Holistic Palliative and End-of-Life Care Certificate

Program Purpose

The Holistic Palliative and End-of-Life Care certificate provides health care workers with the knowledge and skills required to provide specialized care and effectively impact the lives of clients/ patients and families facing serious illness or death.

The certificate is relevant for Registered Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Licensed Vocational Nurses/Licensed Practical Nurses, Nursing Assistants, Social Workers, Occupational Therapists, Recreation Therapists, Physical Therapists, Respiratory Therapists, Administrators, Psychologists, Marriage and Family Therapists, Dieticians, Educators, Personal Care Assistants, and other interested individuals.

Program of Study

The certificate consists of 15 undergraduate credits.  All certificate courses are offered 100% online. Students should be comfortable with the online learning format.

Students must consult with an academic advisor and/or program chair to plan appropriate course sequencing and selection. The courses may be completed within a baccalaureate curriculum at Wilmington University.

Career Opportunities

Aligning with the University mission, the Holistic and End-of-Life Care certificate, provides health professionals, those serving these populations in their profession, and/ or those considering careers involving these populations, with the knowledge surrounding provision of quality care. The increase in the older population, expected concomitant increase in chronic health conditions and the need for caregiving, directly affects the increased need for the health care worker to be educated in holistic palliative and end-of-life care. The skills and abilities gained will graduates competitiveness in the job market.

Certificate Competencies

Through the completion of the certificate, graduates will be able to:

•    Identify the health care workers’ role throughout palliative care and end-of-life care.

•    Analyze the influence of values in relation to death and dying and how they affect behavior.

•    Promote a holistic and unbiased approach in providing end of life care to a client and family

General Requirements/ Pre-Requisites

The certificate is open to the following prospective students with an interest in Holistic and Palliative End-of-Life Care:

•    High School graduate and/or;

•    Associate Degree graduate and/or;

•    Wilmington University undergraduate students in a degree-seeking program upon advisement from a program chair and/or an academic advisor.

Students must complete an undergraduate application for admission accompanied by a non-refundable admission fee.

Students are held to all prerequisite requirements. Therefore, some students may require more than 5 courses to complete the certificate.