MSU offers new doctoral program in Indigenous and rural health
BOZEMAN — As part of its efforts to address the health and wellness of Indigenous and rural communities in Montana and beyond, Montana State University is offering a new doctoral program in Indigenous and rural health.
Alison Harmon, dean of the College of Education, Health and Human Development, which houses the program, said it will develop scholars, educators and practitioners to address pressing needs. Faculty members from a number of MSU colleges — including the College of Agriculture, Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing, Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship and College of Letters and Science — will teach program courses.
“By leveraging interdisciplinary knowledge across the university, this program will prepare professionals to lead the development, implementation and evaluation of health systems, programs and policies; direct research programs; and educate and train the next generation of health professionals,” she said.
Students enrolled in the program may take courses at the MSU campus in Bozeman or at a distance via remote learning technologies.
“Our faculty understand how important it is to meet students where they are and keep them in their communities while they are doing work for and with local stakeholders and collaborators,” Harmon said.
Students may choose from three curriculum options: The first is for those who wish to earn a master’s degree in community health before completing a Ph.D. in Indigenous and rural health. Combined, this option will take an estimated total of three and a half to four years to complete. Another option allows those who have completed a master's degree to start directly into the doctoral program, which is estimated to take three years to complete. A final option is for students who have a bachelor's degree in nursing. Those students may choose to complete requirements for and receive a master’s degree in community health if they decide to leave the program prior to completing the doctoral requirements.
To earn the doctoral degree, students will complete 60 credit hours of course work, including 18 to 28 dissertation credits. The program is designed to be responsive to student interests and needs, so a majority of courses taken will be decided by the student and a group of professors who guide them in their studies, Harmon said.
Harmon said the program is intended to help communities across the state address critical needs. She pointed to a strategic plan from the Montana Healthcare Workforce Advisory Committee, which cites a necessity to transform the workforce to meet the state’s unique health-related challenges through academic degree programs tailored to meet state and regional challenges.
“The committee cites the need for research, policy and health systems development that will address existing health disparities in the state,” Harmon said. “These needs can be directly addressed by graduates of this program.”
To learn more, visit the program webpage at montana.edu/hhd/graduate/irh/index.html or contact Harmon at 406-994-4133.