Graduate Certificate in Academic Medicine (GCAM)
GCAM Program Overview
Since 1978, Texas health professions educators have improved their practice of teaching by enrolling in the academic faculty development fellowship. Established in Waco, Texas, and relocated to UNT Health Fort Worth in 2012, the Graduate Certificate in Academic Medicine provides health professions educators the opportunity to benefit from more than 40 years of outstanding alumni, faculty and fellows.
Graduate Certificate in Academic Medicine fellows focus on developing a solid base of core academic skills and a commitment to a career of teaching, scholarly investigation and leadership in health professions education.
The curricular content will include the following topic concentration areas: Clinical Teaching, Curriculum Design, Professional Academic Development, and Research/Scholarly Activity Skills.
- COLLABORATE with your peers in intentionally small cohorts that facilitate small group connections.
- EXPAND your educational foundation and knowledge from sessions with health professions educators and experts.
- CONTRIBUTE to the discussion understanding of what it takes to be a leader in academic medicine.
- ENGAGE with over 250 alumni fellows, faculty, and mentors who have graduated from the Faculty Development Center in Fort Worth and Waco.
Who Should Apply for GCAM?
- Health professions educators interested in advancing their careers.
- Practicing health care professionals transitioning into academia.
- Educators who oversee undergraduate and graduate health professions students.
GCAM Program Roadmap
The GCAM fellowship is 12 semester credit hours (eight courses) and is completed in two semesters. Both format and content are focused on meeting the needs of today’s academicians and academic institutions.
Fall Semester (6 Credit Hours):
AMED 5000-Clinical Teaching 1
AMED 5200-Curriculum Design 1
AMED 5400-Professional Academic Development 1
AMED 5600-Scholarly Activity for Academic Health Professionals 1
Spring Semester (6 Credit Hours):
AMED 5000-Clinical Teaching 2
AMED 5200-Curriculum Design 2
AMED 5400-Professional Academic Development 2
AMED 5600-Scholarly Activity for Academic Health Professionals 2
*Each course is offered once per academic year and must be completed in order during one academic year.
- The applicant must hold a minimum of a graduate degree in a health science-related area from a recognized institution (i.e., DO, MD, EdD, Ph.D., PsyD, PharmD, MSW, MEd, PA, APRN, PT/DPT or equivalent).
- Applicants must have an academic appointment within a health professions education program, medical school department or medical residency program,OR provide evidence of the intention to secure such a position in the near future.
Scholarship Eligibility
1. The fellow is a physician, resident, program director or staff member of an accredited
Texas Family Medicine residency program or university department.
2. The enrolled fellow must pay via self-pay or third-party contract billing by the
institution/university.
3. And must be enrolled as an UNT Health student with a current EUID number.
Note: Fellows supported by HSC’s Geriatric WE HAIL grant will not be eligible for the GCAM Scholarship as grant funds already support their tuition.
Course Requirements
Eligible Family Medicine fellows will receive up to $1,000 for the academic year to be paid during the spring semester. To obtain the scholarship fellows must:
1. Complete fall semester in academically good standing;
2. Not have an outstanding fall tuition or course fee balance;
3. Enroll in the spring semester.
Application requirements
- Online Application completed by June 30.
- Two completed online Reference forms (one preferably from current supervisor expressing support for participation in the certificate program).
- Personal statement (one double-spaced page) that includes career goals and how completing the certificate program aligns with those goals
- Submit official transcript(s) from terminal granting institution. Transcripts must be official and sent directly to UNT Health from your institution(s). Electronic transcripts must be provided directly by your institution or a professional transcript service to fdc@unthsc.edu.
- Optional-current CV or resume
For questions about the program, contact the Faculty Development Center at fdc@unthsc.edu.
GCAM 25-26 Fellowship Calendar Dates