Healthcare Professional Certificates

Professional Certificate in Patient-Centered Care 
and Social Drivers of Health

Includes two CSU microcredentials
Microcredential 1. Patient-Centered Care and Communication
Microcredential 2. Social Drivers of Health and Care Coordination

Patient-Centered Care | Next Cohort Starts January 18, 2027

CEUs: 8
On-demand, 24/7 | Instructional Facilitator
Registration cost: Early Bird Special! $399 through December 31, 2026
Cost of registering beginning January 1, 2027: $499.00

Up to three months to complete eight learning modules with 10 contact hours each

TO REGISTER

The Professional Health Disparities Certificate in Patient-Centered Care at Cleveland State University is designed to provide healthcare professionals with the expertise needed to address and reduce health disparities. This eight-week program examines the causes and effects of health disparities, focusing on enhancing social competence and leadership skills. Participants will explore social determinants of health, cultural competency, and systemic inequities, gaining practical strategies for delivering equitable, empathetic care. The program empowers professionals to improve patient outcomes and advance health equity through interactive sessions, case studies, and real-world applications.

The certificate is designed to be completed in less than three months. The content is available 24/7 on demand. An instructional advisor is also available to answer questions during weekly office hours or by email. Each learning unit/module is designed to be completed in approximately ten hours of direct work (contact hours) each week, including all readings and assignments.

Requirements to achieve a certificate:

• Complete all module content and assessments.
• Actively participate in online discussion boards by responding to instructional prompts.
• Complete a capstone project that demonstrates the application of acquired competencies to address a specific challenge in a professional, social, or policy-related context.

Social Drivers of Health | Enroll Today!

CEU: 9
Course start date: September 21, 2026
Course End Date: November 30, 2026|
Assessment project due no later than December 14, 2026
Last day to register: September 14, 2026
Registration Cost: Early Bird Special $599 through August 31st
Cost of Registering after, $699 (September 1st through September 14)

On-Demand 24/7 | Instructional Facilitator

Up to three months to complete nine learning modules with 10 contact hours each.

TO REGISTER

Social Drivers of Health Certificate

The Social Drivers of Health Certificate at Cleveland State University is designed as professional development for healthcare and human service professionals who want to strengthen their understanding of the non-clinical factors that shape patient outcomes, service access, care coordination, and community health.

This training is especially relevant for professionals working in or preparing to advance in roles such as nursing, social work, case management, care coordination, patient navigation, community health, public health, behavioral health, healthcare administration, allied health, and clinical support services. It may also benefit supervisors, program managers, and organizational leaders responsible for improving patient engagement, service delivery, and care outcomes.

The course examines how economic stability, education, healthcare access, neighborhood conditions, and social and community context influence health, treatment adherence, patient communication, and long-term wellbeing. Participants will develop practical knowledge they can apply in clinical, community-based, and organizational settings, including strategies for recognizing barriers to care, improving referral practices, strengthening patient support, and contributing to more effective care teams.

Designed for working professionals, the certificate offers flexible, on-demand access to course content 24/7. Learners may complete the certificate in less than two months and have up to three months to finish. Each learning module is designed to require approximately ten hours of direct work per week. An instructional advisor is available through weekly office hours and by email to answer questions and support learner progress.

By completing this certificate, participants will gain professional knowledge that can support career advancement, improve practice within healthcare and human service settings, and strengthen their ability to respond to the real-world conditions that affect patient and client outcomes.

Requirements to achieve a certificate:

• Complete all module content and assessments.
• Actively participate in online discussion boards by responding to instructional prompts.

• Complete an competency assessment project that demonstrates the application of acquired competencies to address a specific challenge in a professional, social, or policy-related context.

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  Learners who complete this certificate will strengthen their ability to

• Identify social and environmental factors that influence health outcomes, including access to care, housing, transportation, education, economic stability, and neighborhood conditions.
• Recognize barriers that may affect patient engagement, treatment adherence, and follow-up care, especially in clinical, community-based, and human service settings.
• Apply patient-centered communication strategies that support trust, improve understanding, and help connect individuals with appropriate resources.
• Use social drivers of health information to support care coordination, referrals, and service planning across healthcare teams, agencies, and community partners.
• Contribute to improved patient, client, and community outcomes by integrating social drivers of health knowledge into professional practice, program design, or organizational decision-making.

• For a website, I’d probably shorten them slightly:

  Skills and competencies include

• Understanding how social drivers of health affect patient and client outcomes
• Identifying barriers to care, treatment adherence, and service access
• Strengthening patient-centered communication and support strategies
• Improving referral, care coordination, and resource navigation practices

• Applying social drivers of health knowledge in clinical, community, and organizational settings

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  Who Should Enroll?

• This certificate is designed for professionals working in healthcare, human services, public health, behavioral health, community-based care, and related service settings. It is especially relevant for individuals in roles such as registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, social worker, case manager, care coordinator, patient navigator, community health worker, health educator, public health specialist, behavioral health technician, mental health case manager, substance use counselor, peer support specialist, medical assistant, physician office assistant, allied health professional, rehabilitation aide, long-term care staff member, discharge planner, outreach coordinator, enrollment specialist, benefits navigator, program coordinator, healthcare supervisor, clinic manager, and human services program manager.
   
• The certificate may also be useful for professionals preparing for advancement into care coordination, patient support, community outreach, population health, healthcare administration, program management, or supervisory roles.

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  This certificate awards 9.0 continuing education units (CEUs) through Cleveland State University. 

  These CEUs document participation in professional development training and may be useful for employees, supervisors, organizations, and professionals seeking evidence of continued learning. The course is not presented as pre-approved continuing education for any specific licensing board or professional credentialing body, including nursing, social work, counseling, public health, or allied health boards. Learners who plan to use these CEUs toward license renewal, certification maintenance, employer requirements, or professional advancement should confirm acceptance with their licensing board, credentialing organization, or employer before registering. If we can assist you in that process, please let us know.