IP Elective Courses

IP Electives

View and/or Enroll in Current Semester IP Electives. Enrollment requires approval of course and program directors.

IP 715: Impact of Poverty on Healthcare Consumerism

This course provides an introduction to poverty and healthcare consumerism in an interactive online-course format. This course explores the relationship between poverty and clinical impact on population health in the United States. We will address determinants of health as it relates to healthcare consumerism and health status trajectories for the US population living in poverty. The course is intended to equip the clinical student with the patient management skills necessary to reduce the risks poverty plays in their healthcare outcomes. 3 s.h.

Course Dates: 01/03/23 – 04/28/23
Meeting Days/Times:
N/A - Online

Joni Nelson, Ph.D.

IP 717. Telehealth Teams of the Future.

This online course provides all health professions students with detailed examination of the use of telehealth processes to transform healthcare, improve access and build new teams for future practice. Through an interprofessional context, students will explore clinical, research and educational initiatives currently underway across South Carolina. Students will learn about innovative technology systems; engage with telehealth learning experiences; understand the use of telehealth to improve healthcare access and population health; explore how team-based and academic/community partnerships care can be used to advance care; and embrace the changing models of care resulting from advancing telehealth technologies. Students get real-world experience with the technologies and processes that make telehealth successful. 3 s.h.

Course Dates: 01/03/23 – 04/28/23
Meeting Days/Times:
N/A - Online

Ragan DuBose-Morris, Ph.D.

IP 721: Blood, Sweat and Tears

This Interprofessional Course will examine themes related to self-realization through the music and videos of Korean pop musicians BTS, a group well known for addressing societal issues in their music. This class will examine some of those issues from a health care provider perspective, particularly in the context of interprofessional teams where the provider's approach varies by discipline. Using reflection, analysis, and open discussion about the topics as interpreted from watching videos and reading supplemental texts, this will be a "no wrong answers" course. It will focus on appreciating the views and perspectives of other health care providers by facilitating open discussion about challenging topics such as mental health, temptation and conflict, and societal pressures and expectations as they may apply to clinical practice. In addition to the music videos, supplemental readings will include passages from Hermann Hesse's Demian, Friedrich Nietzsche's The Birth of Tragedy and Thus Spoke Zarathustra, and the Webtoon Save Me. 1 s.h.

Course Dates: 03/07/23 – 04/28/23
Meeting Days: Tuesdays: February 28, March 21, 28, April 4, 18, 25
Meeting Times: 12:00 pm – 12:50 pm, in person

Heather Holmes

IP 732. History of Health Sciences.

This course introduces students to the history of the broad field of health, disease, and medicine from the early 18th century to the present. The course covers main historical trends and developments in the health sciences within the context of social and political developments in the United States and particularly in the South. It covers topics like plantation medicine, issues of race, women in medicine, historical context of health disparities, the impact of war, epidemics and vaccines, civil rights, and the history of MUSC. The course’s goal is to contribute to professional development by raising students' awareness of their profession's cultural, philosophic, and scientific heritage and how it has been impacted by historical events. 1 s.h.

Course Dates: 01/03/23 – 04/28/23
Meeting Days: Thursday
Meeting Times: 12:00 – 1:00 PM in person

Brian D. Fors

IP 735: Human Trafficking and Healthcare

This course will provide an overview of human trafficking and how it intersects with healthcare. Learners will be introduced to the types of human trafficking most prevalent in the United States, as well as the segments of the population that are most vulnerable to exploitation. This course will provide information and resources to assist healthcare professionals to identify and respond to trafficked persons in a clinical setting, including the use of trauma-informed and survivor-centered methods of care. 1 s.h.

Course Dates: 01/03/23 – 04/28/23
Meeting Days: N/A - Online
Meeting Times: N/A - Online

Stephanie Armstrong, Ph.D., RN

IP 737: You’re it! Leadership in Emergency Preparedness

Join this course for hands-on opportunities to develop your leadership skills in emergency preparedness and incident management, including decision making and effective communication in high stress/high risk situations. You will also practice how to implement the building blocks of business continuity plans to minimize risk of lost profits and customers prior to, during and following emergencies. Gain firsthand experience in working within a health system during a simulated disaster and leave the course with advanced FEMA certifications and skills needed to lead an organization in emergency preparedness. 1 s.h.

Course Dates: 01/03/23 – 04/28/23
Meeting Days: Wednesdays
Meeting Times: 12:00 pm – 12:50 pm virtual

Erik Modrzynski, CPCP, CHSP, CEDP
Kimberly Kascak, MS

IP 743. Introduction to 3D Printing.

Additive Manufacturing (3-D printing) is ushering in a new era of efficiency, cost-effectiveness and convenience in the health care industry. Through innovation and technical advancements, 3D printers are set to provide faster prototyping, ideas, inventive problem-solving, and increased cost efficiency.  This course will introduce the potential uses of Additive Manufacturing (3D printing) in health care and provide a process for innovation that encompasses concept development, applied creativity, prototyping, and experimentation.  This course also integrates rich, interactive media such as videos, infographics, and e-learning activities as well as traditional components such as live faculty lectures, group projects, and individual assignments. The program design facilitates collaborative learning through discussion forums and a team-based capstone project. This results in an enhanced peer network that delivers value long after the course ends.  1 s.h.

Course Dates: 02/01/23 – 04/28/23
Meeting Days: Online/In-person – Wednesday’s
Meeting times: 12pm-12:50pm

Erick Lemon

IP 744. Interprofessional Study of ASD-ND II.

