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Only one enrollment form needs to be completed for all desired courses.
Deadline:
08/15/2026
Format:
Online
Term Offered:
Fall
Overview
Community-Engaged Research provides training in the theory and practice of engaging patients, members of the public, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders in health research, intervention design and implementation.The course introduces students to multiple engagement strategies by way of a readings, guest speakers, case studies, and online discussions. Students will gain practical skills needed to apply participatory research methods to existing or planned studies and implementation projects, and adapt health interventions to real-world contexts.Course materials also help students to situate concepts and practices of community engagement in historical, social and political contexts, and to critically evaluate the ways that engagement strategies shape...
Community-Engaged Research provides training in the theory and practice of engaging patients, members of the public, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders in health research, intervention design and implementation.
The course introduces students to multiple engagement strategies by way of a readings, guest speakers, case studies, and online discussions. Students will gain practical skills needed to apply participatory research methods to existing or planned studies and implementation projects, and adapt health interventions to real-world contexts.
Course materials also help students to situate concepts and practices of community engagement in historical, social and political contexts, and to critically evaluate the ways that engagement strategies shape the production of new knowledge and challenge the lay/expert distinction.
Course Details
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Describe different approaches to engaging patients, the public, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders in health research, intervention design and implementation.
- Understand the purpose and historical, social and political context of a range of engagement strategies.
- Critically evaluate the benefits and limitations of different approaches to community collaboration in specific contexts.
- Explain how engagement principles and strategies can influence research design, intervention development, data collection and evaluation activities, and implementation.
- Identify a range of potential community partners.
- Develop and justify a conceptual model and detailed plan for incorporating a community partnership into an existing or planned research or implementation project.
Training or experience in public health, epidemiology, quality improvement or health care organization leadership. Exceptions to these prerequisites may be made with the consent of the Course Director.
This course is taught fully remotely (online) with both synchronous and asynchronous components. Learners engage with content organized into 8 weekly modules. Each week, learners view recorded lectures, assigned readings, and submit written assignments in an online forum. Weekly synchronous meetings occur over Zoom. When scheduling meetings, faculty strive to accommodate the schedules of busy professionals across multiple time zones. Synchronous meeting attendance is recommended but not required.
Completing this course will take an estimated 6-8 hours per module.
This course requires learners to have a stable internet connection and access to the Zoom platform for synchronous meetings.
All course materials will be made available on the course website. In the development of case studies, students often benefit from using websites and other materials from their selected organizations.
All learners who meet the minimum course requirements will receive a formal letter documenting their successful completion of the course, its objectives, and requirements. Only learners who are matriculated in a UCSF Graduate Division program (e.g., Masters, PhD) may receive a letter grade on their UCSF transcript. UCSF graduate students should complete the ImS enrollment form (see below) and enroll via the UCSF Office of the Registrar – Student Portal.
Learners are expected to view video lectures, complete assigned readings, submit weekly assignments, constructively critique other students’ protocols via online forums, submit a final project, and complete course evaluations.
Completing this course will take an estimated 6-8 hours of work per module. In order to receive a letter of course completion, students are expected to:
- Abide by course Ground Rules and Community Norms (see course website)
- Turn in weekly assignments by the designated due date and time in 7 of 8 weeks (no assignment for Module 8).
- Provide feedback on assignments submitted by at least two peers by the designated due date and time.
- Submit a final project by the designated due date and time at the end of the course.
- Submit a thoughtful critique of a peer’s final project by the designated due date and time at the end of the course.
Success in this course is determined as pass/no pass. Successful learners will receive a letter of course completion following the end of the term.
Students who do not turn in weekly assignments on time or do not provide required feedback to peers in more than two weeks will have the option of auditing or dropping the course.* In either case, course fees will not be refunded.
Academic Year 2025-2026: The fee for each course is $2,900. A reduced fee of $2,250 is available for individuals affiliated with UCSF, individuals based in countries designated as low- or lower-middle-income economies (LMIC), and individuals based in areas of ongoing armed conflict. Applicants seeking the reduced fee will be asked to provide support for their status. UCSF affiliation is defined as concurrent enrollment in a UCSF–sponsored residency or postdoctoral fellowship program; or a registered student in one of the UCSF professional schools or graduate programs; or individuals who hold full-time salaried UCSF faculty, academic, or staff positions.
Fees do not include books, supplies, or software. (These costs are minimal as most readings are from open-access journals.)
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Describe different approaches to engaging patients, the public, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders in health research, intervention design and implementation.
- Understand the purpose and historical, social and political context of a range of engagement strategies.
- Critically evaluate the benefits and limitations of different approaches to community collaboration in specific contexts.
