College and University Teaching for Healthcare and Medical Professionals
About This Program | |
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Admissions Contact
Erin Pfeifer Are you an International Student? |
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Program Contacts
Chris Hakala |
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Curriculum and Delivery
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Start Dates and Duration
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Paying for Your Education | |
Upcoming Events |

The College and University Teaching for Healthcare and Medical Professionals Certificate at Springfield College is designed for health practitioners who have obtained or are near completion of their entry-level clinical degree* and now want to expand their skills and knowledge with a goal of teaching in higher education. The program is designed for health and medical professionals (e.g., nurses, pharmacists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, physician assistants, physicians, chiropractors, speech-language pathologists, and audiologists) who have preferably worked in a clinical setting for at least two years and who have an interest in either classroom or clinical teaching.
* Examples of an entry-level clinical degree as defined by the profession include the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT), Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD), Doctor of Medicine (MD), or Master of Physician Assistant (MPA).
Faculty members each have expertise in the areas in which they teach.
- Chris Hakala has expertise in the science of learning and runs training programs on how to teach effectively and in line with knowledge of student learning.
- Julia Chevan is an expert in clinical curriculum development and teaching and has taught for over 30 years both at Springfield College and as a Fulbright Scholar in institutions abroad
To complete the certificate, students take coursework in the organization of higher education, the science of teaching and learning, contemporary issues in clinical teaching, and interprofessional health professional education.
The program will provide all students the opportunity to:
- Continue in their clinical role and to take on a role as a faculty member or adjunct faculty member in higher education in a health professionals entry-level program.
- Learn about current issues in higher education teaching in the health professions including clinical teaching, interprofessional education, simulation, and competency-based education.
- Learn how the science of learning can inform their pedagogy.