Graduate Certificate in Health Professions Education

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Apply Now!The Graduate Certificate in Health Professions Education (HPE) is offered in partnership by the University of Louisville’s College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) and the School Medicine. The objective of the HPE certificate is to provide health professions faculty, residents, and graduate students in the UofL Schools of Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, and Public Health as well as other healthcare disciplines such as pharmacy, physical therapy, etc., with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in an academic career. HPE also aims to advance practitioner and patient education, health sciences education research, and enhance inter-and intra- disciplinary studies.

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The program is designed to meet the educational needs of healthcare providers and is offered on the Health Sciences Center campus. The program consists of four classes that are taught in an accelerated hybrid format. The individual courses are eight weeks long and will have both synchronous and asynchronous components. The in-person classes are on Monday evenings from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. in the School of Nursing Building (K-Wing).

For more information about the HPE certificate, please review the information below and contact Staci Saner, Ed.D., at hpe@louisville.edu or 502-852-1942 with further questions.

HPE Benefits:

  • All courses are accelerated hybrid courses
  • Complete in two semesters

"The goal of the HPE program is to magnify the impact of the health professions educator. Healthcare practitioners impact patients and their families every day, going bed to bed, room to room, and impacting patient outcomes. Providers at an academic health center will also have trainees with them as they go room to room, and if the providers can improve education skills, they will have a more significant impact. Not only do Health Professions Educators improve the outcomes of their patients, but they improve the educational outcomes of the learners and impact the patients that those learners ultimately care for in the future."

 

- Staci Saner, Ed.D. Program Director

For more details about program curriculum, visit the Graduate Catalog.

The current course sequence is as follows:

**LEAD 665, Foundations of Health Professions Education (1st 8 weeks of Fall semester)
This course provides a solid foundation for the health professions educator through a focus on professional roles and responsibilities as an instructor of the adult learner. Additionally, as an introduction to the profession, this course includes an overview of teaching and learning in health professions education, instructional strategies, assessment, and evidence-based practice. Course begins in August 2021
LEAD 675, Teaching & Learning in Health Professions Education (2nd 8 weeks of Fall semester)
This course introduces fundamental principles of teaching and learning within health professions education. The course will include planning and preparing to teach, student motivation and engagement. This course also discusses planning and creating programs or courses in the health professions. Course begins in October 2021
LEAD 676, Instructional Strategies in Health Professions Education (1st 8 weeks of Spring semester)
This course facilitates understanding of instructional strategies and their practical application in classroom, small group, and clinical settings. Through a hands-on approach to learning, participants will learn to apply strategies that stimulate critical thinking, creativity, and promote cooperative learning. Course begins in January 2022
LEAD 650 Evaluation and Assessment in Health Professions Education (2nd 8 weeks of Spring semester)
Through a clinical model for the health professions, this course covers student assessment methods and measurements, feedback, competency-based assessment, the use of simulated patients to assess clinical skills, and the evaluation of clinical teaching effectiveness. Coursework will be tailored to the interests and current role of the learner and will culminate in a scholarly project where learners demonstrate competence in assessment and evaluation for Health Professions Education. Course begins in January 2024

The HPE is specifically designed for health professions faculty, residents, and graduate students in Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, and Public Health. It supports UofL in fulfilling its mission to become a premier nationally recognized, metropolitan, research university by working to improve the quality of instruction on the Health Sciences Center. HPE also aims to advance practitioner and patient education, health sciences education research, and enhance inter-and intra-disciplinary studies.

How To Apply

  • Complete the online application to the Graduate School.
  • Unconditional admission requires a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 for all coursework taken at the undergraduate and/or graduate degree-granting institution; or a terminal professional degree (e.g., MD, DO, DMD, DNP, PhD, EdD).
    • A graduate degree recommended, or proof of working toward a graduate degree required
    • Applicants with a bachelor’s degree and additional credentials may be considered on a case-by-case basis
    • Applicants with a GPA less than 2.5 at the undergraduate/graduate level may inquiry about conditional admission
  • Only official degree-bearing transcripts must be submitted by the applicant using appropriate methods (e.g., Parchment or National Clearinghouse) or be on file in the Office of Faculty Affairs (for applicants internal to UofL). Applicants should submit their most senior degree earned or that they are in the progress of earning.
  • International applicants with transcripts that are not in English, in addition to submitting official copies of native language records, must also submit a notarized, verbatim translation in English prepared by an appropriate university or government official. The records must show both the degree granted and all coursework taken during the course of study. Applicants who are submitting transcripts from outside the United States must verify their records by submitting them to one of the following organizations: World Education Services (WES), Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), and other NACES approved evaluators found here: https://www.naces.org/members.
  • Students for whom English is not their primary language must show English language proficiency by successfully completing one of the following:
  • Current Resume
  • GRE test scores are not required

This program is open to all eligible students regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age.

Contact

To learn more about the HPE Program or for questions about applying, please contact us at: hpe@louisville.edu

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Frequently Asked Questions

I have some credit hours from another program/university. Can the credit be transferred?

Once you are admitted to the program, you may request to transfer up to 6 credit hours, if the HPE Program Committee approves the request. Courses can be transferred only if they cover the same content as a course in our program. After approval, transfer requests are submitted to the School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate Studies..

Who can apply for the Certificate in Health Professions Education Program?

The Certificate in Health Professions Education Program is aimed primarily at healthcare professionals who are currently educators in a healthcare environment and would like to become better educators. The Certificate program is especially beneficial for physicians, dentists, nurses, researchers, dental hygienists, and others interested in teaching, education, and training careers.

What is the estimated cost of the program?

For information about tuition/fees, please visit the Bursar's Office website and go to their tuition/fees page.

Tuition remission is available to all full-time and most part-time University of Louisville employees. Books and/or other course materials must be purchased by participants.

When and where are the Certificate courses held?

Classes are held on the University of Louisville Health Sciences Campus. All courses are taught face-to-face and meet for two and one-half hours per week from 5:30 - 8:00 p.m., usually on Thursday evenings.

Are any courses in the Certificate in Health Professions Education Program offered solely on-line?

Courses in the Certificate in Health Professions Education program are taught face-to-face. However, the other seven courses in our Master’s Concentration in Health Professions are offered online or face-to-face.

How long does it take to complete Certificate in Health Professions Education Program?

The program consists of four graduate level courses, one course is taught each semester over a two-year cycle, a total of 12 hours of academic course credit.

Is this Certificate associated with a master's degree program?

Yes, this program is associated with a Master’s concentration in Health Professions Education. The four courses in this certificate can be applied to our master’s concentration. You can be concurrently enrolled in the master’s program and the graduate certificate programs

Is the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) required?

If you have a terminal degree, (e.g., M.D., D.D.S., Ph.D.) you do not need to take the GRE.

Does the Certificate in Health Professions Education program follow the University of Louisville calendar?

Yes, the courses in the Health Professions Education program follow the University of Louisville Belknap semester schedule.

How do I apply for admission?

Applications must meet the standards of general admission to the University's Graduate School. Please follow the admission information to apply to the graduate school.

Will the courses taken in the certificate program apply to a Master's or Doctoral program outside the College of Education and Human Development?

Yes, two of the Certificate program courses could be considered as electives, but are subject to the approval of your advisor if you want them to count toward a masters or doctoral program.