Elective Academic Courses

Interprofessional Education & Collaborative Pratice (AHHS 450/550)
1 Credit, Online/Virtual
Spring 2025

Join in on this unique opportunity to enroll in a cross-university course! This course is open to both UM & MSU health professions students!! 

What is IPE and why does it matter?!
Interprofessional and collaborative practices (IPCP) are necessary for effective healthcare teams to function. Collaboration will be explored to improve patient outcomes, experience, organizational function, and cost savings. This course was designed by an interprofessional team from Pharmacy, Nursing, and Social Work and will be co-convened with health professions students from MSU & UM. Course instructors are from the Pharmacy at the University of Montana and Nutrition & Dietetics at Montana State University. 

• 1 credit course
• Online/Virtual: Meets synchronously on Zoom 
• Every other Thursday from 5:15 - 7:15 PM

Abnormal Psychology 
3 credits

PREREQUISITE: PSYX 100IS recommended but not required. (F, Sp, Su) Historical and current perspectives on psychopathology, including neuroscience, behavioral cognitive, psychodynamic, and humanistic/existential approaches. Traditional approaches and recent innovations in therapy and diagnosis are considered along with current diagnostic categories, especially DSM

Register through your regular academic advisor.

Farm to Clinician: A Culinary Medicine Approach to Healthcare (MEDS 581)
1 Credit

This course is a hands-on Culinary Medicine course with WWAMI medical students, nursing students, and Dietetic Interns. You will learn about Food as Medicine, cook with an interprofessional team and enjoy a great meal together.

Course logistics: 

• Runs Aug 26 - Oct 2

Email Anna at anna.diffenderfer@montana.edu to request course enrollment.

Health Equity and Community Organizing (MEDS 624)
1 credit

PREREQUISITE: Enrollment in a graduate or upper division undergraduate health professions program and consent of instructor.

This interprofessional course equips students with tools to organize themselves and others to address social and structural injustices that perpetuate health disparities. Didactic coursework will be complemented with opportunities to apply skills and gain confidence through hands-on collaboration with local leaders and engagement in community-driven listening and advocacy campaigns.

Registration details coming soon.

Gerontology Certificate

Completion of the Gerontology Certificate will automatically count for 40 educational hours. Contact your AHEC Scholars advisor for information on how to log this.

Friday Morning Medical Conference (AHHS 470)
1 Credit

This weekly presentation is provided locally at Providence Saint Patrick Hospital and streamed live to Skaggs 174. A variety of relevant health care topics are presented by local, regional and national speakers. Students attending will learn about a variety of concepts, medical approaches, and health-care related issues impacting health care practitioners in a variety of settings. To receive credit for the course, a student must attend 10 sessions during the semester for a passing grade. The course meets weekly on Friday mornings from 7:30- 8:50am.

Human Health & Climate Change (AHHS 491/591)
1 Credit

This interprofessional course is designed to provide an overview of the various impacts of climate change on human health and health systems, as well as the simultaneous environmental impacts of the healthcare system. This lecture/discussion-based course will cover not only the direct effects of climate on health on a local, national, and global level, but will also explore the complex systems that interact with social determinants of health, health equity, and the interconnections between human health and the health of natural systems. Distance learners may have the opportunity to arrange video conferencing option with instructor approval. Offered in-person on Tuesdays 12-12:50pm. (CRN 32787/34281)

Virtual Exchange Option

In partnership with Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, and University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy, this interprofessional course and virtual learning exchange opportunity is designed as an interactive, cross-cultural group learning experience using video conferencing and online collaboration tools. Students from the three locations (UM, Colorado, Melbourne) will work together to learn about the various regional and global impacts of climate change and environmental degradation on human health and the steps health professionals can take to move toward more sustainable and resilient systems. Collaborative learning assignments will take a “planetary health” approach to explore the interconnections of the health of humans and the natural systems in which we exist, with attention to the social, cultural, and economic factors that can impact these systems on a local, regional, and global scale. Students will have weekly scheduled meetings over an 8-week period. Offered as a videoconference on Tuesdays, 5-6:50 pm from 2/7-4/4) Instructor will approve registration in Cyberbear after student registers. (CRN 33601/33604)

Health Aspects of Aging (AHHS 430)
3 Credits, Online

An overview of health aspects of aging including biological theories of aging, normal physiological changes, common pathological problems, cultural and ethical differences in health of elders, health promotion, healthy aging, and the health care continuum for older persons. Online fees apply. (CRN 71487) 

