Healthcare Professions Education
Our Health Professions Education Certificate
Hear from Dr. Malissa Martin, the Vice Provost of Academic Affairs, about the HPE Certificate.
HPE Certificate Highlights
Move into Healthcare Education
Are you interested in becoming a healthcare instructor? Our HPE Certificate (any of the individual courses within the program) will prepare you to teach with confidence. Learn how to become a designer of learning. Develop the necessary understanding and skillsets to create an effective learning experience for students.
If you are a current healthcare professional (including athletic trainers, nurses, occupational therapists, physical therapists, physician assistants, speech pathologists, radiologists, and community health center instructors) who wants to instruct future healthcare professionals in higher education and impact the healthcare world, you will find the Healthcare Professions Education Certificate instrumental in gaining healthcare education knowledge, strategies, and skills.
Increase Training & Development as a Current Educator
Are you already a current healthcare educator? Our HPE Certificate will increase your current education skill set with relevant healthcare professions education skills taught through meaningful and purposeful class assignments. You will be able to immediately apply what you learn to your current instruction situations. The HPE Certificate is a great resource and option to support continuing faculty training and development.
Some of the skill sets you will develop further include:
- Understanding your students’ learning preference and designing lessons to meet those learning preferences
- Developing learning outcomes from a backward-design approach using active, engaging learning activities that are meaningful and authentic to the learner
- Creating course and lesson plans, including online, blended, and face-to-face learning curriculum development based upon a broad focus of a dynamic healthcare and economical society
Evaluating and assessing student performance founded upon evidence-based best practices of teaching and learning - Learning clinical education techniques and strategies to support both didactic and clinical educational settings
- Expanding current and innovative technology skills to support teaching and student learning
Designed for Working Healthcare Professionals or Educators
Our HPE Certificate is designed especially for working healthcare professionals and educators. With a completely-online program designed to fit with busy schedules, and that has three start dates a year, the HPE Certificate can fit your schedule.
Our HPE Certificate is designed to benefit individuals who fall into the following areas:
- Preparing to enter an instructor role as a higher education faculty member in a healthcare education professions academic setting
- Looking to refresh healthcare education professions knowledge or increase their current education skills
- Wanting to utilize an individual course or entire program for a group of faculty to support faculty training and development efforts within an individual department or organization
- Seeking employment in a setting of healthcare education, community healthcare education programs, and healthcare clinical education venues
- Professionals who teach continuing education or community education
Interprofessional Program Experience
Learn in an interprofessional program. Both students and instructors are from a variety of healthcare professions and are either former or current clinicians. Interact with healthcare professionals from a wide range of disciplines, deeping your learning and networking experience.
Curriculum
Whether you are transitioning into teaching or refining your expertise as a current instructor, RMU’s fully online Healthcare Professions Education Certificate gives you the tools to design engaging curriculum, apply evidence-based teaching strategies, and support student success across classroom, online, and clinical settings.
Learning Design
Dive deep into learning theory, design, application, assessment, and evaluation. Prepare to incorporate a learner-centered approach to course development and instructional delivery.
Evidence-Based Learning
Learn to utilize evidence-based practices for healthcare professions education. Apply a wide variety of learning methods to ensure that your learning communities are able to completely grasp even the most complex concepts.
Clinical Education
Dive deep into quantitative and qualitative inquiry. Learn methods and applications as you examine traditions, trends, and emerging areas of practice. Understand how research informs practice.
Courses
Core Courses
Code
Course
Credits
HPE 670Learning Assessment & Evaluation3
This course examines a variety of assessment models and techniques used to evaluate student classroom performance, student clinical performance, instructor performance and educational programs. Students will design and execute assessment plans, interpret assessment data and develop continuous improvement plans.
HPE 740Learning Theory & Design3
This course incorporates a learner centered approach to course development and instructional delivery based on the best evidence of how people learn. Students will demonstrate both traditional and innovative instructional techniques and strategies for teaching in didactic settings based upon the evidence-base of best teaching practices.
HPE 760Instructional Strategies for Healthcare Educators3
This course provides a comprehensive exploration of instructional strategies and technologies essential for effective teaching in healthcare education, covering online, blended, and traditional classroom environments. Emphasis is placed on the design and delivery of low and high fidelity, simulation-based, and mixed media resources that support dynamic and interactive learning experiences. Students will examine best practices in course design and instructional delivery, engaging with current instructional technologies.
Electives
Code
Course
Credits
HPE 752Curriculum Design for Healthcare Professions3
Students will learn how effective health professions curricula must integrate the basic and clinical sciences, connect didactic to experiential learning, be competency-based and time-variable, include andragogic underpinnings and approaches of delivery, and create meaningful program outcomes and assessment opportunities that verify quality and excellence. In addition timely issues such as the curricular incorporation of clinical experiences/education, the sociocultural aspects of healthcare, and pertinent accreditation issues and constraints for healthcare professions will be addressed.
Offered Winter & Fall Semester
HPE 620Clinical Education Experiential Design & Application for Healthcare Professions3
This course addresses the many issues germane to experiential or clinical education in the healthcare professions by reviewing the design, implementation and assessment of clinical experience in the healthcare fields. Among the topics to be covered include supervisory policies and practices, communication, feedback, developing clinical expertise and reasoning skills, professionalism, student learning documentation and mapping, preceptor/supervisor training and development, and the role of entrust able professional activities, competencies and milestones in student clinician development.
