EDUCATION

Interprofessional Education at the University of Oklahoma Health Campus

Interprofessional education at OUHC reflects a campus‑wide commitment to preparing graduates who are not only skilled in their professions, but ready to work together to improve health outcomes for Oklahoma and beyond.Education is grounded in national competencies, delivered through longitudinal and experiential learning, and continuously refined through evaluation and innovation.

CURRICULUM DESIGN PRINCIPLES

The OUHC Interprofessional Education Curriculum is competency‑driven, learner‑centered, and practice‑informed.

Curriculum design is guided by the nationally recognized Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) Core Competencies and is intentionally structured to:

• Engage learners from multiple professions in meaningful, collaborative learning
• Align with accreditation requirements across colleges and programs
• Integrate education, practice, and reflection
• Provide flexibility while ensuring consistency and quality
• A detailed curriculum plan ensuring all competencies and accreditation requirements are met

Educational activities are curated and refined through collaboration with faculty, clinicians, community partners, and learners, ensuring relevance to evolving health care and workforce needs. Accreditation requirements guide this work.

To Register For IPE Courses, Search IPE or Unity Clinic on Give Pulse or see our available public courses in Canvas.

WHAT MAKES OUHC DIFFERENT

OUHC’s interprofessional education program is distinguished by its scale, integration, and intentionality.

What sets OUHC apart includes:

• Engagement of learners from numerous health professions within a shared framework
• Practice‑based learning embedded in real clinical and community environments
• Strong alignment with institutional mission and strategic priorities
• Sustained faculty leadership and governance supporting program quality
• Recognition for innovative interprofessional practice

Rather than offering isolated experiences, OUHC has built an integrated ecosystem where interprofessional learning is expected, supported, and normalized.

LONGITUDINAL LEARNING EXPERIENCES

Interprofessional education at OUHC is longitudinal by design, extending across a learner’s academic trajectory rather than occurring in isolated moments.

Learners engage in a progression of experiences that move from:

• Awareness and exposure to interprofessional roles and team concepts
• Skill development through structured didactic and interactive learning
• Application and synthesis in clinical, community, and scholarly environments

This longitudinal structure ensures that learners repeatedly practice collaboration, communication, and shared decision‑making, building confidence and competence over time.

Click here for additional information on Unity Clinic.

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

Beyond core coursework, OUHC offers a robust portfolio of co‑curricular and experiential interprofessional learning opportunities that complement program‑specific education.

These experiences may include:

• Team‑based simulations addressing real‑world health and social challenges
• Community‑engaged service learning and outreach activities
• Student‑led and student‑facilitated interprofessional initiatives
• Campus‑wide events that foster dialogue, inclusion, and collaboration

Experiential learning emphasizes the community and the patient as members of the health care team, reinforcing the values of equity, respect, and shared responsibility.

Click here for additional information on Upcoming Events.

ASSESSMENT & CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

Assessment is an integral component of interprofessional education at OUHC.

Educational activities are evaluated through a structured, campus‑wide approach that supports:

• Continuous quality improvement
• Responsiveness to learner and faculty feedback
• Alignment with institutional goals and accreditation expectations

Evaluation data are used to refine curriculum design, improve learning experiences, and contribute to the scholarship of interprofessional education. This commitment to assessment ensures that interprofessional learning remains meaningful, impactful, and evidence‑informed.

Click Here for Information on Assessment and Quality Improvement.

IPE EDUCATOR DEVELOPMENT

Excellence in interprofessional education depends on well‑prepared educators.

OUHC invests in faculty and staff development through structured opportunities that support:

• Interprofessional teaching and facilitation skills
• Curriculum design aligned with national best practices
• Evaluation and scholarship in interprofessional education
• Leadership in collaborative learning environments

These offerings include formal development programs, mentoring, and an advanced Interprofessional Educator Certificate that prepares educators to lead, innovate, and contribute to the evolving field of interprofessional education.

For more information: Contact the Certificate Course Directors at Christi-Barbee@ou.edu or Edwin-Ibay@ou.edu

INTERPROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION & DISTINCTION

OUHC recognizes and values sustained engagement in interprofessional education.

See our Completion, Graduation, and Recognition page for additional details.

Learners may be eligible for formal recognition, including:

• Interprofessional transcript notation
• Graduation cords signifying completion of significant interprofessional learning
• Academic and leadership awards recognizing interprofessional contribution

These distinctions acknowledge learners’ commitment to collaboration and signal readiness for team‑based professional practice.

Completion of hours (generally a minimum of 16 contact hours before graduation) can be tracked in Give Pulse.

The cords are available for purchase during Graduation Gear‑Up events in the spring and at the Jostens store in Norman at the Sooner Shop, located on the west side of the Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.