Degrees Offered
Master of Science, Postbachelor’s Certificates
Program Description
The Master of Science program in Palliative Care provides interprofessional education and training for professionals who wish to gain experience in caring for patients with advanced and terminal illnesses and their families, emphasizing and integrating the unique contributions made by all disciplines that provide palliative care. The program also provides learners with experiences designed to foster a deeper knowledge and understanding of the numerous clinical, social, psychosocial, spiritual, ethical, and grieving issues in advanced illness. Participants learn to critically evaluate evidence and apply these findings to best practices in patient care. Participants include practitioners who are working in hospice and palliative care or aspire to do so; physicians, advance practice nurses, nurses, pharmacists, physician assistants, social workers, administrators, chaplains and grief/bereavement specialists, and others. The program covers the basic principles of hospice and palliative care in four foundation core courses. The completion of these four core courses leads to a graduate certificate in Principles and Practice of Hospice and Palliative Care. Learners also may select another track or area of focus (Clinical, Administrative, Psychosocial/Spiritual, or Thanatology) or select electives from among all focus areas. Four courses successfully completed in a noncore track will constitute award of a second graduate certificate. The MS in Palliative Care is taught entirely online. To be successful, the learner must complete all required and elective coursework totaling 30 credits. The program utilizes asynchronous lectures (e.g., prerecorded), readings, reflections, practice assignments, and active-learning instruction such as interprofessional group work.
Program Admission
Candidates for admission must meet the minimum qualifications and standards established by the Graduate School. Graduate Record Examinations scores are not required for admission. Candidates will minimally have a baccalaureate degree, and most will have an entry-level health care disciplinary degree (MD, PharmD, RN, APRN, PA-C, LCSW, etc.). International applicants must meet the minimum English language proficiency requirements set by the Graduate School.
Degree Requirements
The master’s degree program requires a minimum of 30 credits. Certificate candidates must complete a minimum of 12 credits. Students must maintain a minimum, cumulative grade- point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale to remain in good standing in the program. Complete guidelines and requirements for progression and completion are outlined in the Degree Requirements section of this catalog.
Postbaccalaureate Graduate Certificate Students who successfully complete the first four core courses (PALC 601, 602, 603, 604) will be awarded a graduate certificate titled Principles and Practice of Hospice and Palliative Care. Students who successfully complete four courses (12 credits in a given track) will be awarded a graduate certificate as follows:
- Clinical Aspects of Hospice and Palliative Care (PALC 605, 606, 607, 608)
- Psychosocial/Spiritual Aspects of Hospice and Palliative Care (PALC 609, 610, 611, 612)
- Leadership and Administration in Hospice and Palliative Care (PALC 613, 614, 615, and THAN 604)
- Aging and Applied Thanatology (THAN 604, 605, 606, 609)
The Aging and Applied Thanatology Certificate is an existing program offered by the Graduate School.
Program Outcomes
- Apply the knowledge of one’s own role and those of other professions to appropriately assess and address the health care needs of patients with serious or life-threatening illnesses and their families.*
- Assess and develop practices that reflect the patient’s or surrogate’s goals, preferences, and choices for care within currently accepted standards of medical care, professional standards of practice, and applicable state and federal law.
- Apply relationship-building values and the principles of team dynamics to perform effectively in different team roles to plan and deliver patient/population-centered care that is safe, timely, efficient, effective, and equitable.*
- Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team in a climate of mutual respect and shared values to identify and manage the symptoms of patients at the end of life and the needs of patients and families.*
- Contribute as part of the interdisciplinary team in the assessment and management of pain and/or other physical symptoms that demonstrate evidence-based best practices.
- Contribute as part of the interdisciplinary team in the assessment and management of psychological and psychiatric aspects of care that demonstrates evidence- based best practices.
- Complete a comprehensive, person-centered interdisciplinary assessment that identifies the social strengths, needs, and goals of each patient and family and develop a care plan designed to meet these needs, promote achievement of goals, and maximize strengths and well-being.
- Conduct an interdisciplinary assessment of spiritual, religious, and existential aspects of care and facilitate a plan that reflects rituals or practices as desired by patient and family, including at and after the time of death.
- Develop practices that reflect consideration of patient, family, and community cultural beliefs and linguistic needs.
- Identify, acknowledge, and resolve ethical issues that arise in the care of patients with advanced illnesses.
- Communicate with patients, families, communities, and other health professionals in a responsive and responsible manner that supports the interdisciplinary team approach to the management of patients with advanced illnesses and their families.*
- Demonstrate a commitment to excellence through continuing professional development and lifelong learning, and the education and training of patients, families, caregivers, interdisciplinary team members, other health care professionals, and other relevant stakeholders.
- Describe the strategic planning process of hospice and palliative care program development and management and data-driven processes that drive programmatic continuing quality improvement.
- Implement self-care strategies to support coping with suffering, loss, moral distress, and compassion fatigue.
*Interprofessional Collaborative Practice Competency Statement
Required core, and required for graduate certificate in Principles and Practice of Hospice and Palliative Care
| PALC 601 | PRINCLIPLES AND PRACTICE OF HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE | 3 |
| PALC 603 | COMMUNICATION AND HEALTHCARE DECISION MAKING | 3 |
| PALC 604 | PSYCHOSOCIAL, CULTURAL AND SPIRITUAL CARE | 3 |
| PALC 605 | SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT IN ADVANCED ILLNESS | 3 |
Electives in Clinical Track, and for graduate certificate in Clinical Aspects of Hospice and Palliative Care
| PALC 615 | ADVANCED PAIN MANAGEMENT AND OPIOID DOSING | 3 |
| PALC 611 | ADVANCED NON-PAIN SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT | 3 |
| PALC 612 | ADVANCED DISEASE STATE MANAGEMENT | 3 |
| PALC 607 | CLINICAL MANAGEMENT OF SPECIAL PATIENT POPULATIONS | 3 |
Electives in Administration, and for graduate certificate in Leadership and Administration in Hospice and Palliative Care
| PALC 608 | HOSPICE LEADERSHIP AND ADMINISTRATION | 3 |
| PALC 609 | PALLIATIVE CARE LEADERSHIP AND ADMINISTRATION | 3 |
| PALC 610 | PRACTICE DEVELOPMENT AND STRATEGIC PLANNING | 3 |
| PALC 602 | PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES OF PALLIATIVE CARE EDUCATION | 3 |
Electives in Psychosocial/Spiritual Track, and for graduate certificate in Psychosocial/Spiritual Aspects of Hospice and Palliative Care
| PALC 613 | ADVANCED DECISION-MAKING AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS | 3 |
| PALC 614 | ADVANCED SPIRITUALITY AND PSYCHOSOCIAL SKILLS | 3 |
| PALC 615 | ADVANCED PAIN MANAGEMENT AND OPIOID DOSING | 3 |
| PALC 602 | PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES OF PALLIATIVE CARE EDUCATION | 3 |
| THAN 604 | DEATH AND DYING: ETHICAL AND LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS | 3 |
Electives in Thanatology Track, and for graduate certificate in Aging and Applied Thanatology
Required Core
| PALC 616 | RESEARCH AND OUTCOMES ASSESSMENT IN HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE | 3 |
| PALC 617 | | |