Health Professions Education

Admissions Requirements

• Submit an online application and an application fee of $50.
• Official transcript from each college or university from which you have earned a degree or post-baccalaureate credits.
• A master’s or doctoral degree awarded by a regionally accredited institution in the field of healthcare, public health, healthcare management, or other health-related discipline; cumulative grade point average of 3.3 or better (on a 4-point scale) for all graduate degrees.
• A current resume/CV documenting professional experience and educational achievements.
• Two letters of recommendation from a faculty member or work supervisor/colleague.
• Personal essay of approximately 400-600 words describing how this program will enhance the applicant’s academic and/or professional career goals.

International students will also require:

• Demonstration of English proficiency either by TOEFL (score 79-80 or higher for graduate study) or IELTS (score of 6.5 or higher for graduate study).
• International students from non-US institutions are required to have transcripts reviewed and certified by a NACES approved credential evaluation service (https://www.naces.org/) such as WES (World Education Services).
• A completed Supplemental International Student application to have an I-20 issued.

Radford Graduate Certificate in Health Professions Education Curriculum and Sequence

The Graduate Certificate in Health Professions Education equips health sciences professionals with essential knowledge in educational theory and evidence‑based teaching practices. You will learn effective strategies for engaging learners in both classroom and online environments while applying core educational principles to instructional design. The curriculum also introduces the structure of U.S. higher education and the key responsibilities of faculty, including teaching, governance, and curriculum development. Throughout the program, you will strengthen your ability to plan, deliver, and assess student learning across lecture-based and experiential settings.

Certificate Requirement: 12 credit hours

The certificate is delivered through synchronous online courses completed one course at a time over four consecutive semesters. The certificate courses begin each spring semester, starting in January.

Spring Semester

HSCE 715 Education Theories and Practice (3 credits) (Semester I)

Theories addressing how students learn are explored. Students develop expertise in the application of theory to develop effective teaching strategies for college students.

Summer Semester

HSCE 730 Higher Education in the United States (3 credits) (Semester II)

In this course, students explore higher education in the United States, including governance and finance of public and private institution. Emphasis is placed on the role of faculty.

Fall Semester

HSCE 821 Educational Strategies for the Health Sciences I (3 credits) (Semester III)

This course is the first of a two-part sequence exploring strategies for health sciences education. The focus of this course is on planning, implementing, and assessing student learning through in-person and online lectures.

Spring Semester

HSCE 831 Educational Strategies for the Health Sciences II (3 credits) (Semester IV)

This course is the second of a two-part sequence exploring strategies for health sciences education. The focus of this course is on planning, implementing, and assessing in-person and on-line experiential student learning.

When you enroll in the Graduate Certificate in Health Professions Education, you join a collaborative academic community committed to excellence in teaching, interprofessional practice, and professional advancement.

This certificate is strengthened through active partnerships across Radford University. These opportunities allow you to build your professional network, engage with experienced educators, and explore scholarly approaches to teaching and learning in the health sciences.

Dr. Raymond N. Linville Center for Interprofessional Education and Practice

Through the Linville Center at Radford University’s Waldron College of Health and Human Services, you will engage in interprofessional learning experiences that prepare you to teach and collaborate across health disciplines. You’ll gain exposure to evidence-based strategies that promote team-based care, communication, and systems thinking in health professions education. The Linville Center sponsors the annual Waldron College Interprofessional Education and Practice Symposium and case study events each fall and spring semester.

Teaching Excellence Academy for Collaborative Healthcare (TEACH

As a certificate student, you are invited to participate in TEACH Health Professions Educator programming, including Education Day and collaborative healthcare teaching events. These experiences provide opportunities to explore innovative pedagogy, simulation, interprofessional education, and scholarly teaching practices alongside regional educators. TEACH is a collaborative between the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Carilion Clinic, and Radford University.

Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning (CITL)

Enhance your instructional design, assessment strategies, and student engagement techniques through workshops, consultations, and faculty development programming. CITL resources support you in becoming a confident, reflective, and effective educator.

Office of Graduate Affairs

The Office of Graduate Affairs supports your success as a graduate learner. From academic advising resources to professional development programming, you will have access to services designed to help you navigate graduate study, connect with peers, and advance your academic goals.

Center for Career and Talent Development 

Whether you are preparing for a clinical educator role, academic appointment, or leadership position in health professions education, the Center for Career and Talent Development provides career coaching, networking support, résumé and CV development assistance, and interview preparation to help you achieve your professional goals.