Holistic Palliative and End-of-Life Care Certificate

Purpose

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

The development of the Holistic Palliative and End-of-Life Care certificate will provide specialized education for the health care worker. Increasing numbers of persons across the lifespan are currently living with one or more chronic condition diagnoses. These numbers are expected to continually increase (Centers of Disease & Prevention [CDC], 2013). These situations mandate that health care workers are prepared to face these ever-changing demographics and demands for specialized palliative and end-of-life care.

This certificate is relevant for registered nurses, advanced practice registered nurses, licensed vocational or practical nurses, nursing assistants, social workers, occupational therapists, recreation therapists, physical therapists, respiratory therapists, administrators, psychologists, personal care assistants, volunteers, physicians, chiropractors, clergy, physical fitness professionals, and individuals currently working with or planning to work with client/ families facing serious illness or end-of-life.

Program of Study

This certificate will consist of 15 undergraduate credits.  All certificate courses are offered 100% online. Students should be comfortable with the online learning format and are required to take the DIS 095 pre-requisite.  

All interested students are required to consult with an academic advisor and/or program chair to plan the appropriate course sequencing and selection. The courses may be completed within a baccalaureate curriculum. 

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 care-giving, 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 be essential to the career needs of our students and their competitiveness in the job market.

General Requirements

The program 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;
• Open to any undergraduate students in a degree-seeking program upon advisement from program specific chair and/or an academic advisor.

Students will complete and undergraduate application for admission accompanied by a non-refundable admission fee.

Note: Students will be held to all course prerequisites.