Introductory Two-Day Online Course
This introductory-level, two-day short course provides a practical foundation in the core concepts and methods of Implementation Science. Delivered live in an interactive virtual format, the course combines structured teaching with hands-on application and feedback in a small-group setting.
Designed for learners new to implementation science or seeking to build on basic exposure, this course offers individualized attention and real-time feedback from experienced faculty. The course allows participants to apply key theories, frameworks, and tools directly to their own research or practice questions.
By the end of the course, learners will:
Understand foundational principles of Implementation Science
Identify and apply relevant theory and frameworks to their own work
Strengthen their ability to design and evaluate implementation efforts in a variety of settings (public health, health systems, community, etc.)
Connect with a growing community of Implementation Science practitioners and researchers
Dates & Registration
The Spring 2026 course will be held live online:
May 21-22, 2026
8:00 am - 5:00 pm PDT (GMT -7)
We expect registration to open by May 1. The registration deadline is May 8, 2026.
Please sign up at the bottom of this page to receive announcements.
Audience
The course is geared toward individuals working in healthcare and public health settings who are familiar with clinical, health services, or population health research methods.
Participants typically include: clinical and public health researchers, healthcare practitioners, health system leaders and administrators, policy professionals, and trainees (graduate students, clinical residents and fellows, and postdoctoral scholars).
While prior exposure to research methods is helpful, prior training in Implementation Science is not required. Participants are encouraged to bring on-going work or an area or focus for future improvement efforts to apply the core lecture concepts in small-group settings. If participants do not have an ongoing or future project identified, course leaders will provide sample cases to workshop the foundational concepts and activities covered in the course.
Instruction is led by core Implementation Science faculty with expertise across clinical, public health, and policy settings.
Format
The course combines:
Interactive didactic sessions
Real-time applied exercises
Dedicated time to develop your own project ideas
Small group discussion
One-on-one faculty consultation
Personalized feedback on the application of concepts to one’s work
All sessions are held via Zoom. The schedule follows Pacific Daylight Time (GMT-7).
Course Content
Major content areas covered by this course include:
Core principles of Implementation Science
Defining the evidence-practice gap and making the case for translation
Overview of Implementation Science Theories and Frameworks
Community and systems engagement
Human-centered design in public health and medicine
Intervention planning and implementation strategy selection with key implementation theories and frameworks
Evaluation using implementation frameworks in clinical and public health settings
Qualitative and mixed methods approaches in implementation research
Study designs for implementation research, including quasi-experimental, pragmatic, and hybrid effectiveness-implementation designs
Introduction to Grant Writing in Implementation Science
Costs
Graduate students & residents
$500 (UCSF affiliates)
$750 (Non-UCSF)
Postdoctoral scholars
$1,000 (UCSF affiliates)
$1,250 (Non-UCSF)
Participants residing in LMICs or areas of ongoing armed conflict
$1,250
All others
$1,500 (UCSF affiliates)
$1,750 (Non-UCSF)
Applicants will be asked to provide proof of trainee or postdoctoral status.
Affiliation is defined as concurrent enrollment in a UCSF-sponsored residency or postdoctoral fellowship program; registered student status in a UCSF professional school or graduate program; or salaried UCSF faculty, academic, or staff appointment.
The registration fee includes CME credit (if desired).
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations received in writing before May 8, 2026 will be refunded.
No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after that date.
Faculty
- Maria Garcia, MD, MPH, MAS - Co-Director of the Implementation Science Short Course, co-director of the UCSF Implementation Science Training Program, Assistant Professor of Medicine
- Joelle Brown, PhD - Co-Director of the Implementation Science Short Course, Associate Professor, Epidemiology & Biostatistics
- Priya Shete, MD, MPH - Co-Director of the UCSF Implementation Science Program, Associate Professor of Medicine
- Andrew Kerkhoff, MD, PhD
- Roger Figueroa, PhD, MPH, MSc
- Kim Koester, PhD, MA
- Lissa Moran, MPH
- Starley Shade, PhD, MPH
- Matt Spinelli, MD, MAS
- Jennifer Velloza, PhD, MPH
- Jan Yeager, MDes
- Rachel King, PhD
- Alison El Ayadi, ScD, MPH
Disclosures and Accreditation
All faculty and administrative participants have stated they have no financial relationships to disclose.
Accreditations: In support of improving patient care, UCSF is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Designations:
- ACCME: UCSF has approved this program for CME credit: UCSF designates this live activity for a maximum of 14 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
- ANCC: This activity may be used for up to 14 ANCC contact hours. The Board of Registered Nursing accepts this credit in all states except California.
- Social work: TBD
Accessibility
UCSF welcomes everyone, including people with disabilities, to our events. To request reasonable accommodations for this online event, please get in touch with Laura Branagan by emailing [email protected] as soon as possible.