Leading the Way in Health Professions Education
The University of Michigan-Flint is the only university in the state of Michigan to offer a Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Simulation program. This program empowers you to excel as an educator in healthcare and pursue leadership in the simulation field.
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By completing the graduate certificate at UM-Flint, students will be well-prepared and may independently decide to take a national certification exam as a certified healthcare simulation educator or a certified healthcare simulation operations specialist, both of which are offered by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare.
Why Earn a Healthcare Simulation Graduate Certificate at UM-Flint?
Integrate Online Learning with Hands-on Intensive Residency Days
The didactic portion of the Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Simulation program is completely online and is done asynchronously. To help you put your knowledge to practice, the program also includes a mandatory two-day on-site residency that must be done on campus at the University of Michigan-Flint School of Nursing Center for Simulation and Clinical Innovation.
UM-Flint’s World-Class Simulation Center
Our facilities consist of a state-of-the-art simulation center with multiple simulated environments such as patient care rooms, exam rooms, home setting rooms, nurses station, health assessment area, dedicated skills education space and debriefing rooms, and all of the latest technology used in the field.
Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Simulation Program Curriculum & Courses
The Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Simulation program encompasses four, 14-week long courses that are 3 credits each for a total of 12 credits. Two didactic courses are delivered 100% online asynchronously (501 & 504):
- HCS 501: Introduction to Healthcare Simulation (Fall semester)
- HCS 502: Healthcare Simulation Facilitation, Debriefing, and Evaluation* (Winter semester)
- HCS 503: Strategies to Improve Fidelity in Healthcare Simulation* (Summer 1 semester)
- HCS 504: Research, Trends, and Accreditation in Healthcare Simulation (Summer 2 semester)
*Courses that include a 2-day residency program will be held onsite in the William S. White Building on the campus of the University of Michigan-Flint.
The Healthcare Simulation Certificate program can be completed in four semesters (12 months).
Review the Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Simulation Program curriculum.
Academic Advising
At UM-Flint, your academic success is our priority. You can connect with your dedicated academic advisor, who can help you navigate your way to completing the Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Simulation Program.
What Can You Do with Your Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Simulation?
After your successful completion of the certificate, you are well-versed in evidence-based simulation and prepared to pursue a career as a Healthcare Simulationist or Simulation Specialist in a variety of organizations, including hospitals, healthcare systems, universities, community colleges, nursing facilities, and those organizations responsible for emergency preparedness of first responders.
The need for trained Simulationists, educators, and operations specialists alike, is growing as more and more organizations create or further invest in their simulation programs around the globe. The demand for trained, certified Simulationists far exceeds the current supply.
Admission Requirements
You must meet the following requirements to be eligible for admission:
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution*
- An overall undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
*Students in their final semester of a health care baccalaureate program at UM-Flint, with approval, will receive an override to begin the HCS certificate in their final semester. Fill out the form for approval.
State Authorization for Online Students
In recent years, the federal government has emphasized the need for universities and colleges to be in compliance with the distance education laws of each individual state. If you are an out-of-state student intending to enroll in the online Healthcare Simulation Certificate program, please visit the State Authorization page to verify the status of UM-Flint with your state.
Applying to the Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Simulation Program
To be considered for admission to the Healthcare Simulation Graduate Certificate program, submit an online application below. Other materials can be emailed to FlintGradOffice@umich.edu or delivered to the Office of Graduate Programs.
- Application for Graduate Admission
- $55 application fee (non-refundable)
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Please read our full transcript policy for more information.
- For any degree completed at a non-US institution, transcripts must be submitted for an internal credential review. Read the following for instructions on how to submit your transcripts for review.
- If English is not your native language, and you are not from an exempt country, you must demonstrate English proficiency.
- Curriculum vitae or resume
- Two letters of recommendation from individuals who can evaluate your scholarly and/or professional ability.
- Statement of Purpose describing your objectives for graduate study and reasons for selecting this program
- Students from abroad must submit additional documentation.
This program is a certificate program. Admitted students will not be able to obtain a student (F-1) visa to pursue this degree. Students living outside of the US are unable to complete this program online in their home country as there are required campus visits. Other nonimmigrant visa holders currently in the United States please contact the Center for Global Engagement at globalflint@umich.edu.
Application Deadlines*
- Fall 2025 Early Deadline: May 1
- Fall 2025 Final Deadline: August 1
*Please note: Applications will not be accepted for Fall 2026 admission.
Learn More about UM-Flint’s Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Simulation
At the University of Michigan-Flint, we are proud to lead the way in fostering simulation specialists through our transformative Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Simulation online program.
Learn to utilize cutting-edge simulation technologies to improve patient outcomes and gain the knowledge you need to advance your career in healthcare.
Ready to take the next step? Request information to learn more, or start your application today!