Health Professions Education in Glendale

Fast Facts

Degree

• Master of Health Professions Education (M.H.P.E.)
• Dual-degree options with other MWU programs
  

General Requirements

• Bachelor's degree (exceptions for certain health professionals)
• Minimum total GPA of 2.75
  

Length of Program

42 quarter hours, part-time or dual-degree

Class Size

10-15

Program Characteristics

• Designed for current/future health professionals
• Education for effective teaching in health-related fields
• Supportive environment for adult learners
• Variety of course formats: on-campus, online, blended
  

Career Opportunities

• Enhance current career, including opportunities for advancement to positions with an educational component
• Full- and part-time teaching positions at the college/university level
  

MWU Outcomes (2005-2007)

• 100% of matriculants graduated from the program
• More than 95% of graduates indicate they use their degree through teaching patients in a clinical setting or students in an academic setting

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the Master of Health Professions Education degree programs, applicants must submit the following documented evidence:

0. Completion of a bachelor's level (or its equivalent, i.e., 120 undergraduate hours including the professional program) or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Exceptions to this requirement may be made by the Health Professions Education Program Admissions Committee for an applicant who: Successfully completed an accredited professional program such as physician assistant, nursing, dental hygienist, etc.;
   Completed a minimum of 100 semester hours of undergraduate training (including professional program), 20 of which are in general education courses including humanities, fine arts, social sciences, computer sciences, or business;
   Five or more years of experience in a health care-related profession;
   Demonstrated a record of continuous professional development, and
   Submitted one additional letter of reference (i.e., three total) attesting to their ability to perform at a graduate level.
0. A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 on a scale of 4.00 for their bachelor's or higher degree program;
0. Official transcripts verifying completion of a bachelor's degree or higher level degree program from a regionally accredited college or university;
0. Two letters of recommendation;
0. Passage of the Midwestern University criminal background check;
0. Commitment to abide by the Midwestern University Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy.

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Program Description

The Midwestern University Biomedical Sciences Program offers two part-time and one full-time master-level degree programs in health professions education, bioethics, and biomedical science, designed to accommodate working professionals. Classes are offered at convenient times, and the curriculum serves the specific needs of health care providers. Curricula leading to a master's level degree in Health Professions Education (M.H.P.E.) is 42 quarter-hours. The M.H.P.E. degree should not be viewed as a terminal degree or a means to secure a job in a subspecialty of health care. Rather, the program is designed to enhance the on-going career and/or practice of those already involved in providing therapeutic, legal, and spiritual care to patients. The professional roles graduates can expect to experience are highly dependent on their current professional activities and future career goals.

A premium is placed on interdisciplinary education and integrating all aspects of the health care continuum. Therefore, students from all disciplines of health care (physicians, physician assistants, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, pharmacists, dentists, researchers, etc) study together with health care administrators, lawyers, social workers, clergy, and other interested individuals. Students may improve their GPA, fill the "gaps" in their undergraduate transcripts, and demonstrate their proficiency at taking graduate-level courses. In addition, those interested may take individual courses in the Biomedical Sciences Program as non-degree candidates to either sample the curriculum or learn about a specific topic. Courses may be audited or taken for credit as a non-degree student on a space-available basis. Completion of a degree program may enhance students' current profession or provide the skills necessary to launch new career opportunities.

The Biomedical Sciences Program offers opportunities for training at all levels of the "health care continuum" — in the laboratory, classroom, and clinic — through a dynamic learning experience that fosters disciplined thinking and self-directed learning. The courses of study provide the academic foundation on which to make discoveries in the laboratory, sound ethical decisions in the clinic, and effective teachers in the classroom as they train future health care professionals.

Degree Descriptions

Master of Health Professions Education (M.H.P.E.)

The curriculum leading to the M.H.P.E. degree is designed to prepare health care providers with the background necessary to become effective educators in their chosen professional field. Applicants usually hold a bachelor's level or higher degree from a regionally accredited professional program such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant studies, nursing, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, speech therapy, or similar program.

