Diabetes Essentials Certificate Programs

Improve your diabetes competency to transform lives

Are you ready to improve your skills in how you deliver care for those living with diabetes? While most care settings help those with diabetes, many struggle to stay updated with the latest standards and advancements.

Our diabetes certificate programs provide a valuable opportunity to explore cutting-edge treatments and psychological strategies for improving diabetes management and overall well-being. Learn from a multidisciplinary panel of esteemed instructors who are renowned experts in diabetes care and education, both locally and globally. Each path has carefully designed content and with its self-paced, fully online format, you can enroll at any time and progress at your own pace while still getting the support and feedback from a clinical expert.

Join us in learning the latest in diabetes education and care so you can make a meaningful impact in your community, one person at a time.

Online Courses

Asynchronous & Self-Paced

Scholarships Available

Diabetes Essentials for Clinicians

Students will learn current and comprehensive practice applications of diabetes care and education for people with type 1 and 2 diabetes, including both children and adults. The curriculum also covers prediabetes and diabetes in pregnancy, with instruction provided by renowned experts and thought leaders. Students in the program will start with an illustrated review of pathophysiology and landmark studies in order to understand the evidence-based treatment modalities.

The faculty represent over 50 medical schools and universities and come from a wide range of disciplines. For example, although not an exhaustive list, this includes endocrinologists, primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (nurses, dietitians, exercise physiologists), pharmacists, psychologists, landmark trial researchers, dentist, ophthalmologist, surgeons, AI in diabetes and technology experts, and several international award-winning practitioners.

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Diabetes Essentials for Paraprofessionals

The certificate in Diabetes Essentials for Paraprofessionals is designed to give students a foundational understanding of diabetes and how to improve care delivery in a supportive role. Various experts will help students understand the basics of diabetes, including diagnosis and care approaches, as well as how to address common barriers facing special populations and ways to improve cultural competency.

This course is applicable for a several settings: ambulatory care and clinics, community health, inpatient, care homes, school, insurance plan providers and rehab centers. Upon completion of all three courses, students will be awarded a Certificate of Completion from University of the Pacific which can help to boost any resume.

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Diabetes Fundamentals Specialty Certificates

The Diabetes Fundamentals Specialty Certificate Program is specially tailored to provide comprehensive diabetes education for five different healthcare professions. These disciplines include providers (Physicians/Nurse Practitioners/Physician Assistants), Registered and Licensed Vocational Nurses, Pharmacists, Registered Dietitians, and Medical Social Workers.

Completing one of these programs not only provides 30-50 CME credits for licensure renewal but also awards learners with a specialty certificate from the University of the Pacific. For those aiming to work in a diabetes program or to showcase their competency in the care of those with diabetes and related conditions, this specialty certificate can enhance a clinician's resume.

FOR PROVIDERS MD/NP/PA (50 CME HOURS)
FOR NURSES (30 CME HOURS)
FOR PHARMACISTS (30 CME HOURS)
FOR DIETITIANS (30 CME HOURS)
FOR SOCIAL WORKERS (30 CME HOURS)

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Abbott Fund Scholars Opportunity

If you are currently employed or seeking employment in health care, a community-based organization, education, or an organization that is providing services to Stockton or San Joaquin County residents living with diabetes, you may be eligible to receive a scholarship. Applicants whose organizations provide services to priority neighborhoods in Stockton or San Joaquin County are highly encouraged to apply. The scholarship will cover 100% of tuition for the student's certificate or individual courses.

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Hear what our alumni have to say.

Lisa, FNP-BC

Diabetes Essentials for Clinicians

"Nutrition lectures were helpful too because they gave me better ways to communicate with patients. In my practice, I have tried to stay away from calling people “diabetic” as there are some who find the term offensive and have yelled at my staff that they do not like labels. The lectures made me even more mindful of how to talk to patients in a less biased way, and to not focus so much on weight loss and to consider the other factors affecting and causing diabetes. I have adjusted my teachings to not focus too much on weight loss and more on overall lifestyle changes and interventions."

Shanice, Administration Clerk

Diabetes Essentials for Paraprofessionals

"I loved the course! The no pressure of deadlines and going at your own pace was wonderful for this single working mother of four. The videos/materials were easy to comprehend. I really enjoying learning the basics of diabetes such as the causes, diet, management, and the everyday struggles of dealing with the disease. My favorite was learning about the different cultures and becoming more understanding, compassionate, and empathetic towards people trying to manage diabetes."

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Assistant Professor of Practice for Diabetes Essentials Certificates

Theresa Garnero, APRN, BC-ADM, MSN, CDCES

Theresa Garnero is passionate about improving the lives of those living with diabetes and their families by facilitating expert-level education for healthcare professionals and their teams who provide care.

She is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Board-Certified in Advanced Diabetes Management (BC-ADM®), and a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist. She designs diabetes curricula for universities and startups alike, and has led several Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) Programs to achieve and maintain national recognition status.

Theresa was honored with the National Diabetes Educator of the Year award in 2004 by the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (formerly known as the American Association of Diabetes Educators). She is also a diabetes cartoonist whose work has been translated into several languages, and authored several books, including "Your First Year with Diabetes," published by the American Diabetes Association. She is also regularly invited to peer review diabetes-related articles for scientific journals.

As an Assistant Professor of Practice at the University of the Pacific (UOP), Theresa designed and teaches the Diabetes Essentials Programs for Clinicians and Non-Clinicians, which are continuously updated to include new standards. Her primary interest lies in inspiring competent and compassionate diabetes care through collaboration inside a course that was created with the busy professional in mind.

Contact Theresa Garnero

Theresa Garnero, APRN, BC-ADM, MSN, CDCES and Lawrence (Larry) Chang, PharmD, BCPS, BCGP, have stated they have no relationships to disclose.

Former Program Director: Lawrence (Larry) Chang, PharmD, BCPS, BCGP

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