Post-Baccalaureate and Post Master’s Certificate Careers
Do you have a post baccalaureate or post master’s certificate? Discover how one may expand your options for a career in health care…
Post- Master’s and Post-Baccalaureate certificate programs offered by colleges and universities are often associated with certificate preparation, advanced career training, career advancement opportunity and/or specialization in niche areas. They can be intensive and may only require a short period of time to complete. Frequently, professionals will return to school to complete a post-degree certificate program to specialize in a particular area of their business, which may result in promotable positions or additional pay. For example, a master’s educated nurse may want to return to school to become a family nurse practitioner but does not want to spend the money or time completing another master’s degree program. In this case, a post-master’s certificate with a family nurse practitioner specialization would provide him or her with the specialized training and skills necessary to pass the national certification exams and become a family nurse practitioner.
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Jobs for graduates of a post-baccalaureate or post-graduate certificate program will present in various ways. Some will be specializations in the person’s current career, while others will provide an opportunity to change career paths. Yet, others may provide for the opportunity to post for promotable positions within their company or organization. The post-baccalaureate and post-master’s certificates can also provide a way to “stand out” on a graduate school application and credits may transfer to a master’s or doctorate program.
Job titles for individuals with this level of education include health information management professional, health information technology professional, forensic nurse, nurse educator, nursing informatics, life care planner, geriatric care manager, case manager, legal nurse consultant, health care management, teaching, quality improvement, marketing, finance, information systems and many others.
Potential Health Care Careers for those with a specialized post-degree certificate
| Careers | Health Care Pathway | Certification / Licensure Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Manager | Health Informatics / Business | The AHA offers a national certification exam to become a CHFM. Licensure is required for nursing care facility administrators. |
| Health Care Administrator | Health Informatics / Business | Professional and technical certifications available (AAHAM, CPAT/CCAT and CCT). |
| Health Information Specialist | Health Informatics / Business | Voluntary CCA certification from AHIM or, Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) certification through CAHIIM. |
| Hospital Administrator | Health Informatics / Business | Professional and technical certifications available (AAHAM, CPAT/CCAT and CCT). |
| Legal Nurse Consultant | Health Informatics / Business | Certifications are available. |
| Life Care Planner | Direct Patient Care | Certification is available. Exam given by the CNLCP. |
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist | Imaging and Diagnostics | Certification offered through the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) as well as the (ARRT). Not required. |
| Occupational Therapist | Direct Patient Care | Certification is required. Must pass exam given by the National Board for Certification Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). |
| Radiation Therapist | Direct Patient Care | Certification by the AART is voluntary, but often required by employers. Licensure may be required for technologists. |
| Social Worker | Direct Patient Care | Certification and licensure requirements vary by state. |
If you haven’t come across a career that you are looking for, you may be interested in researching additional health care careers that fall under the five health care pathways, all of which require varying levels of education.