Master of Science in Cancer Care

Cancer Care Programs at Saint Francis University

Academic programs in Cancer Care are offered under the umbrella of the Center for Rural Cancer Survivorship at SFU. The CRCS promotes a patient-centered approach to cancer care that integrates knowledge from a team of professionals from different disciplines.

The Master of Science in Cancer Care is a flexible master's degree path designed for professionals in healthcare, psychology, social work, and other fields who work with cancer patients and their families and wish to deepen their knowledge in Cancer Care. Also provides a solid foundation for those who wish to enter the workforce right after graduation in fields such as public health.

The Study of Rural Cancer Survivorship at SFU

"Survivorship" is not synonymous with "cured."

The critical need for professionals across disciplines to improve the care provided to survivors far beyond the scope of acute treatment is critical. The Cancer Care program at SFU was established to advance knowledge and bring advocacy to cancer survivors, particularly those living in rural areas.

Why study cancer care?

• The need for trained healthcare professionals in the area of cancer survivorship is growing.
• 22 million cancer survivors will be in need of post-acute treatment support by the year 2030.
• With the right preparation, you can impact the future of cancer care in your profession.

The Master of Science in Cancer Care curriculum provides education in the biology, epidemiology, psychosocial and methods of treatment and exercise interventions of cancer so that the graduate has a more complete understanding of the disease as well as the skills and knowledge to assist patients and their caregivers to deal with this disease and its limitations.

Program Snapshot

• Credits: 30
• Flexible Delivery: online with clinical components in your region. Ability to take courses on campus if desired
• Completion Time: 12 months
• Priority enrollment deadline: June 1
• Start Date: Rolling

Required Courses

Summer

• MSCC 506 Introduction to Integrated Cancer Care 3
• MSCC 502 Epidemiology Primer 1

Fall semester

• MSCC 503 Epidemiology of Cancer 2
• MSCC 505 Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer 3
• MSCC 504 Biology of Cancer 3

Spring semester

• MSCC 507 Psychosocial Landscape of Cancer 2
• MSCC 602 Compassionate Caregiving in Cancer 2
• MSCC 606 Recent Developments in Cancer 1

Elective courses

Summer

• MSCC 520 Positive Psychology 3
• MBA 522 Health Care Marketing 3
• MPH 515 Leadership 3

Fall

• MSCC 500 Principles of Clinical Research 3
• MSCC 625 Narrative Medicine 3
• MPH 504 Introduction to Public Health 3
• MPH 516 Biostatistics 3
• MPH 517 Rural Health Systems 3
• MPH 523 Social and Behavioral Science for Public Health 3

Spring

• MSCC 508 (NOTE: this is a full semester course) Nutrition for the Cancer Population 2
• MHS 509 Communication for the Health Professional 3

As a graduate of our Cancer Care program, you will be able to:

• Gain a more complete understanding of cancer as a disease, its treatments, and the limitations it poses;
• Assist those who have struggled or are struggling with cancer via rehabilitation and counseling;
• Draw from interdisciplinary studies in other fields to approach the study of cancer and further the field in unique ways.

The outcomes of the program will be to graduate students who either want to be practitioners, at the RCEP or CES level with an ability to fit into a variety of clinical or research environments or those who go on for a Doctoral Degree (PhD).

According to the Institute of Medicine (IOM), 1.6 million new cases of cancer are diagnosed each year and nearly 14 million people have survived cancer. This makes cancer care an immense network of jobs and studies, from biology to psychology to physical therapy. Graduates of our program will be perfectly placed to choose their path and begin making a difference in the lives of those affected by this disease.