Courses & Curriculum

REQUIRED CORE COURSES (7 courses, 3 credit hours each, 8-week format)

1. Health Cultural Competency (DCH 7103)

• Course focus: Evaluating and integrating knowledge of social determinants of health, psychodynamics, health disparities, and cultural competency to promote equitable healthcare services across diverse populations
• Expertise developed: Health equity analysis, cultural assessment skills, population health management, health disparities research, community engagement strategies, behavioral health competencies

2. Critical Thought and Informed Action (DCH 7113)

• Course focus: Analyzing complex health data and informatics, synthesizing information to formulate informed decisions and optimize healthcare operations and patient outcomes
• Expertise developed: Health policy analysis, data-driven decision making, healthcare advocacy, health informatics proficiency, evidence-based practice, policy evaluation skills

3. Design Reasoning: Strategic Choice (DCH 7123)

• Course focus: Synthesizing design thinking methodologies to formulate strategic choices and integrate design models in healthcare, improving healthcare strategies and patient experiences
• Expertise developed: Design thinking in healthcare, strategic planning, innovation modeling, systems design, human-centered design approaches, creative problem-solving

4. Innovation in Modern Healthcare (DCH 7133)

• Course focus: Evaluating and formulating innovative strategies in modern healthcare, focusing on process consultation, advocacy, and sustainability to create transformative and efficient healthcare services
• Expertise developed: Healthcare innovation management, change leadership, organizational consulting, sustainable healthcare practices, process improvement, transformation strategies

5. Leading Interdisciplinary Teams (DCH 7143)

• Course focus: Exhibiting advanced leadership skills by orchestrating interdisciplinary teams to innovate and elevate the modern healthcare landscape
• Expertise developed: Team leadership, interprofessional collaboration, conflict resolution, organizational behavior, team dynamics management, healthcare coordination

6. Operational Excellence (DCH 7153)

• Course focus: Assessing and integrating principles of quality and innovation to foster operational excellence in healthcare, leading to enhanced efficiency and patient care
• Expertise developed: Quality management systems, continuous improvement methodologies, Lean/Six Sigma in healthcare, patient safety protocols, performance measurement, innovation culture development

7. Financial Planning for Community Health (DCH 7163)

• Course focus: Evaluating financial planning strategies and allocating resources effectively for community health programming, ensuring long-term sustainability of healthcare projects and initiatives
• Expertise developed: Healthcare finance management, grant writing, budget development, ROI analysis, resource allocation, financial sustainability planning, fundraising strategies

 

REQUIRED RESEARCH METHODS COURSES (2 courses, 3 credit hours each)

8. Implementation Research: Linked Evidence (DCH 7503)

• Course focus: Bridging the gap between research findings and real-world healthcare practice through systematic implementation science approaches
• Expertise developed: Implementation science methodology, translational research skills, evidence-based practice integration, program evaluation, research design, dissemination strategies

9. Qualitative Methods: Get Your Code On! (DCH 7513)

• Course focus: Developing advanced skills in qualitative data collection, coding, analysis, and interpretation for healthcare research
• Expertise developed: Qualitative research design, coding proficiency, thematic analysis, mixed methods research, ethnographic methods, grounded theory, data interpretation skills