Hidden Curriculum: Igniting Change From the Middle
Uncovering the unwritten lessons of providing high-quality implementation support.
📅 Enrollment opens Sept. 2025
💻 100% Online
⏱️ Self-paced
Course enrollment is closed.
How can you inspire people, connect and convene people, and really enable change?
More and more people are trained and experienced in using implementation science theories, models, and frameworks, and now they want to understand the nuances of how to support change.
Our new online course peels back the curtain on implementation support practitioners, revealing the unwritten lessons on how to provide high-quality implementation support.
Sit down with us as we spill the tea on what really makes a professional so great in this role — the things that implementation support practitioners do that aren’t really lifted up or taught in most courses.
We’re going beyond what’s typically covered in graduate school and traditional professional development training to bring you behind the scenes of what we’ve learned supporting thousands of changemakers for over a decade.
An implementation support role isn’t just about technical tasks — it’s also about the functions you serve to help people to implement.
In this course, we break down these vital functions, sharing important insights on the seemingly intangible elements of implementation support that often go unspoken but are necessary for igniting change.
This course is for you if…
You want to make the technical tasks of implementation come alive to provide truly effective implementation support
You’re struggling to get people on the same page and want to help everyone work together to move the work forward
You want to pinpoint and describe the valuable work you’re doing but can’t seem to find the right words for it
Who might benefit from this course?
This course is for implementation support practitioners who are on the ground, working with teams and organizations across the system, brokering relationships to make change happen.
We use the term “implementation support practitioners” to describe professionals who are supporting others to implement change initiatives (for example, programs or policies). They are the thread weaving together the work of implementation.
Because implementation support practitioners can be in any sector, industry, or level of the system, there are many different job titles that this role can fall under. Some examples include: Knowledge Broker, Quality Improvement Lead, Knowledge Translation and Exchange Associate, Program Manager, Project Officer, Senior Practice Consultant, Implementation Advisor… and the list goes on!
Regardless of your field, job title, or specific tasks, if you’re supporting others to create change, this course is for you.
By taking this course, you’ll learn...
The 5 important functions of implementation support practitioners and how to strengthen the way you fulfill each one
How to deeply understand others’ mental models and perspectives to help collectively push the work forward
How to motivate and encourage others towards action
How to effectively connect with others and unify action around a vision
How to support people to surmount implementation challenges through positive mindsets and dealing with uncertainty
How to self-reflect on your role and be proactive in improving what’s in your control
Module overview
Module 1: Foundations
We’ll share an overview of the foundational parts of implementation and introduce the 5 functions that implementation support practitioners serve.
Module 1: Foundations
We’ll share an overview of the foundational parts of implementation and introduce the five functions that implementation support practitioners serve.
⭐️ Hover over each module to learn more
Module 1 explores:
Why we built this course
How we use different implementation pathways
Roles in the implementation system
Ways to consider equity in our work
The five functions
| Module 1 explores: | |
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Module 2: Understand
This function is about bringing people together, unpacking different perspectives, and then weaving them back together to create a collective vision of what we’re working towards.
Module 2 explores:
Mental models
Perspective taking
Making sense of the system
Module 3: Connect
This function is about connecting to people through the support role, helping people connect with one another, and helping people connect to the overarching purpose of the work.
Module 3 explores:
Convening and brokering
Connecting with hearts and minds
Creating a collective vision for the work
Module 4: Inspire
(Part 1)
This function is about inspiring people through motivation and influence to fuel momentum.
Module 4 explores:
Sources of inspiration and how we can meet people where they’re at
Types of motivation
Drivers of motivation
Module 5: Inspire
(Part 2)
In this module, we share examples and strategies for how you can inspire others.
Module 5 explores:
Tips and ideas for inspiring people
Inspiring people across the system through social movements
The inspirational power of storytelling
Module 6: Enable
This function is about removing barriers and leveraging facilitators to make it easier for people to implement.