The 42-quarter-hour curriculum may be completed in as little as 18 months but must be completed within a period of 60 months, excepting approved leaves of absence. Typically, students complete the program in a period of two years. The course of instruction includes 15 credit hours of required courses and 15 credit hours of electives. Required courses include Educational Technology, Instructional Design and Methods, Teaching and Learning Styles, and Curriculum Construction. Students then enroll in 12 additional credit hours to complete either a Research Thesis or Education Practicum. The Research Thesis Option requires an approved research project (11 credits). Prerequisite to the research project is a self-directed, one-credit course that allows students to develop a proposal, which includes the specific objectives and methods, for the research project. The Educational Practicum Option requires participation in the educational training of health care professional students under the supervision of a practicing educator (11 credits). Prerequisite to the practicum project is a self-directed, one-credit course that allows students to develop a practicum proposal. The Educational Practicum may include development of course curriculum, test writing, presentations, and/or evaluation of program effectiveness.

The M.H.P.E. degree program augments the learning experience of health care providers by providing expanded educational skills and training beyond that typically offered in health professions programs. In addition, this program should provide graduates with credentials needed for increased career opportunities and advancement within their current career.

Dual-Degree Options for Physician Assistant, Occupational Therapy, Cardiovascular Sciences, Podiatry, and D.O. Students

The Biomedical Sciences Program offers an educational opportunity to current and incoming bachelor-track physician assistant (PA), occupational therapy (OT), cardiovascular science (M.S.CV), podiatric medicine (D.P.M.) and medical (D.O.) students. Students accepted into the programs may also apply to the Biomedical Sciences Program as dual-degree candidates in either Health Professions Education or Bioethics. The following policies apply:

1. Applicants must apply and be accepted into the clinical program and Biomedical Sciences Program separately. Only applicants meeting minimum entrance requirements for both degree programs will be given an option for the dual-degree program.
2. The clinical degree program shall be considered the primary degree program and the Biomedical Sciences Program the secondary degree program. Continuity of the primary degree program must be maintained.
3. The length of the secondary program shall be extended for a duration of time sufficient to complete the secondary degree program. This is usually three to six months (for PA, OT, and CVS students) and may be individualized to accommodate availability of desired courses, academic proficiency, type of track desired in the Biomedical Sciences Program (i.e., research or didactic track, if applicable), and student preferences. The Biomedical Sciences Program degree must be completed within a total of 60 months from initial matriculation.
4. Students must maintain the minimum cumulative GPA requirements of each program. Failure to maintain the minimum cumulative GPA in either program will result in students being given an academic warning or placed on academic probation. This may result in deceleration or temporary suspension from the secondary degree program.
5. The number of credits required for completion of the Biomedical Sciences Program is degree-specific as stated under Degree Descriptions above. Some courses from the student's clinical degree program may be suitable for credit in the Biomedical Sciences Program degree program. If approved, these courses may be substituted for elective credit in the Biomedical Sciences Program up to a maximum of six (6) credits. No Biomedical Sciences Program tuition will be charged for these credits.
6. In addition to the established quarterly tuition for the clinical degree program, students enrolled in a dual degree shall pay tuition to the Biomedical Sciences Program on a per credit basis. Dual-degree students accepted into the Biomedical Sciences Program at any time before graduation shall receive a 30% discount on the normal Biomedical Sciences Program per-credit-hour charge during their matriculation in the primary degree program and for up to 12 months following completion of their primary degree program. Quarterly Biomedical Sciences Program tuition is determined by the number of credits for which the student is registered.

Mission

The mission of the Master of Health Professions Education Program is to assist current and future health care providers in becoming effective educators within their scope of practice as well as within the community. In addition, this program should provide the graduate with credentials needed for increased career opportunities and advancement within their current career.

Midwestern University's faculty of the Biomedical Sciences Program personally commit themselves to:

• Effective teaching using state-of-the-art technology
• Continuing their own personal education and development
• Participating in interdisciplinary research and publications
• Demonstrating leadership within their own professions and communities

Accreditation

The State of Arizona Board of Private Postsecondary Education has approved all current degree programs at Midwestern University, Glendale - Arizona Campus. All degrees are conferred under the authority granted by the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education and The Higher Learning Commision, A Commision of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Midwestern University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission/A Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (HLC/NCA), 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602.

Related Links

Health Professions Education as a Career

American Association for Health Education (AAHE) of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (AAHPERD)

American College Health Association (ACHA)

American Public Health Association (APHA)

Center for the Advancement of Health (CFAH)

Coalition of National Health Education Organizations

The Guide to Community Preventive Services

Health Care Education Association (HCEA)

National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc.

Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE)