Health Professions Education (CERT)

Graduate Certificate in Health Professions Education
Unit: College of Education and Human Development and School of Medicine
Program Webpage 
Academic Plan Code(s): HPEDCHP, HLTHCGRO

Program Information

This program can be completed in a traditional classroom format or entirely online.

The certificate in Health Professions Education is offered through a partnership between the College of Education and Human Development and the School of Medicine. The program is designed specifically for faculty, future faculty, residents and graduate students in the health sciences including medicine, nursing, dentistry, public health, clinical and allied health professions. The program includes four graduate-level credit courses (twelve [12] total credit hours) leading to an academic credential.

All courses are part of the College of Education and Human Development graduate curriculum and may be applied to other degree programs such as a master's degree. Each course is grounded on the plan for the corresponding course taught in the College of Education and Human Development but is focused primarily for healthcare educators. For example, instructional techniques include working not only in the classroom but also in clinical settings. Class projects are designed for the healthcare environment.

Program courses follow the Belknap Campus semester schedule but meet on the Health Sciences Campus. Courses are taught in the evening and are web-enhanced with approximately one-third of weekly work assignments completed online.

Program Purpose: To promote effective clinical teaching and student instruction in a variety of health science center settings and to develop skill in designing education research for presentation and publication.

Admission Requirements

The HROD Admissions Committee requires the following materials:

• Complete the online application to the Graduate School.
• Transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work. Unconditional admission requires a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 for all coursework taken AND a minimum GPA of 2.75 for coursework at the undergraduate degree-granting institution.
• For applicants without a terminal degree (e.g., MD, DDS, PhD), GRE scores must be submitted.
  Please note: when submitting GRE scores through ETS, have scores sent using the general University of Louisville code, 1838.
• All applicants for whom English is a second language must also submit official TOEFL scores of 79 or higher on the internet-based test, 213 or higher on the computer-based test. English proficiency can also be met by submitting official IELTS scores of at least 6.5 overall band score from the academic module exam or official Duolingo overall score of 105.  Students holding a bachelor's or advanced degree from an accredited institution in the United States may be exempt from this requirement.
• Two letters of recommendation. If you have studied at a college or university in the last five years, the admissions committee prefers to see at least one letter from a faculty member. Other references can include work supervisors. Personal references (e.g., family, friends) are not accepted.
• Goal Statement Sheet [PDF]. The Admissions Committee evaluates applications based on how an applicant's goals, professional experiences, and commitment to education are an appropriate fit with this program.
• Current Resume

Admission is competitive. Meeting the GRE and GPA minimums do not guarantee acceptance into the program.

Program Requirements

The current course sequence is as follows: