Tarleton State University

What you'll study

This master's blends core concepts from health professions education with applied ethics and humanities perspectives. You will study educational theory and instructional design specific to clinical settings, assessment and evaluation methods for learners and programmes, and contemporary approaches to interprofessional and community-based education.

• Foundations of Health Professions Education: learning theory, curriculum planning, competency-based education.
• Assessment and Evaluation: programme evaluation, assessment strategies, objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs), feedback and remediation.
• Ethics in Health Care: clinical ethics, research ethics, organisational ethics, ethics consultation and committee work.
• Humanities and Narrative Medicine: medical humanities, narrative competence, cultural humility, arts and reflective practice in clinical education.
• Educational Technology and Simulation: e-learning design, simulation-based education, virtual patients and instructional media.
• Research Methods: qualitative and quantitative methods applicable to education and ethics scholarship, evidence synthesis and programme assessment.
• Capstone/Practicum: applied project, curriculum development assignment or supervised practicum in an educational or ethics setting that integrates theory and practice.

The programme typically offers a mix of seminars, workshops, small-group tutorials and a mentored capstone; students learn through case studies, curriculum projects and reflective practice tailored to health-care contexts.

Entry requirements

Applicants are usually expected to hold a recognised bachelor’s degree. Competitive candidates often bring clinical or health-sector experience (for example nursing, medicine, allied health, public health or healthcare administration), though applicants from humanities or social science backgrounds with relevant experience are also considered.

• Official undergraduate degree from an accredited institution.
• A satisfactory academic record; some programmes request a minimum GPA though specific thresholds vary.
• Professional resume/CV demonstrating relevant experience in healthcare, education or related fields.
• Personal statement outlining your goals for the programme, experience with teaching or ethics and a proposed direction for your capstone project.
• References: two academic or professional referees who can comment on your suitability for graduate study and practice in health professions education.

Some applicants may be invited for an interview. Standardised tests such as the GRE are sometimes optional or waived depending on prior qualifications and professional experience; check the programme’s admissions guidance for current requirements.

Career prospects

Graduates leave able to lead and innovate in education, ethics and humanities activities across clinical and academic settings. Typical roles include:

• Clinical educator or programme coordinator in nursing, medicine and allied health
• Curriculum developer or instructional designer for health professions programmes
• Clinical ethics consultant or member of hospital ethics committees
• Director of continuing professional development and faculty development
• Medical humanities practitioner, patient-centred care advocate or reflective practice facilitator
• Academic researcher in health professions education and ethics, or PhD progression

Employers include universities and teaching hospitals, health systems, professional colleges, continuing education providers and organisations that develop educational materials for healthcare professionals.

Why study at Tarleton State University

Tarleton State University combines a regional focus with interdisciplinary strengths that suit a programme in health professions education, ethics and humanities. The university’s emphasis on community engagement and service aligns well with preparing educators and ethicists who will work in rural and regional health settings. Students benefit from small-group teaching, faculty mentorship across education, health and humanities disciplines, and partnerships with regional hospitals and clinics for practicum placements.

As part of a larger public university system, Tarleton provides access to diverse resources while maintaining a personalised learning environment. The programme is designed to be practical and career-oriented, supporting professionals who want to improve teaching quality, lead ethics initiatives and bring humanities-informed perspectives into health-care practice.