The UAB Certificate in Dissemination and Implementation (D&I) Science in Health Care is a new educational program that provides advanced training in dissemination and implementation research in health care. It is a 15-credit hour program consisting of courses in foundational D&I concepts, advanced D&I research designs and methods, and elective courses to address unique training needs and interests. The program culminates in a D&I grant writing course that allows students to apply program content to their specific research interests. At the end of the program, students will be equipped with the essential tools needed to design and execute dissemination and implementation science research studies.
Through this program, you will learn how to:
- Apply Core Dissemination & Implementation Science Principles: Develop the skills to conceptualize, design, and execute impactful D&I research, applying relevant theories, frameworks, and methodologies to drive practice change.
- Navigate Contextual Factors: Gain a deep understanding of how healthcare and community settings shape implementation.
- Build Powerful Stakeholder Partnerships: Learn proven strategies for engaging stakeholders at every stage of the research and implementation process, ensuring your work is relevant and sustainable.
- Apply Systems Thinking for Real-World Impact: Develop a systems-level perspective to understand complex health systems and design effective implementation strategies that drive meaningful change.
- Secure Funding for Your Research: Learn the essential skills for writing fundable dissemination and implementation science grant proposals, turning your research ideas into funded projects.
Designed for You
This certificate program offers comprehensive and flexible support for both early career scientists and experienced researchers who are new to D&I research.
- Focused, long-term mentorship from D&I experts
- Courses delivered virtually and asynchronously to accommodate diverse work and educational schedules
- Courses designed to be applied to topics of interest to each individual student
Curriculum
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AH 755 Dissemination and Implementation Science in Health Care (3 credit hours)
This course is designed to introduce implementation science to students who seek to learn how to implement evidence-based health interventions using the knowledge and tools of implementation science. The course is organized around common tasks or steps involved in planning, executing, and evaluating implementation efforts. The focus is on “how to” conduct the task or step using implementation science theory, frameworks, models, research findings, and tools.
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AH 779 Mixed Methods Applications in Action and Community-Based Participatory Research (3 credit hours)
Overview of how mixed methods can be applied in designing and conducting community-based action research studies: community-based action research, its purposes and cross-disciplinary utilization; a mixed methods methodological framework for action research; steps in designing and conducting mixed methods action research studies in community settings; specific types of mixed methods action research designs; sampling, data collection, analysis, validation, and evaluation of mixed methods action research projects.
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AH 774. Advanced Methods in Dissemination and Implementation Science (3 credit hours)
Topics include designing hybrid effectiveness implementation designs, designing and selecting data collection instruments for implementation studies, and choosing appropriate implementation outcomes.
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AH 772. Grant Writing for Dissemination & Implementation Scientists (3 credit hours)
In this course students learn about the specific elements required in implementation science grants, framing implementation science research questions and crafting specific aims, identifying models and frameworks, selecting implementation strategies research method, and developing a study design. In addition, students will develop a biosketch and review funding opportunities in implementation science research.
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Elective (3 credit hours)
TBA
This certificate is part of the Interdisciplinary Graduate Degree. Find out how you can stack this certificate with other certificates for a master’s degree.
How to Apply
Admission requirements include a baccalaureate degree (or international equivalent) from an accredited university, and a GPA of 3.00 or above for the last 60 hours of coursework.
To be considered for the Dissemination and Implementation (D&I) Science Certificate Program, please submit:
- Personal statement that addresses the following (500 words or less):
- Describe your interest in pursuing training in D&I science.
- Explain how you envision this certificate program contributing to your professional growth and goals.
- Current Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume
- Official transcript(s)
- International Applicants must provide TOEFL, IELTS, or TWE scores
- Non-refundable application fee ($50)
Our D&I Science Certificate Program begins each Fall (August) and features a single annual application cycle. We review applications on a rolling basis between January 15 and June 15. Applying early is encouraged.
Apply Online Opens an external link.
Tuition and Fees
UAB’s tuition and fees are competitively priced. Learners in the online Graduate Certificate in Dissemination & Implementation Science in Health Care program pay the same tuition whether they reside in or outside of the state of Alabama. For general UAB tuition and fees, visit the UAB Student Financial Aid website.
Contact Us
If you have questions, please contact us:
K. Ria Hearld, PhD
Program Director
205-934-3113