Compassion meets expertise through the University of Vermont’s portfolio of End-of-Life Care programs. Designed for professionals and caregivers alike, UVM offers comprehensive, flexible training to empower you with the end-of-life care skills needed to provide thoughtful, compassionate support at life’s most vulnerable moments. Whether helping individuals, families, children, or companion animals, our certificates prepare you to make meaningful impacts.
End-of-Life Care Certificates at UVM:
- End-of-Life Doula Professional Certificate
- Companion Animal End-of-Life Doula Certificate
- Pediatric End-of-Life Doula Specialist Certificate
- Grief and Bereavement Specialist Certificate
End-of-Life Doula Professional Certificate
Step into one of the most rewarding roles in healthcare by becoming an End-of-Life Doula. This online program equips you with the emotional, physical, and spiritual tools to provide holistic support for clients and their families.
- Flexible Schedule: Fully online, asynchronous format that fits into your busy life.
- Time Commitment: 7–10 hours per week over 8 weeks.
- Comprehensive Curriculum: Covers topics such as end-of-life care, advance directives, grief and bereavement support, cultural sensitivity, and more.
- Expert Instructors: Taught by experienced End-of-Life Doulas who are passionate about their work and dedicated to your success.
As an End-of-Life Doula, you will have the opportunity to provide compassionate care for individuals nearing the end of their lives. This can include physical tasks such as providing comfort measures and helping with daily activities, as well as emotional support for both the client and their loved ones.
“When I came across the End-of-Life Doula work that just spoke to me so much. It just felt like this is the time, this is when I get to actually go and get the certificate and do the training. It’s time to try to hang my shingle out and really start practicing and being involved in the whole death positivity movement happening now.” Sherry Burns, UVM End-of-Life Doula Certificate Program Alumna
One of the unique aspects of this role is the emphasis on holistic care. You will be trained in techniques to support the mind, body, and spirit of your clients during this vulnerable time. This may include helping them create legacy projects, facilitating meaningful conversations, and providing resources for spiritual or cultural practices.
Additionally, as an End-of-Life Doula, you will have the opportunity to work closely with healthcare professionals and family members to ensure that the client’s wishes are respected and their needs are met. This may involve advocating for their end-of-life care preferences, coordinating with other care providers, and offering guidance on navigating complex medical decisions.
Learn More: End-of-Life Doula Professional Certificate
Companion Animal End-of-Life Doula Certificate
Pets are family too. Provide the care and empathy pet owners need when facing the end-of-life stage for beloved animals.
- Specialized Care: Learn hospice, palliative care, and after-death care tailored to clients with companion animals.
- Accessible and Focused: Fully online over 6 weeks, requiring only 7–10 hours a week.
- Instructors: Our instructors are experienced and compassionate professionals in the veterinary field, Humane Society, and local animal shelters.
- Certification: Students who successfully complete the course will receive a Companion Animal End-of-Life Doula Certificate.
The bond between humans and their animal companions is strong, and when it’s time for an animal to pass on, it can be a difficult and emotional experience for their owners. This is where Companion Animal End-of-Life Doulas come in, providing specialized care and support during this challenging time.
“When I saw UVM’s companion animal end-of-life doula program, it was the perfect marriage of my interests. I wanted to learn more about how cultures react to the death of both humans and animals but also through that knowledge, I could be useful for others and in my own experiences as a dog owner.” Emily Wills, Program Alumna
This comprehensive online certificate program offers in-depth training on topics such as hospice care, palliative care, grief support, and after-death care specific to animals. Our focus is on equipping students with the necessary skills and knowledge to support both animals and their owners during this end-of-life journey.
Our program is designed for individuals who have a passion for animal welfare, as well as those already working in the field of animal care such as veterinarians, veterinary technicians, or animal shelter staff.
Learn More: Companion Animal End-of-Life Doula Certificate
Pediatric End-of-Life Doula Specialist Certificate
Pediatric loss requires a unique level of sensitivity and confidence. Develop specialized skills to compassionately serve terminally ill children and their families during life’s most challenging transitions.