Module 6 explores:
Fostering a sense of agency and ownership
Shifting your mindset
Finding levers for change
Module 7: Transform
This function is about considering our role as implementation support practitioners and how we can best support our change efforts.
Module 7 explores:
Reflecting on our own contributions to implementation
Understanding what we bring to the table
How being agile and expecting the unexpected can set us up for success
Zooming in on the details and zooming out to see the big picture
💡 Check out TCI’s Implementation Support Core Competencies and Functions for definitions of each function.
We believe in
competency-based learning.
This table shows which implementation support core competencies and functions are relevant in this course.
Learn more about TCI's Implementation Support Core Competencies and Functions.
Hover over each item to view its definition.
What’s included in this course
🎥 25+ informative videos led by your instructors, Drs. Julia Moore and Sobia Khan
🎙️ 7 conversational podcasts where we share tips and reflections based on our experiences
📎 PDF workbooks with overviews of course concepts
⚙️ 10+ TCI-developed resources to help you think through course concepts and embody the 5 functions, such as:
Creating a Collective Vision
Exploring Personal Values
Supporting People to Be Inspired
📖 Self-reflective assignments that enable you to make connections between course concepts and your work
📚 Readings and resources recommended by our expert team
💬 Direct communication with our course facilitators to answer your questions as you move through the material
📒 Bonus: Glossary of compiled key terms and definitions
🎓 Certificate of completion after successfully completing the course and assignments
👥 Networking opportunities with other course participants
📅 Access to all course materials until Nov. 1, 2025 so you can go back and review what you’ve learned as needed
Meet your instructors
“For years, people have been asking us to tell them about the “secret sauce” or unwritten rules to being a great implementation support practitioner. Broaching this topic seemed daunting, but I am so grateful that people kept asking because the process of unpacking the functions that underlie the implementation support role was eye-opening, and simultaneously freeing. Like I could see the role and myself in that role with so much more clarity — I could see my strength and the functions that I really want to delve into so much more. I’m so excited for others to explore the hidden curriculum and to share their insights on supporting implementation.”
“At TCI, we have jokingly referred to the fact that our support sessions often turn into implementation therapy and advice sessions. We started realizing that this is because people wanted to know the “hidden” parts of being a support practitioner — the things that people rarely talk about or honor, like how support practitioners do so much that is outside of formal job descriptions to inspire, to provide emotional support, to take perspectives and to unify people. Building this course was so illuminating for my own practice, and we hope it is just as illuminating for others!”
Get a first glimpse
Since we’re sharing the secret ingredients that go into enacting change, this course might feel a bit different from other implementation courses you’ve taken (even from us!).
So, we pulled out a video directly from the course to give you a sense of the Hidden Curriculum vibe.
Course schedule
This course is 100% online and asynchronous. This means that you can learn whenever and wherever you want to!
You’ll have access to all modules right after you enroll, so you can move through the content at a pace that works best for you.
📅 Key dates
Enrollment is open Sept. 17 - Oct. 17, 2024
➡️ After enrolling, you’ll have access to the course until Nov. 1, 2025
Course enrollment is closed.
Ready to join us?
By enrolling, you're providing your consent to be added to TCI’s mailing list. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Enroll as a team or organization!
Participating as a large group provides immense benefits to teams and organizations.
By progressing through the training together, you and your team will establish a shared understanding of concepts, terminology, tools, and processes to ultimately enhance your change initiatives.
This also creates opportunities for greater engagement and connection among team members as you can discuss the training content together and meet to share your thoughts and reflections.
We highly recommend this collaborative approach to building implementation capacity.
Perks of enrolling your team
Special discounts based on the size of your group
Opportunity to select your unique start date at any time of the year
Add-ons like facilitation guides, Q&A sessions, workshops, and other types of support
Have a discount code?
Discounts are available for past participants of TCI’s paid courses, Implementing Change Community members (join anytime!), full-time students, groups of 3+, participants in LMICs, and Society for Implementation Research Collaboration (SIRC) members.
