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 and coursework starts three times a year in approximately late August, late January, and mid-May.
The course of study for the certificates is as follows:
Online Professional & Capstone certificates begin with Introduction to Patient Advocacy progressing to the Applied Advocacy Experience. Students also take Consumer Issues in Healthcare and complete a Capstone paper or project. Some students also elect an optional community-based externship.
On-Campus Capstone & Graduate certificates include the Applied Advocacy Experience, which begins with an extensive 20-hour orientation. Students also take Consumer Issues in Healthcare and complete a Capstone paper or project. Some students also elect an optional community-based externship. Students also pursue elective coursework in one of three areas: law, regulations and ethics; health economics; or policy, management and public health (See below).
Elective Courses for On-Campus Capstone & 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
Online Professional & Capstone*
| Course | Credits or equivalent | Hrs/wk (@15 wks) | Total hrs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Patient Advocacy | 3 | 8 | 120 |
| Applied Advocacy Experience | 4-6** | 16-24** | 240- 360 |
| Consumer Issues in Health Care | 2-3 | 6-8 | 90-120 |
| Community-based Externship (Optional) | 0-2 | 0-8 | 0-120 |
| Capstone Project/Paper | 0 | N/A | 80-120 |
| TOTAL HOURS | 680 | ||
*Capstone students have the opportunity to combine on-campus and online learning, contact us for details!
**Can complete in 1 or 2 semesters.
On-Campus Graduate & Capstone*
| Course | Credits or equivalent | Hrs/wk (@15 wks) | Total hrs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applied Advocacy Experience (Includes 20 Hr On-Campus Orientation) | 4-6** | 16-24** | 240- 360 |
| Consumer Issues in Health Care | 2-3 | 6-8 | 90-120 |
| Community-based Externship (Optional) | 0-2 | 0-8 | 0-120 |
| Elective Course | 3-4 | 8-10 | 120-150 |
| Capstone Project/Paper | 0 | N/A | 80-120 |
| TOTAL HOURS | 680 | ||
*Capstone students have the opportunity to combine on-campus and online learning, contact us for details!
**Can complete in 1 or 2 semesters.