Palliative Care, Master's

You can improve quality of life for those impacted by serious illness

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 MS in Palliative Care 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.

Details, Dates & Deadlines

Program Details

Class Format

Online,

Program Length

6 semesters minimum (up to 5 years allowed)

Credits to Complete

Cost/Credit Hour

In State: $679
Out of State: $837

Baccalaureate degree

Dates & Deadlines

Spring Deadline: December 15
Summer Deadline: May 1
Fall Deadline: July 15

About the Program

The Master of Science (MS) in Palliative Care meets the educational needs of individuals who are currently working or 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. Learners are also able to earn two graduate certificates while completing the master's degree.

Graduates of this program are able to work in the specialty practice of palliative care or add this skillset to their primary area of expertise. This program is highly interprofessional, with learners from medicine, pharmacy, nursing, physician assistant, social work, chaplaincy, therapists, counselors, administrators, veterinarians, dentists, death doulas, child life specialists and more. Four elective pathways allow for personalization of the learning experience.

From Our Peers

"Best practice in caring for individuals with a serious illness is provided by an interdisciplinary team of skilled professionals. Effective teams not only practice together, but also train together. The University of Maryland Master of Science in Palliative Care is an excellent opportunity for all hospice and palliative care practitioners to learn together, honing their skills to care for this vulnerable patient population."

"With the unprecedented growth of hospice and palliative care, it is critically important that practitioners acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to embrace these roles. Formal, as well as informal training opportunities are necessary to meet the growing complex needs of patients living with serious illness."

"There is a large demand for palliative care clinicians, but an insufficient number of individuals with the training to meet this need. The University of Maryland, Baltimore's Master of Science program has been developed by a world class leader in the field and comes at the right time to fill this gap in patient care in the U.S."

Eduardo Bruera, MD, FAAHPM,
Chair of the Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Next Steps

Your path to success starts here