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    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.

    Policies and Grading

    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.

    University-Level Policies

    The Penn Book is the comprehensive source for Penn's policies and procedures, including information on academics, resources, and student personal conduct and responsibility. As University of Pennsylvania students, Health Care Innovation students are expected to adhere to these policies.

    READ THE PENN BOOK 

    Policies listed in the Penn Book include, among other policies:

    The University of Pennsylvania is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Information on accreditation and state authorization is available on the website for the Office of the Provost.

    DISABILITY STATEMENT

    The University of Pennsylvania provides reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities who have self-identified and been approved by the office of Student Disability Services. Please contact the Course Assistant (CA) as soon as possible in order to discuss your accommodations and your needs. If you would like to request accommodations or ask questions, make an appointment by contacting the office of Student Disability Services at 215-573-9235 or vpul-sdsmail@pobox.upenn.edu. The office of Student Disability Services is located in the Weingarten Learning Resources Center at Stouffer Commons, 3702 Spruce Street, Suite 300. All services are confidential.

    NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY

    The University of Pennsylvania values diversity and seeks talented students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds. The University of Pennsylvania does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class status in the administration of its admissions, financial aid, educational or athletic programs, or other University-administered programs or in its employment practices. Questions or complaints regarding this policy should be directed to:

    Executive Director of the Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Programs
    Franklin Building - 3451 Walnut Street, Suite 421
    Philadelphia, PA 19104 or (215) 898-6993 (Voice) or (215) 898-7803 (TDD)
    or oaaeop@pobox.upenn.edu

    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. Refunds will not be issued for courses dropped after the final drop deadline. Note that course weeks run Tuesday­­­­–Monday. See the Course Policies listed on your individual course's Canvas site for refund and drop deadlines.

    For a 6-Week Course 

    DROP DEADLINE (MONDAY OF WEEK #) REFUND %
    Weeks 1-2 100%
    Weeks 3-4 50%
    Weeks 5-6 None

     

    Please contact the Program Managers if you need to withdraw from the course.

    INCOMPLETES

    The final deadline for all work in a course is the last day of class. If you need more time to complete your work, you may arrange an extension of up to 1 week from the CAs. For any additional time beyond 1 week, you must request an Incomplete from the Program Manager. If you have not requested an incomplete, your grade for the course will reflect all work that has been submitted before the final deadline. Incompletes are to be used in cases where a significant amount of coursework is incomplete, and are not a tool for bumping up a grade.

    An Incomplete indicates a commitment by the student to complete the course within a specified timeline; the student and program manager will together create a plan for completion, including an agreed-upon deadline. An Incomplete is noted by a temporary grade of “I” on the student transcript. When the work is completed, you must notify the Program Manager to change the Incomplete to a letter grade. A TA with experience in that course will grade the work. Regardless of the agreed-upon deadline, a course must be completed within one year; after one year the Incomplete becomes a permanent Incomplete, notated by I* on the transcript, and the grade will no longer be changed.

    Other Course Policies

    NON-SOLICITATION

    In order to maintain an open and honest learning environment, students may not solicit business for themselves or their employers from faculty, speakers or other students in the program. Students are expected to refrain from sharing advertising, promotional, or solicitation content. A student who is interested in professional services offered by someone else affiliated with the program may individually approach that person regarding their desired services.

    Note: 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.

    Technology Requirements

    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.

    Partnerships with Other Graduate Programs

    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.

    Engineering master, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

    On-campus Engineering master’s students are permitted to take two online courses towards their professional master’s degree program, including Health Care Innovation courses. Students must check with their respective master’s program to determine if these courses count towards their degree requirements. Additional information can be found on the Course Registration and Procedures website.

    Hillman Scholars in Nursing Innovation, School of Nursing

    Hillman Scholars and other students in the Penn Nursing PhD program can pursue a certificate in Health Care Innovation in combination with their current studies. To earn the certificate students must take NURS5730 Innovation in Health: Foundations of Design Thinking & Equity-Centered Design in addition to 3 HCIN courses, except HCIN6070, Translating Ideas into Outcomes. Interested students should contact their program administrator.

    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 5450 Mediation Intensive or BIOE 5590 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 their 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 their 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 5050, 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.

    Student Resources

    An array of Penn’s student resources are available to Graduate Certificate students. Though many of the offices that offer student resources traditionally serve on-campus students, reasonable effort is made to provide comparable services to students who do not study on campus. Among the offices that you might find helpful are: