| Award | Duration | Format | Audience | Application Deadline | Start Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Science in Healthcare Simulation | Full Time: 16 months Part Time: 24 months |
Online with one on-campus visit | Clinical and administrative healthcare professionals | August 1 | August |
| December 1 | January | ||||
| May 1 | May |
UAB’s Master of Science in Healthcare Simulation is designed to prepare you with leadership and quality improvement skills in healthcare simulation in order to improve patient safety, increase communication effectiveness, refine teamwork, and enhance care delivery. By developing expertise in healthcare simulation, you will be equipped with a unique skill set to impact patient outcomes in your organization through the innovation of simulation.
Format
The degree is completed online with one, 4-day on-campus visit. This provides you with flexibility to complete the degree while working full-time. We offer both full-time (16 months) and part-time (24 months) options.
On-Campus Visit
Through an interactive, 4-day on-campus visit during the first semester, you will build a strong bond with your colleagues in the program, and dive into both immersive and procedural simulation in a psychologically safe learning environment, guided by internationally-recognized educators.
Curriculum
Our 33-credit Healthcare Simulation program focuses on both simulation methodology and patient safety. This challenges learners to think about and be able to communicate the value simulation brings to improving patient care.
Courses
Full-Time (33 hours)
-
Fall (Year 1)
HCS 575: Introduction to Healthcare Simulation for Quality and Safety (3 hours)
Introductory course on origins and current applications for healthcare simulation; overview of simulation methodologies and application in education, training, quality improvement, and patient safety.HCS 625: Simulation Methodology (3 hours)
Intensive focus on the development of simulation sequences to meet institutional priorities; emphasis on simulation case development, including debriefing and assessment strategies; teamwork and interprofessional competencies.HCS 626: Simulation Laboratory Intensive (1 hour)
Participation in simulations; application of research-based strategies for designing and implementing simulation scenarios; debriefing and developing solutions to common issues in simulation.HQS 600: Introduction to Clinical Quality Improvement (4 hours)
Clinical quality improvement theory; classes of outcomes; process management; management tools and modeling techniques for improvement of clinical processes and decision-making. -
Spring (Year 1)
HCS 610: Instructional Design in Simulation (2 hours)
Instructional Design in Simulation applies the foundational concepts in the field of instructional design to the growing field of healthcare simulation. This course focuses on the processes of analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation as they relate to developing quality simulation learning experiences.HCS 660: Financial Management for Healthcare Quality Leaders (3 hours)
Designed to introduce health care leaders (primarily those working in the areas of simulation and quality improvement) to basic concepts in financial management. Topics covered include an introduction to financial accounting, an introduction to management accounting and a particular emphasis on evaluating the financial impact of new programs.HQS 630: Leadership of High Reliability Healthcare Organizations (3 hours)
Applying concepts of high reliability organizations to create an organizational culture that supports strong, functional, and safe patient care environments resulting in quality clinical care and patient satisfaction. -
Summer (Year 1)
HCS 620: Current Trends in Simulation (2 hours)
Survey of emerging technologies as well as new applications and best practices in the delivery of simulation.HCS 640: Project Management: Leading Successful Healthcare Initiatives (3 hours)
Techniques for planning, scheduling, controlling, resource allocation, and performance measurement activities required for successfully completing a project.HCS 635: Advance Debriefing (3 hours)
In-depth review and application of current debriefing models in the field of simulation. Emphasis on choosing effective debriefing models for various modalities of simulation. -
Fall (Year 2)
HCS 698: Simulation Capstone (3 hours)
Rigorous culminating project that provides the opportunity for focused investigation of simulation applications in a real-world setting. Investigation and application of theory through a practical project.Elective (3 hours)
(Research Elective EPR 594 Recommended)
Part-Time (33 hours)
-
Fall (Year 1)
HCS 575: Introduction to Healthcare Simulation for Quality and Safety (3 hours)
Introductory course on origins and current applications for healthcare simulation; overview of simulation methodologies and application in education, training, quality improvement, and patient safety.HCS 625: Simulation Methodology (3 hours)
Intensive focus on the development of simulation sequences to meet institutional priorities; emphasis on simulation case development, including debriefing and assessment strategies; teamwork and interprofessional competencies.HCS 626: Simulation Laboratory Intensive (1 hour)
Participation in simulations; application of research-based strategies for designing and implementing simulation scenarios; debriefing and developing solutions to common issues in simulation. -
Spring (Year 1)
HCS 610: Instructional Design in Simulation (2 hours)
Instructional Design in Simulation applies the foundational concepts in the field of instructional design to the growing field of healthcare simulation. This course focuses on the processes of analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation as they relate to developing quality simulation learning experiences.HQS 630: Leadership of High Reliability Healthcare Organizations (3 hours)
Applying concepts of high reliability organizations to create an organizational culture that supports strong, functional, and safe patient care environments resulting in quality clinical care and patient satisfaction. -
Summer (Year 1)
HCS 635: Advance Debriefing (3 hours)
In-depth review and application of current debriefing models in the field of simulation. Emphasis on choosing effective debriefing models for various modalities of simulation.HCS 640: Project Management: Leading Successful Healthcare Initiatives (3 hours)
Techniques for planning, scheduling, controlling, resource allocation, and performance measurement activities required for successfully completing a project. -
Fall (Year 2)
HQS 600: Introduction to Clinical Quality Improvement (4 hours)
Clinical quality improvement theory; classes of outcomes; process management; management tools and modeling techniques for improvement of clinical processes and decision-making.Elective (3 hours)
(Research Elective EPR 594 Recommended) -
Spring (Year 2)
HCS 660: Financial Management for Healthcare Quality Leaders (3 hours)
Designed to introduce health care leaders (primarily those working in the areas of simulation and quality improvement) to basic concepts in financial management. Topics covered include an introduction to financial accounting, an introduction to management accounting and a particular emphasis on evaluating the financial impact of new programs.HCS 698: Simulation Capstone (1 hour)
Rigorous culminating project that provides the opportunity for focused investigation of simulation applications in a real-world setting. Investigation and application of theory through a practical project. -
Summer (Year 2)
HCS 620: Current Trends in Simulation (2 hours)
Survey of emerging technologies as well as new applications and best practices in the delivery of simulation.HCS 698: Simulation Capstone (2 hours)
Rigorous culminating project that provides the opportunity for focused investigation of simulation applications in a real-world setting. Investigation and application of theory through a practical project.
To view a full list of courses, visit the UAB course catalog.