Why study Caring for the Underserved?

The Caring for the Underserved Certificate allows you to focus your required coursework and clinical training on mastering the skills needed to become a patient care advocate for vulnerable and marginalized populations.

Offered by the University of Cincinnati College of Nursing and College of Pharmacy, the certificate provides students in PharmD and advanced-practice nursing degree programs the opportunity to focus their required coursework, professional development and real-world learning experiences on acquiring the evidence-based skills needed to expertly care for underserved populations and advance health care equality.

Students gain specialized training through a combination of:

  • Team-based interprofessional coursework
  • Mentorship from faculty who work with underserved populations
  • Experiential learning with community partners who serve underserved populations

Admission Requirements

The application and admissions process requires:

  • A current resume or curriculum vitae (CV) with program GPA
  • Letter of intent
  • Single one-to-two-page paper that answers the following prompts:
    1. How will the skills I obtain in this certificate program benefit my professional career?
    2. What skills do I hope to obtain as part of my completion of the certificate program?
    3. Describe an adversity you have overcome in your past.
  • Letter of recommendation from an individual who can speak to the applicant's character and desire to help those less fortunate (e.g. a manager, volunteer coordinator or spiritual leader)
  • Personal interview

Note: Though the application gives the option to record a personal video statement, video submissions will not be considered.

Students complete a minimum of 11 credit hours through online elective courses and experiential learning. Students also focus projects and professional development assignments, required as part of their master's or doctorate degree, on underserved populations.

Coursework explores the environmental and societal factors that influence the health of underserved populations, fosters collaboration among health professionals in developing strategies for caring for these patients and helps students contribute new knowledge to improve care plans and delivery.

Students will have faculty mentoring for the duration of the program. 

The University of Cincinnati and all regional campuses are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Contact Information

Anne Metzger
3255 Eden Ave.
171 Kowalewski Hall
Cincinnati, OH 45229
(513) 558-0264
metzgean@ucmail.uc.edu

Find related programs in the following interest areas:

Program Code: 25GC-CU-GC