Pathways Program

The Pathway Program provides a structure that aligns skills of inquiry and critical thinking with self-directed learning longitudinally.  It links to student experiences in foundational curriculum, service learning, research and clinical care throughout enrollment. The vision is forward-looking with emerging trends and needs in healthcare and health education. 

In the new curriculum, each student would be exposed to foundational principles, content and skills that apply to all Pathways. They select a Pathway the Fall and participate in related sessions through their enrollment culminating in the completion and presentation of a Pathways Longitudinal Project.  

Dedicated time is identified for curriculum across all 4 years in core foundational areas (for all learners), common or overlapping areas (for learners across several pathways) and areas unique or specific to each pathway. 

Goals 

• Encourage curiosity and development of scholarship skills.  
• Link threads and themes longitudinally within and across the curriculum.  
• Support development of communication and scholarship skills across a spectrum of interests  
• Enhance professional and identify development in areas of student-focused interest.  

• Structure such that students with any level of pre-existing experience can participate in each pathway.    
• Build on required core experiences for students in Pathway topic to enhance educational experiences based on individual student interests.   
• Allows students to explore unique interests through broad and focused topic exploration.   

Upon completion of the Pathways program, the student will demonstrate:

• Ability to apply curricular materials in pursuit of scholarship and community engagement 
• Graduate level oral and written communication skills  
• Proficiency in the identification, planning, execution and structured reporting related to a mentored project that meets personal, professional, and/or community needs 
• Proficiency in identifying and accessing relevant resources to developing a scholarly project 
• Ability to work in a team-setting when conducting scholarly work 
• Compliance with professional responsibility and expectations in scholarly professional work 
• Effective dissemination and public presentation of scholarly work 
• Ability to draft and present an ‘elevator pitch’  
• Skills in providing and receiving feedback in a constructive manner 
• Skills in reflecting on one’s own strengths and areas for improvement 
• Tangible professional skills as defined by the specific pathway 

Learning Objectives:

PATH 101

1. Demonstrate foundational understanding of key concepts, principles, and emerging issues relevant to all Pathways during Core sessions and deepen knowledge of those most relevant to the learner’s Pathway.
2. Collaborate effectively in teams by contributing to the development of a Pathways Longitudinal Project (PLP), fostering shared responsibility and interdisciplinary perspectives.
3. Communicate progress and insights through the completion of a PLP Progress Report, demonstrating reflection on learning, project planning, and engagement with pathway-specific themes. 

PATH 201

1. Apply foundational principles introduced in PATH 101 to analyze and address complex issues specific to the learner’s Pathway.
2. Advance collaborative skills by working effectively in teams to refine objectives, methods, and deliverables for the Pathways Longitudinal Project (PLP).
3. Integrate scholarly evidence by critically applying journal articles, case studies, and seminar discussions to inform and strengthen PLP development.
4. Develop forward-looking project plans by outlining goals, milestones, and strategies to guide PLP progress during clinical years, ensuring continuity and sustained impact.

PATH 301

1. Engage in scholarly project work by advancing the Pathways Longitudinal Project (PLP) through data collection, analysis, or other discipline-appropriate methods.
2. Collaborate with mentors and peers by actively working with learners’ faculty mentor, Pathways leader, and team members to refine project direction and problem-solve challenges.
3. Apply critical thinking and inquiry skills to interpret findings, integrate evidence, and assess the implications of learner’s project within the context of the Pathway.
4. Demonstrate scholarly communication by contributing to the development of the PLP written deliverable, articulating project goals, methods, and preliminary results in a clear and professional manner.

PATH 401

1. Complete and synthesize the Pathways Longitudinal Project (PLP) by finalizing data collection, analysis, and interpretation in alignment with learner’s project objectives.
2. Produce a scholarly written deliverable that clearly communicates the project’s rationale, methods, findings, and implications within the selected Pathway.
3. Deliver a professional oral presentation that effectively conveys PLP outcomes to peers, faculty, and community partners, demonstrating clarity, engagement, and audience awareness.
4. Reflect on longitudinal learning and collaboration by articulating the skills, insights, and professional growth gained through sustained engagement in the Pathway.

Pathways 

• Structural Inequity, Advocacy, and Justice
• Entrepreneurship, Biomedical Innovation, and Design  
• Clinical Care 
• Clinical, Community, and Translational Research 
• Education 
• Population, Community, and Global Health 
• Health Systems Science 

Pathways Student Advisory Council Co-Chairs

Danielle Sharon - Class of 2028
Neha Perumal - Class of 2028

August 2025  | cjt