Diabetes Educator Certificate Program

Diabetes Educator Graduate Certificate Program

Diabetes Educator Certificate Program:
at a glance

Credential(s) Earned: Certificate


Program Length: 6 Months


Start Date: January 13, 2025


Tuition: Please see below for domestic and international tuition.


Application Deadline: November 8, 2024


Program Code: DEDI400


Description

Delivered entirely online and led by Certified Diabetes Educators, the Diabetes Educator Certificate Program (DED1400) is highly sought after by health professionals interested in supporting patients and families with the management and control of diabetes. Offering flexible and varied learning methods, the program has been taught to registrants since 2004. The Diabetes Educator Certificate Program was the first program globally to achieve recognition from the International Diabetes Federation. For those interested in specializing further, there are a number of distinct additional courses that are offered independently.

Diabetes Educator Certificate Program – DED1400

Please note: Successful completion of this program does not mean you are a “Certified Diabetes Educator” or “CDE.” This program may help prepare you to write the CDECB exam, but it is not in any way connected to the CDECB.  For information on certification please see www.cdecb.ca.

The Diabetes Educator Certificate Program entails a rigorous plan of study. Thus, students must be prepared to devote the necessary hours of study and preparation required to complete the course within the allotted time frame.

This program is eligible for Transfer Credit in Athabasca University’s Bachelor of Nursing: Post LPN and Bachelor of Nursing: Post RN Programs.

Have questions about the Diabetes Educator Certificate Program? Check our Frequently Asked Questions page!

Program Outline

Michener’s Diabetes Educator Certificate Program (DEDI400) is designed to be flexible, with online delivery.  The Certificate Program length is six (6) months. Upon successful completion of the program, you will receive The Michener Institute’s Certificate in Diabetes Education.

Course Modules and Evaluation

The Diabetes Educator Certificate Program consists of one (1) course made up of six (6) modules:

  1. Teaching and Learning
  2. Pathophysiology
  3. Managing Diabetes
  4. Anti-hyperglycemic Agents
  5. Complications of Diabetes
  6. Special Populations and Issues

Each online module contains learning objectives, a self-assessment quiz, course reading materials, and a list of supplementary reading. You are encouraged to identify your own learning needs and go beyond the material provided in each module to additional information resources.

Evaluation is conducted by certified facilitators and includes:

Evaluation Item Due Date (approximate)
Module Discussion Questions Ongoing
Online Case Conference 1 Week 5
Mini-lesson presentation (Online via Zoom) Week 11
Web-based Mid-term Examination Week 13
Online Case Conference 2 Week 14
Reflection Paper Week 18
Online Case Conference 3 Week 21
Final Assignment Week 24
Web-based Final Examination Week 25-26

Webinars

In addition to the self-directed modules and asynchronous discussion questions, the program includes a series of five (5) synchronous, online webinars to enrich your learning. Webinars are conducted via Zoom by experienced facilitators who are Certified Diabetes Educators. They consist of an interactive didactic presentation following by a case study discussion in smaller breakout groups and are typically 75 to 90 minutes in length. Webinars take place on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday afternoons, and learners can sign up for whichever date/time is most convenient for them. They are also recorded for those who cannot attend.

Webinar Topics:

  1. Philosophy of Care and Teaching
  2. Healthy Eating and Weight Management
  3. Antihyperglycemics and Glucose Monitoring
  4. Insulin and Pattern Management
  5. Acute and Chronic Complications

Admission Requirements

  • Degree or diploma in one of the following regulated health professions (other regulated health professions may be considered on a case by case basis):
    • Registered Nurse (RN), Registered Practical Nurse (RPN), Registered Dietician (RD), Physician, Chiropodist, Pharmacist or Kinesiologist AND
  • Registered and licensed with a regulatory body in Canada as one of the above regulated health professions; AND
  • A minimum of two years of current patient care experience* in your profession; AND
  • Computer literacy
    • Students must have access to a computer that meets the minimum system requirements, access to the Internet, and an e-mail account
    • Access to and basic proficiency with a PDF reader, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft PowerPoint are also required as they are used to access course material and submit evaluation items

*Please note: Applicants for the Diabetes Educator Certificate Program are considered to have sufficient ‘patient care experience’ if they are a working health professional with a degree or diploma in a regulated health profession, who routinely interacts with patients to provide treatment, counseling and education about disease processes and healthcare issues.

