Master of Science (M.S.) in Health Professions Education
(ISIS code: HP1)

The Warner School offers an innovative master’s program in health professions education for professionals such as doctors, nurses, clinic personnel and others who want to develop skills in teaching and learning. This program will make you a more effective teacher, whether you are, or want to become, a faculty member in a school of medicine, dentistry or nursing; a clinician participating in the training of the next generation of professionals; a health professional who occasionally trains newcomers on the job or offers professional development; or a practitioner interested in teaching your clients about health promotion. By developing an understanding of how people learn and what can support their learning, your teaching efforts will have a far greater impact.

This program has been developed for all health care professionals involved in health care education, whether academic or clinical. It is a true interdisciplinary program, designed by and offered through a collaboration of the Warner School of Education, the School of Nursing, and the School of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Rochester. It has been tailored to meet the needs of educators working in the context of the health care system.

At the core of the program are two new courses specifically created to address issues and pedagogical methods in health care education. With only five required courses, this program permits maximum flexibility in designing an individualized course of study. Through electives, students could, for example, broaden their knowledge related to their area of practice, taking courses in such diverse areas as early childhood development, disabilities, aging, academic leadership, adolescence, counseling, or any number of other areas. Students also have the option for independent studies in ongoing medical or health care education research, or in curriculum reform with faculty in the School of Medicine and Dentistry, the School of Nursing, or the Warner School of Education.

Program Requirements
The program requires 30 graduate credits of coursework. You can enter the program in any semester (Fall, Spring, or Summer). Transfer credit for up to 10 credits may be possible pending approval at the time the official program of study is submitted.

I. Master's Core
(9 credits)

ED 406: Master’s Research Methods
EDU 497: Teaching & Learning in Higher Education
ED 437: Diversity & Equity in Higher Education

II. Specialization Courses
(6 credits)

EDU 580: Foundations of Health Professions Education
EDU 581: Clinical Teaching in Health Care Professions Education: Teaching and Instructional Methods

III. Electives
(15 credits)

15 additional credits of graduate coursework, to be selected with the approval of an advisor among the many options listed below; at least 3 credits must be taken at the Warner School; independent study credits are an option (for a maximum of 6 credits).

Eligible electives include:

Teaching, Learning & Program Design
NUR417: Teaching and Learning in Nursing Education (fall)
ED 516: Designing and Evaluating Professional Development (spring)
ED 483: Communication and Counseling Skills (even summers, odd falls)
ED 470: Leading Effective Program Design (occasionally)
ED 420: Learning and Assessment in Higher Education (occasional summers)

Leadership
ED 475: Leadership and Management in Higher Education (even spring)
EDU 446: Entrepreneurial Skills for Educators
NLX 463: Foundations of Leadership and Organizational Behavior (fall)

Ethics, Policy and Governance
NUR 403: Ethics and Public Policy in the Health Care System (summer)
NLX 468: Politics, Public Health, Policy and Ethics in Leadership (summer)
ED 428: Ethics and Education (odd summers)
EDU 492: Governance, Policy and Administration in Higher Education (odd spring)
EDU 576: Contemporary Issues in Higher Education (fall)

Diversity
NUR 329: Cultural and Diversity Issues in Health Care (2 credits)
EDU 455: Policy and Practice in Developmental Differences (occasionally)

Research Methods/Evaluation
EDU 524: Survey Design (fall, summer A) (1 credit)
ED 525: Interview and Focus Group Techniques (spring, summer A) (1 credit)
NLX 473: Education and Technology for Population Health (fall) (4 credits)
PM 458: Qualitative History and Health Care Research (spring)
ED 520: Program Evaluation (fall, summer A)
PM 461: Program Evaluation for Public Health (summer)

Theories
ED 429: Theories of Human Development (fall; summer A)
ED 412: Sociology of Education (most odd springs)
ED 411: Philosophy of Education (even summers)

Writing
ED 432: Professional Writing and Communications (spring)
EDU 477: Grant Writing and Other Funding Strategies for Educators
PM 438: Practical Skills in Grant Writing (spring)
PM 447: Writing Workshop (spring) (0 credits)

Students interested in teaching in nursing schools are recommended to take the following courses among their electives:
NUR 419 Advanced Pharmocology
NUR 407 Advanced Pathophysiology

INDEPENDENT STUDY
(may be used a preparation time for the Master’s Thesis, not to exceed 6 credits)

IV. Comprehensive Portfolio

Download Assessment System for Health Professions Education