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Academic Medicine Certificate (Emphasis on Teaching/Learning)

The Teaching/Learning focus is designed to prepare teachers at all levels: undergraduate, graduate, or continuing education. Specialized training of faculty who teach medical students and residents is required by accrediting agencies in the areas of curriculum design, teaching methods, evaluation, and wellness. Addressing areas like professionalism, cultural competence, ethics, and wellbeing also require new knowledge and skills. This certificate program will provide those skills.

Required (3 units):
ACMD 501 – Introduction to Academic Medicine (3 units – Fall) Introduces the master’s program (teacher, leader, scholar, mentor), including issues challenges, and opportunities for faculty in academic medicine, and the competencies needed to thrive.

Required (6 units from among the following):
ACMD 511 – Competencies in Academic Medicine and Health I (3 units – Spring) Building curricula to promote learning in health professions education: learning principles, instructional methods, assessment techniques, and coaching learners.

ACMD 512 – Competencies in Academic Medicine and Health II (3 units – Spring) Guiding learning and profession development in clinical settings, and promoting competencies related to patient care, practice-based learning and improvement, and systems-based practice.

ACMD 513 – Professionalism in Academic Medicine and Health (3 units – Fall) Acquisition and evaluation of interpersonal and communication skills and professionalism including ethics, cultural competence, and promotion of equity, diversity, and inclusion within academic medicine.

ACMD 514 – Accreditation and Program Evaluation in Academic Medicine (3 units – Summer) Evaluating health professions training programs within guidelines of relevant accreditation organizations; models of evaluation, designing plans and tools for evaluation of program elements.

Elective: 3 units from any current courses being offered within the Master of Academic Medicine program, however, it is recommended that you take an additional course from the list above.

Academic Medicine Certificate (Emphasis on Leadership)

The leadership focus is designed to prepare those in academic medicine for leadership positions, for example program director (including assistant or associate), designated institutional officer, director of medical education, associate or vice-chair for education, or assistant/associate/vice dean. This certificate is intended for mid-career or senior faculty/administrators. It provides the essentials that a current or prospective leader requires in order to lead themselves and others, as well as to lead positive change within their program or institution.

Required (9 units):
ACMD 501 – Introduction to Academic Medicine (3 units – Fall) Introduces the master’s program (teacher, leader, scholar, mentor), including issues challenges, and opportunities for faculty in academic medicine, and the competencies needed to thrive.

ACMD 502 – Becoming a Leader in Academic Medicine (3 units – Fall) Approaches to leadership within academic medicine and health professions education, with intense development of self as a leader.

ACMD 503 – Leading Change in Academic Medical Centers (3 units – Spring) Exploration and practice of skills for promoting programs within health professions’ education; building trust, developing leaders, leading teams, guiding change, managing conflict, and negotiation.

Elective: 3 units from any current courses being offered within the Master of Academic Medicine program (see that section of the catalogue for available options). Suggested course:

ACMD 604 – Supporting the Educational Enterprise in Academic Medicine (3 units – Summer) Explores organizational structures, types of leadership, leadership positions, and support functions, and own future roles, within academic medical centers and health professions schools.

Program Objectives

Certificate recipients will be able to demonstrate skills within academic medicine and health including:

For all learners:

By the end of the 12-unit certificate program, learners will be better able to:

1. Discuss learning principles and theories relevant to teaching and learning in the health professions.
2. Describe the competencies expected by accreditors in their own health profession and specialty.
3. Create and present an educational innovation based on needs in own setting.
4. Examine current issues and challenges facing medical schools and academic health centers and find a personal opportunity within one.
5. Conduct a personal assessment and build a plan for personal success within academic medicine.
6. Model life-long learning and promote the wellbeing of themselves and others (e.g., faculty, learners, staff, providers).

In addition, those completing the Teaching/Learning Emphasis would be able to:

1. Conduct an educational needs assessment for a targeted program.
2. Develop a plan for a curricular unit in their area of specialization.
3. Design an educational experience for a classroom or clinical setting.
4. Teach and assess the competencies of Knowledge, Patient Care, Practice-Based Learning and Improvement, Interpersonal and Communication Skills, Professionalism, and System-Based Practice

In addition, those completing the Leadership Emphasis would be able to:

1. Analyze own personal history, leadership style and personality traits; discuss strengths and weaknesses; and develop a plan for future growth in leading.
2. Discuss the nature of leadership and apply all materials reviewed to leadership cases and to education within their professional setting.
3. Develop and present a proposal for a desired change in own educational program or patient care setting.
4. Develop a plan for negotiation and use negotiating skills in job-related situations.
5. Conduct an assessment of a work-related team and promote team development.

Course Information

Courses meet weekly in our interactive online classroom that uses the Zoom platform. Certificate program participants will take online classes alongside the Master of Academic Medicine students. Synchronous online coursework is complemented by asynchronous written assignments, use of technology, and spring semester onsite experiences.

On Site Participation: Students will come to the USC campus once in the Spring semester for 4 days for intensive sessions that focus on community building and on development, application, and evaluation of relevant skills. Students will also attend the annual online Innovations in Medical Education Conference.

Admission Process

Pre-application: All potential applicants should complete the Pre-Application form (click below) and send your most recent Curriculum Vitae to nyquist@usc.edu. Upon successful review of your Pre-Application and CV you will be invited to complete University of Southern California’s graduate school admissions process and meet the requirements listed below. For questions or to schedule an appointment with a faculty advisor, call (323) 442-2372 or send a request to AcademicMedicine@med.usc.edu. You may also contact Dr. Julie Nyquist, Program Director, at nyquist@usc.edu.

USC Graduate School Admission Requirements: Applicants for admission to the Teaching/Learning Certificate in Academic Medicine program are generally expected to have an advanced degree in a health profession. Transcripts and proof of graduation are required. Applicants for admission to the Leadership Certificate in Academic Medicine program are generally expected to have at least five years of experience in health professions education. For all applicants, one letter of recommendation is required. For applicants who do not have an advanced degree in a health profession, a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution is required, a grade point average of 3.0 (A = 4.0) is usually expected. For specific information on admission and application procedures, contact the Department of Medical Education, (323) 442-2372.