If you are a healthcare professional, such as a doctor or a nurse, completing a master's degree in medical education can prepare you for a career in medical teaching. Learn about the programs, common coursework, and enrollment requirements.
What Kinds of Medical Teaching Master's Degrees Can I Earn?
M.S. programs are typically designed for current healthcare professionals, including medical doctors, nurse practitioners and physician assistants. The most common medical teaching programs award a Master of Science (M.S.) in Medical Education or an M.S. in Medical Education Leadership. You can complete a medical teaching program online or on campus.
If you earn your degree online, you'll be able to interact with instructors and access course materials through your school's website. You'll also be able to meet course requirements at your own pace, on your own schedule and without having to travel. You'll need a computer with high-speed Internet access in order to participate.
Depending on the program, you may be expected to complete a teaching practicum or a medical teaching requirement under the supervision of an experienced medical educator. You might be asked to gain teaching experience at the undergraduate, graduate and continuing education levels.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Online Availability</b></td><td>Fully online programs are available</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Common Courses</b></td><td>Teaching methods, clinical research, curricular development, medical writing</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Enrollment Requirements</b></td><td>Bachelor's degree, written statement, proof of appointment as a faculty member of a healthcare or medical institution</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Median Salary (2020)</b></td><td>$99,090 <i>(Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary)</i></td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Job Outlook (2019-2029)</b></td><td>21% growth <i>(Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary)</i></td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)</i>
</p><h3 id="section---WhatDoGraduateProgramsCover">What Do Graduate Programs Cover?</h3><p>Medical education programs will provide you with the skills needed to teach aspiring healthcare professionals. If you enroll in a medical education program, you'll take courses in teaching methods, clinical research, curricular development and medical writing. You'll also develop your medical presentation skills.
</p><p>Medical educational leadership programs teach you how to supervise, administer and direct medical teaching programs; you'll learn many of the same skills you would in a medical education program. Additional courses might include learner assessment, instructional effectiveness, organizational assessment and academic leadership standards.
</p><h3 id="section---HowDoIEnroll">How Do I Enroll?</h3><p>At minimum, educational leadership programs look for students with a bachelor's degree. You'll also need to demonstrate an interest in medical education by submitting a written statement. Some M.S. programs may expect you to have the highest attainable degree in your particular healthcare or medical field; this would most likely be a doctorate. You may also need to show that you've been appointed as a faculty member of a medical or healthcare institution.</p>
