Master of Health Professional Education

Course code: 3860 + Course abbreviation: MHPE + Total credit points required: 72 + 3 semesters full-time, 6 semesters part-time

Course coordinator: Dr Geoff White

The Master of Health Professional Education builds upon the Graduate Certificate of Health Professional Education (GCHPE) course content and is designed for health professional educators wishing to study contemporary, evidence-based educational practices, apply the literature to their current practices and, where appropriate, to undertake educational research.

Participants selecting to advance from the GCHPE to Masters level will be guided in the planning, conduct and completion of educational research and development projects.

The course is conducted off-campus from Clayton with the option of Study Days where enrolments permit.

Course Objectives

The course will:

1. Support excellence in undergraduate and postgraduate course development in the health professions by developing educators who can implement curricular frameworks that are based on sound educational theory and research;
2. Model and promote internationally recognised contemporary and innovative educational practices;
3. Improve the learning experience of students in clinical environments by increasing the pool of teachers with advanced level skills;
4. Increase scholarship in health professional education that encourages high quality research pursuits;
5. Strengthen the teaching – research nexus in health professional education;
6. Foster development of career pathways for clinicians wanting to focus on education;
7. Prepare future educational leaders and policy makers in the health arena; and
8. Promote a professional approach to the development and delivery of educational practice.

Course Structure

The course can be completed in one of three ways:

1. Coursework only – by completing the GCHPE units (or approved equivalents) and a further 48 credit points of coursework units;
2. Minor thesis pathway A - by completing the GCHPE units (or approved equivalents) and a further 24 credit points of coursework units and a 24 credit-point minor thesis;
3. Minor thesis pathway B - by completing the GCHPE units (or approved equivalents) and a further 12 credit point coursework unit and a 36 credit-point minor thesis.

Fully coursework pathway

The fully coursework MHPE pathway requires completion of the GCHPE units (24 credit points) plus MEU9011 Educational Research Methods for the Health Professions (12 credit points) plus 36 credit points selected from the following units and unit combinations:

• MEU9012 Simulation in Health Professional Education (12 credit points)
• MEU9013 Independent Project in Health Professional Education (12 credit points)
• Four GCHPE 3 credit point elective units
• Two GCHPE 3 credit point elective units plus one 6 credit point unit selected from a range of appropriate units offered by the faculties of M, N & H S, Education and Business & Economics
• One 12 credit point unit or two 6 credit point units selected from a range of appropriate units offered by the faculties of M, N & H S, Education and Business & Economics

NOTE: a maximum of 12 credit points can be taken outside the Centre for Medical and Health Sciences Education.

Thesis pathways

Two thesis pathways are available, both of which articulate to PhD studies:

Pathway A – GCHPE plus MEU9011 Educational Research Methods for the Health Professions plus a 36 credit point thesis (25,000 – 30,000 words)

Pathway B – GCHPE plus plus MEU9011 Educational Research Methods for the Health Professions plus 12 credit points of coursework selected from the fully coursework pathway options plus a 24 credit point thesis (15,000 – 20,000 words)

Assessment of coursework units

Assessment activities include analytical essays, oral presentations and completion of a portfolio.

Contact details

Ms Caroline Bopp, Course Administrator. Telephone: +61 3 9501 5538; email: cmhse.programmes@med.monash.edu.au or visit www.med.monash.edu.au/cmhse/courses/