Offered Winter Semester
Semester Dates
Summer 2026
Type
Date
Fall 2026
Type
Date
Winter 2027
Type
Date
Application Deadlines: Apply Early and Position Yourself for Success
Priority Deadline
Applying by the priority deadline is the best way to set yourself up for success. It gives you the most time to complete the admissions process, explore financial aid, complete RMU’s online orientation course, and feel fully prepared for your program.
Since we review applications on a rolling basis, submitting early means you’ll hear back sooner—often while spots are still open for your preferred start term. It’s a great way to secure your place and start planning your next steps with confidence.
Final Deadline
We continue to accept applications through the final deadline—and even up to the first day of classes—as space allows. If you need a little more time, you’re still welcome to apply. Just keep in mind that some programs may fill early, and things like course availability or financial aid processing may be more limited closer to the start of the semester.
Applying early helps you get a smooth start as you begin your journey at Rocky Mountain University.
Admissions
Admissions Requirements
- Minimum of bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
Application Materials
- Completed online application
- Official transcripts* from bachelor’s (or higher) degree
- Resume or CV detailing education, employment, volunteer service, and scholarly activity
- Statement of professional goals
*You must request official transcripts from your previous institution’s Registrar’s Office. Official transcripts can be sent electronically to admissions@rm.edu. Any transcripts emailed from the applicant will be considered unofficial.
Other Requirements
Vaccinations
Vaccinations
No vaccination requirements
Tech Requirements
Technology Requirements
Background and Purpose
The healthcare industry is heavily reliant on technology and on providers who are proficient in utilizing technology. As a result, Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions requires extensive utilization of electronic devices for its programs. The purpose of this document is to define minimum technology requirements for students to ensure they are equipped with the hardware and software necessary to facilitate their participation and success in all facets of their education.
Laptop Computer*
Students are required to secure a personal computer for use during the course of their studies that adheres to the below minimum requirements (*this does not apply to students in the Optometry OD program.)
Operating System (OS)
- For PC: Windows 10
- For Mac: macOS 13 (Ventura) or higher
Specifications
- Processor: Apple – M1 Chip or better. Windows – Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 or better
- Memory: 8 GB or more
- Storage: 128 GB Flash Solid-State Drive (256GB or more recommended)
- Display: 13 inches or larger (retina display 12-inch is acceptable)
- WiFi Connectivity: 802.11ac or higher
- Camera: Built-in high resolution (720p or better), internal or external
Buying Recommendations
Required Software
Your computer must have these systems installed:
- Adobe PDF Reader
- An anti-virus program* If you don’t already have one installed, we recommend Sophos
*Note: You should have only ONE anti-virus program installed; multiple installations can be troublesome.
High Speed Internet
- The connection should be a Cable/DSL broadband connection or better. We recommend having a minimum of 10 mbps download and 2 mbps upload. You can check your download and upload speeds at Speedtest.
- Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) must be reliable. Please note that wireless connections can be unstable; wired Ethernet connections should be used whenever possible. If the speed of your connection is inadequate, contact your ISP to upgrade to a higher-level service.
Internet Browser
- Due to its integration with G Suite, we recommend Google Chrome.
- We recommend you also have the Mozilla Firefox browser available, as a backup.
Programs Not Using These Requirements
Applicable to all new students except the PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT (PA) program. Check PA program technology policy for reference.
LAST UPDATED: July 2024.
Application Process
Step 1:
Complete online application through our applicant portal.
Step 2:
Submit supplemental materials i.e. official transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc.
Step 3:
Once your application is complete, it will be sent to the program specific Admissions Selection Committee for review. The review process can take 1-2 weeks on average.
Step 4:
Step 5:
Faculty
Malissa Martin
EdD, AT-Ret
Vice Provost Academic Affairs, Dean College of Health Science Lifelong Learning PhD Faculty
Beth Kinslow
DSc, ATC
Faculty, Health Professions Education Certificate
Jan Reese
MS-ITLS
Faculty, Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences
Kim Shibinski
EdD
Faculty, Health Professions Education Certificate
Kelly Simmons
DNP, RN, CNE
Faculty, Health Professions Education Certificate
Scott Heinrichs
EdD, ATC
Faculty, Health Professions Education Certificate
Michelle Webb
EdD, OTD
Faculty, Health Professions Education Certificate
Tuition & Fees
2026
Cost per Credit
Total Credits
Total Tuition Cost
*Other Program Fees
*^University Resource Fee
*Fees may be subject to change.
^Max. 15 credits per semester
Program Fees Details
This program is not eligible for Federal Student Loans. Private Loan options are available.
More Information
Locked-in Tuition
Rocky Mountain University offers guaranteed tuition rates while completing your graduate degree. Our programs have a cost per credit rate lock once you are enrolled. Locked-in tuition helps you see your total cost from start to finish. If you defer to a later cohort start, you may be subject to an increased rate.
Cost of Attendance
The cost of attendance (COA) is the cornerstone of establishing a student’s financial need, as it sets a limit on the total aid that a student may receive.
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