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."
Online MS in Palliative Care Overview Video
You Can Improve Quality of Life for Those Impacted by Serious Illness
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.
About Our Programs
Click or tap on the available programs below to learn more about what each has to offer prospective students.
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.
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.
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.
Our Programs At-A-Glance
| Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) | Master of Science (MS) | Graduate Certificate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Format | 100% Online | 100% Online | 100% Online |
| Asynchronous | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Length of Each Course | 8 Weeks | 8 Weeks | 8 Weeks |
| Interprofessional Faculty | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Number of Credits | 36 | 30 | 12 |
| Time to Completion | 3 years minimum; up to 9 years allowed | 6 semesters minimum; up to 5 years allowed | 2 semesters minimum; up to 3 years allowed |
| Prerequisites | Master's degree or higher (including APRN, MD, PharmD, PA, or master's degrees such as MSN, MPH, MBA, MSW, etc.) | Baccalaureate degree | Baccalaureate degree |
| Tuition (Fall 2023 and Spring 2024) |
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