The U-M Medical School Learning Health Sciences Master of Health Professions Education (MHPE) program is designed for individuals who:
- seek a flexible-learning experience that allows them to earn a master’s degree without leaving their job or relocating.
- hold a position in which they can use their professional experience and responsibilities to show evidence of competence. For example, to develop a course, evaluate a curriculum, write a grant proposal.
- are self-motivated and self-directed in their educational and professional development.
- are interested in contributing to an engaged, highly collaborative learning community.
To submit your admissions application, you should complete the online application through SurveyMonkey Apply. Applicants are required to submit the following documents via the online application:
- Cover letter addressed to the MHPE Admissions Committee, explaining your rationale and qualifications for applying to the program.
- Personal Statement addressing your professional focus in the field of education, how this degree will contribute to your professional goals and how you would contribute to the MHPE program learning community.
- Current Curriculum Vitae or resume.
- Two letters of recommendation from supervisors or peers who have observed and can comment on your educational work. These letters should address your capability to work independently, how you would benefit from a master’s level degree in health professions education and your ability to participate in a collaborative community of scholars.
- Letter of support from your department chair or other senior department leader acknowledging your participation in the program and support of your plans to pursue your learning through work-related activities.
For information regarding the application process, please email the MHPE Program Manager or call +1 (734) 936-1678.
To be considered for the MHPE program, applicants must:
- possess a degree in one of the health professions — medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, social work, public health, etc.
- currently work in a professional educator role (or have a clear professional trajectory in health professions education).
- have support (or acknowledgment) from their home organization.
- be proficient in English. Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate proficiency through submission of a satisfactory score on one of three designated English language tests.
International Applicants
The MHPE program is designed for busy practitioners who prefer not to leave their workplace for on-campus courses. For learners outside the United States, the following requirements apply in addition to those listed above:
- Fluency in conversational, day-to-day English.
- Strong technical reading and writing skills to meet program requirements.
- A satisfactory score, less than two years old, from one of the following English language tests:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). When sending the TOEFL scores, use the University code 1839
- Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB)
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
If you are admitted into the program, the U-M Medical School requires international students to provide an Affidavit of Financial Support.
Absolutely. The MHPE degree program is applicable to all health professionals with educational responsibilities.Learners have included nurses, dentists, pharmacists, simulation center leaders, infection control and pathology educators and many others. The knowledge and skills for effective educational leadership are largely the same for any health profession.
Each learner works with their mentor to develop and carry out an individualized learning plan that reflects the unique opportunities and expectations of their current professional educator role. The MHPE program also places very high priority on fostering a rich community of professional educators — current learners, faculty and alumni — who benefit greatly from ongoing conversations and collaborations. Community engagement occurs in a number of ways: online discussions, email groups, webinars, topical work groups, peer-to-peer teaching and consultation, micro-conferences and retreats.
The fundamental premise of competency-based education is that we define what students should know and be able to do, and they graduate when they have demonstrated those competencies. Competency-based learning is self-directed rather than teacher-directed, and competency outcomes are clearly defined and assessed. The curriculum is individualized to the needs and goals of the learner, and learning is flexible in time and place.
Although MHPE learners take no formal courses, learners design an individualized program of study with their mentor and carry out a tailored series of entrustable professional activities to demonstrate competence.Learners also engage with myriad educational resources including readings and conversations with subject matter experts as they carry out their learning plan.
The U-M MHPE program relies heavily on self-directed learning through various methods and in the context of your real-world educational activities. If you learn best in a structured course format, the U-M MHPE program may not be the best fit for you.
No, it is a blended program in that it is neither residential nor online learning. Learners can complete their projects from where they currently work, with guidance from program faculty via virtual or in-person meetings or by phone.
Evidence of competence from prior experience potentially can be applied towards credit in the program. While the program does not offer credit for prior projects or professional experience, learners may choose to base demonstrations of competency in applicable domains on artifacts that meet guidelines in aligned entrustable professional activities (EPAs). Your U-M MHPE mentor will guide you in decisions about EPA choices and appropriate evidence of competency.
To graduate from the MHPE program, a learner must earn a minimum of 32 credits that map to each of the 12 competencies at least two times. On average, learners complete the program in three years. That said, learners who are more advanced in their careers may be able to complete the program more quickly.
You can. We understand workloads change, and life throws curve balls. The MHPE program is flexible, and learners can take time off without penalty.
The U-M Medical School MHPE program is designed so that it is feasible to complete the degree without ever coming to campus. If you do decide to spend time in Ann Arbor, we will work with you to set up learning experiences, consultations, observations and assessments that will further your individualized learning plan. And although not required, we offer a summer and winter retreat every year that we highly encourage learners to attend.
We use rolling admissions, which means we accept applications throughout the year, and our admissions committee reviews them as they are received.
Applicants who want a Summer or Fall start date should apply in late spring for priority consideration.
Applications are submitted through SurveyMonkey Apply, and applicants who meet the minimum requirements will be invited for a one-on-one (virtual) interview with a member of the MHPE faculty.
The MHPE Admissions Committee conducts a final review and in some cases may request a second interview.
We aim to notify all MHPE applicants of our decision within four to six weeks.
Tuition for the upcoming academic year is set by the U-M Regents in June. You can find the most current tuition rate on the Office of the Registrar tuition page under the "Medical School" section.
There are no application fees, and the cost of the MHPE program is based on a minimum of 32 credits.
