Physician Assistant Studies - Patient Safety & Quality Improvement, Graduate Certificate
Department of Physician Assistant Studies
College of Health and Human Services
The NAU Patient Safety and Quality Improvement graduate certificate prepares physician assistants (PAs) to lead system-level initiatives that enhance safety, efficiency, and quality across the continuum of care. Rooted in health systems science and aligned with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement's (IHI) best practices, the program integrates theory and practice from healthcare systems management, health informatics, and organizational change to cultivate advanced competencies in analyzing, designing, and implementing evidence-based safety and quality interventions.
Students study foundational concepts of healthcare delivery systems and quality measurement, informatics in clinical decision-making and outcomes analysis, error prevention, human factors, and systems redesign, fostering the ability to translate safety science into practice, and apply change management frameworks to drive organizational improvement.
Through facilitated discussions, case-based learning, written analyses, and applied projects, students develop the analytical, leadership, and communication skills needed to identify healthcare system vulnerabilities, promote a culture of safety, and lead sustainable healthcare quality improvement initiatives.
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- Graduate certificate programs require a minimum of 12 credit hours. Many graduate certificate programs require more than 12 credit hours.
- No more than one 400-level NAU course (3 - 4 units) may be used on a graduate certificate program.
- No more than twenty-five percent of the units required for the certificate program may be transferred from another university.
- A 400-level course (undergraduate course) completed at another university is not eligible for transfer credit.
- A minimum grade point average of 3.0 must be achieved to obtain a graduate certificate. No more than three units of coursework with a Grade of "C" may be used in a certificate program.
- A graduate student may pursue a graduate certificate concurrently with a graduate degree. Each graduate degree program must decide which, if any, certificate courses can be counted toward the graduate degree.
- Students who are admitted to a graduate certificate program will be eligible for the official posting of the graduate certificate to their transcripts when all applicable coursework has been successfully completed and approved by the academic unit and the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies.
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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.
In addition to University Requirements:
- Complete individual plan requirements.
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 NAU Patient Safety and Quality Improvement graduate certificate prepares physician assistants (PAs) to lead system-level initiatives that enhance safety, efficiency, and quality across the continuum of care. Rooted in health systems science and aligned with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement¿s (IHI) best practices, the program integrates theory and practice from healthcare systems management, health informatics, and organizational change to cultivate advanced competencies in analyzing, designing, and implementing evidence-based safety and quality interventions.
Students study foundational concepts of healthcare delivery systems and quality measurement, informatics in clinical decision-making and outcomes analysis, error prevention, human factors, and systems redesign, fostering the ability to translate safety science into practice, and apply change management frameworks to drive organizational improvement.
Through facilitated discussions, case-based learning, written analyses, and applied projects, students develop the analytical, leadership, and communication skills needed to identify healthcare system vulnerabilities, promote a culture of safety, and lead sustainable healthcare quality improvement initiatives.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Analyze healthcare delivery systems to identify structural, process, and outcome factors that influence patient safety and quality of care.
- Apply principles of health informatics and data analytics to monitor performance, evaluate outcomes, and support evidence-based quality improvement initiatives.
- Implement change management strategies to lead organizational improvement efforts that promote safety culture, teamwork, and effective communication in healthcare settings.
- Integrate patient safety frameworks and evidence-based practices to design and evaluate interventions that reduce errors and optimize system performance.
- Demonstrate leadership and professionalism in collaborative contexts that advance equitable, safe, and high-quality patient care at the systems level.
Graduate Admission Information
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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:- Transcripts.
- Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale ("A" = 4.0), or the equivalent.
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.
Additional Admission Requirements
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Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
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- Completion of a degree from an ARC-PA accredited PA program.
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- Completion of a master's degree.
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- Minimum overall graduate cumulative GPA or 3.0 on a 4.0 scale ("A" = 4.0)
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- Resume or Curriculum Vitae*
Certificate Requirements
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This certificate may be pursued and completed concurrently with a degree program or as a stand-alone certificate. Federal financial aid cannot be used if the certificate is completed as a stand-alone certificate.
Additional Information
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Some courses may have prerequisites. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.