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Online Graduate Certificate in Health Professions Education

The online Health Professions Education graduate certificate is designed for current or future healthcare practitioners or professionals who plan to serve their respective field as educators.

This health professions educator program develops the skills needed to be a more effective academic or clinical educator by providing in-depth knowledge of critical teaching and learning practices such as communication, course design, planning, construction of learning objectives, assessment and evaluation, educational leadership and more. This certificate is ideal for healthcare practitioners, university faculty, graduate students of medicine, dentistry, public health and nursing, as well as other healthcare professionals.

The online Health Professions Education graduate certificate program is offered through a partnership between the School of Medicine at the University of Louisville and the Office of Professional and Educational Development.

Health Professions Education, (MS & Grad) Certificate Virtual Info Session:Wednesday, July 10

12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Join the HPE faculty and staff for a virtual information session to learn more about the program, how to apply, and get your questions answered.
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How Much Will I Pay?

Tuition & Aid    

Health Professions Education Certificate Highlights

  • Become an effective educator, presenter and facilitator through hands-on training opportunities using state-of-the-art instructional technology.
  • Learn how to design curricula that will stimulate critical thinking and clinical reasoning—promoting cooperative, student-centered learning.
  • Develop your educational philosophy and apply pedagogical theory appropriately to your teaching practices.
  • Take advantage of the flexibility and convenience of 100% online classes and 24/7 access to learning tools.
  • Learn from world-class faculty who have extensive experience in the field.
  • Get a jump start on your master’s degree—100% of credits earned in the certificate program apply to completion of your UofL Master's in Health Professions Education, also offered online (you must apply separately to the M.S. in HPE program).
  • Receive skills necessary for educators by focusing on teaching and learning, rather than Health Professions Education research.
  • Enjoy fully asynchronous 8-week terms with absolutely no in-person component required.

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100% ONLINE COURSES

Complete this program on your own time through fully online classes.

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1 YEAR TO COMPLETE

This certificate consists of only 12 credit hours and can be completed in as little as 1 year.

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8 WEEK TERMS

Move through your coursework in an accelerated format.

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Outcomes

Job opportunities for professionals earning this certificate may include: clinical educator, healthcare education researcher, clerkship director, residency director, academic faculty, in-house trainer, as well as continuing education instructor in the clinical healthcare field (i.e. medical, dental, nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy, etc.).

Credit hours acquired in this certificate can be applied towards UofL’s online Master of Science in Health Professions Education. You must apply separately to the MS in HPE program.

Health Professions Education Certificate Application Deadlines


Preferred Application Deadline Term Start Date
July 1 Fall I August
October 1 Fall II October
December 1 Spring January

How to Apply

  1. Complete the graduate application for admission
  2. Submit a $40 non-refundable application fee
  3. Submit official college transcripts from all previous institutions
    • Only official degree-bearing transcripts must be submitted by the applicant using appropriate methods (e.g., Parchment or National Clearinghouse) or be on file in the Office of Faculty Affairs (for applicants internal to UofL). Applicants should submit their most senior degree earned or that they are in the progress of earning.
    • Request official transcripts certifying an undergraduate degree earned from an accredited institution.
      • Electronic (recommended):
        gradadm@louisville.edu
      • Physical Mail:
        University of Louisville,
        Graduate School
        2211 S Brook St, Houchens Bldg, Rm 105
        Louisville, KY 40292;
  4. Check for Scholarships

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Admission Requirements

  • Transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work.
  • Unconditional admission requires a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 for all coursework taken at the undergraduate and/or graduate degree-granting institution; or a terminal professional degree (e.g., MD, DO, DMD, DNP, PhD, EdD).
    • Applicants with a GPA less than 2.5 at the undergraduate/graduate level may inquiry about conditional admission
  • International applicants with transcripts that are not in English, in addition to submitting official copies of native language records, must also submit a notarized, verbatim translation in English prepared by an appropriate university or government official. The records must show both the degree granted and all coursework taken during the course of study. Applicants who are submitting transcripts from outside the United States must verify their records by submitting them to one of the following organizations: World Education Services (WES), Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), and other NACES approved evaluators found here.
  • Students for whom English is not their primary language must show English language proficiency by successfully completing one of the following:
  • One letter of recommendation. Personal references (e.g., family, friends) are not accepted.
  • Personal goal statement written by the applicant that is a clear, substantive description of your goals within health professions education (approx. 1-2 pages).
  • Current Resume/CV

Health Professions Education Certificate Courses

The online Graduate Certificate in Health Professions Education is a 12 credit hour program. All courses are delivered online over 8-week terms.


