Courses & Timeline
Certificate programs are best completed over one year (three semesters, which includes fall, spring, and summer). In certain circumstances, they can be completed in two semesters, but this requires a commitment of at least 20 hours per week. We have rolling admissions with the following deadlines:
| Semester | Deadline |
| Fall | August 1st |
| Summer | April 1st |
We encourage interested students to apply early. Because we are a high-touch (extended interaction with faculty and peers) program, we intentionally keep cohort numbers low. This fosters a rich and engaged educational experience, as well as sense of community, for our learners. Coursework for all certificates starts two times a year in late August/early September, and mid to late-May.
The course of study for the certificates is as follows:
The Professional and Capstone certificates begin with Introduction to Patient Advocacy (fall or summer) progressing to the Applied Advocacy Experience (spring or fall). Students also take Models of Advocacy (spring) and complete a Capstone paper or project. Some students also elect an optional community-based externship.
Graduate students begin in the summer when the Applied Advocacy Experience starts with an extensive 50-hour orientation (35 hrs in person; 15 hrs online) which replaces the Introduction to Patient Advocacy course. These students then pursue elective coursework in one of three areas: law, regulations and ethics; health economics; or policy, management and public health (See below). These students also take Models of Advocacy (spring) and complete a Capstone paper or project. Some students also elect an optional community-based externship.
Elective Courses for Graduate Certificate Students
Note
Law, Regulation, and Ethics
Courses in this elective area address fundamental substantive knowledge and critical thinking relevant to complex legal, regulatory, or ethical matters health advocates will face.
One or more of the following courses or an approved substitute:
- Administrative Law (Law 744, 3 cr.)
- Bioethics and the Law (Med His & Bioethics, Law 905, 2-4 cr.)
- Ethical and Regulatory Issues in Clinical Investigation (Med His & Bioethics, 545, 1 cr.)
- Ethical Problems Raised by Biomedical Technology (Med His & Bioethics, Philos 558, 3 cr.)
- Food & Drug Law (Law 916, 3 cr.)
- Health Law and Administration – Intro to Health Law (Law 935, 2-3 cr.)
- Law, Science & Biotechnology (Law 906, 3 cr.)
- L&CP: ERISA (Law 940, 2 cr.)
- L&CP: Health Care Fraud and Abuse (Law 940, 2 cr.)
- L&CP: Law & People with Disabilities (Law 940, 3 cr.)
- L&CP: Public Health Law (Law 940, 3 cr.)
- L & CP: Mental Health Law (Law 940,2 cr.)
- Pharmacy Law and Regulation (Pharm 511, 2-3 cr.)
- Justice and Healthcare (Med His & Bioethics, 559, 3 cr.)
Health Economics
Courses in this elective area address fundamental substantive knowledge and critical thinking regarding health care financing and economics.
Students who choose this elective are required to discuss their course selection with a Certificate Advisor and the chosen course faculty; standard pre-requisites apply.
One of the following courses or an approved substitute:
- Advanced Seminar in Health & Mental Health Economics (Pop Hlt 650)
- The Economics of Health Care (Pop Hlth, Econ, Pub Affr 548)
- Health Economics (Pop Hlth, Econ 848) (Designed for advanced doctoral students with strong quantitative skills)
- Health Policy and Policy Design (Pub Affr 864)
Policy, Management, and Public Health
Courses in this elective area address fundamental substantive knowledge and critical thinking regarding health policy, management, or public health issues.
One of the following courses or an approved substitute:
- Health, Aging, and Disability Policy and Services (SW 875)
- Health Care and Public Policy in the US (Nrsg 703, 3 cr.)
- Health Care Management and Policy (Pop Hlth, 650, 3 cr.)
- Health Program Planning, Evaluation, and Quality Improvement (Nrsg 761, 3 cr.)
- Introduction to Environmental Health (Pop Hlth, 471, 3 cr.)
- Public Health: Principles and Practice (Pop Hlth, 780, 3 cr.)
- Quality of Health Care (Pop Hlth, Indust Eng. 703)
Course Sequence
Course Credits & Hours Required
Professional & Capstone
| Course | Credits or equivalent | Hrs/wk | Total hrs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Patient Advocacy | 3 | 8-10 (@13 wks) | 104-130 |
| Applied Advocacy Experience | 4-6* | 16-24* (@14 wks) | 224-336 |
| Models of Advocacy | 2 | 8-10 (@8 wks) | 64-80 |
| Community-based Externship (Optional) | 0-2 | 0-8 (@14 wks) | 0-112 |
| Capstone Project/Paper | 1 | N/A | 80-120 |
| TOTAL HOURS** | 584-666 | ||
*Can complete in 1 or 2 semesters.
**Range of hours reflects minimal requirements and student pacing.
Graduate
| Course | Credits or equivalent | Hrs/wk |
Total hrs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applied Advocacy Experience (Includes 50 Hr Orientation) | 4-6* | 16-24* (@12 wks) | 240-360 |
| Models of Advocacy | 2 | 8-10 (@9 wks) | 72-90 |
| Community-based Externship (Optional) | 0-2 | 0-8 (@14 wks) | 0-112 |
| Elective Course | 3 | 8 (@14 wks) | 112 |
| Capstone Project/Paper | 1 | N/A | 80-120 |
| TOTAL HOURS** | 616-682 | ||
*Can complete in 1 or 2 semesters.
**Range of hours reflects minimal requirements and student pacing.