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Academic Catalog

Master of Health Science, MHS

MHS with Health Care Education Emphasis

Website: https://www.washburn.edu/academics/college-schools/applied-studies/departments/allied-health/mhs/index.html

Mission

The mission of the Master of Health Science (MHS) in Health Care Education is to prepare existing health care professionals to be effective teachers and leaders who are capable of serving diverse learners within health care organizations and allied health degree programs.

Program Description

The Department of Allied Health offers a master's degree designed specifically for health care professionals interested in building their knowledge and skills in education as well as health care administration. The education emphasis of the degree is relevant to all health care professionals given their role in patient education, mentoring of students, and continuing education. A background in education is also valuable for career advancement into higher education, medical applications training, and community outreach for example. All courses are offered online to meet the needs of adult learners. Part-time and full-time scheduling options are available.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program students will be able to:

  • Apply sound strategies and methods in the development of learning experiences that meet the needs of learners.
  • Develop assessments intended to guide instruction or evaluate effectiveness.
  • Recognize ethical responsibilities of health care and education professionals.
  • Analyze issues and trends relevant to healthcare and education practice.
  • Synthesize information from credible and relevant sources for an applied purpose.

Life Experience

Under no circumstances will academic credit be awarded for life experiences.

Continuous Enrollment

Effective Fall 2016, students pursuing a graduate degree who have completed all degree requirements, and have enrolled in but not completed a capstone, practicum, or thesis, will be required to maintain continuous enrollment at Washburn University until graduation (unless a leave has been approved). Continuous enrollment means that candidates must be enrolled in at least one credit hour until degree requirements are met. If all other course work has been completed, students will be required to enroll in a one-credit-hour class AL 777 Continuous Enrollment each semester until the program is completed. Credit hours completed through the AL 777 Continuous Enrollment will not count toward the credit hours required for graduation and will be recorded as a credit on the transcript. This requirement also applies to the summer term for students whose degrees are being awarded at the end of the summer term. Interruption of continuous registration due to a failure to follow this requirement will result in a need for readmission to the program.

Nondiscrimination

It is the policy of Washburn University and the Department of Allied Health to assure equal educational and employment opportunity to qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, sex, marital or parental status, or sexual orientation.

Admission Requirements

Candidates for admission to the Master of Health Science degree must have completed a bachelor’s degree and have at least two years of work experience in a health care profession.

Candidates are expected to be familiar with Microsoft Office products and meet the technical expectations for online students as outlined at https://www.washburn.edu/its/online-education/tech-tips.html

Admission Procedures

  1. Complete the University Graduate Admissions application. A link to the application can be found at: https://www.washburn.edu/admissions/apply.html
  2. There is no fee to apply.
  3.  When prompted select "Degree Seeking"
  4. Applicants will upload the following:
    • Unofficial transcripts demonstrating completion of a bachelor’s degree. Official transcripts are required only after being admitted. Official transcripts may be sent electronically to etranscripts@washburn.edu or via U.S. mail to: Admissions, 1700 SW College Ave., Topeka KS 66621,
    • Resume demonstrating at least two (2) years of work experience in a health care profession.
    • One-page educational goal statement addressing how the MHS program will support the candidate for future academic and/or career goals.
  5. Applicants for unconditional acceptance must have achieved a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in the last 60 hours from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning.
  6. Applicants for conditional acceptance must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.75-2.99 on a 4.0 scale in the last 60 hours from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning.

Transfer Credit

A maximum of 9 transfer credit hours may be approved on a case-by-case basis by the MHS Program Coordinator. Only relevant graduate coursework coming from a regionally accredited institution for which a grade of "B" or better was earned will be considered.

AL 600Foundations of Health Care Education3
AL 601Legal/Ethical Issues in Health Care3
AL 602Special Populations in Health Care3
AL 620Research Methods in Health Science3
AL 622Organization and Administration in Higher Education3
AL 624Assessment in Health Care Education3
AL 626Instructional Technology3
AL 628Systems Thinking and Safety in Health Care3
AL 720Curriculum and Instruction in Health Care Education3
AL 724Capstone Portfolio3
Total Hours30

Course Offerings

AL 600  Foundations of Health Care Education  (3)  

Explores foundational theories of adult learning and their application to health care education. Students examine key learning theories, characteristics, and motivations of adult learners while reflecting on personal philosophies and approaches to teaching in professional settings.