International students (regulated health professionals living outside Canada) are welcome to apply to the Diabetes Educator Certificate Program. The application process for international students is slightly different, please visit the international admissions page for more information.

Applications

To apply for the program please submit all of the following documents to The Michener Institute:

  1. A completed Michener Application Form

    • Please ensure you specify desired start date on application form i.e. Fall 2024 or Winter 2025
  2. Non-refundable application fee ($75 for domestic, $110 for international)
  3. A copy of your current professional college registration or professional registration
    • Please note, you must belong to a regulated health profession
  4. Evidence of 2 years’ experience in your profession
    • For example, a current resume or letter from your employer

You are welcome to include relevant additional information or documentation if you feel it will benefit your application.

Please note, the application process for international students is slightly different. Visit the international admissions page for more information.

Your application should be sent to:

Office of the Registrar – The Michener Institute of Education at UHN
222 St. Patrick Street
Toronto, ON
M5T 1V4 Canada
Fax: (416) 596-3122
Email: admissions@michener.ca

For more information on the application process please view our FAQs.

Application Deadlines

Fall 2024

Application Deadline: CLOSED
Registration Deadline: CLOSED
Course Start Date: 9 September 2024

Winter 2025

Application Deadline: 8 November 2024
Registration Deadline: TBD
Course Start Date: 13 January 2025

Late applications will not be accepted. Further information on application deadlines is available on our FAQs page.

Tuition

$1,525 not including textbook. Tuition is paid when registering for the program.

Please note:

  • Tuition fees are subject to change
  • Tuition includes program materials, instructional support, webinars and evaluation.

You will be responsible for purchasing this textbook:

  • The How To of Patient Education, 3rd Ed. Belton, A.B.

Available via Amazon  and Chapters/Indigo  as well as other bookstores. Please do not purchase the 2nd edition.

The tuition for International Students is $2,550.

Diabetes Specialty Courses

The following advanced level specialty online courses, which were also recognized by the International Diabetes Federation, may be taken independent of the Diabetes Educator Certificate Program. These courses have been designed to build on basic knowledge and advance the practice of diabetes educators and interprofessional health care providers. A working knowledge of basic diabetes care and management is required for enrollment in these courses.

DE801 Diabetes Management in Children and Adolescents
Course dates: September 23, 2024 – December 15, 2024

DE802 Diabetes Management in Pregnancy
Course dates: March 3, 2025 – May 25, 2025

DE803 Engaging Patients in Managing Chronic Illness
Course dates: Winter 2025

DE804 Diabetes Management in Older Adults
Course dates: February 24, 2025 – May 25, 2025

DE806 Diabetes 101
Course dates: Fall 2024

DE807 Intensive Insulin Management
Course dates: January 20, 2025 – April 20, 2025

DE808 Foundations of Foot Management in Diabetes
Course dates: February 3, 2025 – April 13, 2025

What Our Graduates Say

Click here to read about Meagan Noble’s experience in the Diabetes Educator Certificate program, including how she is applying key concepts she has learned in the program to make a difference in the community she works in.

Erin Currie facilitator and alumna of this program, shares her life story and experiences as a nurse in Yellowknife, and how Michener’s program helped fill gaps in her education.

Nurse Practitioner and Registered Dietitian Shauna Prouten discusses her time in the Diabetes Educator Certificate program, including how the curriculum provided an integrative team approach to learning about diabetes management, and has helped build capacity in her current position.

Scholarships

Some funding may be available for RNAO members who belong to the Diabetes Nurse Interest Group (DNIG). For more information, please contact RNAO.

Information Session

Join us on to learn more about the Diabetes Educator Program offered by the School of Continuing Studies at Michener / UHN. Our information session will discuss an overview of the program, admission criteria, application process and review some important dates.

Event Date: TBD