Palliative Care

Degrees Offered

PhD, Master of Science, & Postbachelor’s Certificates

Program Description

Palliative care works to improve the quality of life of patients who are facing problems associated with life-threatening illness and their families through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychosocial and spiritual (World Health Organization).

The online PhD, MS, and Graduate Certificates in Palliative Care programs at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) have been designed to meet the educational needs of individuals who are currently working or who wish to work in hospice and palliative care and want to gain a deeper understanding of the physical, psychological, spiritual and social needs of patients and families affected by serious illness.

PhD in Palliative Care

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Palliative Care builds on an advanced degree in palliative care or another pertinent field. An interprofessional program designed for physicians, pharmacists, nurses, physician assistants, social workers, administrators, chaplains, researchers, and others, the PhD in Palliative Care aims to develop outstanding researchers in palliative care, while concurrently honing skills in leadership, education, and engagement in the profession and the palliative care community.

Graduates will be well-equipped for leadership positions in academia, tertiary care or palliative care centers, granting/funding institutions, and foundations associated with palliative care, as well as working with accountable care organizations to identify patients who would benefit from palliative care.

MS in Palliative Care

The Master of Science (MS) in Palliative Care meets the educational needs of individuals who are currently working or wish to work in hospice and palliative care and want to gain a deeper understanding of the physical, psychological, spiritual and social needs of patients and families affected by serious illness. Learners are also able to earn two graduate certificates while completing the master's degree.

Graduates of this program are able to work in the specialty practice of palliative care or add this skillset to their primary area of expertise. This program is highly interprofessional, with learners from medicine, pharmacy, nursing, physician assistant, social work, chaplaincy, therapists, counselors, administrators, veterinarians, dentists, death doulas, child life specialists and more. Four elective pathways allow for personalization of the learning experience.

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.

Graduate Certificate in Palliative Care

Several Graduate Certificates in Palliative Care are available, including the introductory Principles and Practice of Hospice and Palliative Care and advanced certificates in Clinical Aspects of Hospice and Palliative Care, Leadership and Administration in Hospice and Palliative Care, and Psychosocial/Spiritual Aspects of Hospice and Palliative Care.

Graduate certificates are an excellent opportunity for all interprofessional providers to add an extra layer of expertise to their current skillset.

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

Electives in Clinical Track, and for graduate certificate in Clinical Aspects of Hospice and Palliative Care

Electives in Administration, and for graduate certificate in Leadership and Administration in Hospice and Palliative Care

Electives in Psychosocial/Spiritual Track, and for graduate certificate in Psychosocial/Spiritual Aspects of Hospice and Palliative Care

Electives in Thanatology Track, and for graduate certificate in Aging and Applied Thanatology

Required Core