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Online Master of Science in Health Professions Education

The online Master of Science in Health Professions Education (MSHPE) is designed for healthcare professionals who plan to teach or currently teach in their respective discipline—medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, and allied health professionals - and want to become effective educators in clinical and didactic settings.

The Master of Science program in Health Professions Education at UofL aims to equip healthcare educators with the essential theoretical knowledge and learning science skills required to excel as a teacher in the didactic and clinical setting. Through this program, you will acquire the tools to assess, evaluate, and apply research-based instruction effectively, enabling you to lead, influence, and educate diverse learners across cultures, departments, and systems. Upon graduation, you will have cultivated the scholarly skills to promote inclusive teaching practices and create safe learning environments, all while shaping your professional identity as an educator.

The online Health Professions Education master’s program is offered through a collaboration between the College of Education and Human Development and the School of Medicine at the University of Louisville.

Health Professions Education, MSHPE & Graduate Certificate Virtual Info Session:

Wednesday, April 3: 12:15 – 12:45 p.m.
Tuesday, April 23: 5 – 5:30 p.m.

Join the HPE faculty and staff for a virtual information session to learn more about the program, how to apply, and get your questions answered.

Wednesday, April 3

12:15 – 12:45 p.m.


Register Now
Tuesday, April 23

5 – 5:30 p.m.


Register Now

 

How Much Will I Pay?

Tuition & Aid    

Highlights

  • Skip the GRE – it’s not required for admission.
  • Gain foundational knowledge on the theory, research and practice of education as it applies to health professions, and become an effective educator in the classroom and/or clinical environment.
  • Take advantage of the flexibility and convenience of 100% online classes and 24/7 access to learning tools.
  • Explore principles and methods of teaching and learning within a healthcare context, including engaging learning techniques, instructional technology, diversity topics, learner assessment and more.
  • Learn from world-class and highly experienced faculty from UofL’s School of Medicine and College of Education Human Development.
  • Start spring, summer or fall and earn your degree in about 2 years.
  • Receive skills necessary for educators by focusing on teaching and learning, rather than Health Professions Education research.
  • Enjoy fully asynchronous 8-week terms with absolutely no in-person component required.
  • Benefit from the Graduate Certificate in Health Professions Education; all 12 credit hours that make up this certificate are also the core courses for the MS in Health Professions Education, and roll right into the degree.

START YOUR APPLICATION     REQUEST INFORMATION


100% ONLINE COURSEWORK

Complete the program on your own time through fully online classes.

11 COURSES

Many courses available in
8-week accelerated terms.

5 STARTS PER YEAR

Start when it’s right for you with Fall, Spring and Summer admits.

Online learning  - Online Master of Science in Health Professions Education

"The goal of the HPE program is to magnify the impact of the health professions educator. Not only do health professions educators improve the outcomes of their patients, but they significantly improve the educational outcomes of the practitioner learners and impact the patients that those learners ultimately care for in the future."


Staci Saner, Ed.D.
Program Director

Why earn a Health Professions Education degree?

Employment in the healthcare industry is booming, with expected growth of 2.6 million jobs from 2020 to 2030 (bls.gov). The need for health professions educators is greater than ever as we train the next generation of healthcare providers. The curriculum within UofL’s MSHPE program will equip you with the skills and expertise to be a highly effective health professions educator. Furthermore, many educational leadership roles in academic healthcare are requesting certificates or degrees in HPE so this degree can assist in advancing your career long-term as well.


What ways can I benefit from a Master’s in Health Professions Education?

Becoming the education leader within your health system will impact not only the future of the healthcare professionals you mentor but also of the patients and organization. Earning your master’s in HPE can also increase your potential earnings.

Other occupation opportunities include, but not limited to:

  • Clinical educator
  • Healthcare education researcher
  • Program director
  • Academic medical and dental faculty
  • Fellowship program director
  • Clerkship director
  • Directors of Hospital Education programs
  • Thread directors
  • Course directors
  • Education Deans
 

START YOUR APPLICATION     REQUEST INFORMATION


Application Deadline Term Start Date
August 1 Fall I August
September 10 Fall II October
December 10 Spring I January
February 10 Spring II March
May 1 Summer June

Note: Admissions are on a rolling basis. The preferred deadlines help you complete the application process on time, be notified of acceptance, and enroll before the term begins. Although admissions are granted for a specific term up to the day classes start, we recommend you submit your complete application well in advance of the preferred deadline, as obtaining transcripts and other materials may take more time.


