This program of study requires the completion of 39 credits beyond the baccalaureate degree. The educational program plan is developed by the students in consultation with and with the approval of an academic advisor. This academic advisor will be assigned to the student upon admission to the program and will serve as the student’s academic advisor. All students are required to complete 7 credits of core courses; 20 credits of specialization courses; and 12 credits of research courses. Specific courses for the specialization phase as well as electives are selected by the student in consultation with the academic advisor to insure a flexible and creative process of continuing personal and professional development.

Core - (4 credits) - The goal of this portion of the program is to provide the basis for an understanding of the health care delivery system, ethical and professional values and an understanding of the importance of communications within an organizational structure.

Research - (12 credits) - The goal of this portion of the program is to provide the student with a broad and comprehensive understanding of research findings and the communication of those findings to others. The student is required to take a research methods course followed by enrollment in research project. Prior to enrolling in the research methods course the student will be assigned a research advisor to assist in the development and execution of the students masters research project. A pre-requisite to research methods is a graduate statistic course.

Specialization - (23 credits) - For this area of study, the student must select a minimum of 23 credits of specialization courses designed to provide critical analysis of treatment methods and the scientific basis of practice. Selection of courses is dependent on the specialization track in which the student is enrolled.

Competencies

Research Project- Following completion of between 20-36 credits of course work (including a minimum of 9 credits in their specialization and completion of the research methods course) students will be eligible to register for research project course. The purpose of the research project course is to assist the student in conducting a scholarly research investigation in attempt to enable the student to demonstrate his/her comprehensive knowledge of their specialty, research design, as well as the other core components. Once the student completes the research investigation it is expected that the student share their work with there colleagues in one of the following formats: manuscript, symposium presentation, and or poster presentation. The research project must be completed within two years of completion of course work. Students may complete an in-depth integrated paper leading to a formal presentation of the information if the research project cannot be undertaken at that time.

In order to ensure that the School graduates competent and ethical practitioners, the School of Health & Medical Sciences faculty, in conjunction with the Dean's Office, developed an Academic Standards Policy and Policy on Academic Honesty and Integrity (PDF).