Rural Telehealth Certificate Program (RTCP)

Graduate Certificate

Rural Telehealth Certificate Program

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The College of Nursing (CON) is already a leader in Rural Health Education providing graduate students with our Rural Health Professions Program (RHPP) certificate.  The new Rural Telehealth Certificate Program (RTCP) incorporates a key component to rural healthcare, the use of telehealth. As the name indicates, this forward-thinking certificate program was established before telehealth became mainstream, when remote access to care was needed for rural dwellers. The updated course content is instructional in best practices when using telehealth for urban, suburban and rural dwelling patients. 

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) defines telehealth as “The use of electronic information and telecommunications technologies to support long-distance clinical health care, patient and professional health-related education, public health and health administration.”

Since the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, professional healthcare providers have increased use of telehealth by over 8336%.

Nurse Practitioners, Medical Doctors, Social Workers, Pharmacists, Physical therapists and nutritionists are among the many different types of healthcare professionals that rely on telehealth to continue treatment programs, provide assessments as well as maintain routine care. Prior to the pandemic, telehealth was useful for providing access to care in rural areas, however, now, access to care for vulnerable patients everywhere is needed. The College of Nursing is well positioned to provide an online certificate program to educate the next generation of nurse practitioners and other health professionals about best practices when using telehealth.

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Program Information

There are two different types of entry points into the graduate level Rural Telehealth Certificate Program (RTCP):

  1. Applicants who are currently enrolled in the Doctorate of Nursing Practice program
  2. Applicants who are licensed or pre licensed in a healthcare profession graduate degree program.  

This program guide is a recommended course schedule for students enrolled in the DNP program. Students should meet regularly with their faculty advisor to discuss specific course selections. Applications open August 15th and close November 1st. Notification of admissions for Spring start in mid-December.

RTCP Program Guide (DNP Student)

This program guide is a recommended course schedule for Interdisciplinary healthcare professionals. Students should meet regularly with the RTCP coordinator to discuss specific course selections and practicums. Applications open August 15th and close November 1st. Notification of admissions for Spring start in mid-December.

RTCP Program Guide (Interdisciplinary Professional)

To qualify for entry into Rural Telehealth Certificate Program (RTCP), you must have an undergraduate degree and active unrestricted licensure or in graduate school preparing to obtain professional healthcare degree.

  • Bachelors or higher level degree from a regionally accredited institution 
  • GPA 3.0 or above in last 60 units of graduate education.
  • Unrestricted licensure in your profession within the U.S. 
  • Computer literacy

Once admitted to the RTCP you must submit proof of application for Fingerprint Clearance Card from Arizona Department of Public Safety is a condition of final acceptance. Complete information about the statute can be found at the following web sites:

Graduate certificate students are generally not eligible to receive federal financial aid. College of Nursing scholarship opportunities are limited for graduate certificate students.

Timeline

Deadlines

  • Application Opens August 15th
  • Application Closes November 1st

Notification of Admission

Applicants are notified of their admission decision mid-December.

Program Start

If admitted, students will start in January.

Application Process

Applicants must submit the University of Arizona Graduate College online application.

Applicants must provide:

  • REFERENCES
    • Applicants must submit one reference from a professional colleague (supervisor, faculty, etc.)
  • TRANSCRIPTS
    • Applicants must submit transcripts from all post-secondary education institutions
  • CV
    • Applicants must submit their CV (PDF format preferred)
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For more information contact:

Layla Salazar
Enrollment Coordinator, Doctoral Programs
CON-OSAA@arizona.edu