In 2012, Queen’s University established the Master of Science in in Healthcare Quality [MSc(HQ)] program. Combining both synchronous and asynchrony web learning, independent study and face-to-face encounters, the MSc(HQ) is at the cutting edge of delivering high quality distance higher education. The MSc(HQ) program offers students a unique mix of both theoretical study and practical, real world, application. Students from disciplines as wide ranging as architecture, nursing, engineering, and data management are taught by faculty from the disciplines of law, policy studies, nursing, and medicine. Facilitated by a successful collaboration with the Centre for Teaching and Learning, the MSc(HQ) has been built on solid educational pedagogy. Further, this program will offer Canadian and international perspectives on quality, risk, and safety in healthcare. After the implementation of the MSc(HQ), it is imperative that an evaluation of its core components is completed in order to ensure that the philosophy under which it was developed is being upheld. We have evaluated student and faculty responses to the core curriculum, the student experience, flow of information (given it is a part-time, distance program) and the effectiveness of the community of knowledge we have built.
The research questions underpinning this study include the following:
Answering these questions will aid in the development of new curriculum, new interdisciplinary programs, and the development of other online distance courses. The concepts of online distance education, interdisciplinary studies, and creating new curricula which meet the needs of today’s changing workforce are at the forefront of issues in higher education. The knowledge generated from these research questions will help guide future university programs (both graduate and undergraduate) develop distance courses by providing a template on how to successfully build an engaging distance program, promote interdisciplinary cooperation, and develop a curriculum that is interdisciplinary in nature.
This presentation will demonstrate the evolution of the program from conception to delivery and evaluation. It will highlight the benefit of building the program on strong pedagogy and with collaboration between faculty, educational developers, students, library support and administration. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in an extensive question and answer session.