The Benefits of Getting a Post-Doctoral Certificate

Are you ready to develop expertise and hone your skills beyond your doctorate?

Getting a post-doctoral certificate allows you to expand your knowledge of theory and practice to advance your preparedness to be a leader in healthcare. 

What is a Post-Doctoral Certificate?

A post-doctoral certificate is a short course of study taken after you’ve earned your doctorate. Certifications focus on a specialty area that allows you to gain expertise.

“A post-doctoral certificate provides an opportunity to add concentrated knowledge and skills in a focused area of study outside of one's initial doctoral degree,” said Dr. Alice Kindschuh, director of doctoral studies at Nebraska Methodist College (NMC). 

With nine to 15 months of coursework, a post-doctoral certificate course allows you to invest in professional development without spending much time. 

Kindschuh said the certificate programs were designed specifically for those with a terminal degree who want to attain specialized learning but want to avoid getting another degree.

The certificate programs are also for current doctoral students who want an additional specialized area of study after graduation.

“By offering the post-doctoral certificate, students can graduate on time with their original plan of study and return for concentrated knowledge in these other areas if they so desire,” Kindschuh said. 

The Benefits of Getting a Post-Doctoral Certificate

Whether you want to deepen your expertise in your current field or transition to a new job, taking a certificate course can assist you on your career journey.

“A post-doctoral certificate may enhance the work one does in their current career. It can also alter career trajectory through developing in an area where one did not have education and experience,” said Kindschuh.

Getting a post-doctoral certificate online allows you to balance work and personal responsibilities while advancing your career.

“The post-doctoral certificate program is taught by expert faculty who have real-world experiences in the courses taught,” Kindschuh said. “Students in the post-doctoral certificate program are engaged with students who represent diverse professions and who work across the country.”

The benefits of getting a certificate after your doctorate include:

• 100% online classes.
• Getting support from expert faculty. 
• A short time frame for certificate completion.
• Becoming an expert in a specialty area.
• The opportunity to transition your career.

Post-Doctoral Certificate Tracks

At NMC, students can study Leadership in Healthcare Organizations (LHO) or Public Health Policy (PHP), and earn post-doctoral certificates upon completion of the programs.

Post-Doctoral Certificate in Leadership in Healthcare Organizations (LHO)

The post-doctoral certificate in leadership in healthcare organizations provides an opportunity for doctoral-prepared healthcare leaders and clinicians to attain concentrated theory and practice to advance their preparedness to lead healthcare organizations.

Benefits of the program:

• Earn the post-doctoral certificate by completing five courses (15 credits).
• Includes unique to education and leadership in healthcare.
• Taught by highly experienced and credentialed faculty members, giving you real-world insight.
• Flexible online format allows you to advance your education while balancing personal and professional responsibilities.
• Complete the program in as few as 12 months.

Courses topics include, healthcare finance, leadership in organizations, ethical issues in organizations and organizational accountability.

Post-Doctoral Certificate in Public Health Policy (PHP)

The post-doctoral certificate in public health policy provides an opportunity for doctoral-prepared healthcare leaders and clinicians to gain concentrated theory and practice to advance public health and policy initiatives at the local, state, regional and national levels.

In an increasingly complex society where health and policy intersect, there is a demand for leaders in public health and public health policy. 

Benefits of the program:

• Earn the post-doctoral certificate by completing five courses (15 credits).
• Includes courses unique to public health and health policy.
• Taught by highly experienced and credentialed faculty members, giving you real-world insight.
• Flexible online format allows you to advance your education while balancing personal and professional responsibilities.
• Complete the program in as few as nine months.

Course topics include, public health ethics, civic health, environmental health policy and epidemiology.

How to Apply to a Post-Doctoral Certificate Program

NMC is an accredited, private, not-for-profit nursing and healthcare college that offers undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs.

At NMC, you’ll gain the skills and experience you need to become better equipped to take on leadership and administrative roles, develop expertise in transforming organizational culture and influence change in healthcare and communities.

To be eligible for admission into our post-doctoral certificate program, applicants must:

• Have a doctoral degree with a health-related focus.
• Have completed a health or healthcare policy graduate-level course in the last five years. If not, Healthcare Policy will be added to the plan of study.

To be considered for admission, applicants can submit an online application form, doctoral program transcripts and a resume or curriculum vitae.

Prospective students can apply anytime and are accepted from deadlines throughout the year. Applications will be reviewed upon receipt, and students will be notified of their application status by letter or phone.

If you have questions, contact our admissions team at admissions@methodistcollege.edu or 402-354-7200.