Online Undergraduate Certificate in
Spanish for Healthcare Professionals

This course explores the influence of culture on healthcare decision-making and behaviors in minority populations in the United States. Through interdisciplinary analysis, students will examine the differences between Big C Culture and Little C culture and the ways they manifest for both the medical establishment and minority populations. Students will practice methods of cross-cultural communication designed to engage patients in open healthcare discussions based on a variety of models available. The course will foster critical thinking about how cultural beliefs and constructs shape worldviews and encourage students to integrate these understandings into their clinical practice.

This course is the first in a two-course designed to re-awaken previous language study and provide a forum for the development of both additional basic language skills and specific medical terminology.  The course includes the acquisition of frequently used vocabulary, basic grammar concepts, intermediate conversational vocabulary, and colloquialisms. It also includes specific vocabulary groups relating to the overall assessment and care of patients. Most of the class (95%+) will be taught in Spanish and students will be expected to maintain the target language whenever possible. Students will be provided with opportunities to experience the five major areas of language learning: Speaking, Listening, Reading, Writing, and Culture. The major focus will be on Speaking and Listening with Reading and Writing providing concrete practice outside of the classroom. Cultural sensitivity is woven throughout the lessons.

This course is the second in a two-course series designed to re-awaken previous language study and provide a forum for the development of both additional basic language skills and specific medical terminology.  The course includes the acquisition of frequently used vocabulary, advanced grammar concepts, intermediate and advanced conversational vocabulary, and colloquialisms.  It also includes specific vocabulary groups relating to specialized patient care including cardiology, maternity and pediatrics, endocrinology, and mental health.  Most (95%+) of the class will be taught in Spanish and students will be expected to maintain the target language whenever possible.  Students will be provided with opportunities to experience the five major areas of language learning: Speaking, Listening, Reading, Writing, and Culture.  The major focus will be on Speaking and Listening with Reading and Writing providing concrete practice outside of the classroom. Cultural sensitivity is woven throughout the lessons.

This course explores the many barriers that  Latinx  populations face concerning health care. According to the CDC while  Latinx  patients have lower rates of heart disease and cancer than whites in the United States, they suffer disproportionately from high blood pressure, diabetes, and chronic liver disease. This course seeks to understand these trends and to identify public health interventions that have been successful in addressing these challenges using articles in Spanish and English from government agencies and established journals. Special attention will be given to the variables present under the umbrella of ‘ Latinx ’ including exploration of socioeconomic class, education, immigration status, gender and generation. This course is taught in Spanish.

This course covers the various responsibilities of interpreting in a setting, including linguistic, cultural brokerage, and ethical concerns, legal and social responsibilities of interpreters in a medical setting, and a review of current standards and regulations for interpreters. The course culminates in a conversation with a guest panel of Medical Interpreters. Weekly sight translation and role-play activities will allow students to explore various methods of consecutive interpretation. This course is taught in Spanish.