Interprofessional Study of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (NDs) II course (Spring Semester) offers students the opportunity to gain expertise in ASD and NDs.  The course promotes an interprofessional approach to ASD and NDs, with emphasis on professions such as pediatrics, psychology, speech pathology, social work, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, pediatric dentistry, psychiatry, neurology, genetics, special education, and others learning and working together.  In addition to training in typical and atypical childhood development, students will explore ethics, family centered care, life course issues, cultural competence, and more.  There is a specific emphasis on empirically supported assessment and intervention methods for ASD and other NDs.  This is an asynchronous online course comprised of 8 2-week modules.  NOTE: ASD-ND I (IP 742) is NOT REQUIRED to take ASD-ND II.  2-2.5 var. s.h.

Course Dates: 01/03/23 – 04/28/23
Meeting Days: N/A - Online
Meeting Times: N/A – Online

Laura Carpenter, PhD.

IP 749: Human Cadaver Dissection

This elective course will enhance both dissection and anatomic structure identification skills using human cadavers. Dissection will be performed in the manner of an independent study but under the overall supervision and advisement of the course directors. Approach to dissection will be on a regional basis and will address: 1) back; 2) upper and lower limbs; 3) head and neck; 4) thorax; 5) abdomen, and 6) genitourinary/perineum. Available only to students enrolled in the OT, PA, and PT programs. 2 s.h.

Course Dates:
01/03/23 – 04/28/23
Meeting Days: Class sessions in person – Prior to submitting your application, please reach out to “contact” to check course meeting date/times
Meeting Times: Class sessions in person – Prior to submitting your application, please reach out to “contact” to check course meeting date/times

Dr. K. Jackson Thomas, ED

IP 769: Comics for Health and Medicine*

Coined in 2007 by the cartoonist and physician Dr. Ian Williams, Graphic Medicine is “the intersection between the medium of comics and the discourse of healthcare.” In this course, students will look at the use of comics to communicate stories about health, illness, suffering, and hope. Students will use creative, in-class activities to build empathy around patient, caregiver, and provider experience, and to reflect on their own experience becoming health care professionals. Students of all drawing skills are welcome! 1s.h.

*This course is adapted from Comics for Health and Medicine, a free curriculum developed by Michael Green, a physician, bioethicist, and one of the founders of the Graphic Medicine field.

Course Dates: 02/07/23 – 03/28/23
Meeting Days/Times:  Tuesdays 12pm – 1pm - online

Elizabeth Roth

IP 770: Culinary Health and Wellness*

Students from multiple disciplines will study how the art of cooking and the science of food intersect to promote health and wellness. Students will become familiar with the science behind the role of nutrition in chronic disease prevention and management and will develop skills on how to select, prepare, cook and present foods that promote health and wellness. The class will combine independent reading and discussion with hands-on cooking (and tasting) in the kitchen. 1 s.h. 

Course Dates: 03/13/23 - 04/8/23
Class Location: TBD (TTC Palmer or Main Campus)
Meeting Days: Tuesday’s – March 21, 28, April 4, 11, 18 – in person
Course Times: 4:00pm – 8:00pm

Susan Johnson, PhD.

*A $250 course fee will be applied to your tuition bill to cover food procurement, instructor and facility fees. During the course students will enjoy tastings from 10 different recipes each week. 

IP 773: Student Leadership Foundations

The MUSC Leadership Foundations Course provides the knowledge and tools for students committed to developing their leadership framework and capacity. Guided by the MUSC Leadership Competencies, participants will engage in a course curriculum that promotes deep personal reflection and group dialogue while covering a wide array of leadership topics. Individually, students will learn about their own leadership styles and how they work best with others in achieving team goals. Students will also understand the connection between leadership, diversity and inclusion, and community service/engagement. 1 s.h.

Course Dates:
 1/11/23-4/28/23
Meeting Days:  Wednesday’s in person - Jan 11; Jan 18; Jan 25; Feb 1; Feb 8; Feb 15; Feb 22
Meeting Times: 5:00pm-6:00pm

Erica Bligen, MEd

IP 775: Innovative Solutions to a Health-Care Related Problem

This course is open to all MUSC students. The course gives students the creative ability to develop innovative solutions to a healthcare problem in our community. Students will then be able to present their innovative ideas during the MUSC innovation week for a chance to win an award that support their ideas. 1 s.h.

Course Dates:
 01/03/23 – 04/28/23
Meeting Days/Times: TBD - Online

Erick Lemon

IP 785: Human-Centered Design: Innovating in Medicine

Human-Centered Design (HCD) is a creative methodology that uses design thinking to empower individuals or teams to design products, services, systems, and experiences that address the core needs of those who experience a problem. HCD and design thinking have become increasingly more relevant to innovation in the medical field. Utilizing empathy as a tool to understand stakeholders and users, HCD can play a key role in creating innovative culture and solutions to improve healthcare.

This course will teach you the HCD and design thinking process as you engage in a healthcare improvement project, equipping you with the skills to be a successful leader in interdisciplinary thought and innovation. Teachings from medical device innovators, physicians, and industry professionals will guide you through each step of the process from ideation and the generation of ideas to a final pitch day where your team will present a potentially viable healthcare innovation start-up.

Become a healthcare innovator, entrepreneur, and designer who can make a life-changing impact. 1 s.h.

Course Dates:
 01/03/23 – 04/28/23
Meeting Days: Thursday’s – Class meetings will be in person and location TBD
Meeting Times: 12 – 1:30 pm

Dr. David Mahvi

Kristen Quinn, MD