Geriatric Health Care (AHHS 418)
1 Credit

An overview of health aspects of aging including biological theories of aging, normal physiological changes, common pathological problems, cultural and ethical differences in health of elders, health promotion, healthy aging, and the health care continuum for older persons. Online fees apply. (CRN 71487) 

Fundamentals of Psychology of Aging (PSYX 233)
3 Credits, Online

An overview of theories and research findings in the psychology of adulthood and aging. Online fees apply. Course is offered online. (CRN 71024)

Fundamentals of Memory and Cognition (PSYX 280 )
3 Credits

Offered intermittently. Prereq., PSYX 100S. The acquisition and uses of knowledge. An examination of research and theories of human learning, memory, and thinking. TR 9:30 -10:50 am (CRN 71473). 

Integrated Behavioral Health (PSYX 631)
3 credits - Behavioral Health Grad Students Only

In this course, you will read some of the rapidly-expanding literature on behavioral health consultation, primary care psychology, and integrated care. You will become familiar with the competencies required of behavioral health providers who work in health care settings, and the importance of interprofessional training and education.

Multicultural/Native American Public Health (PUBH 525)
3 Credits, Online

An overview of multicultural issues within the U.S. and specifically in Montana. The course provides insight to health disparities within the nation and how these disparities disproportionately impact ethnic minority populations. Additional online and program fees exist. (CRN 72944) 

Social Gerontology (SW 455)
3 Credits, Online

Examination of the field of social gerontology, including an examination of the major bio/psycho/social/ cultural/spiritual theories of aging, the service system, social and health issues, family and care giving dynamics, social policy, and end of life concerns. (CRN 71038)

Addiction Studies (SW 423)
3 Credits, Online

Offered spring and summer, online. Examination of substance use disorders and misuse, behavioral compulsions, including alcohol and other drugs, gambling, eating disorders, sexual addictions. Ecosystems perspective on etiology, treatment, prevention, family dynamics, community response, and societal contributors. This course is an elective that satisfies curriculum towards the State of Montana Licensed Addictions Counselor (LAC) credential. Level: graduate and undergraduate. (CRN TBD) 

Autism on Campus/Service Learning (CSD 396)
2 Credits

Prerq, junior or senior standing, consent of instruct, and application required. This course educates students about autism in adults. The didactic portion addresses executive functioning and social needs. The service-learning portion allows direct mentorship to people on campus with autism and related disorders. Meets Thursdays 2:00-3:30pm email Jennifer.closson@mso.umt.edu to request an application. (CRN 32485)

PUBH 530 Public Health Administration and Management
3 credits, online

Overview of public health and health care systems; organizational structures, authorities, policies and procedures; programmatic budgeting, operations, program performance reporting and improvement; grants and contracts; informatics; human relations and negotiation; management and leadership; and business planning. Additional online and program fees required. (CRN 71296)

PUBH 591.54 Indoor Environmental Quality Management
3 credits, online

Overview of public health and health care systems; organizational structures, authorities, policies and procedures; programmatic budgeting, operations, program performance reporting and improvement; grants and contracts; informatics; human relations and negotiation; management and leadership; and business planning. Additional online and program fees required. (CRN 71296)

PUBH 591.54 Peer Health Practicum
1-3 credits

Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., HTH 370. Practical experience in planning, coordinating, and implementing health education activities for the campus community. Students address topics related to wellness, drug and alcohol prevention, or sexual assault awareness. (CRN 30334)

Interprofessional Hotspotting

Studenthotspotting, an initiative of the National Center for Complex Care and Social Needs (the National Center), is a team-based, patient-centered approach to serving patients with complex medical and social needs. Students in the health profession programs as well as law and journalism will form interprofessional teams of four to six students. The interprofessional student teams, led by faculty, will participate in an online curriculum and monthly case conferencing, developed by the National Center and Camden Coalition. The interprofessional student teams will collaborate with Partnership Health Center, who will identify high-utilizing patients. In teams, the students will provide non-clinical interventions designed to address t he social determinants that impact patients’ physical health and lead to super-utilization of healthcare services. Note: Applications for this program are past due, so no new students will be admitted for the upcoming academic year.

Approved Phyical Therapy Courses:

• Disability in the Developing World: A Global Health Perspective (PT 679 Section 06)

• Topics in Pediatrics (PT 679 Section 13)

• Neurological Rehabilitation and Vestibular Rehabilitation (PT 679 Section 01)