Degrees Offered
PhD
Program Description
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 Graduate Studies in Palliative Care program at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) has 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.
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.
Program Admission
Candidates for admission must meet the minimum qualifications and standards established by the Graduate School. Graduate Record Examinations scores are not required for admission. Candidates should possess a Master's degree in Palliative Care or higher (e.g. MD, PharmD, APRN, PA, MSN, MSW, MBA, MPH, etc). Experience in palliative care and current employment are preferred but not mandatory. International applicants must meet the minimum English language proficiency requirements set by the Graduate School.
Degree Requirements
The PhD degree program requires a minimum of 60 credits. Students must maintain a minimum, cumulative grade- point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale to remain in good standing in the program. Complete guidelines and requirements for progression and completion are outlined in the Degree Requirements section of this catalog.
Program Outcomes
• Use an evidence-based approach to review the origins and evolution of palliative care and then predict future growth trends in the field.
• Develop and demonstrate strategic leadership skills for the purpose of advancement of the field of palliative care that promotes a vision, mission, values, beliefs, and goals from both a personal and health care system perspective.
• Demonstrate the ability to integrate educational techniques and initiatives to improve and demonstrate sustainable educational programs and institutional effectiveness in palliative care.
• Develop professional and community engagement directives to expand access to, and uptake of, quality palliative care.
• Design, execute, and disseminate qualitative and quantitative research findings that advance the field of knowledge in palliative care.
• Create an environment that fosters the development, adoption, and growth of transdisciplinary practice in palliative care.
PhD Required Core
| PALC 650 | UNDERSTANDING THE FOUNDATION OF PALLIATIVE CARE: BUILDING BLOCKS FOR THE FUTURE | 3 |
| PALC 652 | APPLIED BIOSTATISTICS IN PALLIATIVE CARE | 3 |
| PALC 660 | STUDY DESIGN AND CRITICAL APPRAISAL OF THE EVIDENCE | 3 |
| PALC 661 | QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH IN PALLIATIVE CARE | 3 |
| PALC 662 | QUALITATIVE RESEARCH IN PALLIATIVE CARE | 3 |
| PALC 670 | PERSON-CENTERED OUTCOMES RESEARCH IN PALLIATIVE CARE | 3 |
| PALC 671 | Teaching Methods in Palliative Care | 3 |
| PALC 672 | LEADING CHANGE IN PALLIATIVE CARE | 3 |
| PALC 898 | PRE-CANDIDACY RESEARCH | 1 TO 8 |
| PALC 899 | PALLIATIVE CARE DISSERTATION RESEARCH | 1 TO 6 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 36 |