Curriculum
The Master of Applied Science in Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality is an interdisciplinary degree offered fully online. It spans several divisions across Johns Hopkins University. Faculty at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing contribute to the program via course development, teaching, and advising students. The curriculum and concepts educate students in the transformative mechanisms and evidence-based protocols that reduce preventable patient harm and improve clinical outcomes.
Students will complete 48.5 credits to graduate. The program is designed to be completed in two academic years (Sept-May). In addition to the coursework, students must complete an Integrative Activity, where newly acquired knowledge and skills are used to create an applicable activity (e.g., identifying a patient safety or healthcare quality problem and designing a solution, plan for implementation and evaluation method) – with a final paper that describes the methodology used and the final assessment.
Academic program requirements include the 0.5 credit course Essentials of One Health which is currently offered during first and fourth terms each year. Students can take this at any point during the program, but MUST complete the course prior to graduation. The MAS degree cannot be awarded until this requirement (and all others) has been completed.
MAS Student Handbook
The Master of Applied Science (MAS) Programs Student Handbook provides essential information, policies, and procedures about MAS and Certificate programs
Program Competencies
By the end of the program, students should be able to:
- Describe several frameworks and theories for assessing and improving the quality of care
- Describe current key policy and programmatic areas in quality of care
- Describe how to assess quality of care for a medical condition
- Describe key elements of published quality assessment and improvement studies
- Articulate how to develop a workable quality improvement and evaluation plan
- Recognize the extent of problems in patient safety in medical care
- Describe the role of various systems and factors in creating safety and causing errors and adverse events
- Discuss problems and issues in measuring and reporting safety
- Demonstrate knowledge of the basics of conducting an incident investigation and disclosing an adverse event
- Design solutions to improve patient safety
- Articulate the ethical, legal, and regulatory implications related to patient safety
Curriculum Structure
| Academic Year | Academic Term | Curriculum |
Year 1 Curriculum (24 credits) | 0 | Introduction to Online Learning (IOL, 0 credits, required)
|
| 1 | Academic and Research Ethics (0 credits, required) Offered multiple terms: Essentials of One Health* (.5 credits, required) | |
| 2 | Introduction to Quality of Care for Practitioners (4 credits) Case Studies in Quality & Safety (2 credits) | |
| 3 | Introduction to Epidemiology (4 credits) Professional Development Workshop: Writing for Results (2 credits) | |
| 4 | Statistical Concepts in Public Health 1 (3 credits) Leadership for Change (3 credits) | |
Year 2 Curriculum (24 credits) | 1 | Statistical Concepts in Public Health 2 (3 credits) Offered multiple terms: Essentials of One Health* (.5 credits, required) |
| 2 | Intermediate Epidemiology (4 credits) Seminars in Public Health: Advanced Topics (2 credits) | |
| 3 | Measurement and Evaluation in Quality & Safety (4 credits) Infection Prevention in Healthcare Settings (2 credits) | |
| 4 | Integrative Activity (4 credits) Measurement Lab in Quality & Safety (2 credits) |
* offered each year 1st and 4th term, shown in first term for year 1 and 2 above as a reminder
Preparing Students for Online Learning
Introduction to Online Learning is a free, mandatory prerequisite for all online courses offered. It’s open to prospective students and designed to give a thorough view into what the online experience on CoursePlus will be like. It also prepares students and faculty for success on the first day of class since everyone is already acclimated to the technology. Introduction to Online Learning will allow students to:
- Ensure all tools and applications are properly installed
- Troubleshoot any component that may not work properly
- Experience the online tools for peer-to-peer and instructor communication
- Become familiar with the coursework structure and learning management system
The course takes between 1-4 hours to complete, depending on the student's skills working online. LiveTalks are online, synchronous learning events that occur in online classes offered via CoursePlus. There is one, optional LiveTalk during each offering of Introduction to Online Learning. The optional session lasts for one hour. In order to complete the requirements for this course, you can either attend the live, optional LiveTalk session or watch the recording of the session once it is posted. Everything is done online. You will not be in a classroom in Baltimore. For details on the course, including assignments and requirements for completion, please see the Syllabus page.
Ready to test-drive online courses at BSPH? Register for this class. You can take this free course at any point before or during the application process!
Get in Touch
Request more information or call us at 410-955-3543 to speak with an admissions officer. You can also reach us via email at BSPH.Admissions@jhu.edu.