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Looking for a faculty mentor?

Search our UNTHSC Experts page for keywords (e.g. cancer) to help you connect with a TCOM mentor.

Search our Research Appreciation Day (RAD) Abstracts page for keywords (e.g. health disparities) and contact the faculty in the author lists.

Looking for research opportunities?

Search Summer Programs and Research Opportunities pages.

Looking to enhance your research portfolio?

What is a Microcredential

  • Microcredentials are learning experiences that verify, validate, and attest that specific skills and competencies have been achieved
    • Differ from traditional degrees and certificates
      • Offered in shorter, self-paced, or flexible timespans
      • Tend to be more narrowly focused on a topic
  • Why earn a Microcredential?
    • Provides additional evidence of research experience for residency applications
    • Employers are increasingly engaging in skills-based hiring
      • Differentiate yourself from other candidates with similar degrees and experience
        • Provides verification of extended training
        • Demonstrates competence in career-focused skills
    • Acquiring new degrees is not the right fit for every learner
      • Degrees don’t always indicate important skills a learner has developed
      • Contribute to professional requirements to earn continuing education credits

How to obtain the HSC Health Sciences Research Microcredential

  • This microcredential represents efforts above and beyond in the field of health sciences research. There are a variety of research experiences available for health sciences students, however many times these experiences do not culminate in a formal presentation or journal article that demonstrates the student’s aptitude for research.
  • Earners of this microcredential have demonstrated their capacity to conduct health sciences research by their participation in an extensive research program at or approved by the University of North Texas Health Science Center and presentation of research to a local or national conference.
  • This microcredential is free for all HSC students.
  • Required Milestones
    1. Human Subjects Research Training
    2. Complete an Approved Research Program
      • Upload documentation from a faculty leader in the approved program you completed, in the form of a letter or certificate.
        • Students will participate in and complete one of the HSC-approved programs, see the list below.
        • Documentation from a faculty leader in the program, in the form of a letter or certificate, is required as proof of completion.
    3. Original Research Summary
      • Submit a summary or abstract of your original research proposal that you have created under the guidance of your faculty mentor
        • Students perform medical research under the guidance of a faculty mentor
        • This culminates in a formal written abstract or summary of the work performed
    4. Research Conference Presentation
      • Students will submit their research for acceptance to a local or national conference in the form of a poster or oral presentation
        • Allows students to share their research efforts with the campus community and the public
      • Present at Research Appreciation Day (RAD) or another peer-reviewed research conference
        • Upload your poster or conference presentation PowerPoint/paper
        • Upload the acceptance letter/notification you received for you to present
        • Upload a five-minute video presentation of your research

HSC-Approved Research Programs

  • If you are working with an independent faculty mentor
    • You will enroll in the Health Sciences Research Microcredential Canvas Course
      • This course is a required component to earn the HSC Health Sciences Research Microcredential through Portfolium.
      • It is an essential part of the broader program designed to provide specialized knowledge and skills in health sciences research.
      • This course is free for all UNTHSC students
    • Enrollment Instructions
      1. Email Request:
        • Students are required to email the Office of the TCOM Associate Dean of Research, odr@unthsc.edu, for access.
        • The email must include:
          • The subject line: “Request for Enrollment in Research Microcredential Course”
          • A brief introduction of yourself and your research topic
          • A statement confirming that the project is not a case report, as case reports are not permissible for course completion.
          • The name and email of your faculty mentor
          • Please cc your independent faculty mentor on all communications
          • Ensure all communications are professional and contain all the necessary information for a smooth enrollment process.
      2. Promotional Code and Mentor Access:
        • Upon reviewing the request, the Research Office will provide the student with a promotional code to enroll in the course.
        • The independent faculty mentor will be granted access to the course platform to grade the student’s assignments.

How to sign up for the HSC Health Sciences Microcredential

  • Portfolium is the platform that manages enrollment and completion of HSC Microcredentials
    • Portfolium accounts are free for all HSC students
    • Earned microcredentials are sharable to other platforms such as
      • LinkedIn
      • Personal websites
      • A link/QR code on your resume or CV
  • Follow the steps below to sign up for the Microcredential
    • Create a Portfolium account: HSC Login | Portfolium
      • Skip this step if you already have a Portfolium account
      • Use your HSC email address to sign up
      • Select your institution as UNT Health Science Center
    • Enroll in the Health Sciences Research Microcredential: Enrollment Link
  • If you have any questions about Portfolium or Microcredentials at UNTHSC, email canvas@unthsc.edu for assistance

This page was last modified on September 6, 2024