Master of Science (MS)

Admission requirements for the Master of Science (MS) in Palliative Care include:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher 
• Essay 
• Resume or CV 
• 3 Professional letters of recommendation 
• Transcripts from all degree-granting institutions attended 
• TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo for international applicants 
• $75 non-refundable application fee 

Please see Course Descriptions for course details.

• PALC 601 – Principles and Practice of Hospice and Palliative Care 
• PALC 603 – Communication and Healthcare Decision Making  
• PALC 604 – Psychosocial, Cultural and Spiritual Care  
• PALC 605 – Pain and Symptom Management in Advanced Illness 
• PALC 618 – Critical Appraisal of Evidence 
• PALC 617 – Advanced Team-Based Palliative Care  

Elective Courses (learners select any four; to earn a second post-baccalaureate certificate (PBC), all four courses must be taken in any elective pathway): 

PBC in Clinical Aspects of Hospice and Palliative Care 

• PALC 615 – Advanced Pain Management and Opioid Dosing 
• PALC 611 – Advanced Non-Pain Symptom Management  
• PALC 612 – Advanced Disease State Management  
• PALC 607 – Clinical Management of Special Populations 

PBC in Leadership and Administration in Hospice and Palliative Care 

• PALC 608 – Hospice Leadership and Administration 
• PALC 609 – Palliative Care Leadership and Administration 
• PALC 610 – Practice Development and Strategic Planning 
• PALC 602 – Principles and Practices of Palliative Care Education 

PBC in Psychosocial/Spiritual Aspects of Hospice and Palliative Care 

• PALC 613 – Advanced Decision-Making and Communication Skills 
• PALC 614 – Advanced Spirituality and Psychosocial Skills 
• PALC 606 – Self-Care for Health Care Professionals 
• PALC 602 - Principles and Practices of Palliative Care Education 

PBC in Pediatric Palliative Care 

• PALC 620 – Disease State Evaluation and Management in Pediatric Palliative Care 
• PALC 621 – Pain and Symptom Management in Pediatric Palliative Care 
• PALC 622 – Communication, Grief and Bereavement in Pediatric Palliative Care 
• PALC 623 – The Practice of Pediatric Palliative Care 

PBC in Research in Palliative Care (requires permission of Program Director to apply) 

• PALC 652 – Applied Biostatistics in Palliative Care 
• PALC 661 – Quantitative Research in Palliative Care 
• PALC 660 – Study Design and Critical Appraisal of Evidence (replaces PAL 618 in MS curriculum) 
• PALC 662 – Qualitative Research in Palliative Care 
• PALC 670 – Person-Centered Research in Palliative Care 

Our graduates receive skilled palliative care education, gaining critical skills needed to ease suffering for patients and families. Graduates will be well-versed in addressing the healthcare needs of patients and families while honoring patient preferences and choices.  

By serving as an effective member of the interdisciplinary palliative care team, our graduates complete a comprehensive, person-centered interdisciplinary assessment that identifies the social strengths, needs, and goals of each patient and family, and develop a care plan designed to meet these needs.  

After completing this degree, the graduate will be able to: 

1. Apply the knowledge of one’s own role and those of other professions to appropriately assess and address the healthcare needs of patients with serious or life-threatening illnesses and their families.
2. Assess and develop practices that reflect patient or surrogate’s goals, preferences, and choices for care within currently accepted standards of medical care, professional standards of practice, and applicable state and federal law. 
3. Apply relationship-building values and the principles of team dynamics to perform effectively in different team roles to plan and deliver patient/population-centered care that is safe, timely, efficient, effective, and equitable.
4. Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team in a climate of mutual respect and shared values to identify and manage the symptoms of patients at the end of life, and the needs of patients and families.
5. Contribute as part of the interdisciplinary team in the assessment and management of pain and/or other physical symptoms that demonstrate evidence-based best practices. 
6. Contribute as part of the interdisciplinary team in the assessment and management of psychological and psychiatric aspects of care that demonstrate evidence-based best practices. 
7. Complete a comprehensive, person-centered interdisciplinary assessment that identifies the social strengths, needs, and goals of each patient and family, and develop a care plan designed to meet these needs, promote achievement of goals, and maximize strengths and well-being. 
8. Conduct an interdisciplinary assessment of spiritual, religious, and existential aspects of care, and facilitate a plan that reflects rituals or practices as desired by patient and family, including at and after the time of death. 
9. Develop practices that reflect consideration of patient, family, and community cultural beliefs and linguistic needs. 
10. Identify, acknowledge, and resolve ethical issues that arise in the care of patients with advanced illnesses. 
11. Communicate with patients, families, communities, and other health professionals in a responsive and responsible manner that supports the interdisciplinary team approach to the management of patients with advanced illnesses and their families.  
12. Demonstrate a commitment to excellence through continuing professional development and lifelong learning, and the education and training of patients, families, caregivers, interdisciplinary team members, other healthcare professionals, and other relevant stakeholders. 
13. Describe the strategic planning process of HPC program development and management, and data-driven processes that drive programmatic continuing quality improvement. 
14. Implement self-care strategies to support coping with suffering, loss, moral distress, and compassion fatigue.