Graduate Certificate
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Visit the College of Arts and SciencesThe Graduate Certificate in Spanish for Medical Professionals serves as an enhancement of existing undergraduate degrees in healthcare for bi-lingual providers. Current healthcare workers or students in postgraduate programs can leverage this certificate to demonstrate their commitment to providing equitable and inclusive healthcare for the Spanish-speaking population.
We believe that patients of all socioeconomic backgrounds have a right to exceptional medical care and that limited proficiency in English should never be a barrier. This program is tailored for working healthcare professionals who possess a post-intermediate knowledge of Spanish and want to raise their level of proficiency to include advanced medical lexicon so they may champion inclusive care across interdisciplinary teams.
Completed as a series of two 7-week online and asynchronous courses, this graduate certificate prepares bilingual healthcare workers to differentiate themselves in the marketplace by listening, speaking, reading and writing in Spanish. Designed to be comprehensive but manageable for working doctors, emergency responders, hospital administrators, medical assistants, nurses, physical therapists, physician assistants and more, this certificate program prepares students to guide Spanish-speaking patients as they make appointments, take vital signs, describe pain and symptoms, provide pre-operatory authorizations and communicate with family members in urgent and acute care environments.
According to the 2020 Census, an estimated 41,757,391 U.S. residents, or 13.5% of the population, speak Spanish at home.
A study by the Cambridge Health Alliance found that Spanish speakers scheduled 36% fewer outpatient visits compared to non-Hispanic adults.
The same study by Cambridge Health Alliance found that Spanish-speaking patients received 48% fewer prescription medications than non-Hispanic adults.
This certificate program covers advanced medical Spanish terminology and dialogue so that working healthcare providers may better address the needs of Spanish-speaking patients in a personal and professional manner.
Both of these seven-week courses focus on linguistic and cultural content as well as scenarios and practice relevant to a wide variety of healthcare roles. Courses are conducted primarily in Spanish, so students enrolling in this program must already possess a beginner to intermediate knowledge of the language along with a vested interest in using their skills effectively in a healthcare setting.*
Students pursuing the graduate certificate in Spanish for Medical Professionals will also be expected to complete a graduate-level project that includes an additional component of applied research.
*If you have questions about your level of Spanish, please contact Aileen Dever.
This 7-week, online, asynchronous course is the first of two courses leading to the Graduate Certificate in Spanish Language for Medical Professionals Certificate. Designed for students with beginner to intermediate knowledge of Spanish, this program is ideal for working healthcare professionals including doctors, emergency medical technicians, emergency responders, hospital administrators, medical assistants, nurses, nutritionists, physical therapists, physician assistants, dentists, social workers and more. Students review grammatical structures needed to interact effectively with patients, acquire intercultural awareness and learn essential medical and technical terminology while engaging in the rigorous practice of reading, writing, speaking and listening. All coursework is completed with the goal of providing better healthcare for Spanish-speaking patients as the need for healthcare professionals with the ability to interview patients, record medical histories, discuss diagnoses, prognoses, treatments and more in a culturally sensitive way continues to increase.
Course curriculum encompasses modules including parts of the body, vital signs, symptoms, physical examinations, testing, treatments, pre-operatory authorization and risk assessment, medications, urgent and emergency care, pharmacology, cardiology, skeletal and muscular, physical fitness, wellness, physical therapy and diabetes.
Recent studies reveal the existence of serious problems attributable to the lack of quality medical-health interpreting services. There is a misperception of bilingualism, considering that anyone who is bilingual or claims to have the ability to communicate in two or more languages can be a medical interpreter. Based on this information, students will complete a project from the perspective of healthcare professionals that involves applied research, speaking and writing; students should interview healthcare professionals about the quality of interpretation services available in Spanish for them to interact effectively with patients and any other related issues and problems they encounter. This project offers a unique opportunity to investigate and analyze existing problems and pitfalls in the field of medical interpretation and intercultural understanding.
This 7-week, online, asynchronous course is the continuation of SP 510 that targets a wide variety of current and future healthcare professionals who understand the urgent need to learn medical Spanish and seek to provide inclusive and quality care to Spanish-speaking patients.
Course curriculum encompasses modules including parts of the mouth, the production of sounds and regional variations, speech and communication disorders, the brain, personality, behavior, mental health and Hispanics in the U.S., vaccines, contagious illnesses, teenage pregnancy, the role of social workers, sexually transmitted diseases, substance abuse, nutrition, abuse and risks associated with alcohol and smoking.
To complete this project, students will engage in applied (practical) research, speaking and writing in particular areas of interest. This project aims to interview Hispanic patients for providers to become more informed about the Spanish-speaking community where they live and/or work to identify: a.) available services in Spanish, b.) possible lacunas in services and c.) whether Hispanic needs are being addressed in culturally sensitive ways. Once you have identified a research focus, students will make arrangements for observations and appropriate permissions as needed. Some examples of sites could include Hispanic patients at clinics, doctors’ offices, urgent care facilities and/or Hispanic centers. Students will write about their research in the form of a journal and also include proof of observations/visitations. In addition, students will be expected to create a brief video about their experiences and findings that will be uploaded and shared with other students as a discussion board topic.
Acquire Spanish medical terminology for use in healthcare settings.
Practice correct Spanish grammatical structures integrated with medical terminology for professional communication.
Practice effective interaction with patients and their families in Spanish through simulations and scenarios.
Acquire an understanding of Hispanic cultures and how cultural differences may impact interactions between patients and healthcare professionals.
Learn to communicate accurately and confidently in a culturally competent and empathetic manner with Hispanic patients.
Learn about social issues related to Hispanics and healthcare.
Develop speaking and listening skills for fluid and professional communication with patients and their families.
Practice effective interactions with patients and their families in Spanish through simulations and scenarios.
Acquire cultural competence and cultivate attitudes of respect with a deeper understanding of Hispanic healthcare beliefs, sensitivities, and needs that are important in interactions with Spanish-speaking patients.
Non-matriculated or non-degree-seeking students who are not currently taking classes at Quinnipiac must complete the graduate application and denote the Graduate Certificate in Spanish Language for Medical Professionals as their program of interest.
Current students do not need to fill out an application. Instead, students can register for certificate courses using the Self-Service Platform. Filter the results by selecting "Spanish" under "Subjects" and then "Sarria, M" under "Instructors" before registering for the class.
Graduate Certificate - SP: 510 & SP: 511
Spanish Language for Medical Professionals certificate program courses will be offered throughout the year. Courses run for seven weeks each and should be taken consecutively.
The cost per credit for each Spanish Language for Medical Professionals graduate certificate course is $467. The total cost to earn the certificate is $2,802. Financial aid is not available for students registering solely for these courses.
“When I chose to go to medical school, I knew I wanted to continue working on my Spanish skills. This certificate gave me the opportunity to work and learn medical Spanish from my fellow classmates through group assignments. By eliminating the language barrier, it will now be much easier to build trust and provide the highest level of care to my patients.”
If you have any doubts or uncertainty surrounding your ability to read, write, listen and speak in Spanish, please contact Aileen Dever or Marilin Sarria. Our faculty are happy to answer your questions and will confirm if you are prepared for success in this course. Students who are not yet prepared to complete college-level course material in Spanish but are interested in learning basic healthcare vocabulary may be interested in our introductory course, SP 105: Spanish for Health Professions.
Our graduate admissions representatives are here to answer any questions you may have and help you navigate the application process.