Real-World Data and Pragmatic Research Certificate

hand made up of dots and lines holding a health care plus sign

Use data to solve real-world challenges and drive evidence-based improvements.

Advance your career with the Real-World Data and Pragmatic Research (RWD-PR) Certificate, a 12-credit, fully online program designed for nurses and health care leaders seeking to apply cutting-edge data analytics and pragmatic research to real-world challenges. 

This certificate program prepares clinical experts and nurse scientists with the knowledge and skills to address critical health care challenges, including care quality, rising costs, and staffing shortages.

By leveraging pragmatic research methods and RWD, you’ll learn to evaluate interventions in real-world practice settings and utilize data from electronic health records, medical claims, and patient-reported outcomes to drive evidence-based improvements. Open to BSN-prepared nurses, current PhD and Doctor of Nursing Practice students, and those considering a doctoral program, this program empowers nurses to enhance their research capabilities and their clinical impact.

How the Program Works

  • 12-credit curriculum: 3 core courses plus a data-driven practicum
  • Fully online: Online modules with biweekly synchronous virtual meetings
  • Interactive learning: Online classes include hands-on labs and live demonstration sessions
  • Tailored practicum: Data-driven practicum arranged by the instructor in collaboration with external experts and students

What You'll Learn

  • Identify real-world (RWD) health care challenges and design pragmatic research or large-scale performance improvement/quality improvement projects
  • Extract, curate, and analyze RWD, such as EHR, using cutting-edge health care analytics tools
  • Apply design principles to visualize the data and use visualization techniques to support informed decision-making
  • Translate classroom knowledge into real-world practice through mentored, hands-on experience in the field

What You'll Do

This program equips graduates with practical skills and knowledge that can be directly applied in clinical and administrative roles. Whether you are a senior practice nurse, a health care administrator, or you are considering a doctoral program, this certificate enhances your expertise in data-driven decision-making and quality improvement.

  • Apply your learning in practice — especially valuable for senior practice nurses and health care administrators, including managers, directors, and executives.
  • Enhance your job performance by leveraging data analysis, patient safety, and quality improvement skills to their fullest potential.
  • Integrate this certificate into a doctoral program — complete it through your PhD elective courses or apply up to two certificate courses to your DNP requirements, allowing you to graduate with both a doctoral degree and the RWD-PR Certificate.

Program Snapshot

Length

As little as 2 semesters

Format

Online (includes an in-person practicum)

Tuition and Fees View overview

In State Tuition: $873.00/credit
Out of State Tuition: $1,549.00/credit

Credits

12

Courses You'll Take

Course Number

Course Title

Credits

NRSG 620*

Pragmatic Research in Health Care

3

NRSG 622*

Real-World Data Management and Analytics

3

NRSG 624**

Health Care Data Visualization

3

NRSG 625***

Health Data-Focused Practicum

3

 

TOTAL

12

*These courses are available as electives.
*Pre-reqs for NRSG 624: NRSG 620, 622
**Pre- or co-req for NRSG 625: NRSG 624

Scholarship Opportunities

Your nursing education is an important investment. Financial aid and scholarships can help make your goals a reality.

UMSON offers multiple opportunities to help you afford your education.

Type of Aid Award
Federal Scholarships and Loan Opportunities various award amounts
Donor-Funded Scholarships $500-2,000 per semester
(offered during the fall and spring semesters)
Conway Scholarship full scholarship: tuition, fees, and books
(based on in-state tuition)

Did you know? Our certificate programs are eligible for Federal Student Aid. If you are interested in learning more about how you can apply financial aid to this certificate, contact University Student Financial Assistance.

Learn More About Financial Aid and Scholarships


All students receiving funds through the University must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year by UMB's award priority deadline.

  • FAFSA Submission period: Oct. 1 (of the previous year) through Feb. 28
  • FAFSA School code: 002104

The UMB Office of Student Financial Assistance & Education is available to guide prospective and current students through the FAFSA application process and the financial aid award package.


Contact Us:

UMSON Scholarships and Grants Office
410-706-0489 | nrsscholarships@umaryland.edu

UMB Student Financial Assistance and Education Office
410-706-7347 | aidtalk@umaryland.edu

Admission Requirements

In This Section:


Deadlines:

  • fall and summer enrollment: rolling admissions review begins Feb. 1
  • spring enrollment: rolling admissions review begins Sept. 1
  • summer enrollment: rolling admissions review begins Feb. 1

Qualifications:

  • enrollment in a UMB professional or graduate program
    or 
  • a bachelor's degree (or an equivalent degree from a comparable university) with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Application Materials:

Material

Submission Guidelines

Online Application and non-refundable $75 application fee.

Start your application now via the Admissions Dashboard.

The Admissions Dashboard is where you will:

  • submit your online application and fee
  • submit/request any supplemental documents
  • check your application status.

You can save your progress and return to your application at a later date. We recommend that you continue to log in for regular updates.

One recommendation. Your recommendation must come from a mentor, teacher, employer, fellow student, or professional colleague who can speak knowledgeably about your potential to successfully complete the certificate program.

Submit/request these materials via the Admissions Dashboard.

 

Essay. Please submit a concise essay (no more than 350 words) addressing the following: How will earning this certificate impact your care of the population you expect to serve after graduation?

Typed résumé or CV. Be sure to include your full name with your résumé submission.

Official transcripts. An official transcript from every institution previously attended or currently attending must be submitted in a sealed envelope, as prepared by the sending institution. Electronic transcripts from University System of Maryland institutions will be accepted in lieu of official, sealed transcripts.

Returning students are not required to submit UMSON transcripts; we will upload a copy of your UMSON transcript to your application.

Have each institution submit electronically to admissions.nursing@umaryland.edu.

Residency classification. Applicants who are claiming in-state (Maryland) residency MUST apply for in-state status. 

Complete a residency application and submit it either by mail, e-mail, or fax to the Office of the Registrar using the instructions supplied at the bottom of the residency application. The completed application, signed and dated, should be submitted prior to the first day of enrollment for the term and program for which you are seeking admission.


Applicants without a High School Diploma or College Degree in the U.S:

  • If you do not have a degree from a U.S. high school, college, or university, you are required to demonstrate English proficiency.
  • If you have completed coursework outside of the U.S., you must have your transcripts evaluated.

More information.


If you have questions regarding the admissions requirements or process, contact the Office of Admissions and Student Scholarships to avoid errors that could delay the processing of your application.

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