The Graduate Certificate in Improving Healthcare Value is an inter-disciplinary program led by faculty members from the College of Public Health, the College of Business and Economics, and the College of Engineering. This certificate creates educational opportunities for UK graduate students in a range of disciplines, UK HealthCare staff, and other healthcare workers to enhance their knowledge and skills related to improving the value (quality and cost) of health care services provided by hospitals, health systems, and academic medical centers.
Completing the 15 semester credit hour curriculum will provide:
Instruction in one of two elective tracks
Finance and Business
Quality and Safety Improvement
Formal certification in improving healthcare value by the University of Kentucky
Substantial credit toward meeting the requirements for a MBA, MHA, or MPH degree.
The Graduate Certificate in Improving Healthcare Value gave me the opportunity to tailor my education in healthcare administration to my specific interests. I chose to pursue the Quality & Safety Improvement Track, which prepared me well for my current position in healthcare financial operations. While taking "Leading Change with Healthcare Teams," our groups were tasked with applying class material to an actual project at a local hospital. Knowledge gained from that experience has proved to be extremely beneficial to me today as I work to improve the efficiency of multiple financial processes in my organization.
Students already enrolled in a graduate degree program may apply at any time. For those not currently enrolled please follow the Graduate School deadlines and all application materials must be received at least one month before the semester you plan to begin your coursework.
Pre-approved Certificate courses already completed may count toward the curriculum requirements (this does not include practicum or research projects.) Requests to include these courses are made on the application.
Students must apply to the UK Graduate School. Graduate School application deadlines and forms may be obtained through their website at: https://gradschool.uky.edu/admissions/application-process
Official transcripts:
Official transcripts are required for undergraduate and graduate work from universities other than the University of Kentucky. A GPA of 3.0 is required for admission.
Other requirements:
Personal statement
Describe any work experience relevant to value in health care.
Briefly describe (a) your reason(s) for interest in the Graduate Certificate in Improving Health Care Value, (b) your career goals in relation to the subject and (c) the specific value in health care topic in which you are most interested and why.
The Graduate Certificate in Improving Healthcare Value requires five courses (total of 15 semester credit hours). CPH 600 is required for both tracks.
Required Course
CPH 600 - Health Services and Systems Organization
For students who elect the track in Finance and Business, four additional courses are required.
ACC 628 - Financial Accounting for Decision Makers OR CPH 664 - Healthcare Finance I
ECO 610 - Managerial Economics OR CPH 658 - Health Economics
FIN 600 - Corporate Financial Policy OR CPH 668 - Healthcare Finance II
MKT 600 - Marketing Management OR CPH 780 - Strategic Planning
For students who elect the track in Quality and Safety Improvement, two additional courses will be required and students can pick two electives
Required Courses
CPH 675 - Project Management and Change Leadership
CPH 683 - Operations, Quality, and Safety
Elective Courses
CPH 758 - Special Topics in Health Management and Policy
CPH 782 - Information Systems in Healthcare*
CPH 783 - Applications in Healthcare Finance and Operations
MFS 526 - Lean Operations Management I
* If students take CPH 782 (2 credits) as an elective, they will need 1 more credit hour to complete the certificate. Choose one of the following:
CPH 678 - Leader Development 1
CPH 688 - Leader Development 2: Internship
CPH 689 - Leader Development 3
CPH 690 - Leader Development 4
