Learning goals:

1. Competency in applying ethical principles to provide for person-centered healthcare and policy initiatives. 
2. Competence in identifying and implementing best practices for healthcare quality and delivery.
3. Cultural competency in case advocacy and policy advocacy. 
4. Interpersonal competence to collaborate, negotiate and influence people, teams, and systems in the service of healthcare improvement. 
5. Competence in critical thinking and communication that informs and shapes healthcare practice and service delivery across the continuum of care

The Master of Arts in Health Advocacy imparts the knowledge, skills, competencies and habits of mind necessary for aspiring and established healthcare professionals to pursue careers in case management and health advocacy.

The 12 course/36 credit online program integrates key elements of ethics, law, advocacy, management, human services, social and health sciences, and human services in such a way to prepare students to become effective professionals. Graduates from the Health Advocacy program will operate from strengths-based, culturally competent frameworks that value, respect and empower clients/patients and enhances healthcare organizations and systems.

The Master of Arts program is designed for students already holding the minimum of a bachelor's degree and integrates key elements of ethics, policy, economics, technologies, disease/disabilities and relational dynamics with an emphasis on individual-level case management. This program will focus on Health Advocacy departmental/organizational design and management and imparts the knowledge skills, competencies and habits of mind necessary for aspiring and established healthcare professionals to pursue careers in the field.  

Online Program

The program is 100% online. Classes attain high intellectual standards using an online format that respects the flexibility needs of young adult learners and mid-career professionals. The courses are organized around Wednesdays as the week’s start so that “mid-week” falls over the weekend. Working professionals report appreciation for this scheduling design.

Students are provided study opportunities that allow them to gain knowledge and skills in an area of high personal and professional interest, where there is a great societal need for thoughtful, inspired and compassionate professionals.

Learning and Expertise Goals

Students in the program will know the most important analytical frameworks, contingency models, skills, approaches, historical and current trends and ideas that shape and comprise the emerging field of health advocacy. They will respond to the growing awareness of the importance of partnering perspectives in management, the social sciences, education and the health sciences while exploring the converging roles of patient representative, ombudsman, educator, care manager, patient navigator, family advisor and health advocate.

This program equips students to understand, appreciate and demonstrate relevant aspects of:

• The skills associated with interviewing, counseling and consultation;
• Assessment;
• Research and program evaluation;
• The medical, psychological, social and environmental aspects of chronic illness and disability;
• The roles, services and resources associated with Health advocacy;
• The broad range of economic, legal and policy issues surrounding the provision of health care;
• The broad range of ethical dilemmas confronting health advocates;
• The various elements of a dynamic professional identity in the field;
• The sources, nature and consequences of social and cultural diversity.

Professional Certificate in Patient Advocacy

Join a New Generation of Professionals who Help People Navigate the Healthcare System.

Become fully prepared for an entry-level position as a patient advocate or case manager, helping patients, families, and providers across the spectrum of healthcare settings.

The 6 course/18 credit Professional Certificate program in Health Advocacy is designed for students holding the minimum of a bachelor's degree. It addresses issues of ethics, policy, economics, technologies, disease/disabilities and relational dynamics with an emphasis on individual-level healthcare case management.

The credits earned in the one-year Certificate program may be applied to the Master of Arts program, which takes one additional year.

The curriculum attains high intellectual standards using an online format to meet the flexibility requirements of young adult learners and mid-career professionals.