Master of Clinical Health Services
Degree Completion Program Curriculum
42 Credits total
Curriculum Format
The EMCHS curriculum includes 42 graduate credits delivered over 5 consecutive academic quarters beginning in summer quarter. This represents new material, and will not repeat educational components that were part of the entry-level PA school program. Though the majority of the curriculum will be the same for all students, individuals may select a focused subject area for one course requirement as well as the capstone project. Graduation from the program will take place upon achievement of minimum required grades in each course (2.7 or above, per the UW graduate school), an overall average GPA of 3.0 or higher within the program (per the UW graduate school), and successful completion of the capstone project and related assignments.
Curriculum will be delivered both on-campus and online. Students will begin the program with a two-week, on-campus intensive in Seattle begining Monday June 21st through Thursday July 1st, 2010. Class meetings are scheduled between 9 and 4 for these two weeks. After this initial on-campus component, students will participate in the majority of their coursework via online delivery methods. Most activities will allow students to log in to the course when it is most convenient for them, though each weekly module will have a completion deadline. Students may use their existing employment location or elect to identify a new site for the Clinical Residencies (see below). The final week of the program will bring all students back together on the Seattle campus for final evaluation and graduation activities. Over the course of the five-quarter program, students will be required to take time off work for no more than three weeks total. Some students may opt to participate in additional experiences away from their current employment setting.
Summer Quarter 2010 (1st quarter): 13 credits total
| MEDEX 528: Investigative Skills |
Format: on-site / on-line (5 credits) |
Continuing changes in clinical practice, the scope of published health-related research, and ongoing changes to the PA profession require that the modern practitioner be able to locate, critically appraise, and implement current research findings. These skills are essential for practitioners to remain up-to-date with their profession. This course trains students in basic measurement, biostatistical and epidemiological concepts and techniques, and the research methods required to evaluate critically public health and biomedical research findings. Through a series of lectures targeting specific skills, practical exercises using current public health and biomedical research, and online group discussions, students will acquire skills allowing them to review and evaluate current research findings and apply supportable findings to practice. |
| Focused Study |
Format: on-site / on-line (5 credits) |
The focused study course will follow a small-group seminar design that allows students to select an area of special interest. The various sections will share a common theme of providing high quality care within healthcare systems, but will diverge in focus and application. Two topic-focused sections will be offered in the first year of the program. An additional two sections are proposed for subsequent implementation. Students may select only one subject focus, and the different subject sections run concurrently. The course meets several times during the initial two weeks of the program, which are on campus. Subsequent weekly online meetings with assigned work will complete the quarter. This course will also equip students with the tools to identify an appropriate subject-related capstone project idea of reasonable scope, and may impact site selection for the clinical residencies.
MEDEX 510 Healthcare for Rural and Medically Underserved Populations: This course will examine the nature and severity of disparities in health care access and delivery to rural and urban underserved populations. By comparing and contrasting the issues surrounding delivery of care to these two populations we gain a more complete picture of the systemic issues that inhibit equitable access to care for all. Students will be challenged to consider these issues from the perspective of policy-makers as well as from the perspective as clinicians.
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MEDEX 511 Healthcare Administration and Public Health: This course will apply the basic principles of healthcare administration and public health to specific communities and practices. The Healthcare Administration and Public Health course will supply the tools needed for individuals to be able to analyze and propose solutions to local health problems within their scope of influence. |
MEDEX 512 Academic Medicine and Specialty Practice: This focus area is a proposed addition to the course for the second cohort of the EMCHS program. Material will include faculty skill development, tools to thrive in an academic environment, interdisciplinary collaboration between primary care and specialty disciplines, and specialty practice at an academic medical center. |
MEDEX 513 Global Health: This focus area is a proposed addition to the course for the second cohort of the EMCHS program. Material will include international healthcare systems, international models of healthcare professions, disease processes and management tools in developing countries, healthcare in areas experiencing armed conflict, promoting health and managing disease across borders, cultural competency, and national and international government and agency policy-making and its impact on care, quality and access. |
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The Capstone Project:
The EMCHS is a professional, rather than a thesis program. The capstone project is the primary academic product of the program, and related coursework runs throughout the length of the program. Students will select a topic within the theme of their Focused Study course (described above). Students will produce a finished product of sufficient depth and analytic rigor to demonstrate the independent thought appropriate to clinical master’s-level work. At the conclusion of the final quarter, students will submit a 10-page paper, make a 10-minute oral presentation to their colleagues and faculty, and display a poster presentation describing their project. Capstone project credits will be required in each quarter, and will be graded on a credit/no credit basis.
