Healthcare Innovation and Design
The healthcare sector is on the brink of a technology and data revolution. The application of artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and big data to health care represent a tremendous opportunity for the growth of the economy. Moreover, health-care innovations can improve human health and reduce healthcare costs.
The Healthcare Innovation and Design Specialization certificate aims to equip professionals from a range of backgrounds such as engineering, design, nursing and other health professions with the technological knowledge/skills and inter-professional competencies to lead healthcare transformation. It addresses the fundamentals of data science, industrial design, built environment and emerging technologies with application to health care.
Students will develop foundational skills, upon which they can build, in the processes and practices of health innovation. This specialization also aims to provide experiential inter-professional learning as students with diverse backgrounds learn about healthcare innovation and design with and from each other.
Modular education offers advantages in a competitive job market
UCalgary Nursing's Graduate Certificates and micro-credentials make for meaningful learning, flexibility and specialization
Collaboration of UCalgary graduate Nursing and Engineering students.
Hackathon encourages digital health solutions.
“Nurses get excited in this course to design a digital health-care innovation and have the opportunity to work with engineers to create a working prototype: they feel empowered to transform the system,” Dr. Linda Duffett-Leger, Associate Professor, HCID lead.
Graduate Certificate Connect Dates
UCalgary Nursing offers all Graduate Certificate courses online.
All courses in this program require students to attend instructor-led Connect Days, which are delivered online at scheduled dates and times (as listed in course outline). Students who do not attend Connect Days will normally be withdrawn from the associated course, as per the Graduate Calendar.
Student Connect days are scheduled in a virtual format.
July 12, 2025
SUMMER 2025
NURS 658
2 days July 12-13
July 13, 2025
SPRING 2025
NURS 658
2 days July 12-13
Sept. 6, 2025
FALL 2025
NURS 652
2 days Sept 6 & Sept 7
Sept. 7, 2025
FALL 2025
NURS 652
2 days Sept 6 & Sept 7
Feb. 28, 2026
WINTER 2026
NURS 654
2 days February 28 & March 1
March 1, 2026
WINTER 2026
NURS 654
2 days February 28 & March 1
May 23, 2026
SPRING 2026
NURS 656
2 days May 23 & May 24
May 24, 2026
SPRING 2026
NURS 656
2 days May 23 & May 24
July 11, 2026
SUMMER 2026
NURS 658
2 days July 11 & July 12
July 12, 2026
SUMMER 2026
NURS 658
2 days July 11 & July 12
Nursing 652 - Fall 2025
Healthcare Information and Big Data
Introduces many of the key concepts, and methods used in the management and use of large healthcare data assets, focusing on data integration, health informatics and the role of artificial intelligence. Issues relating to access, confidentiality, privacy, and data stewardship will be examined. Focuses on application and implications of big data use within the healthcare context and is not intended as a methods course.
Nursing 654 - Winter 2026
Design in Healthcare
Examines design in healthcare from a variety of facets. Principles and practices of digital health and architectural design innovation will be explored. User-centered design and prototype development approached will be demonstrated. Opportunities for transdisciplinary collaboration and end-user engagement in the design of a healthcare innovation will be highlighted in a hackathon experience.
*Prerequisite(s): NURS 652
Nursing 656 – Spring 2026
Emerging Technologies in Healthcare
Explores emerging healthcare technology trends and issues. Case studies and exemplars will be used to expand understanding of the consequences of the integration of technology in healthcare. Prototypes developed in Nursing 654 will be assessed withing the context of a learning health system and healthcare quality.
*Prerequisite(s): NURS 654
Nursing 658 - Summer 2026
Specialized Practice Demonstration: Health Design Project
Teams collaborate in the development of a healthcare design project that addresses a real-life healthcare challenges posed by industry partners and healthcare leaders. Focuses on application and synthesis of learning from previous courses to improve the quality of healthcare delivery
*Prerequisite(s): NURS 656
Still have questions, contact the Graduate Programs Office