Alfus Healthcare Advocacy Program

The Alfus Healthcare Advocacy Online Certificate Program

Age Wave creates new degree opportunities Miami Herald

Healthcare Advocacy is an emerging and exciting career. Healthcare advocates (HAs) help patients receive the best healthcare possible by helping patients and their families navigate a healthcare system that is both complex and daunting. And the new healthcare legislation is further complicating access to healthcare and insurance coverage. HAs help patients and their families understand diagnoses, prognoses and outcomes, as well as available treatment options. They identify resources and help patients and their families decode insurance coverage.

The University of Miami's Alfus Healthcare Advocacy Program is the only completely online program of its kind in the US, taught by highly qualified professionals in the field.

The APAC Program from the University of Miami provides a rigorous academic and personal experience that will qualify graduates for a career in the fast-growing field of healthcare advocacy.

Health Care Advocacy

The University of Miami's Healthcare Advocacy Program, will be the career move that yields not just professional growth and security, but personal satisfaction as well.

Program Price: $4,995 (Total tuition charges for the 8 course program)

Enrollment Requirements

The University of Miami (UM) Alfus Healthcare Advocacy Program (AHAP) requires its students to:

  1. Have a bachelors degree from an accredited four year college or university
  2. Supply an unofficial transcript of their bachelor's degree
  3. Provide a current resume
  4. Supply two professional references

The UM APAC program recognizes that some prospective students do not have a four-year bachelors degree, but may have professional level experience in a health care field (e.g., registered nurse, physical therapist, etc.) or have a proven track record of health advocacy experience. If you do not have a bachelor's degree, please call 305-284-4000. You will be asked to provide the following:

  1. A current resume
  2. An unofficial transcript of their associates' degree or other professional training
  3. An essay (500 words or less) succinctly explaining why you believe you should be admitted to the UM APAC program
  4. Two professional references

Cancellation Policy for Program:

Cancellation requests received more than 3 days prior to program start date………100% Refund
Cancellation requests received within 3 days (72 hours) of program start date……   75% Refund
Cancellation requests received on or after program start date………………………   No Refund

The University reserves the right to cancel or reschedule any program with insufficient enrollment or for reasons beyond our control. In any such cases, a full refund of fees and deposits will be made. Before a refund can be issued, verification of your payment, confirmation of the pertaining records and administrative review and approval must be completed. While we will expedite your refund request, please allow a minimum of 45 days for processing.

Request more information »
Total Price $4995.00

SKILLS FOR SUCCESSFUL ONLINE LEARNING

The purpose of this course is to introduce you to the Alfus Healthcare Advocacy (AHAP) online program. Course units focus on using the Blackboard site, performing online research, presenting materials electronically, and prompting critical thinking about health care and the field of patient advocacy.

Course HCA-201, Section 12
Starts : 7/15/2013 Ends : 7/26/2013
Meets on : Flexible
Time : Flexible
See Total Price Above

HEALTH ADVOCACY AND THE ROLE OF THE HEALTH ADVOCATE

This course introduces the student to the newly emerging field of patient advocacy and the role of the patient advocate. The course explores the emergence of patient advocacy in the United States, examines the various regulations and policies that control healthcare in the United States, the impact of the current healthcare crisis, and various policy decisions that may begin to reshape it.

THIS SECTION IS FULL
Course HCA-202, Section 11
Starts : 5/1/2013 Ends : 5/30/2013
Meets on : Flexible
Time : Flexible
See Total Price Above
Course HCA-202, Section 12
Starts : 7/29/2013 Ends : 8/23/2013
Meets on : Flexible
Time : Flexible
See Total Price Above

UNDERSTANDING THE PATIENT ILLNESS EXPERIENCE

This course explores the illness experience, analyzing the various ways that illness impacts the patient’s identity, relationships, life choices, employment, finances, and all other facets of life. The module also illustrates ways in which patient advocates support patients as well as identify the need for additional professional support.

THIS SECTION IS FULL
Course HCA-203, Section 11
Starts : 6/3/2013 Ends : 6/28/2013
Meets on : Flexible
Time : Flexible
See Total Price Above
Course HCA-203, Section 12
Starts : 8/26/2013 Ends : 9/27/2013
Meets on : Flexible
Time : Flexible
See Total Price Above

HEALTHCARE COMMUNICATIONS AND PROFESSIONALISM

This course exercise the ability to communicate effectively with patients, their families, healthcare and other professionals, and emphasizing the most important skill set a patient advocate.

THIS SECTION IS FULL
Course HCA-204, Section 11
Starts : 7/8/2013 Ends : 8/2/2013
Meets on : Flexible
Time : Flexible
See Total Price Above
Course HCA-204, Section 12
Starts : 9/30/2013 Ends : 10/25/2013
Meets on : Flexible
Time : Flexible
See Total Price Above

ETHICAL ISSUES IN HEALTHCARE

This course is dedicated to the principles of ethics, its interaction with the law, and how these principles and standards apply in the clinical setting for both, adults and minors. It will also focus on distinguishing between ethics and legal issues. Hypothetical examples will demonstrate how to identify the issues and afford the opportunity to find ways to resolve the conflicts.

THIS SECTION IS FULL
Course HCA-205, Section 11
Starts : 8/5/2013 Ends : 8/30/2013
Meets on : Flexible
Time : Flexible
See Total Price Above
Course HCA-205, Section 12
Starts : 10/28/2013 Ends : 11/22/2013
Meets on : Flexible
Time : Flexible
See Total Price Above

HEALTH LAW

This course identifies legal issues, possible course of actions, the difference between federal and state law, governmental involvement in the health care process and important points regarding the limitation of the Advocate services to avoid the unauthorized practice of law.

THIS SECTION IS FULL
Course HCA-206, Section 11
Starts : 9/4/2013 Ends : 9/25/2013
Meets on : Flexible
Time : Flexible
See Total Price Above
Course HCA-206, Section 12
Starts : 12/2/2013 Ends : 12/20/2013
Meets on : Flexible
Time : Flexible
See Total Price Above

NAVIGATING HEALTHCARE FINANCING

This unit explores various aspects of the Health Care financial system. Firstly, the course examines the historical aspect of financing the U.S. Health Care system. The students will learn how Health Care is financed via public and private funding, with definitions of various insurance terms. The course also navigates the Medicare and Medicaid systems, comparing and contrasting the two public health care insurance companies. The course maps out the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) and its impact on the financing Health Care in the U.S. The students will also learn to traverse the Health Care financial system in order to manage claims and exclusions.

THIS SECTION IS FULL
Course HCA-207, Section 11
Starts : 9/30/2013 Ends : 10/25/2013
Meets on : Flexible
Time : Flexible
See Total Price Above
Course HCA-207, Section 12
Starts : 1/6/2014 Ends : 2/3/2014
Meets on : Flexible
Time : Flexible
See Total Price Above

BUSINESS AS A HEALTHCARE ADVOCATE

This course presents a broad marketing philosophy, strategies, and tactics to develop a deep understanding of what the patients and families expect of a patient advocate. The topics include market research and analysis as well as product design and development, promotion and delivery. The course focuses on the practical application of marketing concepts and methods to patient advocacy.

THIS SECTION IS FULL
Course HCA-208, Section 11
Starts : 10/28/2013 Ends : 11/22/2013
Meets on : Flexible
Time : Flexible
See Total Price Above
Course HCA-208, Section 12
Starts : 2/5/2014 Ends : 3/5/2014
Meets on : Flexible
Time : Flexible
See Total Price Above