Certificate in Academic Medicine

A 12-unit certificate program in Academic Medicine is now offered through the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California. Participants join our vigorous online community of learners that are part of Keck’s Master of Academic Medicine (MACM) program and will take classes alongside the MACM students. The MACM program focuses on four roles faculty and other leaders may play: teacher, leader, scholar, and mentor. There are also two different emphases within the certificate program: Teaching/Learning (focusing on the roles of teacher and mentor) and Leadership (focusing on the roles of leader and mentor).

Having two options allows you to focus on what you need today to fulfill your roles as teacher or leader. The certificate program can be completed in 9-24 months (2-6 semesters) to suit your schedule. Certificate students may begin in May (summer semester) or August (fall semester) of each year.

The program cultivates leaders who will develop and advance educational programs for health professions education. Learners grow together as leaders and educators. You will be well prepared to guide future generations of health professionals toward better meeting the health needs of our global society and promoting the wellbeing of future providers.

Courses are designed to meet the practical needs of each participant. What students learn each week can be applied immediately in their work settings. This learner-centered program allows each student to tailor most assignments to her/his own learning objectives and to the needs of their program and institution.

Each person may select and complete only one certificate program emphasis. After completion of a certificate, the learner is no longer eligible to pursue the Master of Academic Medicine degree.

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.

Required Elective (3 units)

Select from any current courses being offered within the Master of Academic Medicine program. All courses should be selected with the approval of the learner’s adviser.

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 from among the following)

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.

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

Required Elective (3 units)

Select from any current courses being offered within the Master of Academic Medicine program. All courses should be selected with the approval of the learner’s adviser.

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 are invited come to the USC campus once in the Spring semester for three days for hands-on workshops 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.

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. For questions or to schedule an appointment with a faculty advisor, call (323) 442-3004 or send a request to AcademicMedicine@med.usc.edu. You may also contact Dr. Julie Nyquist, Program Director, at nyquist@usc.edu.