Common Questions

Is the program structured so that one must begin in the fall and continue in sequence?

We do highly recommend students start in the fall because of the way the course schedule is structured. That being said, we do allow students to start any quarter. Students must take HHPE510 Learning Theories as a prerequisite for other courses in the program. Learning Theories is offered every quarter with the stipulation that there must be 5 or more students enrolled.

How are courses structured/what is the degree of flexibility?

Courses are structured so there is ongoing interaction among participants.  There are typically weekly discussions, projects, etc. that are due by a specific date. There is flexibility within the courses because you do not have to be online at a specific time/day of the week as long as you meet the assignment deadline. Discussions are asynchronous so you can respond to others at your convenience.

How long does it take to complete the program?

Students can complete the program in 21 months (continuous full-time enrollment*)

*Based on program’s definition of full-time which is 2 courses per quarter/registrar defines it as 12 credits per quarter

Are there specific times one must be available for interactive content?

Occasionally a course may offer a real-time webinar format for students to participate in live discussions. Those are typically informative and are recorded for viewing at a later date by participants who are unable to attend.  

Are there weekly assignments, or is it flexible (within the confines of the quarter)?

There are weekly assignments and they are completed within the confines of each quarter.

I'm interested in more information about the capstone experience and requirements.

There is a teaching practicum at the end of the program.  Students seek out a site (with the help of their faculty advisor) to create and teach an educational module. Students typically have an area of interest or specialty that they develop throughout the program that becomes the basis for their practicum. Some of the past practicums included a faculty development workshop where the HPE student developed and taught a workshop on interprofessional healthcare practice to a group of community college faculty, another student created a module on hand therapy to teach to a group of Occupational Therapists in a healthcare setting. Students have also created modules and workshops for the online environment.

The practicum requires a student teach a minimum of 10 hours which includes student contact hours such as lectures, managing discussion forums, etc. This will also include time allotted for grading and feedback.

Does the program accept transfer credit?

The faculty in the Health Professions Education Master of Science program will review requests for transfer credit from other institutions on a case-by-case basis. The program will accept up to 9 quarter hours of credits earned from a fully accredited external institution or another program within RFUMS.

An admitted student may request transfer credit by meeting the following conditions.

• Required core courses, students must have earned the credit at the graduate level from a regionally accredited college or university.  The student must submit to the HPE Program Director a full syllabus and official transcript for courses to demonstrate the course(s) meets and/or contains equivalent core learning competencies for the requested transfer.
• Elective courses, students must have earned the credit at the graduate level from a regionally accredited college or university.  The student must submit to the HPE Program Director a full syllabus and official transcript for courses to demonstrate the course(s) meets and/or contains equivalent core learning competencies for the requested transfer.
• Credits earned in an RFUMS graduate program may also be considered for transfer as elective credits.  The student must submit to the HPE Program Director a full syllabus and official transcript for courses to demonstrate the course(s) meets and/or contains equivalent core learning competencies for the requested transfer.
• Student must provide evidence of an earned final course grade of “B” or better for the course the student is requesting to transfer. (RFUMS will accept a Pass grade if the course is graded only on a pass-fail basis.)

Are there specific computer or technical requirements? I see reference to the technical standards for admissions, but could not find a document that outlined the expectations.

Review the latest online technical requirements.  Please be aware, these may change as technology changes.