Core Courses Hours
Health Professions Education Core 12
HPE 650 Evaluation and Assessment in Health Professions Education 3
HPE 665 Teaching and Learning in Health Professions Education 3
HPE 675 Program Development in Health Professions Education 3
HPE 676 Instructional Strategies in Health Professions Education 3
Total Required Credit Hours 12

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Course Descriptions


Health Professions Education Certificate FAQ


  • Is the GRE required for admission?

    No, the GRE is not required to be admitted to this program.

  • Is there a part-time option?

    Yes, you can complete the program as a part-time student.

  • Is the program open to international students?

    Yes, this program is available to international students.

  • Are there any additional fees other than tuition?

    No, there are no additional fees. However, you will need to purchase your textbooks according to your coursework.

  • Does my B.S. have to be in anything specific?

    No, your B.S. does not have to be in a specific field, as long as you are currently working in a healthcare industry.

  • Do I need to have teaching experience to be accepted into the program?

    No, you are not required to have any teaching experience to be accepted into this program.

  • I have some credit hours from another program/university. Can the credit be transferred?

    No, we do not accept transfer credit towards this program.

  • What medical fields is this for?

    This certificate is applicable to any health profession that has a clinical component to teaching: teaching is conducted by a faculty member who is providing both patient care and education to the learner. Past participants of this program have been health professions educators from medicine, nursing, dentistry and public health but this list is not exhaustive.

  • Who can apply for the Certificate in Health Professions Education Program?

    The Certificate in Health Professions Education Program is aimed primarily at healthcare professionals who are currently educators in a healthcare environment and would like to become better educators. The Certificate program is especially beneficial for physicians, dentists, nurses, researchers, dental hygienists, and others interested in teaching, education, and training careers.

  • What is the estimated cost of the program?

    For information about tuition/fees, please visit the Bursar's Office website and go to their tuition/fees page. https://louisville.edu/bursar/tuitionfee Tuition remission is available to all full-time and most part-time University of Louisville employees. Books and/or other course materials must be purchased by participants.

  • When and where are the Certificate courses held?

    Courses for the online Graduate Certificate in Health Professions Education are delivered online through the Blackboard Learning Management System.

  • How long does it take to complete Certificate in Health Professions Education Program?

    The Certificate can be earned in one year. The program consists of four graduate-level courses, two courses are taught each semester over a one-year cycle. The certificate includes a total of 12 hours of academic course credit.

  • Is the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) required?

    If you have a terminal degree, (e.g., M.D., D.D.S., Ph.D.) you do not need to take the GRE.

  • Does the Certificate in Health Professions Education program follow the University of Louisville calendar?

    Yes, the courses in the Health Professions Education program follow the University of Louisville Belknap semester schedule.

  • How do I apply for admission?

    Applications must meet the standards of general admission to the University's Graduate School. Please follow the admission information to apply to the graduate school. http://louisville.edu/graduate/futurestudents/apply-materials/application

  • Will the courses taken in the certificate program apply to a Master's program at UofL?

    Yes, the 12 credit hours can be rolled directly into the Master of Science in Health Professions Education (you must apply separately). If you would like to apply to a master's or doctoral program outside of the School of Medicine, two of the certificate program courses could be considered as electives, but are subject to the approval of your advisor.

  • Who do I contact for more information?

    Getting in touch with your enrollment counselor is a great first step! An enrollment counselor can be reached at online@louisville.edu or 800.871.8635.


Health Professions Education Certificate Success Team