Certificate in Applied Health Outcomes Research Admissions Information
Apply for Fall 2026: Jan. 15 – July 1, 2027
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Program Overview
What is Applied Health Outcomes Research?
Health outcomes research is used to develop patient-centered best practices, practice guidelines, and cost-effective therapeutic and behavioral interventions, improve healthcare system performance, and inform policy. It is not restricted to just medicine or health services but encompasses a broad range of health measurements. It requires scientific knowledge and data-driven insights for informed decision making.
The Certificate in Applied Health Outcomes Research may be completed 100% online in one year. The program provides an opportunity to learn:
- Fundamental elements of outcomes research with real‐world data and evidence.
- Basic knowledge and understanding of evidence-based decision making, including:
- Assessment of clinical and patient‐reported outcomes and patient satisfaction
- The impact of non‐clinical patient‐level factors on patient health
- The role of economic evaluation methods in assessing the cost effectiveness of pharmacological and non‐pharmacological treatments
- The intended and unintended consequences of health policy decisions
AHOR Certificate – Recorded Information Session
Hear from UNT Health College of Pharmacy and Health Professions faculty to learn more about applied health outcomes, coursework offered, and admissions requirements.
Assessment Plan
Learn about the AHOR program’s criteria of achievement and how it is measured through students’ course-completion rates, satisfaction with the program and career pathways after graduation.
Testimonials
For student pharmacist Rachel Clark, becoming more skilled in outcomes research helped her land a highly competitive
fellowship in pharmacoepidemiology with Daiichi Sankyo/Rutgers, which begins this
summer after walking across the stage to receive her Doctor of Pharmacy degree.
“The AHOR program provided invaluable tools and prepared me for a successful fellowship. It allowed me to showcase my capstone project at a national conference. I’m excited to apply my education to optimize patient outcomes and promote medication safety in my new role.” – Rachel Clark
Career Opportunities in Outcomes Research
- Clinical Outcomes Manager
- Healthcare Administrators
- Health Outcomes Program Manager
- Pharmacoeconomist
- Practitioners
- Policymakers
- Research Analyst
- Other decision-makers charged with improving health outcomes for the individual, the population, and society
What skills will I gain upon completion?
- Students can evaluate findings related to healthcare access, quality, utilization, treatments, and health outcomes in real-world settings.
- Students can conduct AOR projects.
- Students can drive healthcare policy decisions by applying evidence and data-driven practices.
Who should apply?
- Students and working professionals interested in becoming more specialized in this field or pursuing graduate programs.
- International students View the flyer to learn more
Certificate Program Roadmap
The 12 credit hours (5 courses) online program can be completed in one year.
Fall 2025- 5 Credit Hours
PHAR 7335 – Economic Evaluation and Policy*
PHAR 7237 – Pharmacoepidemiology**
Spring 2025- 7 Credit Hours
PHAR 7345 – Evidence-Based Healthcare*
PHAR 7236 – Patient Reported Outcomes**
PHAR 7235 – Applied Health Outcomes Capstone***
*Required courses for current PharmD students.
**Electives available to current PharmD students.
***Available as a PharmD elective if enrolled in the certificate program
- Have successfully completed at least 90 semester credit hours of undergraduate coursework in psychology, mathematics, statistics, economics, public health, computer science, or another related field from an accredited U.S. institution or an internationally comparable institution or be enrolled in a postgraduate research program (such as a PhD program), professional program (such as a PharmD program), residency, or fellowship.
- Have completed at least 3 semester credit hours (SCH) of statistics or equivalent training.
- Meet one of the following GPA requirements:
- Hold a bachelor's degree with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher on a 4.0 scale; or
- Be a professional student (for example, a PharmD student) who has not yet been awarded a bachelor's degree and who earned an overall GPA of 2.8 or higher before enrollment in the professional degree program.
Applicants who do not meet all selection criteria may provide appropriate justification(s) and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Application requires the following:
- One-page personal statement of interest in the program (maximum 400 words).
- 1 – 2 letters of recommendation from mentors, teachers or supervisors.
- Resume or CV.
- Optional submissions, such as published articles.
- Unofficial transcripts: Submit transcripts from all colleges or universities you’ve attended. Official transcripts may be requested.
- International Applicants must demonstrate English proficiency and provide international transcript evaluations. Please see International Admissions Requirements for details.
- $75 application processing fee required.
Applications will not be reviewed or decisions made until all items, documents, and fees are received.
NOTE: If you are a current UNT Health PharmD student who wants to add the Certificate in Applied Health Outcomes Research to your program of study, the process is different; please contact Dr. Michelle Blakely at Michelle.Blakely@unthealth.edu.
For questions about the admissions process, contact the Admissions Office at admissions@unthealth.edu. (Current UNT Health PharmD students should contact Dr. Michelle Blakely at Michelle.Blakely@unthealth.edu.)
For questions about the program, contact: Rafia S. Rasu, PhD, Professor of Pharmacotherapy, UNT Health College of Pharmacy and Health Professions at Rafia.Rasu@unthealth.edu.