Tell a Friend

Your Name :
Your Email :
Email To :
Comments :

Mission Statement The Department of Health Sciences Education supports Western University of Health Sciences' mission to increase the availability of health care provides by increasing the availability of healthcare educators. The Department further meets the healthcare needs of the community by preparing graduate level community health educators. Faculty The faculty includes scholars, researchers and administrators from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines. All are committed to the improvement of teaching and practice in the health professions through the process of professional development. The broad interest of the faculty provides special opportunities to cross the boundaries between various health care disciplines and education, depending on the unique scope of the students' experience. Please click on the faculty link to learn more about the MSHS faculty at WUHS. Overview of Academic Programs The curriculum is designed to meet the educational and professional demands of the Health Sciences Professional. Course delivery is accomplished within an integrated context of theory and practice that meets the academic requirements for a graduate degree in Health Sciences. Course work is formulated and designed to promote knowledge, values and skills essential for competent teaching, program design and evaluation, leadership and scholarly inquiry. The Department of Health Sciences offers opportunities for students to pursue a Master of Science in Health Sciences degree specializing in Health Professions Education. Students may focus their studies in either one of two tracks: Health Professions Education Community Health Education Health Professions Education - Focus on Teaching and Leadership The Health Professions Education track is designed for persons who are planning to teach or who currently teach in the health sciences or health professions. However, due to the strong emphasis on teaching methodologies, curriculum design and evaluation, this concentration of study is appropriate for those who teach, or wish to teach, in any environment. The Department of Health Sciences utilizes learning activities based on the functional requirements of adult learners to illustrate educational concepts and methodologies in varied settings. In addition to acquiring expertise in the principles of teaching and learning theory, program planning and evaluation, students are encouraged to develop educational research projects that benefit the academic endeavors in Health Science Education and support advances in patient care, community service, research and health professions education. (Anatomy lecture, Oxford 1890's http://www.ouls.ox.ac.uk/hcl) Community Health Education - Focus on Outreach, Programs and Leadership (National Certification of Health Educators (2008) http://www.nchec.org/) The Community Health Education track is designed for persons who wish to create, implement and evaluate community based health education programs. Particular emphasis is placed on social construct issues and the skills necessary to partner with a variety of existing community based programs. Students design and implement health education programs using theories of education, behavioral change and qualitative research aimed at improving health and health literacy at the community level. Emphasis on Leadership (Iron lung ward filled with Polio patients, Rancho Los Amigos Hospital, Ca. 1953) The Master of Science in Health Sciences at Western University prepares graduates for leadership roles in Health Professions Education and Community Health Education. Emphasis is placed on applied leadership, the examination of organizational dynamics and the executive skills necessary to meet the administative needs of health education teams in a variety of settings. Accreditation Western University of Health Sciences is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, (WASC. 985 Atlantic Ave., # 100 Alameda, Ca. 94501. Phone number 501-748-9001). an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Post-Secondary Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education. Western University is also approved as a degree-granting institution by the Superintendent of Public Instruction in the State of California. Frequently Asked Questions Do you require prerequisite classes prior to application? No. Do you require a minimum grade point average (GPA)to apply? Yes. Applicants must have achieved a minimum of 2.5 grade point average or above for undergraduate work, and a 3.0 for graduate work. Do I need a bachelor s degree to apply? No. Applicants must have completed a minimum of 90 semester hours at the undergraduate level from a regionally accredited college or university, 30 units of which must consist of upper division course work; i.e., junior or senior level courses. Are classes offered in a classroom or online? Currently most classes are offered on campus in the evenings. A few courses are offered online. How frequently and what time of day are your classes held? Classes are held Monday -Thursday from 6:00 - 9:00 in the evening. In an effort to help working professionals and busy partents obtain their masters degree, classes meet only one day per week. On occassion classes meet on Saturdays. Students will receive notice of any Saturday class meetings at the time of registration. How are MSHS classes graded? Student learning is tested primarily through the use of ongoing scholarly discussion, position papers and projects. There are very few timed examinations required. All students must complete a Comprehensive Examination at the completion of their course of study. The University utilizes the APA style of writing for all course work. Can I apply now and wait a semester to start my classes? Yes. Students may enter the program in the fall and spring semesters. No new students may begin their course of study in the summer session. Is attendance in class mandatory? Participation in class discussions is expected. Failure to attend classes results in a lowered grade due to the professors inability to assess the students command of the materials. University policy requires that all students attend the following: Orientation (Upon entering WU) Convocation (Upon entering WU) Commencement (Upon graduation) Is there an opportunity to apply what I have learned in field work and practical experiences? Yes. Students must complete one of three culiminating activities at the end of their course of study where they apply their knowledge and skills in either Health Professions Education or Community Health Education: Independent Study Directed Field Work Thesis/Special Project Is there a specific order that classes must be taken? No, but there is a SUGGESTED order that builds imperically on the students' knowledge. Block I courses are foundational to Block II courses, and so on. All students should review the "suggested order of course work" under the curriculum tab when making their degree plan. MSHS Program Calendar FALL 2009 SEMESTER: June 15, 2009 - fall application deadline Fall registration - TBA Thurs. Aug. 6, 2009 Orientation (all students who have not attended an orientation must attend) Sat. Aug. 8, 2009 - Convocation MON. AUG. 10, 2009 - FALL CLASSES BEGIN/TUITION DUE Fri. Aug. 28, 2009 Last day to add/drop Mon. Sept. 7, 2009 - Labor Day Mon. Oct. 12, 2009- Columbus Day Thur. Oct. 15, 2009 - Spring application deadline Spring registration - TBA Fri. Nov. 13, 2009 Last day oral defense and Comp exams for May 2009 graduates FRI. NOV. 20, 2009 - FALL CLASSES END Wed. Nov. 25, 2009 (noon) Last day to file Advancement to Candidacy for May 2010 graduates Wed. Nov. 26, 2008 - Thanksgiving SPRING SEMESTER 2010: MON. Jan. 4, 2010 - SPRING CLASSES BEGIN/TUITION DUE Last day to add/drop - TBA Mon. Jan. 18, 2010 Martin Luther King Day Fri. Jan. 22, 2010 - Last day to add/drop Mon. Feb. 15, 2010 - President's Day March 15-19, 2010 - Spring break Summer registration - TBA FRI. April 23, 2010 - SPRING CLASSES END Fri. April 30, 2010 - Last day oral defense & Comp exams for May 2010 graduates SUMMER SESSION 2009: MON. APRIL 6, 2009 - SUMMER CLASSES BEGIN/TUITION DUE Last day to add/drop - TBA Thur. April 30, 2009 - Last day oral defense & Comp. Exams Thurs. May 14, 2009 - Commencement June, 2009 - Honors' Day June 15, 2009 - Fall application deadline FRI. JUNE 26, 2009 - SUMMER CLASSES END July 2009 - summer break.

Health Science Educators Pledge of Commitment

As a member of the health professions:

I solemnly pledge to consecrate my life to the service of humanity through teaching, education and lifelong learning;

I will practice my profession with conscience and dignity: The well-being of others will be my primary concern;

I will respect the privacy of others and maintain the noble traditions of the health professions;

In all of my actions I will demonstrate respect for human dignity, freedom, equality, and maintain the utmost respect for life;

I will not permit personal bias or monetary rewards to interfere with my duty to others and to my profession;

I will use my knowledge and influence to promote human rights and hold human caring and consideration as fundamental values;

I will continually realize the dignity of the calling to educate and will work to advance my intellectual and moral growth;

I will be an engaged leader and work toward the realization of a more just and humane world;

I make these promises solemnly, freely and upon my honor.