Free spots available for participants in LMICs
In an effort to support capacity building in applying implementation science in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), we offer 20 spots for eligible professionals and graduate students to enroll in the Hidden Curriculum for free. We will open up applications for these spots the next time this course is offered.
Implementation Support Specialist Certificate
If you’re interested in becoming a Certified Level 2 Implementation Support Specialist, this course counts towards the Level 2 requirements.
Note: Level 2 certification is currently in development.
Frequently asked questions
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Completing other TCI courses isn’t required before taking the Hidden Curriculum. However, this course assumes you have foundational knowledge of how to design and implement initiatives (e.g., the content covered in StrategEase and Implementation, Spread, and Scale), and that you’re working in (or plan to move into) an implementation support role.
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As soon as you enroll, you'll have access to all modules. The entire course is online and asynchronous, so it can be completed on your own schedule and at your own pace.
While we've designed the modules in an intentional order and recommend working through the course chronologically, you are free to navigate the course in whatever order best suits your learning.
You’ll have access to the course until Nov. 1, 2025. If you’re interested in receiving a certificate of completion, you will have until the end of your course access period to submit your assignments.
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If you finish all modules and the 7 assignments prior to the end of your course access period (Nov. 1, 2025), you’ll receive a certificate of completion.
Kindly note all assignments for this course must be completed individually.
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You’ll continue to have access to all course content until Nov. 1, 2025.
The course workbooks as well as many other materials are downloadable, so after you've saved them, you'll be able to refer to them for as long as you'd like.
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The time commitment varies, but we estimate each module takes 4-8 hours to complete, which includes time spent on assignments.
The assignments are about directly relating the content back to your experiences and your work; therefore, how much time can be quite variable depending on how much background work you choose to do.
In terms of the resources provided, it’s up to you how many you’d like to take a look at!
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Yes! The Hidden Curriculum will count towards the requirements for the Level 2 Implementation Support Specialist certification which is currently in development.
If you’re interested in becoming certified, please note that the Level 1 Implementation Support Specialist certification must be completed before moving on to Level 2.
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Our course facilitators will respond regularly to questions posted in the comment sections of the course throughout your access period. This is where you can receive direct support.
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The cost of the course is $475 USD or $595 CAD per participant plus applicable sales tax based on your location.
Please note that USD and CAD are the 2 currencies that we accept payment in. If your credit card is in another currency, the converted amount, based on the current exchange rate and including any applicable fees charged by your credit card issuer, will appear on your credit card statement.
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Yes, we aim to make the Hidden Curriculum accessible to everyone. We offer the following discounts (one per person):
20% off for past participants of TCI’s paid courses
20% off for members of the Implementing Change Community (Join anytime!)
20% off for groups of 3+ (additional discounts are available for large groups)
20% off for Society for Implementation Research Collaboration (SIRC) members
30% off for full-time students
70% off for individuals in low- and middle-income countries as defined by the World Bank
Please see the “Have a discount code?” section above for how to get your code.
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Fill out our short discount inquiry form to get started and then we’ll be in touch! We’ll let you know how to claim your group discount and the different payment methods available. All fees can be combined into one payment or team members can pay individually.
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Hidden Curriculum: Igniting Change From the Middle is available every September.
Still wondering if this course is right for you?
We encourage you to enroll if:
You want practical skills and approaches that you can draw on to help you feel empowered, inspired, and supported when navigating challenges throughout the implementation process
You know that enacting change isn’t just about checking things off a checklist — there are deeper dynamics at play, and you want to find out what these secret ingredients are
You want real advice to better understand your role, support others more effectively, and reach your outcomes with more ease and integrity
Have any questions?
Contact us.
Join us starting Sept. 2024!
Get notified when Hidden Curriculum: Igniting Change From the Middle opens for enrollment.
More from The Center for Implementation
Enroll in Inspiring Change 2.0, our free mini-course on the foundations of implementation science, or watch the recording of our free virtual workshops on Practical Guidance for Embodying Equity in Implementation!