- Understand Family Dynamics: recognizing the unique relationships, roles, and communication patterns within a family to better support and meet their needs.
- Tackle Developmental Challenges: a tailored approach that supports growth, fosters resilience, and adapts to each individual’s unique needs.
- Empower Through Communication: focusing on fostering open, respectful dialogue that builds trust, strengthens relationships, and encourages mutual understanding.
- Navigate Care Options: evaluating available resources, considering individual preferences, and balancing practical needs to ensure the best possible support.
The Pediatric End-of-Life Doula Specialist Certificate is a specialized training program designed to equip doulas with the necessary skills and knowledge to support terminally ill children and their families during difficult times. This program not only provides comprehensive training in end-of-life care, but also focuses on the unique dynamics of working with children and their families.
“When you are with a [dying] 14-year-old, a 2-year-old, or a six-month-old, that’s not how nature’s supposed to go. It is sad, and there is nothing good about it. So, it’s really changing your perspective to, ‘What good can I find out of this?’ You learn to stretch your definition of a good visit. Our role as doulas is to help families stretch their definition of a good moment, even in the hardest times.” Laura Delva, MSW, LCSW, Program Instructor
One of the key aspects of this certificate is understanding family dynamics. This involves learning how to support both the child and their loved ones, as well as navigating complex relationships that may arise during such an emotional time. Doulas will learn how to provide a compassionate and safe space for families to express their feelings, while also being sensitive to cultural and religious beliefs.
In addition, this certificate covers the practical aspects of end-of-life care for children. This includes topics such as pain and symptom management, communication strategies with medical professionals, and creating personalized care plans that meet the specific needs of each child.
This brief yet impactful 4-week program provides you with tools to make a difference in pediatric end-of-life care.
Learn More: Pediatric End-of-Life Doula Specialist Certificate
Grief and Bereavement Specialist Certificate
Grief doesn’t end with loss. Facilitate healing and resilience by leading peer-supported grief groups that create meaningful connections.
- Deep Expertise: Learn the psychology, history, and frameworks of effective grief support.
- Real Impact: Graduates go on to lead healing circles in schools, workplaces, and healthcare settings.
- Community Support: Build your professional network and join a global community of grief support specialists.
Throughout this 4-week program, you will learn about the psychology behind grief and how it affects different age groups, as well as the various coping mechanisms that can be used to support people through their grief journey. You will also gain a deeper understanding of how cultural and societal factors can impact the grieving process.
“Grief makes people uncomfortable, and many don’t know what to do, so they back away from the griever to avoid doing the wrong thing. This course helps professionals and community leaders gain the confidence that the support they’re offering is meaningful while also helping others to feel more comfortable being around others who are grieving.” Matilda Garrido, Program Developer & Instructor
This program equips professionals with a deep understanding of the history, psychology, and cultural and developmental considerations related to grief. It also provides the skills needed to form and facilitate support group discussions.
Learn More: Grief and Bereavement Specialist Certificate
Choose UVM’s End-of-Life Care Portfolio
A Pioneer in End-of-Life Education
UVM has set the standard for excellence in end-of-life doula education, supporting 4,000+ graduates who have trusted UVM to guide their journey in providing compassionate end-of-life care.
Connection to UVM’s Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine
Be part of a program shaped by medical faculty, designed to inspire confidence and trust in your practice.
Credibility Through Affiliation with the Osher Center for Integrative Health
Boost your career visibility while connecting with leaders in the integrative health community.
Real-World Application
Students learn to apply their knowledge immediately, whether they work in hospitals, schools, community organizations, or faith-based settings.
Supportive Alumni Network
Graduates enjoy access to networking events, social media groups, retreats, book clubs, and more through UVM’s active alumni groups.
Join a Growing Community of Compassionate Professionals
UVM prides itself on providing innovative training for those driven to make a difference at the end of life. Over 4,000 students have already trusted us with this important step in their careers.
Elevate your personal and professional impact, and enroll today!
