Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety

Program Type
Certificate of Graduate Study (Online)
Credential
Certificate of Graduate Study
Mode of Study
Online
Department
Public Health
School
Muskie School of Public Service

Tuition per credit hour

$460 for in-state and
$494 for out-of-state residents. See details and other costs

Credit hours

12 required credit hours. Most courses are equal to 3 credit hours. Browse course list

Program duration

Finish in as little as 1 year. Explore program requirements

Admissions

Apply for fall, spring, or summer term. View application process & deadlines

Program Highlights

  • Make progress toward a future degree: Apply course credits from your certificate toward a Public Health master’s degree.
  • Study with research and practice-based faculty who are engaged in applied research, evaluation, and policy and program development at the local, state, and national level.
  • Learn how to develop and manage quality improvement and patient safety initiatives.
  • Focus your attention on the health literacy and communication skills of healthcare personnel.
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Career opportunities

This certificate is designed for mid-career professionals, pre-career students, and individuals who aspire to quality-improvement roles in healthcare delivery. Additionally, it is suitable for students of quality improvement who are employed or intend to work in environments such as community or population health.

View options
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Program requirements

Our certificate program offers a solid foundation in health literacy and communication, quality improvement, and patient safety. It also provides the opportunity to pursue interests in health systems, basic public health sciences, and data analysis and translation.

Visit course catalog
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Dedicated faculty

Our research- and practice-based faculty offer strong connections with the community and are engaged in a broad range of externally funded public health and health services projects.

Meet our faculty
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Future degree planning

Interested in earning your Master’s Degree in Public Health in the future? The credits you earn through this certificate program can be applied to our MPH program. Some restrictions may apply.

View program details
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Next Steps

Our graduate admissions counselors are here to answer your questions about the admissions process, our academic programs, and student support services.

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Admission information: Certificate of Graduate Study in Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety

Application deadlines

We accept applications on a rolling basis and review them continuously.

Application deadlineFall term startSpring term startSummer term start
FinalAugust 1December 15April 15

Applicants are required to provide the following materials:

General requirements

  • Application: Online application
  • Application fee:
    • In-state, out-of-state, and Canadian applicants: Free to apply
    • International applicants: Submit US $50 fee to apply
  • Transcripts: Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended, excluding the seven campuses of the University of Maine System (UMS transcripts are accessible to USM). A transcript is official when sent directly from the institution.
  • Resume: Submit a resume or CV that outlines professional, volunteer, and community experience.
  • Students whose first language is not English may be required to take one of the following: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Pearson Test of English (PTE) or Duolingo. Applicants must submit official scores as part of the application process. See additional information regarding test scores and requirements.

Additional requirements

  • Personal statement discussing your reasons for pursuing graduate study, your professional goals, and how you think this program of study will contribute to these goals.

English proficiency test scores

View test requirements

Where to send application materials

Get our mailing address and email address