The purpose of Health Equity Certificate is to provide certified Physician Assistants (PAs) with knowledge and competencies to contribute to a patient-centered, equitable and accessible health care system.
PAs will examine structural, economic, systems, and other factors that influence health outcomes; systematically address the complex needs of vulnerable patients, communities, and populations through the critical analysis of current evidence and case studies; and recommend solutions to address inequities in health care.
PAs who complete the certificate program will be prepared to meaningfully contribute to the improvement of health and health care systems as PA leaders and experts in health equity.
The Health Equity Certificate for PAs is a 12-credit online certificate program designed to provide certified PAs with knowledge and competencies to contribute to a patient-centered, equitable, and accessible healthcare system. The program will focus on the role of the PA as a critical member of the healthcare team through coursework in population health, healthcare delivery systems, health policy, and health equity.
Physician Assistants who complete the certificate program will be prepared to meaningfully contribute to the improvement of health and healthcare systems.
Graduates will be provided with skills to make them competitive as leaders in healthcare, consulting, and academia.
The certificate programs align with the university's vision of stackable education models. Certificates incorporate the same courses as the Doctor of Medical Science program and credits will ‘stack’ (transfer) into the Doctor of Medical Science program. The doctoral program will expand the pipeline of highly skilled, doctoral-trained Physician Assistants to serve in diverse settings, improve healthcare systems, and advocate for patients and communities.
Please be aware that federal financial aid is not available for some certificates if the certificate is pursued and completed as a stand-alone certificate (i.e., not completed concurrently with a degree program). See the “Details” tab for additional information.
Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.
| Minimum Units for Completion | 12 |
| Additional Admission Requirements | Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required. |
| Some online/blended coursework | Required |
Purpose Statement
The purpose of the Health Equity Certificate is to provide certified Physician Assistants (PAs) with the knowledge and competencies to contribute to a patient-centered, equitable, and accessible healthcare system.
The program includes coursework in health care systems and practices, improving health care using a health equity lens, policies and practices for social determinants of health, and population health management.
The program provides students with foundational knowledge in health care delivery and payment models and their relationship to health care outcomes. PAs will examine structural, economic, systems, and other factors that influence health outcomes; systematically address the complex needs of vulnerable patients, communities, and populations through the critical analysis of current evidence and case studies; and recommend solutions to address inequities in health care.
PAs who complete the certificate program will be prepared to meaningfully contribute to the improvement of health and healthcare systems as PA leaders and experts in health equity.
Student Learning Outcomes
The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies.
Admission requirements include the following:
Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.
Ready to apply? Begin your application now.
International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.
Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
Students enrolled in this certificate may not enroll in or pursue the following due to the number of overlapping units:
This certificate may be pursued and completed concurrently with a degree program or as a stand-alone certificate. Under both circumstances, federal financial aid can be used for this certificate.
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.