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Curriculum

Program Overview

The MHDS program spans five consecutive trimesters, encompassing 13 required courses and one elective. During the initial 16 months, students engage in didactic coursework while concurrently embarking on an independent capstone project under the guidance of an assigned faculty mentor. All mandatory courses are conveniently scheduled in the evenings, catering to the diverse commitments of our students. Our program employs a multifaceted pedagogical approach, blending traditional classroom didactics with interactive sessions, hands-on laboratory experiences, journal clubs, project sessions, and immersive learning within embedded research and operational teams.

Operating as a hybrid model, the courses predominantly occur online through a remote-learning platform and interactive evening videoconferences. Complementing online learning, each term includes a two-day in-person residential. During these sessions, students are acclimated to the program and coursework, connect with faculty mentors, participate in networking events, and receive hands-on training in various software programs. As a culmination, in the final term, students present the outcomes of their capstone projects to Cedars-Sinai leadership during in-person sessions.

The MHDS faculty underscores the importance of diverse learning experiences, emphasizing the need for a robust theoretical foundation complemented by practical experiential learning to solidify classroom theory. Students also gain proficiency in specific software programs—spanning statistical, data visualization, decision analysis, and spreadsheet applications—through dedicated laboratory sessions. Given the program's competitive nature, we admit a limited number of students each year, ensuring a focused and impactful learning environment.

Program Objectives

Upon successful completion of the MHDS program, graduates will possess the following capabilities:

  • Innovative Insight: Identify diverse healthcare delivery models and digital health innovations, adept at discerning solutions that enhance the quality, safety, and value of healthcare services.
  • Comprehensive Understanding: Articulate the key operational functions of the U.S. health system, demonstrating a nuanced comprehension of its intricacies and interdependencies.
  • Research Proficiency: Employ both quantitative and qualitative research methods proficiently, enabling the evaluation of the effectiveness and economic impact of healthcare innovations with precision.
  • Health Equity Advocacy: Recognize and address health inequities, leveraging knowledge and skills to actively contribute to the advancement of equitable healthcare solutions.
  • Leadership Acumen: Demonstrate exemplary leadership skills in successfully managing projects that involve interdisciplinary teams, showcasing the ability to navigate and harmonize diverse perspectives and disciplines.
  • Effective Communication: Exhibit superior communication skills, effectively conveying information about healthcare delivery interventions to a broad spectrum of stakeholders with clarity and precision.

Unique Qualities of the MHDS Program

Academic Calendar

2023-2024

  • Fall Trimester: Aug. 28–Dec. 15, 2023
  • Winter Trimester: Jan. 2–Apr. 19, 2024
  • Summer Trimester: Apr. 29–Aug. 16, 2024

2024-2025

  • Fall Trimester: Aug. 26–Dec. 13, 2024
  • Winter Trimester: Dec. 30–Apr. 18, 2025
  • Summer Trimester: Apr. 28–Aug. 15, 2025

Holidays and Breaks

  • Spring break: Apr. 24–28, 2023
  • Memorial Day: May 29, 2023
  • Independence Day: July 04, 2023
  • Labor Day: Sept. 04, 2023
  • Thanksgiving holiday: Nov. 23–24, 2023
  • Winter break: Dec. 18, 2023–Dec. 29, 2023
  • Spring break: Apr. 22–26, 2024
  • Memorial Day: May 27, 2024
Additional Learning Opportunities

  • Health Services Lecture Series
  • Department of Medicine Grand Rounds
  • Grants Workshop
Clinical Scholars Program Courses:
  • Research Design
  • Research Ethics
  • Grantsmanship
  • Communication Skills
  • Healthcare Leadership Seminar Series
Important Statement & Notice of Accreditation

Please read our Accreditation Statement from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and our Statement of Academic Freedom.

Have Questions or Need Help?

If you have questions or wish to learn more about the MHDS program, please contact:

Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
8687 Melrose Ave.
Suite G-532
West Hollywood, CA 90069