Overview

The Interprofessional Palliative Care Graduate Certificate along with the Master of Science in Palliative Care Degree aim to ease suffering for those patients and families living with serious illness through exemplary palliative care education.

These programs develop Palliative Care Community Specialists through innovative educational pedagogies designed to facilitate learning for healthcare and allied health professionals in up-to-date, evidence-based, interprofessional palliative care concepts using an online virtual learning environment that offers flexible application-based approaches.

Program courses are delivered in an interprofessional learning environment that mirrors the palliative care work setting. The program focuses on advancing clinical knowledge; developing clinical wisdom;, building an evidence-based palliative care practice; enhancing communication skills; and addressing physical, psychological, social, and spiritual suffering.

Admissions Requirements

PRIORITY DEADLINE: March 1

DOMESTIC APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 1
INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 1

To apply for admission applicants must submit the following:

1. Online Application
   1. Complete the Graduate Non-Degree Application
      1. Academic Interest: Certificate
      2. Program: Interprofessional Palliative Care (Online)
2. Required Materials
   1. Personal Statement: One page outlining your career goals and reasons for studying palliative care.
   2. Resume/CV: Include professional experience since earning your bachelor’s degree (or equivalent).
   3. Three Recommendations: From professional contacts (e.g., employers, supervisors, faculty, preceptors). Personal references (e.g., family, friends, clergy, politicians) are not accepted. Recommender contact info will be entered in the application system.
   4. Transcripts: Submit an unofficial transcript from your highest degree-granting institution.
      1. Note: If you later apply to the master’s program, official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions are required, including those where no degree was earned or transfer credits were received.

   5. Application Fee: $50 (domestic) / $75 (international)

   6. Interview: Once the application is submitted, a Zoom interview will be scheduled with the applicant and two faculty or administrative members. This interview helps assess the applicant’s understanding of the profession, communication skills, and professionalism, while also allowing the applicant to ask questions. Participation in the interview is required for admission consideration.

Transcript Submission

• Electronic: graduate.school@cuanschutz.edu
• Mail:
  Graduate School
  Mail Stop C296
  Fitzsimons Building, C5000
  13001 E. 17th Place
  Aurora, CO 80045

International Applicants

• Must submit an International Credential Evaluation Report from ECE or WES for any non-U.S. academic institutions.
• Must meet all above requirements plus those outlined by International Admissions.

Visit International Admissions for more information.

Certificate Requirements

Learning Objectives

Communication Skills
The PC Community Specialist demonstrates expertise in relationship centered communication theory and skills to gather and share information, negotiate shared decision making and plans of care, and sustain relationships with palliative care patients/families and healthcare providers.

Expert Symptom Management Skills
The PC Community Specialist demonstrates expert clinical judgment in performing a comprehensive patient assessment, leading to diagnosis development, implementation, and ongoing reassessment with modification of effective, evidence-based care plans utilizing the skills and expertise of the interdisciplinary team (IDT), for all distressing symptoms experienced by patients with any serious illness.

Ethics, Advocacy, and Legal Aspects of Care
The PC Community Specialist incorporates knowledge of ethical and legal aspects of palliative care into practice by exhibiting the highest professional standards and by advocating for the rights of patients/families to access optimal palliative care.

Spiritual, Religious and Existential Aspects of Care
As part of the IDT, the PC Community Specialist demonstrates and promotes spiritually sensitive care, respecting diversity in all forms, for patients/families and other health care professionals.

Social and Cultural Aspects of Care
As part of the IDT, the PC Community Specialist demonstrates respect for diverse communities through culturally sensitive skills, recognizing how social and economic barriers and challenges impact the delivery of health care services.

Psychological Aspects of Care
As part of the IDT, the PC Community Specialist effectively addresses psychological concerns, and promotes access to expanded resources for all patients/families living with any serious illness.

Integration of Palliative Care for patients throughout the course of any serious illness in all venues
The PC Community Specialist effectively advocates to provide evidence-based palliative care for patients/families and supports and develops expanded resources for all patients/families living with any serious illness.

Effective Palliative Care Educator
The PC Community Specialist demonstrates knowledge, skills, and applies adult learning principles when providing palliative care education to patients, families, healthcare professionals, and the community.

Systems Thinking
The PC Community Specialist demonstrates understanding of the healthcare system to effectively manage and utilize resources to support patients/families living with any serious illness and advocates for the reform of healthcare systems to provide optimal palliative care.

Courses

Policies

Please refer to the Graduate School Policies page.

Contact Us

Melissa C. Palmer, JD, LCSW, ACHP-SW, APHSW-C
Director, MSPC/IPCC
Assistant Professor
Melissa.Palmer@cuanschutz.edu

Maurice "Scotty" Scott, MD
Associate Professor of Medicine
Physician Lead MSPC
CHPM Co-Director
Maurice.Scott@cuanschutz.edu

Bailee Bannon Murray, MA
Senior Administrator of Student Affairs, Palliative Care Education Programs
Bailee.BannonMurray@cuanschutz.edu