In 2026, the University of Pittsburgh will launch its first online undergraduate degree—one with a strong emphasis on health data science, informatics and artificial intelligence (AI).
The new online Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics (BS in HI) program from the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS) marks a major milestone for the University and a signature addition to the Pitt Online portfolio of high-quality, accessible academic offerings. Building on Pitt’s national leadership in digital health education, the program reflects the University’s commitment to expanding access to world-class learning that meets the needs of today’s students and tomorrow’s workforce.
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Building on a Legacy of Innovation and Excellence
This new online program extends the success of Pitt SHRS’ accredited online and on-campus Master of Science in Health Informatics (MS in HI) and its on-campus Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics which is the first undergraduate health informatics program in the nation accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The new online format will carry this same distinction, becoming one of the first fully online accredited undergraduate programs in the country with a dedicated focus on AI in health care.
“AI is revolutionizing health care, and our program stands at the forefront,” said Bambang Parmanto, professor and chair of the Department of Health Information Management. “Our revised BS in HI curriculum will integrate AI at its core. The accrediting body also specifically recommended that our department establish a concentration in AI, citing both the strong market need and our faculty’s unique expertise, which is not found in comparable programs at other institutions.”
Offered in a fully online, asynchronous format, the program is designed as an upper-division completion pathway, enabling students who have earned at least 60 college credits, particularly working professionals and nontraditional learners, to complete their degree flexibly and affordably while balancing personal and professional responsibilities.
As experienced by graduates of Pitt’s in-person undergraduate Health Informatics program, students in the new online program can anticipate excellent outcomes with high-paying jobs at hospitals and large health care organizations as systems or data analysts and consultants. Ninety-four percent of the on-campus BS in HI class of 2024 secured employment or continued their education after graduation, nearly 10 percentage points higher than the national average.
Advancing the University’s Mission
The online BS in HI program advances the goals of the Plan for Pitt 2028, reflecting the University’s commitment to student success, innovation and transformative impact. By integrating artificial intelligence and data science into a flexible, accessible degree format, the program empowers students to gain industry-aligned skills that address critical workforce needs in the health and technology sectors. According to JobsEQ and a market analysis report conducted by Hanover Research, from February 2024 to February 2025, the number of job listings in the health informatics field noting AI has increased by 83.4%. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports an average 20% increase across health informatics related jobs by 2033.
“The new online Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics truly embodies our center’s mission to deliver accessible, affordable and high-quality education that meets emerging workforce demands,” said Anthony Delitto, associate provost for Digital Education who leads the University’s Center for Excellence in Digital Education (Pitt EDGE). “Offered fully online and at a reduced tuition rate, this accredited program integrates cutting-edge artificial intelligence with health informatics to prepare the next generation of professionals driving innovation across the health care system.”
Strengthening the Impact of the Health Informatics Workforce
Pitt’s current online Health Informatics programs at the master’s, certificate and now bachelor’s levels help build a data-literate, AI-fluent workforce that makes care more efficient across Pennsylvania and the nation. Graduates apply artificial intelligence to turn health data into action: reducing readmissions, streamlining workflows and expanding telehealth and population-health outreach. These innovations improve safety, drive system-wide savings, stabilize local hospitals and jobs, ease burdens on employers and families, and strengthen the Commonwealth’s growing digital-health economy.
“SHRS is uniquely positioned to deliver this program online because we sit at the intersection of health, technology and human performance,” said David C. Beck, interim dean. “Our faculty lead national research and educational initiatives in digital health, artificial intelligence and data-driven care—and they bring that expertise directly into the classroom.”
*This data is sourced from Hanover market research, Pitt accreditation data, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and JobsEQ.
As the demand for skilled professionals in health data science and artificial intelligence continues to rise, Pitt’s new online Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics positions the University and its graduates at the forefront of this transformation. The program embodies what makes Pitt distinctive: academic excellence, innovation grounded in real-world impact and a deep commitment to expanding what’s possible for every learner.
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