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WesternU / College of Health Sciences / Masters of Science in Health Sciences / About the Health Professions Education Track

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

What do Health Professions Educators do?

Health Professions Educators create learning materials, teach, design student learning evaluations, conduct learning assessments, design curriculum, conduct research, mentor students and function as part of an educational team.

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