Overview
Course Code
DEDI400
Credential Earned
Certificate in Diabetes Education
Course Type
Part-Time
Course Length
6 months
Course Delivery
Virtual
Application Method
Self-service Registration
OSAP Eligibility
No
About the Course
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.
Course Format
The Diabetes Educator Certificate Program consists of one (1) course made up of six (6) modules:
- Teaching and learning
- Pathophysiology
- Managing diabetes
- Anti-hyperglycemic agents
- Complications of diabetes
- Special populations and issues
Each virtual module contains learning objectives, a self-assessment quiz, course reading materials and a list of supplementary reading. Learners are encouraged to identify their own learning needs and go beyond the material provided in each module to additional information resources
In addition to the self-directed modules and asynchronous discussion questions, the program includes a series of five (5) synchronous, online webinars facilitated by experienced Certified Diabetes Educators and conducted over Zoom. They consist of an interactive didactic presentation followed by a case study discussion in smaller breakout groups and are typically 75-to-90 minutes in length.
Webinars take place Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday afternoons – learners can register for whichever date/time is most convenient. Sessions are recorded for those who cannot attend.
Webinar topics include:
- Philosophy of Care and Teaching
- Healthy Eating and Weight Management
- Antihyperglycemics and Glucose Monitoring
- Insulin and Pattern Management
- Acute and Chronic Complications
Career Outcomes/About the Profession
Successful completion of this program does not mean learners are a “Certified Diabetes Educator” or “CDE.” This program may help prepare learners to write the Canadian Diabetes Educator Certification Board (CDECB) exam, but it is not in any way connected to the CDECB. For more information on certification, please visit www.cdecb.ca.
This program is eligible for transfer credit in Athabasca University’s Bachelor of Nursing: Post LPN and Bachelor of Nursing: Post RN Programs.