This 4-year, full-time, co-op program prepares graduates with integrated knowledge and skills in Health Sciences, Information Technology (IT), Health Information Science, Management Sciences, generic skills for the purpose of managing health care data, information, and knowledge using appropriate information and communication technology.

The students will develop skills for being life-long learners and active participants in organizational learning. This will allow them to be successful in adapting to a rapidly changing contemporary job market. Some useful generic skills covered in our program are:

• creative, critical, and systems thinking;
• ability to solve problems, conduct research, and communicate results;
• ability to work independently, and in multidisciplinary teams;
• ability to provide leadership, manage projects, and resolve conflicts.

Conestoga College has been granted a consent by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities to offer this applied degree for a five-year term starting October 25, 2004 . The college shall ensure that all students admitted to the above-named program during the period of consent will have the opportunity to complete the program within a reasonable time frame.

The development of this program is in progress and underwent important changes to reflect the needs of employers, practitioners and students. The evolution of the program is overseen by a Program Advisory Committee (PAC).

The Board of Governors appoints Program Advisory Committee members for diploma, certificate and apprenticeship programs. Committees are composed of employers, practitioners and recent program graduates. College representatives (students, faculty and administrators) are resource persons. Each committee advises the Board on the development of new programs, the monitoring of existing programs and community acceptance of programs. For details call the Information Centre at 519-748-5220 ext. 3656.

The following is a list of the current members of the Program Advisory Committee for our degree:

• Grand River Hospital
• Cambridge Memorial Hospital 
• Guelph General Hospital
• Huron-Perth Health Care Alliance 
• St. Joseph's Health Centre
• Homewood Health Centre 
• Waterloo-Wellington CCAC (Community Care Access Centre) 
• The Village of Winston Park 
• VON Canada Ontario Branch
• Agfa Healthcare, Inc.
• eSolutions Group
• Medicalis Corporation 
• Waterloo Institute for Health Informatics Research
• York University