Undergraduate Certificate
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Visit the College of Arts and SciencesSpeaking a patient’s language empowers healthcare professionals to form stronger relationships and provide better care. By preparing students for true-to-life patient dialogues and healthcare scenarios, this two-course certificate program promotes more empathetic communication with Spanish-speaking patients to maximize treatment outcomes.
At Quinnipiac University, we believe that effective communication between patients and healthcare workers is an essential human right. This undergraduate certificate seeks to equip students studying to become healthcare professionals — including doctors, nurses and physician assistants — with the medical terminology and cultural awareness they need to practice inclusive care and differentiate themselves in the marketplace.
Completed as a series of two 7-week courses, delivered online and asynchronously, this undergraduate certificate will prepare the next cohort of bilingual healthcare workers to serve as valuable assets to their interdisciplinary teams through intensive listening, speaking, reading and writing in Spanish. Designed to be comprehensive but manageable for students in rigorous majors, both courses will focus on patient-centric conversations from making appointments to taking vital signs, describing pain and symptoms, obtaining pre-operatory authorizations and communicating 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 provides students with training and instruction to navigate the complex healthcare situations they are likely to encounter in their careers. By completing this program, students will be able to address the needs of Spanish-speaking patients in a personal and professional manner, instead of needing to rely on English-speaking family members to serve as impromptu translators.
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 should possess a beginner to immediate knowledge of the language along with a vested interest in using their skills effectively in a healthcare setting.* Any credits earned from completing this certificate can be applied toward a Minor in Spanish.
*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 Undergraduate Certificate in Spanish Language for Medical Professionals. Designed for students at all levels in their education with a beginning to intermediate knowledge of Spanish, this program is ideal for current and aspiring 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.
Topics include the common cold and influenza, parts of the body, pain, diagnosing injuries, personal information, vital signs, family medical history, pediatric medical history, forms of medications and administration, medication allergies and allergic reactions, asthma, special diets for patients, colonoscopy preparation, physical therapy and diabetes.
This 7-week, online, asynchronous course is the continuation of SP 310 that targets a wide variety of current and future healthcare professionals with a beginning to intermediate knowledge of Spanish who seek to provide inclusive, quality care to Spanish-speaking patients.
Students review grammatical structures needed to interact effectively with patients, acquiring intercultural awareness and learning essential medical and technical terminology while engaging in rigorous practice in reading, writing, speaking and listening.
Topics include the physical examination, testing and procedures, scheduling follow-up tests, exams unique to women and men, providing test results, conducting a pre-surgery interview, heart disease, medical conditions, cancer, tuberculosis, infectious and tropical diseases, organs and glands, general symptoms, some surgeries and procedures, surgical history, vaccinations, hospitalization, activities of daily living, hospital discharge, dental hygiene, mental health, neurological exam, addictions, pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
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.
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.
Current 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.
Undergraduate Certificate - SP: 310 & SP: 311
Register for the Undergraduate Certificate
If you are interested in earning a certificate but do not currently attend Quinnipiac University as a matriculated student, please ensure that you meet the requirements to pursue this certificate. Once you have done so, contact Aileen Dever to learn how you can register for these courses as a non-degree-seeking student.
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.
“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.”
Our undergraduate admissions counselors are here to answer any questions you may have and help you navigate the application process.