Steps to Apply

  1. Complete the graduate application
  2. Submit a $65 non-refundable application fee
  3. Submit official transcripts from all previous institutions
    • Only official degree-bearing transcripts must be submitted by the applicant using appropriate methods (e.g., Parchment or National Clearinghouse) or be on file in the Office of Faculty Affairs (for applicants internal to UofL). Applicants should submit their most senior degree earned or that they are in the progress of earning.
  4. Check for Scholarships

START YOUR APPLICATION     REQUEST INFORMATION


Admission Requirements

  • Unconditional admission requires a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 for all coursework taken at the undergraduate and/or graduate degree-granting institution; or a terminal professional degree (e.g., MD, DO, DMD, DNP, PhD, EdD).
    • Applicants with a GPA less than 2.5 at the undergraduate/graduate level may inquire about conditional admission
  • Current Resume/CV
  • One letter of recommendation from a person(s) familiar with your academic or professional work
  • Personal goal statement written by the applicant that is a clear, substantive description of your goals within health professions education (approx. 1-2 pages)
  • English language proficiency - Students for whom English is not their primary language must show English language proficiency by successfully completing the international admission requirements.
  • GRE test scores are not required

The online MSHPE program is a 33-credit hour (11 course) program that incorporates 15 credit hours of core health professions education courses, 9 credit hours of higher education courses, 6 credit hours of electives, and 1 exit requirement.


Core Courses

Core Courses Hours
Health Professions Education Core 18
LEAD 607 Principles of Educational Leadership 3
LEAD 650 Evaluation and Assessment in Health Professions Education (starting January 2024) 3
LEAD 665 Foundations of Health Professions Education 3
LEAD 675 Teaching & Learning in Health Professions Education 3
LEAD 676 Instructional Strategies in Health Professions Education 3
LEAD 685 Evidence-based Practice in Health Professions Education (HPE Capstone) 3
Education Core 6
LEAD 666 Program Development & Assessment in Higher Education OR LEAD 600 Introduction to Research Methods and Statistics 3
LEAD 694 Diversity in Higher Education 3
Electives & Exit Requirement 9
Electives (course options listed below) 6
LEAD 697 Professional Project in Higher Education Exit Requirement 3
Total Credit Hours Required in Program 33

Elective Courses

Core List Hours
LEAD 600 Introduction to Research Methods and Statistics 3
LEAD 601 Applied Statistics 3
LEAD 602 Applied Statistics 3
LEAD 660 Diversity and Inclusion 3
LEAD 661 Adult & Organizational Learning (if not taken in the Core) 3
LEAD 668 Academic Advising 3
LEAD 670 Instructional Strategies 3
LEAD 678 American College and University 3
LEAD 681 Philosophy of Higher Education (if not taken in the Core) 3
LEAD 683 College Teaching 3
LEAD 687 Education Policy and Equity 3


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Course Descriptions


  • Who is the M.S. in Health Professions Education program for?
    This program is designed for any faculty in the health professions that has a teaching component in their work assignment and would like to a become better educator. Examples include:
    • Physicians
    • Residents and Fellows
    • Physician Assistants
    • Nurses
    • Clinician Educators, Clinical
    • Preceptors/Supervisors
    • Allied Health Professionals
    • Department Chairs and Program
    • Directors
  • Is the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) required?
    No, the GRE is not required to be admitted to this program. However, if you do not have a terminal degree or a GPA of 2.5 or higher, it is recommended to submit your GRE score with your application.
  • Is there a part-time option?
    Yes, you can complete the program as a part-time student.
  • Is the program open to international students?
    Yes, this program is available to international students.
  • Do I need to have teaching experience to be accepted into the program?
    No, you are not required to have any teaching experience to be accepted into this program.
  • Is financial aid available for this program?
    Yes, for more information and how to apply visit https://louisville.edu/online/tuition?tab=aid. Tuition remission is also available to all full-time and most part-time University of Louisville employees. Books and/or other course materials must be purchased by participants.
  • Do I take the courses in a particular order?
    LEAD 685 must be taken after LEAD 650, 665, 675, and 676. LEAD 697 must be the last course as the exit requirement course. All other courses can be taken in any order.
  • Who do I contact for more information?
    Getting in touch with your enrollment counselor is a great first step! Erin can be reached at online@louisville.edu or 800.871.8635.