Request Information
Ready to find out what MSU Denver can do for you? We’ve got you covered.
Have Questions? We have answers.
Self-paced, online course can be finished in 8 weeks or less.
Health Navigators help patients overcome barriers to receiving quality care, including understanding insurance coverage, appointments, billing, treatment schedules, and more.
In the Introduction to Health Navigation course, you will develop skills necessary to effectively communicate and build relationships with patients within the complex system and learn how to evaluate and locate healthcare resources and support systems concerning an individual’s health.
Successfully completing this course provides you an entry point into an in-demand career as a Health Navigator or similar position. Or you can continue on with two additional courses and sit for an exam to become certified as a Health Navigator across Colorado. From there, you can stay in the workforce and/or continue on to get a degree in Public Health at MSU Denver.
The skills learned in this class transfer across many jobs such as Health Educator, Community Health Worker, Medicaid Service Coordinator, Access Representative, Patient Access Manager, Patient Advocate, Admissions Coordinator, and more.
Course is 8 weeks long, entirely online, and self-paced.
Receive a personal advising session with an industry leader.
You will enhance your resume with critical skills.
Health Navigation Fundamentals will teach students the basic concepts of patient navigation and assisting patients along the health care continuum. Students will develop skills necessary to effectively communicate and build relationships with patients within the complex system. Students will also learn how to evaluate and locate health care resources and support systems concerning an individual’s health. Consideration of varying stages of care, social determinants that impact physical health, and reducing disparities in access and treatment will be reviewed. Barriers to care, problem-solving, and managing information and resources will also be discussed.
The course is $395, with a $35 transaction fee per payment. There are no books to purchase.
If you choose to convert the noncredit class to credit through Credit-By-Exam, the cost is $122 with no transaction fee.
Note: due to the course being self-paced, you can register up until October 1 and still complete the course by November 1.
Once you successfully complete the course, you can immediately enter the workforce with newly learned skills. Or you can convert the course to 3 credits and continue to an MSU Denver certificate or degree.
You will receive a digital badge embedded with the competencies learned. You can include this badge on your resume, LinkedIn page, portfolio, or share it with an employer. Students will also receive a certificate of completion.
If you choose to convert the noncredit class to credit through Credit-By-Exam, the cost is $122 with no transaction fee.
CBE dates:
Learning objectives:
Competencies to be gained:
Allison Draayer, LCSW, is an MSU Denver faculty member with over 10 years of healthcare experience. She is originally from the Chicago area but moved to Denver in 2008. She has a degree in Communications from Calvin College in Michigan and received a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Denver in 2014. Allison currently works as the Director of Community Care at a health center in Colorado. She is passionate about serving others and improving health care for the underserved.
After taking the course, the learner can immediately enter the workforce or continue education to increase the earning potential.
Pathway 1: Enter the workforce quickly. Complete the Health Navigation Fundamentals course and immediately enter the workforce with job titles like Care Managers, Community Health Workers, Care Coordinator, and Care Manager.
Pathway 2: Go deeper and convert your noncredit course to credit, and take and pass two additional classes. This makes you eligible to sit for Colorado’s Health Navigation Assessment. After passing, you can apply for positions like Access Representative, Admissions Coordinator, Case Manager, Medicaid Service Coordinator, Patient Access Coordinator, Patient Access Specialist, Patient Advocate, Patient Navigator, Patient Resource Worker, and Patient Service Representative.
Pathway 3: Continue your academic journey to get a degree in health, such as public health, which will allow you to increase your earning potential. You can find positions like Health Educators, Healthcare Practitioners, Health Science Technicians, Health and Environmental Scientist, Epidemiologist, Health Educator, Infectious Disease Specialist, Health Service Administrator, Healthcare Consultant, and Health Coach.
Phone: 303-615-1234
Office Location:
Jordan Student Success Building
3rd Floor – #330
Auraria Campus
Mailing Address:
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Innovative and Lifelong Learning
P.O. Box 173362
Campus Box 6
Denver, CO 80217-3362
Ready to find out what MSU Denver can do for you? We’ve got you covered.
Request Information200+ undergraduate, graduate, and non-degree customizable paths to choose from.
Study Options