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Only one enrollment form needs to be completed for all desired courses.
Deadline:
12/01/2026
Format:
Online
Term Offered:
Winter
Overview
This course focuses on changing health-related behaviors (or practices) of individuals—including providers, patients, and community members—in order to facilitate uptake of evidence-based health interventions. Scholars will be introduced to health behavior change theories across a range of socio-ecological contexts and intervention design frameworks. The emphasis will be on the application of theory and frameworks to 1) selecting behavior change targets; 2) characterizing barriers and enablers of behavior change; and 3) identifying techniques likely to be effective in addressing key barriers and enablers of behavior change. Scholars will apply concepts taught by either 1) developing a conceptual framework and instrument to...
This course focuses on changing health-related behaviors (or practices) of individuals—including providers, patients, and community members—in order to facilitate uptake of evidence-based health interventions. Scholars will be introduced to health behavior change theories across a range of socio-ecological contexts and intervention design frameworks. The emphasis will be on the application of theory and frameworks to 1) selecting behavior change targets; 2) characterizing barriers and enablers of behavior change; and 3) identifying techniques likely to be effective in addressing key barriers and enablers of behavior change. Scholars will apply concepts taught by either 1) developing a conceptual framework and instrument to guide data collection on barriers and enablers of a selected target behavior; or 2) designing an implementation strategy to facilitate uptake of their chosen evidence-based health intervention or program by target individuals. Scholars will also learn to incorporate the conceptual basis for their work into grant applications/funding proposals.
Topics
- Cognitive and socio-ecological health behavior change theories
- Frameworks for the design of effective health behavior change interventions (e.g., Behaviour Change Wheel)
- Common behavior change tools (e.g., behavioral economics, social marketing)
- Writing implementation science grants
Course Details
At the end of the course, scholars will be able to:
- Describe common behavior change theories used to facilitate uptake of health interventions
- Identify behavioral and contextual determinants that can influence health intervention uptake by individuals using behavior change theories
- Design, adapt, and/or tailor an implementation strategy that targets key behavioral and contextual determinants using an intervention design framework
- Create visual representations (e.g., figures and tables) of the logic, functions, and techniques of an implementation strategy to foster individual behavior change.
Recommended: Introduction to Implementation Science Theory and Design (offered every fall). Exceptions may be made with the consent of the Course Director, space permitting.
This course is taught fully remotely (online) with both synchronous and asynchronous components. Learners engage with content organized into 10 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. Attending synchronous meetings is recommended but not required.
Completing this course will take an estimated 5-10 hours per module.
This course requires learners to have a stable internet connection and access to the Zoom platform for synchronous meetings.
The Behaviour Change Wheel. A Guide To Designing Interventions. Written by Susan Michie, Lou Atkins & Robert West. 2015. Available at Behaviour Change Wheel website.
Required and optional readings will be posted on the course website.
Learners are expected to view video lectures, complete assigned readings, and module assignments; to constructively critique other students’ module assignments via the course site (or during synchronous sessions); to lead a journal club; to contribute to weekly journal club discussions (online the course site or during synchronous sessions); to submit a final completed project; and to complete course evaluations.
Completing this course will take an estimated 5-10 hours of work per module. In order to receive a letter of course completion, students are expected to:
- Abide by Course Norms and Expectations (see course website)
- Turn in weekly assignments by the designated due date and time in 6 of 8 weeks (no assignment on module 9).
- Provide feedback on assignments submitted by at least two peers by the designated due date and time in 6 of 8 weeks (no feedback required on module 9).
- Submit a final completed assignment 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, scholars will be able to:
- Describe common behavior change theories used to facilitate uptake of health interventions
- Identify behavioral and contextual determinants that can influence health intervention uptake by individuals using behavior change theories
- Design, adapt, and/or tailor an implementation strategy that targets key behavioral and contextual determinants using an intervention design framework
- Create visual representations (e.g., figures and tables) of the logic, functions, and techniques of an implementation strategy to foster individual behavior change.
Recommended: Introduction to Implementation Science Theory and Design (offered every fall). Exceptions may be made with the consent of the Course Director, space permitting.
This course is taught fully remotely (online) with both synchronous and asynchronous components. Learners engage with content organized into 10 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. Attending synchronous meetings is recommended but not required.
Completing this course will take an estimated 5-10 hours per module.
This course requires learners to have a stable internet connection and access to the Zoom platform for synchronous meetings.
The Behaviour Change Wheel. A Guide To Designing Interventions. Written by Susan Michie, Lou Atkins & Robert West. 2015. Available at Behaviour Change Wheel website.
Required and optional readings will be posted on the course website.
Learners are expected to view video lectures, complete assigned readings, and module assignments; to constructively critique other students’ module assignments via the course site (or during synchronous sessions); to lead a journal club; to contribute to weekly journal club discussions (online the course site or during synchronous sessions); to submit a final completed project; and to complete course evaluations.
Completing this course will take an estimated 5-10 hours of work per module. In order to receive a letter of course completion, students are expected to:
- Abide by Course Norms and Expectations (see course website)
- Turn in weekly assignments by the designated due date and time in 6 of 8 weeks (no assignment on module 9).
- Provide feedback on assignments submitted by at least two peers by the designated due date and time in 6 of 8 weeks (no feedback required on module 9).
- Submit a final completed assignment 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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How to Enroll
Important note: The opportunity to enroll in Winter 2027 and beyond will open when our new enrollment platform goes live this summer. If you have time-sensitive funds and wish to enroll in Winter 2027 or beyond, please reach out to us at [email protected].
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)
See note above. New registration link coming soon.
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.