Interdisciplinary Care Management Certificate

Program Purpose

The role of care management in the healthcare setting focuses on serving as the connection for patients to successfully navigate the multiple transitions of care to reduce or prevent fragmented care and poor outcomes. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has reported that the practice of care management has emerged as a primary means of managing the health of a defined population using a team-based patient-centered approach. This includes both acute or chronic care health issues as well as preventative strategies to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Care Management necessitates an interdisciplinary approach for integration of services from a diverse segment of healthcare professionals. Evolving technology is at the hub of care management and is intended to provide both analytics for prediction of healthcare needs and assimilation of patient generated health information data as well as a conduit for patient and professional communication strategies.
This certificate will provide opportunities for current and prospective health care workers who are interested in the career of care management or disability/leave management. The certificate would be appropriate for non-licensed workers as well as currently employed clinical workers including registered nurses or other allied health practitioners. The courses included within the certificate will provide both a broad overview of the concepts of care management as well as allow a focus and direction for specific roles or organizations. The distinction between care and case management will be discussed. The rapidly changing healthcare environment coupled with the growing use of quality metrics and outcomes, value based services, and technology advancements mandate the recognition of care management as a specialty service within healthcare that requires advanced education.  

Program of Study

This certificate will consist of 18 undergraduate credits. All certificate courses are offered 100% online. Students should be comfortable with the online learning format.
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

The knowledge gained from this certificate will contribute to the attainment of new skills that are extremely relevant to current healthcare practice. The coursework will provide the capacity to respond aptly to the changing needs of individuals, families and communities as students will be prepared to coordinate care across the continuum.
Multiple avenues of employment are available for students who have the knowledge and skills included within this certificate. Their work settings are diverse and include the following: acute care facilities (hospitals), outpatient clinics and private practices, health insurance agencies, and disability/leave management organizations.

General Requirements/ Pre-Requisites

The program is open to the following prospective students with an interest in Interdisciplinary Care Management

• High School graduate and/or;
• Associate Degree graduate and/or;
• Open to any undergraduate students in a degree-seeking program upon advisement from Health Sciences program specific chair and/or an academic advisor.

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

Students are held to all prerequisite requirements; some students may require more than 6 courses to complete this certificate.