Curriculum

Dartmouth's MS in Implementation Science produces leaders with the skills and knowledge to bring evidence-based interventions into widespread use.

Curriculum

Program Overview Academic Calendar Capstone

Core Coursework

Students in the MS in Implementation Science program participate in foundational coursework with their cohort, engaging with implementation science theories, models, frameworks, quantitative and qualitative methods, and practical applications essential to success in the field. The core coursework of the MS in Implementation Science program builds a firm foundation in this essential field.

Fall Term

Foundations of Implementation Science | 0.5 Units
- Introduction to the field through focusing on applying foundational elements of implementation science, evaluating evidence-based interventions, demonstrating the use of a logic model for planning and synthesizing implementation of an evidence-based intervention, and determining strategies to engage teams and partners in implementation projects.
Application of Theories, Models and Frameworks | 1.0 Units
- Use and application of theories, models, and frameworks in implementation research (e.g. CFIR, EPIS, RE-AIM) , including modification and customization of these TMFs, and their practical use in real-world applications.
Introduction to Study Designs and Data Analysis | 1.0 Units
- Utilizing statistical software and basic statistical principles to manage and understand quantitative data, and how it relates to the implementation of research findings into practice.
Experimental Designs | 0.5 Units
- Applying the use of and evaluation of implementation research experimental designs including hybrid type I effectiveness-implementation, hybrid type II effectiveness-implementation, hybrid type III implementation-effectiveness trials, and adaptive randomized trial designs to guide the implementation of research findings into practice.
IMPACT Project | 0.25 Units
- A project designed with the course facilitator and each individual student, to serve as a culmination of concepts learned in the program. Students will take into consideration interests and career goals to develop this project.

Winter Symposium (Optional)

The Winter Symposium will take place during the Academy Health D&I conference, which runs for three days and fall during the first two weeks in December (usually the 2nd week).

Winter Term

Implementation and De-implementation Strategies | 1.0 Units
- Social factors of exploration and evaluation of implementing and de-implementing evidence-based interventions, engagement with stakeholders and working with diverse populations. Understanding theories, models, and frameworks of implementation and de-implementation, their barriers and facilitators, and modification strategies.
Education, Community-Based Participatory Research, and State Services | 0.5 Units
- Designing, implementing, and evaluating education, community-based, and state-based participatory research into evidence-based programing. Factors affecting engagement with stakeholders in these fields, including DEI and cultural sensitivity. Exploration of theories, models, and frameworks specifically utilized in these areas.
Qualitative and Mixed-Methods in Implementation Research | 1.0 Units
- Understanding the theories, models, and frameworks that utilize qualitative and mixed-methods research and data (such as ethnographic, interviews, focus groups, and case studies, and combining these with quantitative statistical data) in implementing evidence-based interventions and programs.
Measuring Implementation Science Context, Process, and Outcomes | 0.5 Units
- Conceptual and evaluation approaches to measuring planned and implemented interventions for appropriate context, implementation processes, and achieved outcomes, considering both theories models and frameworks and human factors (stakeholders, community partners).
IMPACT Project | 0.25 Units
- A project designed with the course facilitator and each individual student, to serve as a culmination of concepts learned in the program. Students will take into consideration interests and career goals to develop this project.

Spring Term

Behavioral Interventions: Scaling Up and Scaling Out | 1.0 Units
- Developing and adapting evidence-based interventions for larger-scale implementation of programs in the context of behavioral health.
User-Centered Design Applied to Interventions and Implementation Strategies | 0.5 Units
- Exploration of human and user-centered design methods in the implementation of new programs and interventions to encourage adoption. Focus on accessibility, usability, utility, and engagement for participants through the lifecycle of a program or intervention.
Evaluation of Experimental Trials Including Cost-Effectiveness | 1.0 Units
- Analysis and evaluation of evidence-based interventions with a focus on economic impact, including intervention costing, cost-analysis, cost-effectiveness analysis, and incremental cost-effectiveness.
Fidelity, Adaptation, and Sustainment of Evidence-Based Interventions | 0.5 Units
- Fundamentals of operationalizing and measuring fidelity (degree which an intervention is delivered as-intended), adaptation, and sustainment of evidence-based interventions and the dynamic relationship among these constructs in implementation science.
IMPACT Project | 0.5 Units
- A project designed with the course facilitator and each individual student, to serve as a culmination of concepts learned in the program. Students will take into consideration interests and career goals to develop this project.