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Certificate Program

The Certificate Program provides a structured curriculum that presents the emerging content and skills healthcare professionals need to become effective quality and safety practitioners and leaders. Students attend the five-day immersion sessions each July and have the option to complete an independent study (HQS 499) remotely or an elective class during the year. This part-time, classroom-based program does not require Chicago residency and can be completed in 12 months.

Summer Immersion I: July 10-14, 2023

  • HQS 401: Introduction to Healthcare Quality
  • HQS 402: Introduction to Patient Safety
  • Distance-learning sessions follow

Elective: Fall 2023 or Winter 2024

  • Choose an elective or independent study

Summer Immersion II: July 15-19, 2024

  • HQS 501: Advanced Healthcare Quality
  • HQS 502: Advanced Patient Safety
  • Distance-learning sessions follow

Courses

 HQS 401 and 402: Introduction to Healthcare Quality & Patient Safety

These courses will be taught as a summer intensive. The intensive program begins with a reading period, followed by two weeks of classroom-based instruction. They will cover introductory theory and concepts of healthcare quality and patient safety. Students will be provided an overview of the field and will acquire knowledge of key facts and methods for assessment and improvement of healthcare quality and patient safety. These courses will be interactive and will involve direct application of knowledge through activities and assignments.

 HQS 499: Independent Study OR a graduate-level elective at Northwestern University

This course is designed to provide Healthcare Quality & Patient Safety students with an opportunity to explore an area of interest related to patient safety and quality improvement. The primary objective of the independent study is to facilitate the student’s career advancement goals.

Students may also choose a graduate-level elective at Northwestern University.

 HQS 501 and 502: Advanced Healthcare Quality & Patient Safety

These courses will be taught as a summer intensive. The intensive program begins with a reading period, followed by two weeks of classroom-based instruction. The purpose of these courses is to immerse students in the more advanced theory and concepts of healthcare quality and patient safety. Students will acquire working knowledge of key priorities in healthcare quality and patient safety and will develop a level of proficiency in the methods of these fields. Students will also develop a familiarity with key healthcare quality and patient safety literature. These courses will be interactive and will involve direct application of knowledge through activities and assignments.