![the sun sets along the Esplanade at °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±app framed by the HEC and the Daumier buildings.](/media/health-sciences/images/westernu-sunset.jpg)
About the Health Professions Education Track
Health professions education is the field of expertise applied to the education of health care providers. Health professions education focuses on the unique needs of students engaged in preparation for careers in the healing arts. Centered in the principles of andragogy (adult learning theory) and life-long learning, health professions education forms the basis for creating, implementing, and evaluating every aspect of health professions curricula. Here are some commonly asked questions about the Health Professions Education track.
What kind of student enrolls in the Health Professions Education (HPE) track?
HPE students are health care providers, or aspiring health care providers, with a desire to teach. Most professors and teachers in the health professions come to education through their careers as health care professionals. Being a good patient care provider does not automatically mean that one is a good teacher!
![Dr. Funmi Olanipekun, left, and Dr. David Shofler are both instructors and faculty scholars (studying for an MSHS degree) for the Department of Podiatric Medicine](/media/health-sciences/images/shofler-and-olanipekun.jpg)
What do Health Professions Educators do?
Where do Health Professions Educators work?
Health Professions Educators teach in medical programs such as nursing programs, medical schools, pharmacy schools, etc. Health Professions Educators teach in every level of health education from certificate programs in proprietary schools, junior colleges, private educational institutions, colleges and universities. Some Health Professions Educators work in areas of administration and health care organizations.
What kind of education do Health Professions Educators have?
Most possess a minimum of a master’s degree; however, many have bachelor’s degrees in addition to a health care license of some kind.
How are Health Professions Educators certified?
There is no certification for HPE professionals. Some may choose to belong to the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE). HPE professionals who complete a master’s degree in health education are eligible to take the CHES examination for certification as a health education specialist.
HPE track curriculum
- HSCI 5020 Grant Proposal Writing
- HSCI 5100 Learning Theories and Student Behaviors
- HSCI 5102 Principles of Instructional Design
- HSCI 5106 Applied Statistics
- HSCI 5108 Instructional Media
- HSCI 5110 Writing for Publication
- HSCI 5130 Foundations of the U.S. Health Care System
- HSCI 5202 Human Resources and Fiscal Operations
- HSCI 5204 Educational Leadership
- HSCI 5206 Research and Program Evaluation Methods
- HSCI 5306 Clinical Teaching
- HSCI 5998 Thesis/Special Project I
- HSCI 5999 Thesis/Special Project II
Students selecting the NMM/OMM Teaching Fellowship Track must be admitted to the NMM/OMM Fellowship in the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (COMP).
- HSCI 5020 Grant Proposal Writing
- HSCI 5100 Learning Theories and Student Behaviors
- HSCI 5102 Principles of Instructional Design
- HSCI 5106 Applied Statistics
- HSCI 5108 Instructional Media
- HSCI 5110 Writing for Publication
- HSCI 5206 Research and Program Evaluation Methods
- HSCI 5306 Clinical Teaching
- HSCI 5400 Evidence-based Educational Research
- HSCI 5401 Executive Skills and Curriculum Delivery
- HSCI 5402 Leadership for Clinicians
- HSCI 5998 Thesis/Special Project I
- HSCI 5999 Thesis/Special Project II
Students selecting the Health Professions Education and Research in Podiatric Medicine Track must be admitted to the DPM program in the College of Podiatric Medicine and have prior approval of the CPM Assistant Dean of Clinical Affairs.
- Subject/Course # Course Title Credit Hours
- HSCI 5020 Grant Proposal Writing
- HSCI 5100 Learning Theories and Student Behaviors
- HSCI 5102 Principles of Instructional Design
- HSCI 5106 Applied Statistics
- HSCI 5108 Instructional Media
- HSCI 5110 Writing for Publication
- HSCI 5206 Research and Program Evaluation Methods
- HSCI 5306 Clinical Teaching
- HSCI 5400 Evidence-based Educational Research
- HSCI 5401 Executive Skills and Curriculum Delivery
- HSCI 5402 Leadership for Clinicians
- HSCI 5998 Thesis/Special Project I
- HSCI 5999 Thesis/Special Project II