Certificate Name and Number:  Veterans Health Certificate – CTVHCG

Department(s)/Unit(s):  Department of Interdisciplinary Health Studies

Delivery Mode:  Online

Terms of Entry:  Fall, Spring, Summer

Enrollment Eligibility:  Current degree-seeking or non-degree status 

Certificate Overview:  There are nearly 20 million living veterans of the United States (US) armed forces. Of those, approximately 866,000 veterans live in Ohio and over 255,000 of these service men and women are utilizing some medical care provided by Veterans Administration (VA) medical centers/community clinics. Veterans and their families have special health and healthcare needs. While Ohio University prepares a large number of health and healthcare professionals with vast clinical roles (e.g., nurses, physician assistants, physical therapists, social workers, clinical psychologists, hearing and speech professionals, and physicians), this academic program focuses the special needs of veterans and their families.

The purpose of this certificate is to provide students, and/or post-professional health and healthcare workers, with a background in advanced and specific knowledge designed to enhance their work with veterans in health and healthcare settings. The topics will include, United States military history and culture as it pertains to the individuals’ health, the Veteran’s Affairs system, and common and current medical conditions associated with the military service.

The typical time to completion is 1½ semesters.

Opportunities upon Completion:  The certificate is for those who are working, or intend to work with, veterans in order to provide greater insight and perspective of this special population and to become leaders in healthcare delivery to our U.S. veterans.

Completion Requirements:  The Veterans Health Graduate Certificate consists of three three-credit hour courses for total of nine semester credit hours. Upon applying for graduation (for degree-seeking students) or completion of the certificate requirements (for non-degree students), you must contact the program coordinator for verification of completion and the awarding of the certificate.

• IHS 5400 - Veterans Health: United States Military Culture and History (3)
• IHS 5401 - Diseases and Conditions in Veterans: Prevalence, Diagnosis, and Treatment (3)
• IHS 5402 - Veterans Affairs System: Healthcare Perspectives (3)

Financial Aid Eligibility Information:

• Non-degree-seeking students enrolled in this certificate are not eligible for federal financial aid.
• Current degree-seeking students may use federal financial aid only for 1) coursework fulfilling requirements of their degree, including required elective hours, or 2) coursework toward a second financial aid-eligible program.
• Students receiving federal financial aid may not take courses for this certificate unless they are also enrolled full-time (9 hours) in their degree program during the same academic term. Financial aid may be used for courses that count toward both degree requirements and the certificate.

Admission Requirements:  The Veterans Health Graduate Certificate program will accept students in two categories: 1) those who have been admitted to an advanced degree program at Ohio University and 2) those who possess a bachelor’s or advanced degree but are not currently in a degree program at Ohio University.

• Students who have already been admitted to an advanced degree program at Ohio University (degree-seeking graduate students) need to complete an Application for Update of Graduate Academic Program. This application can be obtained online or in person from the Graduate College. The completed application, including the signature of an advisor and the certificate/program coordinator, should be submitted to the Graduate College at Ohio University.
• To apply for the certificate program as a non-degree student, you must submit a non-degree application to the Graduate College. Admission requirements include the following:
  • Four-year bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. university/college or equivalent from a non-U.S. institution
  • Ability to manage graduate studies as evidenced by undergraduate performance, current professional responsibilities, and/or similar criteria

International Students:  This certificate program does not permit full-time enrollment in residence at Ohio University, and an I-20 cannot be issued based on admission to this program.