Clinical Epidemiology and Research Management

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Excellence in Clinical Research

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The Clinical Epidemiology and Research Management (CERM) field within the Advanced Health Care Practice master's program gives you the skills needed to build and lead research teams, design fundable studies, build and maintain the infrastructure needed to successfully carry out clinical research, and advance evidence-based thinking in your field. This one-year program is delivered fully online through asynchronous and synchronous learning opportunities, providing flexibility for those at a distance.

Across the year-long program you’ll develop practical skills related to:

  • Clinical research methods
  • Biostatistics
  • Critical appraisal and evidence-based practice
  • Grant writing, research administration and knowledge mobilization

Clinical Research Leadership

Western’s CERM program promotes team-building and evidence-informed thinking. You’ll gain competence as a clinical research leader capable of building and maintaining quality research teams whose outputs contribute to evidence-informed decision making.

Program Highlights

The CERM program’s MBA-style case-based approach gives you the tools to make meaningful contributions to the discussion and advancement of thought in your field. Two on-site residency periods allow for student interaction and for students to:

  • Understand research methodology and evidence-based medicine methods
  • Learn how to properly initiate, lead, and manage a research study
  • Develop quality research questions
  • Learn how to build, lead and mentor a research team
  • Understand data interpretation and analysis
  • Explore successful grant writing
  • Learn the importance of writing and justifying a budget for your study
  • Develop communication strategies that lead to effective knowledge mobilization

Admission and Applying/Tuition and Fees

Admission Requirements

All applicants must meet the following general requirements, in addition to the specific requirements outlined below for each applicant group.

  • A minimum bachelor's degree from a recognized university and at least a (B) standing (or equivalent) over the final two years of the program
  • Advanced computer skills
  • Two references
    • Academic (if attended university within the last five years) and professional
  • Demonstrated English language proficiency, including both written and oral communication
    • See below for more information
  • Completion of supplemental questionnaire

In addition to the general requirements outlined above, applicants to the CERM program must meet the following criteria:

Clinicians/Practitioners:

  • Evidence of more than 2 years of experience in clinical practice
    or
  • Physician trainees may enter after postgraduate year 3 (PGY3) or beyond

Non-Clinicians Working in a Health Care Setting:

  • Evidence of more than two years of related experience, post-undergrad (including participants in the MD+ program)

English Language Proficiency

  • Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of English language proficiency (TOEFL or IELTS is recommended)
  • A minimum TOEFL score of 620 (paper-based), 105 (internet-based), 260 (computer-based) or an IELTS score of 7.5 is required
  • Students who are required to present evidence of proficiency in English must make their own arrangements to write the TOEFL and to have the official results sent directly to the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
  • The English language proficiency requirements outlined above do not apply to students from Quebec

Applying to the Program

Have questions about applying?

Email ahcp@uwo.ca.

To apply to the Advanced Health Care Practice program, students should:

  • Visit the  online application website
  • Follow the instructions on that page to access the application
  • Select "Advanced Health Care Practice" from the program options in the application and select the appropriate field

Application Deadline

  • Applications are currently open and will close on July 15 for domestic and international applicants.

Tuition and Fees

The annual domestic tuition fee for this program is approximately $14,000 CAD including ancillary fees (plus $2,100 CAD mentor fee i.e. $700 CAD/term***) which is payable over three terms (September, January and May).

The annual international tuition fee for this program is approximately $37,000 CAD including ancillary fees (plus $2,100 CAD mentor fee i.e. $700 CAD/term***) which is payable over three terms (September, January and May).

These fees are subject to change and are set by Western University. Instructions for students paying tuition from a Canadian bank are available from the Office of the Registrar.

***Please note all fees including mentorship fees and course fees are currently under review and are subject to change and adjustment*

OSAP Eligible

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Capstone Experience

The Capstone Experience consists of a mentorship opportunity in the student's area of concentration. A minimum of 100 hours will be completed under the supervision of one or more approved mentors in a health setting. Students will identify potential mentorship opportunities within their own community. Together, with their academic mentor (appointed by the Program), an appropriate, available opportunity will be secured.

Students are expected to secure mentors in the Fall term. Students will consult with their professional mentors and a faculty supervisor to determine learning objectives and goals for the duration of the capstone experience.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successfully completing the program, students should have the ability to:

  • To locate and critically analyze the scientific literature to inform decision making in your field
  • To formulate research questions that are unique and advance the science in your field
  • To design clinical research using the appropriate methods to test research questions
  • To synthesize relevant literature to create evidence informed recommendations in your field
  • To build and lead research teams and build and maintain research infrastructure
  • To write grant proposals to funding organizations for clinical and methodologic research
  • To communicate and apply ethical principles and practices in research activities
  • To develop communication and dissemination strategies for knowledge production from clinical research
  • To develop iterative self-reflection skills for continued life-long learning

Program Structure and Course Offerings

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Fall Term (September - December)

  • AHCP 9600: Critical Appraisal of Health Literature
  • AHCP 9604: Data Analysis in Clinical Research
  • APPLHSCI 9099: Capstone Experience

Winter Term (January - April)

  • Elective #1 (see below for options)
  • AHCP 9605: Grant Writing
  • APPLHSCI 9099: Capstone Experience (continued)
  • On Campus Residency

Summer Term (May - August)

  • Elective #2 (see below for options)
  • AHCP9606: Research Team Leadership and Infrastructure Management
  • APPLHSCI9099: Capstone Experience (continued)
  • On Campus Residency

Elective Course Options

Students in the program are required to complete two of the following elective courses:

  • APPLHSCI 9009: Project Management
  • APPLHSCI 9010: Health Services, Systems and Policy
  • APPLHSCI 9012: Health Program Evaluation
  • APPLHSCI 9015: Evidence-Based Leadership in Healthcare
  • APPLHSCI 9016: Economic Evaluation for Health Innovations
  • APPLHSCI 9017: Implementation Science in Practice

Learn more about our elective course offerings.

Opt In To The Certified Health Executive (CHE) Certificate

As a student in Advanced Health Care Practice master's program, you're eligible for advanced standing toward the Certified Health Executive (CHE) designation.

The CHE is Canada's top professional leadership designation for healthcare leaders looking to expand their institutional leadership career.

Canadian College of Health Leaders logo Western is now a LEADS Canada certified learning provider supporting the CHE designation. The LEADS framework was established by the Canadian College of Health Leaders (CCHL) and addresses health leadership for individuals, organizations, and broader systems.

If you opt in to the CHE, you must complete the following:

  • Submit a detailed project proposal by mid-September
  • Complete APPLHSCI 9001 and APPLHSCI 9015
  • Complete a LEADS 360 Assessment and 90-minute debriefing
  • Complete a CHE-designed capstone experience that includes:
    • Meeting regularly with your CHE mentor
    • Developing an organizational change, strategic planning or program evaluation project
    • Organizing and facilitating a program-wide leadership day in collaboration with the other CHE students

For more information, email: ahcp@uwo.ca