Molloy University Launches Informatics Master’s Program

ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY — Molloy University announced a new master’s degree program this month that seeks to help graduates tackle a new frontier in healthcare and health policy: Information.

The degree’s formal title is a Master of Science in Health Informatics; it’s a degree that the university says, “prepares healthcare professionals to lead data-driven innovation in clinical practice, education, and health policy.”

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Described as an online, synchronous program, the master’s degree can be completed in three years and is designed, the school said, “for clinicians and healthcare professionals” to integrate “health information systems, clinical analytics, leadership, and informatics strategy to improve patient outcomes and organizational performance.”

When reached for comment, program director and Molloy professor Dr. Freida Pemberton said the degree’s launch is coming at a time when healthcare is “rapidly evolving.” The curriculum, Pemberton said, “reflects the realities” of that shifting industry.

“Healthcare has undergone tremendous transformation over the last several years. Electronic health records have become the standard, artificial intelligence is reshaping clinical decision-making, data analytics are driving quality improvement, and healthcare organizations increasingly need professionals who understand the intersection of patient care, technology, leadership, research, and innovation,” Pemberton told Patch. “Rather than focusing solely on electronic health records or information systems, our curriculum integrates artificial intelligence, data analytics, telehealth, leadership, research, health policy, program development, project management, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Our goal is to prepare graduates not only to adapt to change, but to lead it.”

Pemberton said technology has been a source of lifelong fascination for her, recalling days where she took apart early Apple desktops to see what was inside before putting them back together with a new understanding of how they worked.

“Looking back, that curiosity became the common thread throughout my career, as an educator, nurse, consultant, and business leader,” Pemberton said. “It inspired me to continually explore how technology could be used to solve problems, improve healthcare, and create opportunities for learning and innovation.”

While technology is a fascination for the master’s program’s leader, it’s not the sole basis for the health informatics curriculum. In fact, Pemberton said this degree is being built “from a healthcare perspective rather than simply a technology perspective.”

“We aren't just teaching students how systems work, we're teaching them how technology can improve patient outcomes, enhance clinical workflows, support quality improvement, strengthen decision-making, and foster meaningful innovation across the healthcare ecosystem,” Pemberton said.

As for the woman at the helm of the informatics program, she has plenty of experience in the discipline already: Pemberton wrote a textbook on informatics, titled “Health Informatics and Program Creation: Taking Action Beyond the EHR.”

That book, Pemberton said, sought to show readers how broad a set of problems they could solve with the right informatics knowledge.

“Informatics extends far beyond electronic health records,” Pemberton said. “It encompasses innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, program development, policy, research, and the thoughtful application of emerging technologies to improve healthcare delivery.”

As for the online instruction model, Pemberton said that was integral to Molloy’s vision in creating this program. Not only would it allow Molloy to reach beyond the community on Long Island, but it would allow working healthcare professionals to go back to school on a flexible schedule.

“Offering this program online was extremely important because today's healthcare professionals are balancing demanding careers, family responsibilities, and graduate education,” Pemberton said. “Many of our students are nurses, healthcare administrators, and other clinicians who want to advance professionally while continuing to care for patients. An online format gives them that flexibility without compromising the quality of their education.”

Pemberton didn’t say how many students are expected to enroll in the program, citing its recent inception, but said she expects enrollment to grow “steadily as healthcare organizations continue recognizing the value of health informatics.”

While the number of students remains to be determined, Pemberton said the experience of the students will be one of the most rewarding parts of this next chapter at Molloy.

“Watching students develop that confidence, curiosity, and creativity has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my professional life,” Pemberton said. “My hope is that they leave this program prepared not only to lead change within healthcare organizations, but also to collaborate with industry partners to develop the next generation of technologies that will improve healthcare delivery and expand access to care.”