Vanderbilt University

What you'll study

This interdisciplinary master’s curriculum blends core informatics principles with advanced medical illustration techniques. Students study anatomy and physiology for illustrators, visualisation principles, digital imaging and surgical illustration alongside informatics foundations such as clinical data models, health information systems, medical imaging informatics and user‑centred interface design.

• Core informatics modules: clinical and biomedical data structures, electronic health records, interoperability and standards (e.g. HL7, FHIR), data privacy and security, and applied machine learning for healthcare.
• Medical illustration modules: medical anatomy for artists, 2D and 3D medical illustration, animation and motion graphics for clinical processes, surgical and procedural illustration, and colour, composition and narrative in scientific visual communication.
• Technical and practicum modules: medical imaging modalities and image processing, 3D modelling and printing for anatomy education, interactive visualisation and web/mobile deployment, and a capstone project or practicum with clinical partners.
• Research and professional practice: research methods in health informatics, evaluation of visual interventions, ethics of medical communication, and portfolio development for academic and industry roles.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a recognised bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject such as biological sciences, art and design, computer science, informatics, or a closely related field. Typical application components include a personal statement explaining interest in the intersection of medical visualisation and informatics, an academic transcript, and a portfolio demonstrating visual or design work where applicable.

• Some background in life sciences or demonstrable anatomical knowledge is highly recommended for students coming from a design or computing background.
• Applicants from science backgrounds should demonstrate visual aptitude via a portfolio or preparatory coursework in visual communication.
• Relevant professional experience in healthcare, clinical research, software development, or scientific communication strengthens an application.
• Where English is not the first language, approved evidence of English proficiency is required.

Career prospects

Graduates leave equipped to work at the intersection of healthcare, communication and technology. Career pathways include medical illustrator for hospitals, medical publishers and educational technology companies; health informatics specialist focusing on visual analytics and dashboard design; biomedical visualisation and simulation developer; clinical education specialist producing curricula and training media; and roles in medical device companies creating instructional and regulatory visuals.

Other opportunities include research positions in academic informatics or visualisation labs, consultancy for clinical communication projects, and product design roles in health‑tech start‑ups where expertise in both accurate scientific depiction and data systems is valued.

Why study at Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt offers a strong environment for this cross‑disciplinary degree through close ties with its medical centre and established biomedical informatics research. Students benefit from access to clinical collaborators, medical imaging resources, and faculty active in translational research and health‑IT design.

• Clinical integration: opportunities to collaborate with clinicians and researchers at an academic medical centre ensure projects are clinically relevant and practice‑focused.
• Technical resources: access to medical imaging facilities, 3D printing and advanced visualisation labs supports production of high‑quality educational and research artefacts.
• Interdisciplinary supervision: mentorship from faculty in informatics, medicine and visual communication helps students bridge design and data science effectively.
• Professional networks: proximity to Nashville’s healthcare and tech communities and Vanderbilt’s alumni and research partnerships opens pathways to internships and employment in healthcare, publishing and digital health industries.