Overview

The Interprofessional Graduate Certificate in Palliative Care (IPCC) is a 12 credit hour program for students who are seeking additional palliative care education but are not ready to commit to completing the Master of Science in Palliative Care (MSPC) degree. Students complete the first 12 credit hours of the MSPC program over two semesters (9 months) of study.

The program will be of interest to a wide range of health care professionals, including but not limited to the following: physicians, nurses (including BSN and advance practice nurses), physician assistants, pharmacists, social workers, spiritual care providers, psychologists, therapists, counselors, and ethicists.

Students may choose flexible completion options. All students complete interdisciplinary coursework in palliative care core concepts, communications, teamwork, assessment of pain and non-pain symptoms, and diverse topics related to the psycho-social-spiritual-ethical dimensions of patient and family care. Students of all professions learn together in a supportive environment. Over 95 percent of the curricular content is shared by biomedical and allied health professional tracks.

The following specializations are completed fully online:

• MSPC Biomedical Track — Biomedical Track courses include pain and non-pain symptom management, and palliative care for patients experiencing serious illnesses. The Biomedical Track is open to physicians, physician assistants, registered nurses (BSN and Advanced Practice RN) and pharmacists.
   
• MSPC Allied Health Professional Track — Allied Health Professional (AHP) Track courses include content in psycho-social-spiritual care and ethical concerns. The AHP Track is open to social workers, spiritual care providers, psychologists, counselors, therapists, and ethicists.

Upon completion of the Palliative Care Certificate, students may select to continue their study in the Master of Science in Palliative Care (MSPC) program. Students selecting to continue should contact the program administrator for additional details.

Tuition and Fees

Investing in your future is a big decision. However, becoming a fully online student at the University of Colorado is a high-quality and affordable option for learners of all types. Tuition and fees are based largely on the degree program you enroll in.

The tuition amount assessed is determined based on which University of Colorado campus, school, or college is offering your degree program, as well as if it is at the undergrad or graduate level, and finally your resident status. Visit our tuition and financial aid page for more information.

Financial aid and scholarships are available for those who qualify.

Timeline

The Interprofessional Graduate Certificate in Palliative Care is comprised of 12 credit hours. Complete the first 12 credit hours of the MSPC program over two semesters (9 months), including one three-day weekend intensive completed on the Anschutz Medical Campus.

Admissions

Admission requirements and deadlines vary based on the program. In addition, you will have different requirements depending on if you are a first-time student, a transfer student, or an international student.

Learn more about the admissions process by filling out the form above or contacting an Enrollment Navigator today.

Courses

The first course includes one three-day weekend intensive completed on the Anschutz Medical Campus. The intensive experience utilizes CU's Center for Advancing Professional Excellence (CAPE) to practice communication skills with standardized patients in individual and group settings. The next three courses are entirely online.