AL 601  Legal/Ethical Issues in Health Care  (3)  

Examines legal and ethical principles that guide professionals in health care practice and administration. Emphasis is placed on understanding and applying ethical frameworks, legal doctrines, and regulatory standards.

AL 602  Special Populations in Health Care  (3)  

Explores how culture, identity, and experience influence health beliefs, behaviors, and healthcare delivery. Emphasizes the development of cultural competence and humility through analysis of diverse populations, reflection on personal and professional biases, and examination of practices that promote equitable and inclusive healthcare environments.

AL 603  Health Care Decision Making  (3)  

Decision making is the study of identifying and choosing alternatives based on reducing uncertainty and selecting a reasonable choice based on the values and preferences of the decision maker. Decision making theories, methods, and processes will be studied as well as the application of decision analysis and knowledge-based systems, including data mining, data warehouses, data marts, clinical data repositories, and data modeling. Prerequisite: None.

AL 620  Research Methods in Health Science  (3)  

Focuses on general principles of quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods, and action research. Students develop the ability to critically think and responsibly consume research in professional contexts.

AL 622  Organization and Administration in Higher Education  (3)  

Examines the organization and leadership functions of higher education institutions, with applications relevant to health professions education. Students analyze how structure, policy, leadership, and external influences shape institutional effectiveness and the student experience within higher education.

AL 624  Assessment in Health Care Education  (3)  

Focuses on developing assessment literacy for health care educators. Students learn to design and evaluate assessments that align with learning targets, curriculum standards, and program outcomes. Emphasis is placed on using assessment evidence to guide teaching decisions and support continuous improvement at both the classroom and program level.

AL 626  Instructional Technology  (3)  

Prepares students to apply theoretical frameworks to evaluate, select, and plan for instructional technology use to facilitate learning. Through practical application students will discover how to integrate technology into instruction and gain an awareness of the benefits and possible challenges of technology use.

AL 628  Systems Thinking and Safety in Health Care  (3)  

This course examines healthcare as a complex adaptive system and explores how human factors, system design, and organizational culture influence patient safety. Emphasis is placed on understanding human error, fostering a culture of safety, and designing safer processes and environments.

AL 630  Foundations of Radiation Oncology  (3)  

This course is a review of radiation oncology practices that will prepare students for a successful clinical experience. Topics include patient care techniques, radiation safety, information technology, and radiation oncology equipment. Prerequisites: Admission to the Medical Dosimetry program.

AL 632   Cross-sectional Anatomy in Medical Dosimetry  (3)  

This course will provide students with an understanding of cross-sectional anatomy that is necessary for accurate radiation oncology treatment planning. At the end of the course, students will be able to identify the location and function of various anatomical structures in multiple modalities, including radiographs, CT, MRI, and PET-CT. Prerequisites: Admission to the Medical Dosimetry program.

AL 634  Oncology Principles I  (3)  

This course will introduce students to the role of radiation oncology in cancer care. Topics include a review of radiobiology principles, etiology and pathophysiology of cancer, and the multidisciplinary approach to cancer treatment. Prerequisites: Admission to the Medical Dosimetry program, AL 630, AL 632.

AL 636  Radiation Oncology Treatment Planning I  (4)  

In this course, students will review basic dosimetry principles such as isodose distributions, factors that influence dose distribution, beam arrangements and treatment techniques, electron beam dosimetry, and monitor unit calculations. Prerequisites: Admission to the Medical Dosimetry program, AL 630, AL 632.

AL 638  Radiation Physics  (3)  

This course is a review of radiation physics principles and their application in radiation oncology treatment planning. Topics covered include atomic structure, radiation interactions, radioactive decay, and dose measurement. Prerequisites: Admission to the Medical Dosimetry program, AL 630, AL 632.

AL 640  Ethics & Professionalism in Medical Dosimetry  (2)  

In this course, students will explore accreditation requirements and professional expectations for practicing medical dosimetrists. Topics include ethical principles, legal considerations, the continuum of care in radiation oncology, and professional development. Prerequisites: Admission to the Medical Dosimetry program, AL 630, AL 632.

