Diabetes Education and Management | Teachers College Columbia University

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Academic Catalog

Academic Catalog 2018-2019

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Diabetes Education and Management

Department of - Health & Behavior Studies

Contact Information

(646) 389-6242
Jane K. Dickinson, RN, PhD, CDE
Visit Program Website

Program Description

The Diabetes Education and Management Program is an interdisciplinary 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 patient 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 Certificate in Advanced Diabetes Topics is a 15-18-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. 

Degree Summary

DIABETES EDUCATION AND MANAGEMENT (DEDM)

Master of Science (M.S.)

For a complete listing of degree requirements, please click the "Degrees" tab above

For a complete listing of degree requirements, please continue on to this program's "Degrees" section in this document

Degree Requirements

Master of Science

Master of Science (36 points)

The 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 (DSME) programs:  Development, implementation, and evaluation (3)*
  • HBSD 4160     Pharmacology of Diabetes (3)*

*Certificate students can opt to take one or both of these two courses.

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 or a similar course (with permission from the student's advisor) can be taken for the multicultural requirement. 

  • HBSS 4114     Competency in multi-cultural populations (3)

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)
  • HUDK 4029     Human cognition and learning  (3)
  • HUDK 4023     Developmental psychology: Adolescence (3) 
  • HBSD 5900     Independent Study (3)

Certificate in Advanced Diabetes Topics

Certificate in Advanced Diabetes Topics

the certificate in advanced diabetes topics requires satisfactory completion of either five or six core diabetes courses (15-18 points). the program may be completed in three to five academic terms. two courses are offered in the fall, two in the spring, and two in the summer term.

Required diabetes related core courses:

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

*certficate students may opt to take one or both of these courses 

Application Information

Applications for admission to the M.S. degree program are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. The Program Director will arrange a phone interview once all application materials are on file. Applicants must be admitted and enrolled in order to apply for a Teachers College scholarship. The program's application deadlines are as follows: August 1 for a Fall start November 1 for a Spring start April 1 for a Summer start.

Admission requirements include the following:

  1. Bacclaureate Degree in relevant field from regionally accredited higher education institution.
  2. Preparation in one of the areas eligible to take the Certified Diabetes Educator Certification Examination, including clinical psychologist; registered nurse; occupational therapist; optometrist; pharmacist; physical therapist; physician (M.D. or D.O.); podiatrist; dietitian; physician assistant; or exercise physiologist, or health care professional with a minimum of a Master's degree in social work.
  3. Academic qualifications consistent with graduate school, including undergraduate and/or graduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  4. If an applicant’s native language is not English, or if an applicant received his/her baccalaureate degree from an institution where English is not the official language of instruction, he/she must submit official scores from an accepted English proficiency exam. This requirement is in effect regardless of where the applicant received a prior graduate degree (if any).
  5. Admission to the Diabetes Education and Management Master's degree program is based upon several criteria including adequacy and relevance of academic preparation; writing skills; evidence of registration, licensure, or certification in one of the fields mentioned above; relevance of prior professional experience and related activities; and potential to benefit from additional professional preparation in diabetes education and management.

To be considered for admission to the Diabetes Education and Management Program, applicants must submit the following to the Teachers College Office of Admission:

  • Online application 
  • Official transcripts from undergraduate and graduate programs
  • Copies of registration, licensure, or certification in clinical psychology, nursing (registered nurses only), occupational therapy, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, medicine, osteopathy, podiatry, dietetics, physician assistant, or exercise physiology
  • Two or three letters of recommendation (letters addressing your abilities as a student are the most beneficial to your application) 
  • Written personal essay of a few pages that includes your interest in diabetes, your experience as a diabetes educator, if any, and your career goals
  • Resumé
Applications for the Certificate in Advanced Diabetes Topics are reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis. Admission requirements include the following: online non-degree application; official transcripts from undergraduate and graduate degrees; resume/CV; written personal essay of a few pages that includes your interest in diabetes, your experience as a diabetes educator, if any, and your career goals; copies of registration, licensure, or certification; official scores from an accepted English proficiency exam.
 
For information and instructions click here.

For the certificate application select "non-degree" here.

 

Faculty List

Faculty

Lecturers

Visiting Faculty

Adjunct

Full-Time Instructors

Instructors

Jane K Dickinson
Lecturer
Kimberley J Krapek
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Kathleen O'Connell
Isabel Maitland Stewart Professor of Nursing Education

For up to date information about course offerings including faculty information, please visit the online course schedule.

Course List

HBSD 4110 Behavior Change Strategies for Diabetes Prevention and Management

This course explores a person-centered and strengths-based approach to working with people who have diabetes. Students will discuss the role of language in this approach and ways that they can work with people to 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 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 will be 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 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-based clinical practice guidelines and landmark trials whenever possible. The major elements of, indications for, rationales for, and complications of current therapeutic regimens will be explored.

HBSD 4150 Diabetes Self Management Education (DSME) Programs: Development, Implementation, & Evaluation

This course provides specific guidance regarding implementation of the National Standards for Diabetes Self Management Education (ADA, 2017) to create Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) programs that will fulfill ADA recognition or AADE accreditation requirements.