Academics
research and statistics
policy and service delivery
pedagogy
More information about our courses, including a sample course schedule, is available on our courses page. Course descriptions are also available in the WMU Graduate Catalog.
Dissertation
You will write a dissertation based on original research focusing on a significant problem in your area of specialization or an interdisciplinary topic. Under the guidance of your dissertation committee, you may elect to write either a traditional five chapter dissertation or use a format consisting of three publishable papers, with integrative introduction and conclusion chapters.
Courses
Courses are delivered virtually (online) or through intensive on-campus sessions. These may include three weekends per semester or one to two continuous week(s) full-time during summer sessions. Courses fall into three categories:
Research and Statistics
- IHS 6240 - Scientific Inquiry in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences
- IHS 6300 - Designing and Conducting Health and Human Services Research
- IHS 6280 - Statistics I in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences
- IHS 6360 - Statistics II in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences
- IHS 6310 - Grant Proposal Development and Management
- IHS 6260 - Qualitative Research Concepts in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences
- IHS 6350 - Evidence-Based Practice and Interdisciplinary Research in Health and Human Sciences
Policy and Service Delivery
- IHS 6250 - Health and Human Services Organization and Delivery Systems
- IHS 6270 - Health and Human Services Policy and Politics
- IHS 6330 - Ethics and Law in Health and Human Services
Pedagogy
- IHS 6290 - College Instruction and Assessment
- IHS 6320 - Innovative Pedagogy and Instructional Design
- IHS 7130 - Practicum in College Teaching in Health and Human Services
Pre-dissertation Seminar
IHS 6970 - IHS Pre-Dissertation Seminar (1 to 6 hours)
Dissertation Research
IHS 7300 - Doctoral Dissertation (12 hours)
Comprehensive examinations
The four comprehensive examinations are competency-based and involve the completion of the following activities and products:
- Research paper and presentation: The submission for publication of a formal research paper based on your research practicum.
- Policy analysis: A written comprehensive analysis of a health care or human services policy.
- Grant application: The development and submission of a competitive external research grant proposal.
- Teaching portfolio: A portfolio reflecting on the teaching of a fully developed course using innovative instructional techniques.
Student competencies
By completion of the program, Â鶹´«Ã½s are expected to meet 10 exit competencies for providing interdisciplinary leadership in the three faculty functions of research, teaching and service.
- Demonstrate an understanding of health and human service organization and delivery in the United States, including current issues, problems and trends in interdisciplinary practice.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the federal, state and local health and human service policy processes and their impact on health and human services delivery at all levels.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the ethical and moral values important in competent professional practice, research, health and human services organizations, and public policy.
- Work collaboratively with and to understand other disciplines in the health and human services.
- Provide leadership in the health and human services.
- Design, execute and prepare for publication, research that will advance the scholarly base of the health and human services.
- Compete for research/program funding.
- Demonstrate advanced disciplinary knowledge in an area of specialization in the health and human services.
- Apply innovative methodologies to curriculum development, teaching and assessment and to use state-of-the-art instructional technologies.
- Work as a faculty member synthesizing the three functions of research, teaching and professional practice.