| MEDEX 521: Capstone Project I |
Format: on-site / on-line (3 credits) |
Each student’s Capstone project will relate to his or her focused study area. Students will work on their Capstone Project over five quarters. The first quarter (summer) will include two weeks of in-class lectures, seminars and small-group work, followed by six weeks of continuation online. By the end of the first quarter, students will submit structured proposals for three potential projects. |
Autumn Quarter 2010: 8 credits total
| MEDEX 537: Leadership for Practicing Clinicians |
Format: on-line (4 credits) |
This course is designed to increase the leadership knowledge base and skill set of practicing physician assistants as a strategy for increasing the impact of the profession on the health care delivery system and thereby increasing access to care. Course methods will include online learning and discussion as well as community-based assignments and analyses. Digital video presentations by role models will be used to provide specific relevance for currently practicing physician assistants. |
| MEDEX 531: Clinical Residency I |
Format: on-line / clinical site (3 credits) |
The three-quarter Clinical Residency courses provide students in the extended degree program an opportunity to apply new skills in their current employment setting or to explore new areas of specialty practice in approved domestic or international clinical settings. The MEDEX Clinical Residency courses (offered for three consecutive quarters) will provide the opportunity for students to accomplish one of three selected goals each quarter. Students will make their own individual arrangements for these experiences, which must be approved by the Extended MEDEX Degree Director and the MEDEX Clinical Training Office. Students will be responsible for any training/travel costs involved in their chosen experience. Focus options: 1) gain clinical expertise in a new area or specialty, 2) expand perspectives in the current practice setting by applying theories of practice-based learning and improvement, 3) provide healthcare and complete projects in global health settings. Students may choose any mix of these types of experience (e.g., all three quarters in a new clinical area, one quarter in each type of opportunity, two quarters in the current practice site and one in a new area).
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| MEDEX 522: Capstone Project II |
Format: on-line (1 credit) |
See overall Capstone Project description above. By the end of this quarter students will submit a finalized description of, plan for and timeline to complete their project. |
Winter Quarter 2011: 8 credits total
| MEDEX 536: Health Policy for Practicing Clinicians |
Format: on-line (4 credits) |
This course provides an overview of how US health policy is developed and the politics involved in the decision-making process. Insight into the legislative process combined with a broader understanding of the major healthcare issues facing the country will help to situate an individual’s clinical practice within the context of our nation’s health delivery system. |
| MEDEX 532: Clinical Residency II |
Format: on-line / clinical site (3 credits) |
See Clinical Residency course description above under MEDEX 531. |
| MEDEX 523: Capstone Project III |
Format: on-line (1 credit) |
See overall Capstone Project description above. During this quarter students will work on the actual activities described in their project plan. A quarterly progress report is required. |
Spring Quarter 2011: 8 credits total
| MEDEX 538: The Physician Assistant Profession |
Format: on-line (4 credits) |
The course on The PA Profession is intended to provide students with an expanded understanding of the PA role and profession. Topics focus on the history of the PA profession, education, economics, legal political and professional aspects of the PA profession, current and future PA roles, and hot topics within the profession. Students will be expected to acquire a broad view of the PA profession. This will assist them in working effectively with other types of providers in interdisciplinary teams and will provide additional background that will be helpful in clinical practice. |
| MEDEX 533: Clinical Residency III |
Format: on-line / clinical site (3 credits) |
See Clinical Residency course description above under MEDEX 531. |
| MEDEX 524: Capstone Project IV |
Format: on-line (1 credit) |
See overall Capstone Project description above. During this quarter students will work on the activities described in their project plan as well as project evaluation. A quarterly progress report is required. |
Summer Quarter 2011: 5 credits total
| MEDEX 525: Capstone Project V |
Format: on-line / on-site (5 credits) |
See overall Capstone Project description above. Students will finalize project activities and evaluation, and complete their written report as well as their oral/poster presentations as assigned. All students will meet on the Seattle campus for the final week of the quarter for presentation and evaluation activities. |
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The University of Washington is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the admission and application process, contact the Disability Services Office
(DSO) at 206-543- 6540 (voice) 206-543-6452 (TTY), 206-685-7264 (fax) or dso.u.washington.edu.
More information about DSO can be found at http://www.washington.edu/admin/dso/
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