Students from health professions and health-related disciplines representing Grand Valley State University, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Ferris State University College of Pharmacy, and Central Michigan University College of Medicine, have the opportunity to earn an interprofessional education certificate. Through earning the certificate, students will join the national sustainability movement as a change agent, promoting better care, better health, decreasing costs through interprofessional team collaboration. The certificate application is self-paced with online education modules content, a live simulation, service learning hours, membership attendance in the student PIPES meetings, attending an IPE conference or forums, submitting reflection papers in alignment with practicing the Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) competency domains. At the capstone ceremony, students will present a poster of a selected interprofessional care or collaborative practice experience.

Complexities in the current healthcare system require new models of delivering care. Health care agencies and institutions require staff to work together for the delivery of safe, patient-centered care. If you earn the IPE student certificate and include it in your professional portfolio, your experiences will position you as a supporter of teamwork and collaboration, a desirable attribute for employers.

1. What is the Interprofessional Education (IPE) Student Certificate?

The IPE Student Certificate is a document signed by the Midwest Interprofessional Practice, Education, and Research Center steering committee, leadership acknowledging that the student has completed the interprofessional requirements specified in the application.

2. Why is it important?

Health care agencies and institutions require staff to work together for the delivery of safe, patient-centered care. By participating in this application process, you will have many opportunities to obtain new knowledge and comprehension, apply and analyze fresh perspectives to the dynamics of team collaboration, and synthesize your immersion as you develop your professional identity. For more detailed information, please follow the IPE Student Certificate guidelines link.

3. How do I get started?

Please contact your program IPE faculty champion. View the current list: Interprofessional Advisory Champions. Contact Julie Hall, [email protected] to enroll you in the Google Classroom to begin the IPE Certificate process.

4. How long will it take me to finish?

The time to earn a certificate is a minimum of one calendar year but could take longer based on the student’s workload and ability to complete the requirements.