Learning Communities

Convergence utilizes learning communities to enhance learning among and between trainees in UT Southwestern Medical School, UT Southwestern Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, and UT Southwestern School of Health Professions.

Each of the schools supports a unique learning community design. These different designs serve as structures for advancing interprofessional education among the three schools. The learning communities within each school are:

Academic Colleges

The Medical School sponsors Academic Colleges. Each of the six Academic Colleges brings together clinical teaching faculty as mentors for small groups of students.  Students are mentored in clinical medicine and reasoning, interpersonal and communication skills, ethics, professionalism, and human behavior.

Interprofessional Development, Education & Active Learning (IDEAL) Teams

The School of Health Professions sponsors Interprofessional Development, Education & Active Learning (IDEAL) Teams each of which is composed of a small group of students from the various training programs in health professions. Groups are led by faculty advisors in the practice of interdisciplinary communication and other skills. 

Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Groups

The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences sponsors RCR Groups that are focused on research ethics and professional development. Trainees in each group participate in activities to enhance their knowledge of the conduct of research and their ability to communicate this knowledge to others.