- Explain how engagement principles and strategies can influence research design, intervention development, data collection and evaluation activities, and implementation.
- Identify a range of potential community partners.
- Develop and justify a conceptual model and detailed plan for incorporating a community partnership into an existing or planned research or implementation project.
Training or experience in public health, epidemiology, quality improvement or health care organization leadership. Exceptions to these prerequisites may be made with the consent of the Course Director.
This course is taught fully remotely (online) with both synchronous and asynchronous components. Learners engage with content organized into 8 weekly modules. Each week, learners view recorded lectures, assigned readings, and submit written assignments in an online forum. Weekly synchronous meetings occur over Zoom. When scheduling meetings, faculty strive to accommodate the schedules of busy professionals across multiple time zones. Synchronous meeting attendance is recommended but not required.
Completing this course will take an estimated 6-8 hours per module.
This course requires learners to have a stable internet connection and access to the Zoom platform for synchronous meetings.
All course materials will be made available on the course website. In the development of case studies, students often benefit from using websites and other materials from their selected organizations.
All learners who meet the minimum course requirements will receive a formal letter documenting their successful completion of the course, its objectives, and requirements. Only learners who are matriculated in a UCSF Graduate Division program (e.g., Masters, PhD) may receive a letter grade on their UCSF transcript. UCSF graduate students should complete the ImS enrollment form (see below) and enroll via the UCSF Office of the Registrar – Student Portal.
Learners are expected to view video lectures, complete assigned readings, submit weekly assignments, constructively critique other students’ protocols via online forums, submit a final project, and complete course evaluations.
Completing this course will take an estimated 6-8 hours of work per module. In order to receive a letter of course completion, students are expected to:
- Abide by course Ground Rules and Community Norms (see course website)
- Turn in weekly assignments by the designated due date and time in 7 of 8 weeks (no assignment for Module 8).
- Provide feedback on assignments submitted by at least two peers by the designated due date and time.
- Submit a final project by the designated due date and time at the end of the course.
- Submit a thoughtful critique of a peer’s final project by the designated due date and time at the end of the course.
Success in this course is determined as pass/no pass. Successful learners will receive a letter of course completion following the end of the term.
Students who do not turn in weekly assignments on time or do not provide required feedback to peers in more than two weeks will have the option of auditing or dropping the course.* In either case, course fees will not be refunded.
Academic Year 2025-2026: The fee for each course is $2,900. A reduced fee of $2,250 is available for individuals affiliated with UCSF, individuals based in countries designated as low- or lower-middle-income economies (LMIC), and individuals based in areas of ongoing armed conflict. Applicants seeking the reduced fee will be asked to provide support for their status. UCSF affiliation is defined as concurrent enrollment in a UCSF–sponsored residency or postdoctoral fellowship program; or a registered student in one of the UCSF professional schools or graduate programs; or individuals who hold full-time salaried UCSF faculty, academic, or staff positions.
Fees do not include books, supplies, or software. (These costs are minimal as most readings are from open-access journals.)
Meet the Faculty
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Sara Ackerman, PhD, MPH
Professor, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Email
How to Enroll
Whether you're exploring the field, enhancing your skills, or working toward a larger academic goal, most individual courses are open to everyone. Below, you’ll find details on course fees, how to apply and pay, and the full course schedule. Be sure you understand the enrollment policies and payment process before completing the enrollment form.
And remember: you only need to submit one form for all the new courses you want to take.
Leaners who are matriculated in a UCSF Graduate Division program (e.g., Masters, PhD) may take this course Pass/No Pass or for a letter grade. Please
- Consult with your program manager about taking ImS courses
- Complete the ImS enrollment form (see below), and
- Enroll via the UCSF Office of the Registrar – Student Portal.
Direct any enrollment questions to your program manager.
Enrollment policies and payment process (please read before completing the enrollment form)
Please complete this form and select courses. An invoice will be sent shortly.
For returning learners or those who previously created an account, please login to your existing account to select additional courses. To find the unique link to your account, search your inbox for UCSF Implementation Science Program: Registration Link.
For help accessing your existing account, please email [email protected].
Enrollment in selected courses will be confirmed upon receipt of payment. If a course fills ahead of the registration deadline, you will be placed on a waitlist and notified.
If the registration deadline has passed, please inquire about enrollment opportunities: [email protected].
About two weeks before the course begins, enrolled learners will be sent a welcome note that includes course access instructions as well as the syllabus.
The schedule of synchronous meetings (Zoom) will be determined during the first week of the course. Please promptly respond to any inquiries about your availability. Direct any questions to the faculty leader of the small group to which you will be assigned.