Only one application needs to be completed for all courses desired during the quarter.

Deadline:

09/01/2026

Format:
In-person
Term Offered:
Winter
Register Faculty

Overview

Clinical and translational research requires consideration of the diverse influences and contexts affecting and constraining people’s behaviors and health-related outcomes. To conduct high-quality research in diverse populations, researchers should grasp concepts such as race/ethnicity, structural and interpersonal racism, and socioeconomic status, including how these factors affect the development of research questions, data collection and analysis, and dissemination of research findings. Understanding these concepts and proactively incorporating a socioecological perspective into clinical and translational research is essential for both those doing research focused on health equity and for any researcher working with and interested in how their work will impact diverse...

Clinical and translational research requires consideration of the diverse influences and contexts affecting and constraining people’s behaviors and health-related outcomes. To conduct high-quality research in diverse populations, researchers should grasp concepts such as race/ethnicity, structural and interpersonal racism, and socioeconomic status, including how these factors affect the development of research questions, data collection and analysis, and dissemination of research findings. Understanding these concepts and proactively incorporating a socioecological perspective into clinical and translational research is essential for both those doing research focused on health equity and for any researcher working with and interested in how their work will impact diverse populations. This course provides a conceptual and practical overview of these topics, with a focus on the needs of researchers working within the United States.

 

2-unit course
  
1-unit course
Researchers enrolled in the 10-week, 2-unit course will cover more advanced material related to the conduct of health disparities research for those specifically interested in understanding the causes of and solutions to inequalities in health by race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status.   Through taking the 5-week, 1-unit course, researchers will learn about the socioecological model of health and how to incorporate this framework into their research, thereby deepening their ability to perform high-quality research with relevance to diverse populations. 

Course Details

At the end of the 1-unit course, scholars will be able to:
  • Identify the meaning and approaches to measurement of race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and other core concepts, recognizing how these constructs are shaped by systems of power and oppression.
  • Comprehend the socioecological model of health to your research area, applying a critical lens to how structural racism, interpersonal racism, and other forms of oppression shape health disparities across multiple levels over time.

  • Implement strategies to enhance diversity in recruitment and retention of study participants.

     
In addition, scholars enrolled in the 2-unit course will be able to:
  • Employ a rigorous approach to measurement in research in diverse populations, including conceptually and structurally informed approaches to the measurement of race, gender, and socioeconomic status.
  • Apply scientifically appropriate analytic methods that incorporate structurally and conceptually informed considerations when studying health disparities.
  • Recognize the essential role of community engagement when conducting research with diverse populations, emphasizing the need for equitable partnerships and the value of lived experiences in shaping research questions, methods, and dissemination strategies.
  • Comprehend the application and relevance of different study design generations to health disparities research.

View the Course Introduction video for a further description of course objectives and logistics.

Designing Clinical Research (EPI 202). Exceptions to this prerequisite may be made with the consent of the Course Director, space permitting.

Course content will be delivered through weekly interactive lectures.

The daily schedule of activities will be posted on the course's online syllabus.

All materials will be available on the course's online syllabus.

Grades will be based on homework assignments.

Students not in full-year DEB Education Programs who satisfactorily pass all course requirements will receive, upon request, a Certificate of Course Completion.

Only UCSF students (defined as individuals enrolled in UCSF degree or certificate programs) will receive academic credit for courses. Official transcripts are available to UCSF students only. A Certificate of Course Completion will be available upon request to individuals who are not UCSF students and satisfactorily pass all course requirements.

UCSF Graduate Division Policy on Disabilities

For UC-Affiliated learners, the course fee for the 1-unit course is $1,100; for the 2-unit course is $2,100

For Non-UC-Affiliated learners, the course fee for the 1-unit course is $1,300; for the 2-unit course is $2,500

 

UC-Affiliation: Concurrent enrollment in a University of California-sponsored residency or post-doctoral fellowship program that is recognized by the Office of Graduate Medical Education; or a registered student in one of the professional schools or graduate programs at the University of California (in a program other than the TICR program); or individuals who hold full-time salaried University of California faculty, academic or staff positions. Please note: Individuals will be asked to provide proof of UC status.

At the end of the 1-unit course, scholars will be able to:
  • Identify the meaning and approaches to measurement of race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and other core concepts, recognizing how these constructs are shaped by systems of power and oppression.
  • Comprehend the socioecological model of health to your research area, applying a critical lens to how structural racism, interpersonal racism, and other forms of oppression shape health disparities across multiple levels over time.

  • Implement strategies to enhance diversity in recruitment and retention of study participants.

     
In addition, scholars enrolled in the 2-unit course will be able to:
  • Employ a rigorous approach to measurement in research in diverse populations, including conceptually and structurally informed approaches to the measurement of race, gender, and socioeconomic status.
  • Apply scientifically appropriate analytic methods that incorporate structurally and conceptually informed considerations when studying health disparities.
  • Recognize the essential role of community engagement when conducting research with diverse populations, emphasizing the need for equitable partnerships and the value of lived experiences in shaping research questions, methods, and dissemination strategies.
  • Comprehend the application and relevance of different study design generations to health disparities research.

View the Course Introduction video for a further description of course objectives and logistics.

Designing Clinical Research (EPI 202). Exceptions to this prerequisite may be made with the consent of the Course Director, space permitting.

Course content will be delivered through weekly interactive lectures.

The daily schedule of activities will be posted on the course's online syllabus.

All materials will be available on the course's online syllabus.

Grades will be based on homework assignments.

Students not in full-year DEB Education Programs who satisfactorily pass all course requirements will receive, upon request, a Certificate of Course Completion.

Only UCSF students (defined as individuals enrolled in UCSF degree or certificate programs) will receive academic credit for courses. Official transcripts are available to UCSF students only. A Certificate of Course Completion will be available upon request to individuals who are not UCSF students and satisfactorily pass all course requirements.

UCSF Graduate Division Policy on Disabilities

For UC-Affiliated learners, the course fee for the 1-unit course is $1,100; for the 2-unit course is $2,100

For Non-UC-Affiliated learners, the course fee for the 1-unit course is $1,300; for the 2-unit course is $2,500

 

UC-Affiliation: Concurrent enrollment in a University of California-sponsored residency or post-doctoral fellowship program that is recognized by the Office of Graduate Medical Education; or a registered student in one of the professional schools or graduate programs at the University of California (in a program other than the TICR program); or individuals who hold full-time salaried University of California faculty, academic or staff positions. Please note: Individuals will be asked to provide proof of UC status.

Meet the Faculty

Christine smiling at the camera. Her reddish brown hair is partially tied back, and she is wearing a purple top.
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Christine Dehlendorf, MD, MAS

Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine

Email
[email protected]
Meghan smiling and wearing a red and blue geometric pattern top with a dark blue cardigan. She has long dark brown wavy hair.
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Meghan Morris, PhD, MPH

Professor, Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics

Email
[email protected]

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. Current learners enrolled in DEB Education programs have priority in enrollment for this course. Any extra spaces are available to non-DEB Education learners (i.e., those from the Institute for Global Health Sciences, School of Nursing, external groups, etc).

You’ll find details on course fees, how to apply and pay, and the full course schedule on the Course Enrollment & Payment page. 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.

Course Enrollment & Payment Instructions