Penn may soon be adding two graduate programs to its offerings — professors proposed two new majors, the master of health care innovation and the master of behavioral and decision sciences.
The master of health care innovation is a mostly online degree which would be offered through Penn’s Perelman School of Medicine, but would have ties to the Wharton School, the School of Nursing, and Penn Law School.
“We have the developed the master of health care innovation to address what we think is a growing need for educating people in the health field who are actually on the front line,” medical professor, Vice Provost for Global Initiatives and chair of the Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy Ezekiel Emanuel said when speaking at a recent academic policy meeting.
The 18-month program would consist on online videos, assignments and a few days on campus each year. Students would pay $60,504 in tuition and would take multiple courses, seminars and complete a capstone project. The program would be limited in size and each student would have their own mentor.
“Lots of leaders need to gain knowledge about how to implement practices of population based health and patient centric care,” Emanuel said. “And they need to gain it while working.”
The master of behavioral and decision sciences would be offered through the School of Arts and Sciences and would be closely connected with the current undergraduate PPE major.
“There is an increasing demand for advanced training in behavioral and decision sciences,” College Dean Steven Fluharty said. “The distinct here, in this, is that we are proposing that this be based largely in the social sciences, in psychology and in the humanities, which is a distinguishing strength.”
Typical students could be sub-matriculates in PPE, recent graduates looking for career in business, education, policy or public health, and professionals in related fields.
The degree would require nine course units over the course of one calendar year and would require the completion of a data driven capstone project.
If approved, both programs could have their first students in the next academic year.
The Daily Pennsylvanian is an independent, student-run newspaper. Please consider making a donation to support the coverage that shapes the University. Your generosity ensures a future of strong journalism at Penn.
Donate