Two Caspersen School of Graduate Studies students share experiences utilizing the hybrid DrewPath model
December 2021 – The Medical and Health Humanities Program at Drew’s Caspersen School of Graduate Studies stands at the core of promoting health, well-being, and humanizing medicine and care. The principle of care is extended to its students with flexible DrewPath online and hybrid (online and in-person) course options that foster personal contact with faculty and students in a low residency format utilizing small-group online sessions.
Designed with working professionals in mind, DrewPath allows students pursuing a certificate or Master’s in Medical Humanities, Health, and Society (MMH) or a Doctorate in Medical and Health Humanities (DMH) the option to complete the program utilizing this flexible learning model.
The program has increased its offering of online courses to include Health and Social Equity, the Contemplative Professional, Care Ethics and Biomedical Ethics, Humanism and Well-Being, Humanist Research, and more. The monthly Q-METHODS-LABS and various colloquia, extra-curricular activities designed to support rigor in practice-led and applied research, are also available to online and hybrid students.
We spoke with two DMH candidates who discussed the benefits of earning their degrees using the hybrid and online options offered by Drew.
Jamila Hughley G’23
Why did you opt for a hybrid learning model at Drew?
The online and hybrid learning model with the Medical and Health Humanities Program has been extremely helpful and rewarding for me over the past two years. I live in New Jersey, but the demands of work and parenting initially discouraged me from moving forward to obtain my goal of earning my doctorate. The structure of the online program allows me to actively participate in the courses.
How have you benefited from the flexibility afforded by the online options at Drew?
As a single professional mother, the flexibility of the program has given me the opportunity to pursue my personal and professional goals of completing a doctoral degree program. It has allowed the opportunity to work with other professionals near and far, which has added to the interdisciplinary aspect of the program. The hybrid program allows me to actually attend classes on campus when my schedule permits.
The welcoming nature of the instructors has encouraged me to bring my daughter with me to class when needed. There have not been any negative aspects to the online or hybrid program. There is ample opportunity to exchange ideas and network with my colleagues in the program. Having the opportunity to participate from home or the office has allowed me to continue my doctoral studies with less stress and worry. This allows me to be able to focus my attention more on my learning objectives.
Briana Tierno G’23
Why did you opt for an online learning model at Drew?
I had been hoping to pursue a Doctorate in Medical Humanities for years but my options were limited since I live in Florida.
The Medical and Health Humanities program at Drew University is exactly what I was looking for and the online opportunities allow me to take part and further my education in my field of choice while still maintaining my full-time position in medical education and simulation at the University of South Florida. I have been very grateful for the online learning opportunities offered in the Medical and Health Humanities Program.
How have you benefited from the flexibility afforded by the online options at Drew?
I have found my online classes to be amazing learning opportunities where I have formed close bonds with classmates through small group class discussions in breakout rooms. The Zoom platform allows an intimate, quiet space to dive deep and explore different perspectives of the class topics and readings with a few classmates at a time. Seeing the presentations and Zoom screens of classmates simultaneously fosters and encourages deeper communication within the group. I believe this community and shared perspective is vital as a contribution to the core mission of the health humanities.
Learn more about Drew’s Medical Health & Humanities online learning modalities.
