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Graduate Degree Programs

Academic Medicine

Post-Baccalaureate Credit Certificate Program

In Charge:

Kevin P. Black, M.D.
C. McCollister Evarts Professor and Chair
Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation

Contact Information:

Marnie M. Saunders, Ph.D.
Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, H089
College of Medicine
Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
500 University Drive, P. O. Box 850
Hershey, PA 17033-0850
Phone: 717-531-4818
Fax: 717-531-7583
E-mail: msaunders@psu.edu

In the current medical climate, there is a growing need for academic clinicians trained in clinical and basic science research. To this end, many academic institutions offer residents an optional year of research in a basic science laboratory extending the program to six years. Currently our residency program is set up under this model.

The primary goal of this program is to provide residents interested in academic medicine with a formal, structured program that will prepare them to pursue an academic appointment upon graduation. The 15-credit program combines hands-on research training with formal course work in clinical and basic science research, workshops in grant writing and leadership development, and formal mentoring from clinical and basic science faculty throughout the six-year residency program. Candidates are required to complete 12 hours of course work at the 500 level and successfully defend a research project of their choosing for the additional 3 credits.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine Postbaccalaureate Credit Certificate in Academic Medicine, the successful applicant must have completed a medical degree from an accredited institution and been accepted to the residency program in the Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation at The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine.

General Courses:

  • HES 515. Introduction to Biostatistics (3)
  • HES 520. Biostatistics I (3)

Clinical Research Courses:

  • HES 510. Clinical Research Methods (3)
  • HES 530. Clinical Trials (3)

Electives:

6 credits
Two Electives in Biology/Bioengineering/Biostatistics

Possible Bioengineering Courses:

  • BIOE 552. Mechanics of the Musculoskeletal System (3)
  • MATSE 508. Biomedical Materials (3)

Possible Biology Courses:

  • BCHEM 502. Biological Chemistry I (3)
  • CMBIO 540. Cell Biology (3)
  • MICRO 503. Molecular Biology (3)

Possible Clinical Courses:

  • HES 510. Clinical Research Methods (3)
  • HES 530. Clinical Trials (3)
  • HES 535. Quality of Care Measurement (3)
  • HES 550. Clinical Epidemiology Methods (3)
  • HES 570. Health Care Economics and Policy (3)

Elective courses are flexible, and the resident is free to choose among those listed or pursue additional topics. If additional courses are selected, the academic committee must approve the course(s), which must be at the 500 level and taught by graduate faculty at The Pennsylvania State University.

Research:

3 credits

Research credits, necessary for certificate completion, will be awarded following successful defense of the research project and completion of all other academic requirements.

Additional Requirements

In addition to the course work, the resident will be required to complete either the educational or research track of the certificate program. The educational track will consist of two workshops: The SMEAL Leadership workshop and the Orthopaedic Educator course. The research track will consist of two workshops: the Write Winning Grants workshop and the Molecular Biology workshop. The resident may elect to complete both tracks, but must complete at least one to be eligible for certification. Additional requirements are as follows:

Mandatory

  • Completion and submission of a clinical/basic science grant application (PGY I-II)
    • Under the direction and guidance of basic science and clinical faculty
  • Ethics in the Life Sciences (PGY III)
    • May be waived if resident is a Penn State College of Medicine graduate and previously completed this course or equivalent ethics elective
  • Successful completion of an independent research project (PGY III-V)
  • Successful defense of independent research project (PGY VI)

Research Track:

  • Completion of the Write Winning Grants workshop (2 days) (PGY III-VI)
  • Techniques in Molecular Biology workshop (2 weeks) (PGY III)

Educational Track:

  • Completion of the SMEAL Leadership workshop (1 week) (PGY III)
    • Developing Managerial Effectiveness: A Program for Emerging Leaders
  • Orthopaedic Educator course (AAOS) (1 week) (PGY III-VI)

Optional Elective:

  • Optional external rotation with academic mentor of choice (PGY III) (average 1-2 weeks shadowing)

Graduate courses carry numbers from 500 to 599. Advanced undergraduate courses numbered between 400 and 499 may be used to meet some graduate degree requirements when taken by graduate students. Courses below the 400 level may not. A graduate student may register for or audit these courses in order to make up deficiencies or to fill in gaps in previous education but not to meet requirements for an advanced degree.

Effective Date: Summer Session 2004
Expiration Date: Spring Semester 2009

Last Revised by the Department: Summer Session 2004

Blue Sheet Item #: 32-07-096

Review Date: 6/15/04

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