Diabetes Education and Management | Health & Behavior Studies

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Diabetes Education and Management

Department of Health & Behavior Studies

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Program Description

The solely online and asynchronous Diabetes Education and Management Program is an interprofessional 36-credit Master of Science degree— the first of its kind. We equip clinicians and care managers with a greater understanding of how diabetes develops and evolves across different age groups and populations; how to assess the whole person and help them manage treatment of their disease; how to develop, implement, and evaluate diabetes self-care education and management programs; and how to conduct advocacy. The program is offered entirely online.

Program requirements include coursework and a culminating project in which students demonstrate their integration of the content they have learned. In addition to courses with content specific to diabetes, the program includes courses currently offered through the Health Education, Nutrition Education, Exercise, Nursing Education, Human Development, and Adult Learning and Leadership programs of Teachers College.

The solely online and asynchronous Certificate in Advanced Diabetes Topics is an 18-credit academic certificate for those holding a master's degree or higher in a clinical discipline. Those with a graduate degree who have been working in diabetes for two years or more are also eligible to apply. The certificate program includes the six core diabetes courses.

Degrees

  • Master of Science

    • Points/Credits: 36

      Entry Terms: Spring/Summer/Fall

      Degree Requirements

      The solely online and asynchronous Master of Science in Diabetes Education and Management requires satisfactory completion of 36 course points and a master’s integrative project. The program may be pursued full-time or part-time. Part-time students are encouraged to take at least 6 credits per semester to ensure timely completion of the program.

      Required Diabetes-Related Core Courses (18 points):

      • HBSD 4110 Behavior change strategies for diabetes prevention and management (3)
      • HBSD 4120 Pathophysiology of diabetes and its related complications (3)
      • HBSD 4130 Assessment of the person with diabetes (3)
      • HBSD 4140 Preventive and therapeutic interventions in diabetes management (3)
      • HBSD 4150 Diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) programs: development, implementation, and evaluation (3)
      • HBSD 4160 Pharmacology of Diabetes (3)

      Additional Required Core Courses

      • HBSS 5110 Determinants of health behavior (3)
      • HBSS 5040 Research methods in health and behavior studies I (3)

      Multicultural Requirement (3 Credits):

      • HBSS 4114 Competency in multicultural populations (3)
      • A similar course (with permission from the student's advisor) can be taken for the multicultural requirement.

      Elective Courses (for a total of 9 points):

      Health (3-6 credits):

      Choose at least one from the following:

      • HBSS 4001 Health provider communications (3)
      • HBSS 4118 Principles of health-related behavioral and social change (3)
      • HBSS 5116 Social relations, emotions, and health (3)
      • HBSV 4000 Introduction to nutrition: facts, fallacies, and trends (3)
      • BBSR 5095 Exercise and health (3)

      Education and Human Development (3-6 credits):

      Choose at least one from the following:

      • ORLD 4050 Introduction to adult and continuing education (3)
      • ORLD 4051 How adults learn (3)
      • ORLD 4827 Fostering transformative learning (3)
      • ORLD 5063 Online Teaching & Learning (3)
      • HUDK 4029 Human cognition and learning (3)
      • HUDK 4023 Developmental psychology: Adolescence (3)
      • HBSD 5900 Independent Study (3)

  • Advanced Certificate

    • Points/Credits: 18

      Entry Terms: Spring/Summer/Fall

      Degree Requirements

      The solely online and asynchronous Certificate in Advanced Diabetes Topics requires satisfactory completion of the six core diabetes courses (18 points). The program is completed in six academic terms (2 years). One core diabetes course is offered each term.

      Required diabetes-related core courses:

      • HBSD 4110 Behavior change strategies for diabetes prevention and management (3) 
      • HBSD 4120 Pathophysiology of diabetes and its related complications (3) 
      • HBSD 4130 Assessment of the person with diabetes (3) 
      • HBSD 4140 Preventive and therapeutic interventions in diabetes management (3) 
      • HBSD 4150 Diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) programs: development, implementation, and evaluation (3) 
      • HBSD 4160 Pharmacology of diabetes (3)

Faculty

  • Faculty

    • Kathleen O'Connell Isabel Maitland Stewart Professor of Nursing Education

  • Lecturers

    • Jane K Dickinson Senior Lecturer

Courses

  • HBSD 4110 - Behavior Change Strategies for Diabetes Prevention and Management
    This course explores person-centered and strengths-based approaches to working with people who have diabetes. Students will discuss the role of language/messaging in various approaches to working with people that can help them successfully manage and live well with diabetes. Students will also explore the role of age-related generations in behavior change.
  • HBSD 4120 - Pathophysiology of Diabetes and its Related Complications
    This course covers the physiology of normal energy metabolism and the related pathophysiology of energy metabolism as seen in metabolic syndrome, the progression to type 2 diabetes, overt type 2 diabetes, as well as type 1, gestational, and drug-induced diabetes. Comorbid conditions and acute and chronic complications related to diabetes and hyperglycemia are also addressed.
  • HBSD 4130 - Assessment of the Person with Diabetes
    This course teaches the clinician how to conduct a diabetes-focused assessment of the person with diabetes, with consideration for family dynamics, culture, and support. Emphasis is placed on cognitive, behavioral, and affective assessments, as well as select elements of the clinical assessment, i.e., the assessment of the "whole" person with diabetes. The findings from the assessment are then used as the basis for goal-setting.
  • HBSD 4140 - Preventive & Therapeutic Interventions in Diabetes Management
    This course covers the specific components of multimodal therapies used to treat diabetes and associated comorbidities, as well as to reduce the risk of acute and chronic complications, referencing evidence-informed clinical practice guidelines and landmark trials whenever possible. The major elements of, indications for, rationale for, and complications of current therapeutic approaches are explored.
  • HBSD 4150 - Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) Programs: Development, Implementation, & Evaluation
    This course provides specific guidance regarding implementation of the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (Beck, et al., 2017) to create Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) programs that will fulfill ADA recognition or ADCES accreditation requirements.
  • HBSD 4160 - Pharmacology of Diabetes
    This course offers an in-depth exploration of the medications used to treat and reduce the risk for diabetes, as well as the drugs used to treat its related comorbidities and complications. It also covers over-the-counter treatments, supplements, and medical foods used by people with diabetes. Drug classes, names, mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics will be discussed, as well as drugs currently being investigated. This course includes a discussion of the FDA approval process, major drug trials, considerations for special populations, and adverse effects.
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