Health Professions Education - MS

Degree Offered

MS

Program Description

The Master of Science in Health Professions Education is a 32-credit program of study that aims to provide students with the necessary tools to further develop interprofessional health profession course and curricular design, research, and assessment skills. Learners will build on existing health professional competencies gained through their professional education. Topics such as educational theory and using educational research to advance knowledge in teaching and the learning in health professions are core to this program. The primary discipline will serve as one lens through which educational theory and phenomena can be examined. There are two concentrations within the MS degree: educational research and educational leadership.

Objectives and Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

1. Articulate how people learn and the strategies that achieve effective learning processes and outcomes.
2. Demonstrate proficiency in curriculum design, delivery, and evaluation.
3. Demonstrate evidence-based teaching and assessment methods at the course or program level.
4. Work effectively in interprofessional teams.
5. Demonstrate the ability to apply analytical skills to improve educational programs and institutional effectiveness.
6. Demonstrate the ability to formulate research questions and prepare a research prospectus using appropriate research methodologies. (Educational Research Concentration)
7. Demonstrate academic and executive-level administration and leadership skills needed to lead higher education programs, institutions, agencies, and organizations in the health professions. (Educational Leadership Concentration)

Program Admission

Candidates for admission apply through the Graduate School. Proof of current professional licenses for applicants who are clinically practicing, a CV, and three letters of recommendation are required. All candidates applying for admission must meet the minimum qualifications and standards established by the Graduate School, including the successful completion of a bachelor’s degree and a minimum, cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) scores are not required for admission. International students must provide current, official results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (minimum score of 80 for the internet-based test) or the International English Language Testing System exam (minimum Band 7).

Degree Requirements

The master’s degree requires students to take 32 credits of coursework for successful completion. Students must maintain a minimum, cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale to remain in good standing in the program. Complete guidelines and requirements for progression and completion are outlined in the Degree Requirements section of this catalog.

Areas of Concentration

There are two concentrations within the degree: educational research and educational leadership. Educational leadership is a stand-alone, stackable 12-credit Post-Baccalaureate Certificate (PBC) program. Descriptions of these concentrations are described in this section of the catalog.

The concentration in Educational Research provides students with the fundamental knowledge and skills needed to conduct empirical educational research. Students develop a broad understanding of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods approaches and how/when they should be employed. They learn how to search, evaluate, critically appraise, and synthesize literature as well as interpret educational research.

The concentration in Educational Leadership provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to lead educational programs, institutions, agencies, and organizations in the health professions. Students develop an understanding of the qualities, behaviors, and characteristics of leaders through examining and analyzing key principles of traditional and contemporary leadership theories and practice.

Required Courses

Required Courses for Educational Research Concentration

Required Courses for Educational Leadership Concentration