Healthcare Management
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I get started?
If you know which courses you need, register today! There is no application process, and you do not need to be admitted to the University. If you are unsure which courses to register for, call Lori Silverman today and create a personal plan to earn a certificate: 503-725-5848, 1-800-547-8887 ext. 5848, loris@pdx.edu - Do I need to go through the admissions process at PSU?
You do not need to be admitted to Portland State University to take our healthcare courses. - How do I register?
There are three ways to register:- Go online through the course catalog, register for courses, and make an online payment.
- Download the registration form, fill it out, and mail the form with payment to PO Box 1491, Portland, OR 97207.
- Call Registration directly at 503-725-4832.
- Should I take the Healthcare
Management courses or certificates for credit or noncredit?
Things to consider when deciding to register for credit:
- You would be earning a letter grade for two credits per course.
- In order to earn credit, you have to follow the evaluative component of the syllabus (papers, presentations, other).
- There is an additional credit overlay fee of $55 per credit hour for either graduate or undergraduate.
- If you choose to earn credits, it is usually for one of the following reasons:
- To articulate to another degree. Please work with your advisor to ensure that these courses meet those requirements. (Some programs have a ceiling for how many or what kind of credits you can earn external to their program.)
- To utilize your tuition reimbursement benefit from your employer. Please check your company's policy prior to registration to ensure that these courses meet those standards.
- If these considerations do not matter to you, take the course (or entire certificate) non-credit. You still earn CEUs for each course and a course completion certificate. You still earn the program certificate if you complete all courses non-credit.
- Do I need to apply to
Portland State University in order to take your classes?
No. Admission to Portland State is not a prerequisite to enroll in classes at the Professional Development Center. It is unnecessary to be admitted to Portland State if students are registering for less than 8 undergraduate or graduate credits per term.
- In what order should the
courses be taken?
Each healthcare certificate program is designed as inter-related curriculum. Yet each course stands on its own. Courses can be taken in the order that works best for students' schedules.
- How long do I have to
complete the certificate?
Students have up to three years to complete the required courses in each certificate. The Healthcare Management Certificate has six required courses. The Healthcare Management: Leadership Certificate has four required courses.
- What if I need to miss a class
session during the course?
The certificates are designed for working professionals. For an 18-hour course, students can miss up to three hours (or one session) with no penalty and still earn the course certificate. For a 16-hour session, students can miss up to two hours (or half a session) with no penalty and still earn the course certificate. In extreme circumstances, individual considerations may be made on a case-by-case situation.
If you are taking these courses for either undergraduate or graduate credit, refer to the individual course syllabus. Attendance is part of determining your letter grade.
- What is a CEU?
The continuing education unit (CEU) is a nationally recognized method of quantifying the time spent in the classroom during noncredit learning. Ten hours of instruction equal one (1) CEU. The CEU provides a permanent record of the educational accomplishments of an individual who has completed significant noncredit education and career-enhancement experiences.
- What scholarships, discounts,
and financial aid are available?
- Financial Aid
Contact the Portland State Admissions Office at 503-725-3511 or www.pdx.edu/finaid/. Note: Portland State financial aid is applicable only to courses with credit option. Students must be admitted to Portland State and take a minimum of 6 credits per term for eligibility. Other financial options are available.
For specific questions relating to financial aid and credit within the Professional Development Center program, contact the Portland State financial aid office. Please allow 5 to 6 weeks for processing.
- Do I have to give my Social
Security number when I register?
Providing your SSN (and consent to its use) is not required, and if you choose not to do so, you will not be denied any right, benefit, or privilege by law. Portland State will disclose your ID/SSN only if authorized by law. If you choose not to provide your SSN as your ID number, Portland State will assign an ID number for you. Also, if you choose not to provide your SSN as your ID number, Portland State will be unable to provide Enrollment Verification Reports (such as those deferring prior college loans) or other automated verification functions, and some financial arrangements (such as third-party billings) may not be available.
- Where can I get more
information on the Lifetime-Learning Tax Credit?
Advising on a certificate path and the Lifetime-Learning Tax Credit is always a vailable by appointment with the healthcare program manager.
- What should I do if I
miss the first night of class and need course materials?
If you miss the first session, materials may be picked up at our offices, Suite 1050, School of Extended Studies, Market Square Building 1515 SW 5th Ave. Please make prior arrangements for picking up materials. If you have any questions concerning class materials, call 503-725-4820.
- What should I do in case
of inclement weather?
All Professional Development Center courses and seminars are canceled when Portland State is officially closed due to weather. Please contact the office at 503-725-4820 for instructions on cancellations and make-up sessions. To determine if the campus will be closed, call 503-725-3000 (Portland State Information Line) or listen to your local radio news station.
- What is your refund and
payment policy?
Noncredit refund
Notification of withdrawal or drop must be given and requests for refunds for noncredit courses must be received at least one week prior to the first class session. Refunds are not given after this time. Withdrawal or drop must be done to your program manager's email address.Credit refund
Refund of the credit portion of the fee only is based on the Portland State University fee refund schedule:100% refund before 1st class meeting 85% refund before 2nd class meeting 50% refund before 3rd class meeting 25% refund before 4th class meeting Please note that a full refund of credit fee is available only before the first class meeting. If a student is unsure whether to add the credit option of a course, it is the student's responsibility to contact the instructor for specific credit completion requirements prior to the start of the course. Please call the Professional Development Center for information on how to contact instructors. Please allow 4 to 6 weeks for refund processing.
- Payment
Payment for courses is the responsibility of the student. Full payment or approved company purchase order number must accompany the registration form in order to process registration. If payment on a purchase order is not received, the student is responsible for the course fee balance.


