Health Care Disparities, Diversity & Advocacy
The DDA program offers a pathway to a Bachelor of Science degree for applicants who wish to build on college credits to earn a degree in Health Care Disparities, Diversity and Advocacy. This exciting field builds the insight and experience needed for a career working closely with patients from all backgrounds.
All applicants to this program are required to view the program information video.
The School of Health Professions Bachelor of Science in Health Care Disparities, Diversity and Advocacy Program provides the student with specific knowledge and skills related to global health care disparities, diversity and cultural competence in the health care setting while advocating for patient centered care.
The program offers a two-year track leading to the Bachelor of Science degree. See the program prerequisites and FAQs (for Fall admits and for Spring admits). The program is offered in a non-traditional format that combines online courses with preceptorships. The on-line delivery enables students to further their educational goals by attending classes in synchronous and asynchronous settings, which is particularly helpful if they are working or have a family. The online delivery also enables students from outside the Houston area to enroll. Participants have the flexibility of enrolling full-time or part-time.
An Overview of Health Care Disparities, Diversity and Advocacy
Administration
Program Director
Susan Lee, Ph.D.
Program Advisors
Jay Bezerra
Alba Calzada
Ranna Parekh
Executive Advisor
Shibu Varghese
SVP, People, Culture & Infrastructure
MD Anderson Cancer Center
View the complete roster of SHP educators
Accreditation
The offers a voluntary post-graduation accreditation, the Certified Patient Experience Professional (). After graduates of the DDA Program meet continuing education/professional experience requirements, they can register to take the CPXP. When graduates successfully pass the certification examination, they are awarded the designation of CPXP. This certification must be renewed every 3 years by completing continuing education credits or re-taking the certification examination.
Mission, Vision & SLO's
Mission
The mission of the Health Care Disparities, Diversity and Advocacy program is to provide the highest quality of education to students through formal didactic and practical experiences in the practice of health care disparities, diversity and patient advocacy.
Vision
We shall be the premier provider of education in health care disparities, diversity, and advocacy based on best practices and research in these professions.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Our students will concentrate on health disparities.
The student will
- Demonstrate awareness of factors contributing to disparities in health care among certain populations
- Identify resources available for reducing health disparities
- Demonstrate health professionals’ role in eliminating health disparities
Our students will be culturally competent.
The student will
- Demonstrate cultural sensitivity
- Analyze barriers to the delivery of health care in selected populations
- Apply solutions to selected concerns in populations studied
Our students will be patient advocates.
The student will
- Demonstrate communication techniques in difficult environments
- Evaluate risks in health care institution- patient relationships
- Identify federal, state, and local regulations related to patient advocacy.
Preceptorships
Preceptorships allow the student to gain professional knowledge through interactions with faculty and healthcare advocacy and diversity professionals. Students complete two virtual preceptorships. During virtual meetings with leaders in the healthcare arena, students are able to interact, asking questions and conversing to gather valuable information to use in future healthcare endeavors, thus establishing relationships with national leaders in advocacy, disparity and diversity. Examples of speakers include professionals from Mended Hearts/Mended Little Hearts, healthcare advocacy organizations that influence policy development in a national arena and Dr. Peter Hotez on the global impact of COVID-19.
A Career in Health Care Disparities, Diversity and Advocacy
Graduates may use this education to develop their clinical expertise and professional growth in the areas of health care disparities, diversity or patient advocacy.
Potential Career Paths with your B.S. in Health Care DDA
| Occupation | Avg. Salary | Projected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Case Manager | $51,760 | 12% |
| Clinical Research Coordinator | $120/010 | 16.92% |
| Community Relations Coordinator | $74,000 | 15% |
| Diversity Trainer | $61,570 | 11% |
| Government Policy Maker | $52,000 | 13% |
| Health Care Communications | $57,110 | |
| Health Disparity Research Assistant | $56,430 | |
| Inter-institutional Partnerships Manager | $74,000 | 15% |
| Patient Advocate, Support Representative | $44,450 | 14.88% |
| Patient Service Coordinator/Manager | $101,340 | 32% |
Outcome Measures-Effectiveness Data
| Year | Graduation Rate ^ |
Number of Students |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 86% | 7 admitted; 6 graduated |
| 2017 | 67% | 6 admitted; 4 graduated |
| 2018 | 57% | 7 admitted; 4 graduated |
| 2019 | 50% | 10 admitted; 5 graduated; 5 in-progress |
| 2020 | 50% | 2 admitted; 1 graduated; 1 in-progress |
| 2021 | n/a | 6 admitted; 6 in-progress |
| 2022 | n/a | 8 admitted; 8 in-progress |
5-Year Average 63% (20 of 32)
^ Graduation rate is subject to change based on full-time and part-time enrollments.