Starting in Fall 2014, the University of Michigan-Flint will offer a minor/certificate in health navigation. Health navigation is a new role, emerging from the need to help patients and families understand a complex and changing healthcare system. Working in hospitals, health clinics, human service agencies, and insurance companies, health navigators help clients understand the health system and health insurance, assist clients to access services they need and are eligible for, and educate clients about lifestyle changes to promote overall health. The program is 18-19 credit hours and can be completed in 1-2 years as a minor for current students or as a certificate for non-degree students. Program courses are taught by knowledgeable public health, nursing, and social work faculty and will address the following topics:
- Medical terminology
- Case management
- Health promotion
- Motivational interviewing
- The Affordable Care Act and health insurance
- Health assessment
The program will also include a practicum through which students will gain hands-on experience working under health navigators in the field.
For more information, please visit the School of Health Professions & Studies Web site.