The professional Certificate in Palliative Care requires 17 s.h. of credit.
The certificate program prepares students to practice as palliative care generalists or champions upon graduation from the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program. Students who complete the certificate will possess the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to serve patients living with serious illnesses across the trajectory of life in a variety of general pharmacy practice environments and non-palliative pharmacy specialties, including critical care, emergency medicine, geriatrics, and cardiology. The program addresses the educational needs of pharmacy students who may provide pharmaceutical care in a community pharmacy setting, a long-term care pharmacy, oncology, cardiology, infectious disease, critical care, transplant, and emergency medicine. The certificate also prepares graduates to pursue advanced postgraduate clinical training in palliative care and hospice, including palliative care residencies and fellowships.
The Certificate in Palliative Care requires the following coursework.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All of these: | ||
| PHAR:8795 | More than Medications: Healthcare for the Whole Patient | 2 |
| PHAR:8797 | Well-Being and Ethics in Healthcare | 3 |
| PHAR:8798 | Continuing Professional Development in Palliative Care | 1 |
| PHAR:8502 | Advanced Pharmacopalliation of Pain | 2 |
| PHAR:8503 | Advanced Pharmacopalliation of Non-Pain Symptoms | 3 |
| One of these: | ||
| PHAR:9401 | Ambulatory Care Rotation (at UIHC Palliative Care Clinic) | 6 |
| PHAR:9450 | Elective: Patient Care Rotation (an approved hospice and/or palliative care rotation) | 6 |
Students may apply to the certificate program in the fall semester of the second professional year (P2). Accepted students start the longitudinal course, PHAR:8798 Continuing Professional Development in Palliative Care, in the spring semester of the second professional year (P2).
Applicants must be in good academic standing as defined in the Student Handbook and have a College of Pharmacy cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.70 to apply. The Certificate in Palliative Care admission committee reviews all applications holistically.
Admitted students demonstrate:
- preparedness to engage in a challenging certificate curriculum without compromising their success in the PharmD program; and
- an understanding of what palliative care is and of the program’s requirements.