Honors designations, and University Commencement, except if they also graduate from a degree-seeking program that same semester. Students will receive a mailed completion document in the form of a certificate after the semester of completion.
CERTIFICATE COURSEWORK
Current course offerings are listed below. Coursework can be taken in any order for HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT & SYSTEMS (HIMS) 5635, 5650, and 5500, but HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT & SYSTEMS (HIMS) 5700 can only be taken after completing all other courses. Course offerings are subject to change.
HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT & SYSTEMS (HIMS) 5635 Quality Management and Performance Improvement in Healthcare (3 credits)
Continuous quality management measures and tools, including patient safety and satisfaction, regulatory requirements, benchmarking, causal analysis, outcomes, clinical guidelines and pathways, risk management, and utilization review.
Offered: Autumn
HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT & SYSTEMS (HIMS) 5650 Information Technology (3 credits)
In-depth analysis of patient, administrative, and financial information systems and management practices to support systems. Emphasis on government involvement in health information technology and information exchanges.
Offered: Spring
HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT & SYSTEMS (HIMS) 5550 Human Factors in Healthcare (3 credits)
Students learn human factors theories and concepts that are used in developing interventions to improve patient safety. Emphasis on formative evaluation methodologies and implementation of science theory.
Offered: Spring
HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT & SYSTEMS (HIMS) 5700 Health Information Management and Systems Project (3 credits)
Students apply theoretical knowledge acquired from the certificate program to a project that closely resembles what would be done in a realistic work environment. During the project, students apply critical thinking skills to solve a real-world problem, from assessing the problem to applying suitable and appropriate methods to generate one or more solutions to the problem.
Offered: Summer
The undergraduate program curriculum provides a foundation of user experience and human factors principles and methods that will translate into reduced patient harm and economic risks following unfortunate patient outcomes, particularly in hospital settings. This program can be completed within three semesters with continuous enrollment or longer at a desired pace.
International applicants should be aware that countries may or may not regulate distance education provided to students in their jurisdiction or require foreign higher education institutions to comply with distance education regulations. At this time, The Ohio State University cannot guarantee that an academic program meets curriculum requirements in your country.
Ohio State academic programs are designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure and certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure and certification and state licensing board contact for online programs and for on-campus programs.
Questions?
Contact the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at 614-292-1706 or HRSGraduateStudentServices@osumc.edu
Degree requirements and course offerings are subject to changes.
Last updated on: July 1, 2024