Program Description (Mission, Purpose, and Goals)
The Cross Cultural Competence for Health-Related Professions certificate program is designed to equip allied health and related-health professionals with cultural competence strategies and skills to effectively serve diverse and multi-ethnic populations in the healthcare environment. This program will benefit health care providers who are interested in receiving continuing education to enhance their ability to work and interact with culturally diverse clients and directly impact health care outcomes.
The 12 credit (4 courses) post-baccalaureate certificate program is offered online by the Department of Occupational Therapy in The School of Health Sciences.
Educational Objectives
- Plan and implement client-centered services in a variety of settings
- Organize services and manage resources in diverse arenas of practice
- Work effectively with a variety of cultures and populations
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Develop intercultural skills necessary for effective therapeutic interventions with diverse populations enable them to become culturally sensitive practitioners
- Understand the impact of culture on the concept of health and illness
- Develop basic communication skills that will enhance client-therapist interactions
- Plan culturally sensitive strategies that will significantly impact recipients of services
- Transfer and implement intercultural skills learned throughout daily interactions with diverse clients
- Engage in teaching others the need for implementing culturally sensitive practices in the health care arena
Major/Concentrations/Tracks/Options/Minor Requirements
Courses:
OCC 5105 - Cultural Competence for Health Care Providers
Credits: 1-3 hrs
This course provides students in health related professions skills necessary for culturally competent practice. The course encompasses reflective, self assessment experiences that will enable students to explore their own cultural identity. Throughout this course the students will learn about other cultural value systems through multiple meaningful interactions, such as, direct, on-line chat rooms, and virtual classrooms with other international students. The course will promote the development of skills and culturally sensitive behaviors that will enrich therapeutic, client-centered interactions.
OCC 5320 - The Role of Culture in Health Care
Credits: 3 Hrs.
This course involves understanding the concept of health and illness from a cultural perspective. In this course the students will study epidemiology related to the incidence and prevalence of diseases within specific cultural or ethnic groups. The course will explore health care delivery models prominent health care practices and beliefs among cultural groups. Prerequisite(s): Undergraduate or graduate degree in Allied Health or similar program
OCC 5315 - Basic Spanish for Health Care
Credits: 3 Hrs.
In this course students will be introduced to basic Spanish communication skills and commonly used phrases needed for working with Spanish-speaking individuals in diverse clinical and community settings. Emphasis will be placed on conducting profiles, interviews, and communication that promotes meaningful, therapeutic, and dynamic interactions.
Prerequisite(s): Undergraduate or graduate degree in Allied Health or similar program
OCC 5310 - Cultural Competence and Professional Effectiveness
Credits: 3 Hrs.
In this course, students will apply the concepts learned in previous courses to real life situations and intercultural encounters. Students are expected to develop, design and direct their own cultural experiences that will enable interactions and mutually beneficial exchanges with persons from diverse ethnic and cultural groups. Competencies related to intercultural communication, designing and implementing client-centered and culturally competent intervention strategies will be emphasized. Prerequisite(s): Undergraduate or graduate degree in Allied Health or similar program
Progression Requirements
Offered online, the Cross Cultural Certificate Program consist of four (4) courses totaling 12 credit hours which may be completed in two semesters on a part time basis. The total program is designed to be completed within a year. Two courses are taught the Fall semester and two the Spring semester. Although there is no specific sequence for the first three courses, the culminating course, Cultural Competence and Professional Effectiveness: Moving toward Culturally Competent Practice can only be completed upon completion of the first three other courses.
Admission Requirements:
Distance Learning Applicants:
- An accredited undergraduate degree in allied health or other health-related discipline.
- 3.0 GPA
- A personal statement of no more than one-half page stating your interest in the Certificate program and how it may benefit your professional development.
- Completion of the WSSU Non-Degree Seeking Application, including submission of transcript and payment of required application fee.
Graduate WSSU Students:
- Graduate students enrolled in Health Related Professions at WSSU may enroll either in individual courses or the complete Certificate Program.
- Permission for enrollment must be obtained from both the Certificate Program Coordinator and Department Chair of your degree program.
Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) students who wish to enroll in the Certificate Program would have the option of substituting OCC Intercultural Fieldwork Practicum for the last course of the certificate, Cultural Competence and Professional Effectiveness: Moving toward Culturally Competent Practice.
No transfer credit from another institution will be counted toward the completion of a certificate program at WSSU with the exception of courses offered as part of a certificate program with a collaborating institution.
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