AL 644  Oncology Principles II  (3)  

In this course, students will learn about the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of specific cancer disease sites. Topics include clinical presentation, detection and staging, multimodality treatment options, and radiation oncology considerations. Prerequisites: Admission to the Medical Dosimetry program, AL 634, AL 636, AL 660.

AL 646  Radiation Oncology Treatment Planning II  (4)  

This course covers the properties and therapeutic use of radionuclides, brachytherapy treatment planning, and special applications of radiation oncology including but not limited to proton therapy, stereotactic radiotherapy, total body irradiation, and intra-operative radiation therapy. Prerequisites: Admission to the Medical Dosimetry program, AL 634, AL 636, AL 660.

AL 648  Research Methodology in Medical Dosimetry  (3)  

This course will introduce students to research methods, including how to identify a research topic, types of research studies, and data collection and analysis. By the end of the course, students will be able to write a literature review on a topic that is relevant to radiation oncology practice. Prerequisites: Admission to the Medical Dosimetry program, AL 634, AL 636, AL 638, AL 640, AL 660.

AL 650  Quality Improvement in Radiation Oncology  (2)  

This course emphasizes the importance of continuous quality improvement measures in radiation oncology. Topics include quality assurance methods for personnel, equipment, and treatment planning software. Special attention will be given to Task Group Reports that guide quality assurance of radiation equipment. Prerequisites: Admission to the Medical Dosimetry program, AL 634, AL 636, AL 638, AL 640, AL 660.

AL 660  Medical Dosimetry Clinical I  (2-4)  

Throughout this course, students will gain practical experience in the radiation oncology clinic. Imaging, data acquisition, and treatment planning concepts are introduced, and students will begin practicing anatomical contouring and basic treatment calculations. This course may be repeated, up to a total of 4 credit hours. Prerequisites: Admission to the Medical Dosimetry program, AL 630, AL 632.

AL 665  Medical Dosimetry Clinical II  (2-4)  

In this course, students will continue developing practical skills in the radiation oncology clinic. Students will practice more advanced treatment planning methods, including site-specific and brachytherapy procedures. This course may be repeated, up to a total of 4 credit hours. Prerequisites: Admission to the Medical Dosimetry program, AL 634, AL 636, AL 660.

AL 670  Medical Dosimetry Clinical III  (3)  

In this clinical rotation, students will focus on enhancing professional skills such as effective communication, time-management, and participating in clinic workflows. This course will also introduce students to the role of clinical trials in cancer management. Prerequisites: Admission to the Medical Dosimetry program, AL 644, AL 646, AL 665.

AL 675  Medical Dosimetry Capstone  (3)  

This course serves as the final, comprehensive experience for students in the Medical Dosimetry program. Students will complete either an action research study in their clinic or a comprehensive mock board exam. Additional details can be found in the Medical Dosimetry Program Manual. Prerequisites: Admission to the Medical Dosimetry program, AL 644, AL 646, AL 648, AL 650, AL 665.

AL 720  Curriculum and Instruction in Health Care Education  (3)  

Examines principles and frameworks that guide curriculum development and instruction in health professions education. Emphasizes the application of sound instructional and curricular principles to plan, implement, and evaluate learning experiences.

AL 722  Trends in Health Care and Education  (3)  

Examines significant trends within health care and education practice including the influence of political, social, and economic variables.

AL 724  Capstone Portfolio  (3)  

Provides students the opportunity to curate, refine, and reflect upon key artifacts developed throughout their program of study. The portfolio demonstrates mastery of program learning outcomes. Through critical reflection, students integrate their learning to illustrate professional growth and create meaningful connections between the program of study and their professional goals. Prerequisites: 24 credits of degree coursework completed; taken during the last semester of coursework.

AL 726  Capstone II  (3)  

This is the last of a two-course sequence. Provides students with the opportunity to integrate and apply knowledge and skills gained from the MHS course of study and other related experiences through the completion of a comprehensive capstone project.

AL 777  Continuous Enrollment  (1-3)  

This course is to allow students additional time to complete Capstone, Thesis or Practicum requirements. Prerequisites: Instructor Permission