Policies
Academic integrity, acceptable use of electronic resources, and privacy issues are particularly important in online degree programs. The Graduate Certificate program follows University policies and compliance requirements. Students have access to these policies, as well as resources and special services, through the links below and their courses.
Course Credit and Grading
Health Care Innovation courses (denoted by HCIN in the course code) are online, graduate-level courses worth 1.0 CU each. As in other graduate courses at Penn, students will receive a letter grade that appears on their official University of Pennsylvania transcript.
Courses are rigorous and intense, requiring 12 to 15 hours per week of coursework (most of it on your own schedule). Assignments have deadlines, and points may be deducted for late submissions. All assignments must be completed by the course's end date. Students concerned about completing an assignment or course on time should contact the teaching assistants right away.
Disclosure for Non-US Prospectives and Students
The Graduate Certificate in Health Care Innovation program is offered by the University of Pennsylvania, an institution of higher education authorized to confer degrees and certificates conferring academic credit under applicable laws of the United States. Students who are interested in participating in the program from countries other than the United States are advised that each jurisdiction may have its own laws and regulations governing online educational programs, and some jurisdictions may not recognize course credit or an online degree awarded by the University as satisfying local requirements for professional licensure, employment qualification, or other purposes. Before enrolling in this program, prospective students should investigate their jurisdiction’s treatment of foreign online programs to ensure that participation in this program will meet their objectives.
Transfer into the Master of Health Care Innovation
Credits earned from courses taken in the Certificate of Health Care Innovation may be applied toward the Master of Health Care Innovation. Certificate students who wish to transfer into the master's program must be accepted to the Master of Health Care Innovation through the usual MHCI application process.
Credits earned within 4 years of matriculating into the MHCI can count toward the degree. Older credits and courses not part of current curriculum will be reviewed for consideration toward the MHCI.
Withdrawal Policy
Graduate courses in Health Care Innovation are 6 weeks long each and do not follow typical semester start and end dates. Thus the general University drop period dates do not apply. See the Course Policies listed on your individual course's Canvas site for refund and drop deadlines. Refunds will not be issued for courses dropped after the final drop deadline.
Course Policies
Additional policies may vary by course. Please consult each course’s policies, which are linked at the bottom of the course’s Home page in Canvas.
General University and Program Policies
University-level policies (including the Penn Book) and program-specific policies not addressed on this page can be found on the MHCI policies page.
The Health Care Innovation courses are designed for participation from either a desktop or laptop computer (PC or Mac). Content is also accessible on a mobile device. A headset with microphone is recommended for use during synchronous classes over video conferencing.
Computer requirements and supported browser information for Canvas, the learning management system, may be found at the Canvas Help Center. Lecture videos are delivered over Panopto, which lists viewing requirements on its website.
Current graduate students in Penn programs can enroll in the Graduate Certificate in Health Care Innovation (HCIC) to enhance their studies with targeted focus on health policy, behavioral economics, operations management, leadership, and health care innovation. The following programs have an existing relationship with the HCIN program.
Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Master of Bioengineering students can pursue a certificate in Health Care Innovation in combination with their current degree studies. Bioengineering students can select any 4 HCIN courses but should contact their administrator to review curriculum.
Master of Bioethics, Perelman School of Medicine
Master of Bioethics (MBE) students are able to pursue a Graduate Certificate in Health Care Innovation (HCIC) in combination with their current degree studies. One or two Innovation courses may count toward the MBE, and either BIOE 545 Mediation Intensive or BIOE 559 Patient Advocacy may count toward the HCIC. Interested students should contact Dr. Autumn Fiester, MBE Program Director, fiester@upenn.edu, and visit the program website to learn more about the specific requirements.
MS in Nonprofit Leadership, School of Social Policy and Practice
Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership students are able to pursue a Graduate Certificate in Health Care Innovation in combination with their current degree studies. Interested students should contact the Administrative Director of the NPL Program and visit the program website to learn more about the specific requirements.
MSN Healthcare Administration, School of Nursing
MSN Healthcare Administration students can pursue a certificate in Health Care Innovation in combination with their current studies. To earn the certificate students must take NURS540 Current Issues in Health and Social Policy in addition to 3 HCIN courses. Interested students should contact the administrator.
MSN Health Leadership, School of Nursing
MSN Health Leadership students can pursue a certificate in Health Care Innovation in combination with their current studies. To earn the certificate students must take NURS540 Current Issues in Health and Social Policy in addition to 3 HCIN courses. Interested students should contact the administrator.
Master of Public Health, Perelman School of Medicine
Master of Public Health students can pursue a certificate in Health Care Innovation in combination with their current degree studies. To earn the certificate, students can count the core course, PUBH 505, Intro to Public Health Policy and Administration, in addition to three HCIN prefix courses. In pursuit of this certificate, students should plan to use 3 of their electives to take these HCIN prefix courses. Interested students should contact Moriah Hall at moriahh@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.