New Degree Program Focuses on Health Sciences Education
This October, a new program – the Master’s of Science in Health Sciences Education (MSHSE) – was unanimously approved by BU School of Medicine, the University Council Committee on Graduate Programs and Policies and the University Council. The program is offered through the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences (GMS), in collaboration with the School of Education (SED); Jeffrey Markuns, MD, EdM, assistant professor of Family Medicine serves as Program Director. Recruitment is underway for the inaugural class, who will matriculate in fall 2017. For more information, go to http://www.bumc.bu.edu/msed/hse/
The program offers those with degrees in nursing, medicine and other health-related areas an opportunity to pursue graduate studies in medical education. The MSHSE provides training in the principles of education and teaching that are applicable and adaptable to a specific health sciences discipline. It is designed to improve teaching skills and other aspects of health sciences education to help students advance their careers.
“This program will educate and train faculty from all the health professional fields who are committed to establishing themselves as master educators,” said Markuns. “The broad range of required courses along with a mentored practicum will produce world-class faculty in health sciences education.”
A certificate option is available for those with limited time and resources or who already have a strong background in general education, as well as the part- and full-time options to pursue the Master’s degree The certificate and Master’s degree options are available for the tuition remission benefit for eligible BU faculty and staff The program is expected to be initiated on campus in the classroom, but then students will be able to pursue a schedule that allows for part-time participation. Practicum based, it is designed for students to apply new skills from their studies directly to issues they already are seeking to tackle in their daily work.
The MSHSE provides numerous benefits to the University:
- It provides an opportunity for those faculty interested in developing additional skills in teaching and education to pursue an advanced degree directly relevant to their daily work using BU tuition remission.
- The program raises the profile of educational faculty throughout BU and creates new partnerships with educators from throughout the institution.
- With an eye towards additional distance-learning options, the MSHSE offers faculty development mechanisms for internationalteachers in the health sciences from institutions around the world.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
The Certificate and Master’s in Health Sciences Education are offered through the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences (GMS), in collaboration with the School of Education (SED), plus electives offered in the Schools of Medicine and Public Health
- Strong focus on practical skills application
- Core courses emphasizing curriculum development, research, evaluation, and teaching
- Robust practicum experience personalized for specific career goals
- Support and mentorship