Palliative Care, Certificate, Master's, Doctoral/PhD

About the Program

The PhD in Palliative Care program is a completely online program that builds on the very popular online Master of Science and Graduate Certificates in Palliative Care at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB). An interprofessional program designed for physicians, pharmacists, nurses, physician assistants, social workers, administrators, 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.

The program requires the completion of 36 academic credits in addition to the 30 credits in the master's degree in palliative care, or builds on a student's existing master's or other graduate degree in a relevant field with substantial and current experience in palliative care.

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

Admissions Criteria and Application Process

Applicants to the PhD in Palliative Care program should possess:

• Master's degree in palliative care, or
• Master's degree or higher (e.g., MD, PharmD, APRN, PA, MSN, MSW, MBA, MPH, etc.)
• Experience in palliative care and current employment preferred but not mandatory.
• Three professional Letters of Recommendation.
• Transcripts from ALL degree granting institutions attended.
• CV and essay
• Other qualifications as determined by the admissions committee

In addition, all applicants must meet the University's general admissions requirements and policies.

From Our Peers

"Best practice in caring for individuals with a serious illness is provided by an interdisciplinary team of skilled professionals. Effective teams not only practice together, but also train together. The University of Maryland Master of Science in Palliative Care is an excellent opportunity for all hospice and palliative care practitioners to learn together, honing their skills to care for this vulnerable patient population."

"With the unprecedented growth of hospice and palliative care, it is critically important that practitioners acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to embrace these roles. Formal, as well as informal training opportunities are necessary to meet the growing complex needs of patients living with serious illness."

"There is a large demand for palliative care clinicians, but an insufficient number of individuals with the training to meet this need. The University of Maryland, Baltimore's Master of Science program has been developed by a world class leader in the field and comes at the right time to fill this gap in patient care in the U.S."

Eduardo Bruera, MD, FAAHPM,
Chair of the Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center