Master of Health Science
Clinical Research Concentration
This concentration is designed for health care professionals who are involved with clinical research or desire to enter into the field of clinical research. This concentration will also be of benefit to those graduate students whom desire to go on to a Ph.D. program. The courses in this concentration will prepare graduates with the skills and background necessary to apply statistical data, apply the principles of qualitative or quantitative research and academic presentation of research findings through the thesis process. Completing this concentration requires 39 credits as detailed below.
All courses are delivered and organized as distance learning.
Core courses total 12 credits.
| course name | credit hours |
|---|---|
| MHS 5003: Current Trends and Cultural Issues in Health Care This course serves to familiarize the student with current and cultural issues in health care that may impact the patient, the health care system, as well as the ability to deliver high quality health care. Discussion and analysis of current trends and cultural topics facing those who work in health care will be explored. |
3 |
| MHS 5203: Writing for Allied Health Professionals This course entails the study and practice of writing style used in allied health: scientific writing. Scientific writing is a different format than other kinds of writing used as an undergraduate. It is more precise and succinct, which is different from the way we speak to each other. Scientific writing is written for an audience with the purpose of informing or possibly persuading the audience. American Psychological Association (APA) style and standard English formatting will be reviewed. The papers written in this course will give the student a foundation for all MHS courses. |
3 |
| MHS 5510: Research Methods This course is designed to enable participants to develop skills in reading and critically evaluating published research using the scientific model. The advantages and disadvantages of quantitative and qualitative research methods will be compared and contrasted. Research articles will be collaboratively analyzed to develop an appreciation of potential methodological problems and their implications for evidence based professional practice. |
3 |
| MHS 5501 Epidemiology and Biostatistics The ability to understand the conceptual and practical aspects of biostatistics and epidemiology in health care is critical to understanding research and analyzing population data about disease. This survey course will improve the ability of the student to understand and apply these concepts. |
3 |
Specialty courses total 15 credits.
| course name | credit hours |
|---|---|
| MHS 5908 Applied Statistics This course is an introduction to applied statistics and data analysis. Topics include collecting and exploring data, basic inference, simple and multiple linear regressions, analysis of variance, nonparametric methods, and statistical computing. |
3 |
| MHS 5902 Qualitative Research Methods This course explores the development and application of qualitative research designs and methods. It considers a broad array of approaches, from exploratory narratives to focused-comparison case studies, for investigating plausible alternative hypotheses. The focus is on analysis, not data collection. |
3 |
| MHS 5903 Quantitative Research Methods This course develops logical, empirically based arguments using statistical techniques and analytical methods. Elementary statistics, probability, and other types of quantitative reasoning useful for description, estimation, comparison, and explanation are covered. Emphasis is on the use and limitations of analytical techniques in planning practice. |
3 |
| MHS 5904 Research Ethics This course explores techniques for recognizing, analyzing, and resolving ethical dilemmas facing healthcare professionals and biomedical researchers in today’s highly regulated environment. Professional conduct topics include authorship, conflict of interest, data acquisition and management, and the protection of human subjects and animals involved in research programs. |
3 |
| MHS 5906 Developmental Research Project This course provides the student the opportunity to assimilate the skills required to communicate in academic settings both orally and in writing. The purpose of this course is two-fold. First, the course will acquaint you with the guidelines that will assist you in creating well-crafted academic communication. Second, it will give you the opportunity to practice your communication skills and receive feedback from your colleagues and instructor. The primary focus of the course is the thesis process. |
3 |
Practical coursework courses total 12 credits.
| course name | credit hours |
|---|---|
| MHS 5995 Thesis I This course is intended for students planning to conduct research in a variety of different settings. Its topics include: case studies, interviews, documentary evidence, and participant observation and survey research. The primary goal of the course is to assist students in preparing their formal thesis proposal. The instructor must approve the proposal. |
3 |
| MHS 5910 Thesis II Pre-requisite: MHS 5995. In this course the student will carry out the proposed research (under the instructor’s supervision) and conduct data analysis, which will culminate in a summary paper of the student’s research findings. |
3 |
| MHS 5911 Thesis III Pre-requisites: MHS 5906 & MHS 5910. This course is dedicated to the formal writing of the student’s thesis under their professor’s supervision. Once the instructor accepts the paper 2 other faculty members on the student’s thesis committee will review it. Once the thesis has been reviewed and accepted the student may register MHS 5912. |
3 |
| MHS 5912 Thesis IV Pre-requisites: MHS 5906, MHS 5910 & MHS 5911. In this course the student prepares for oral defense of their thesis and revision of the manuscript of their thesis. |
3 |
Concentration for Recognition
In order to gain recognition in the "Clinical Research” concentration of the MHSc program, the student must complete all 9 courses for 27 total credits (this includes concentration and practical coursework). Those completing the concentration will be recognized as such with appropriate credentials. If you have any questions of how this may apply to your MHSc completion, contact the program or your academic advisor for assistance.