Credits required
15
Cost per-credit*
$730
Delivery
Online
Start Terms
3 Per Year
Donor Management and Transplantation Science (Graduate Certificate)
Advance your impact in the field of organ donation and transplantation
Request Information
The Donor Management and Transplantation Science (Graduate Certificate) at Nevada Online is a fully online 15-credit program that prepares healthcare and public health professionals to lead within the organ donation and transplantation system. Launched in 2024, the program was developed to address critical workforce shortages in organ procurement and transplant coordination. It was designed in partnership with Nevada Donor Network and guided by Program Director Dr. Nilay Etiler.
Whether you work in a hospital, organ procurement organization (OPO), transplant center, or public health setting, this program will help you navigate the donation and transplantation field's clinical, ethical and logistical dimensions—from donor identification to recovery, allocation and recipient care.
Curriculum and Course Highlights
The certificate includes five graduate-level courses that explore the full scope of the organ and transplantation process, emphasizing system-wide thinking, ethical practice and real-time coordination in high-stakes medical environments.
Curriculum Highlights
- Foundations of Donor Management: Ethical frameworks, national networks and policy systems
- Donor Identification and Referral: Recognizing potential donors, conducting referrals and coordinating with donor hospitals
- Donor Evaluation and Management: Stabilization techniques, medications during donor management and communication with donor families
- Organ Recovery and Allocation: Organ transport, allocation systems and interprofessional teamwork
- Transplantation Science and Outcomes: Immunology, risk of organ rejection, long-term transplant outcomes
The program provides foundational knowledge for those pursuing organ procurement and transplantation roles, including OPO staff, transplant coordinators and hospital development professionals.
Program Overview
Created for early-career and experienced professionals alike, the program offers a focused curriculum in donor management, organ procurement and transplantation science. Students gain hands-on knowledge to support patients, donor families, clinicians and system-level stakeholders in the organ donation process.
Program Snapshot
- Format: 100% online, asynchronous
- Total Credits: 15 graduate credits (5 courses)
- Tuition: $730 per credit ($10,950 total)
- University Fees: Additional; includes technology and registration
- Time to Completion: 12–18 months (flexible pacing)
- Start Terms: Fall, Spring, Summer
- Academic College: School of Public Health
- Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Admissions and Tuition
Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. Professional or academic experience in healthcare, public health, or biological sciences is helpful but not required.
Application Requirements
- Statement of purpose outlining your interest in transplantation science
- Resume or CV
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions
- English language proficiency (for international applicants)
- No GRE required
Tuition & Fees
- $730 per credit × 15 credits = $10,950 (base tuition)
- University fees for technology and registration are not included
Many students are eligible for employer tuition reimbursement or professional development funding through OPOs or healthcare organizations.
Program Outcomes and Career Pathways
Graduates of the Donor Management and Transplantation Science certificate program will be prepared to work across donation systems, supporting the critical coordination between donor hospitals and transplant centers. The program supports eligibility for certification exams offered by the American Board for Transplant Certification (ABTC), including the CPTC®, CCTC® and CCTN®. However, exam eligibility also requires at least 12 months of relevant work experience following completion of the certificate.
This certificate prepares professionals for roles such as:
- Organ Procurement Coordinator: OPOs, organ procurement and transplantation networks
- Transplant Coordinator: Transplant programs, hospitals and transplant centers
- Hospital Development Specialist: Donor hospitals, education and outreach
- Public Health Planner: State departments, policy organizations
- Quality and Compliance Lead: Regulatory, nonprofit, or public institutions
With more than 114,000 patients currently awaiting organ transplants in the U.S., the need for trained professionals in the donation and transplantation system is urgent and growing.
Designed by Experts in Transplantation
Led by Dr. Nilay Etiler and developed in collaboration with the Nevada Donor Network, this graduate certificate offers students direct insight into best practices, ethical concerns, and systemic challenges that impact organ and tissue recovery, allocation, and transplant outcomes.
As a student, you’ll benefit from:
- Evidence-based course design aligned with current OPO and transplant center workflows
- Support from instructors with expertise in organ donation, transplant coordination, and public health leadership
- 24/7 access to Canvas and online learning resources
- Optional engagement with peer networks and professionals in the field of transplantation
Expand Your Role in the Organ Donation System
The Donor Management and Transplantation Science (Graduate Certificate) empowers professionals to make a lasting impact in the donation and transplantation industry. Whether you're helping coordinate care for a deceased donor, improving efficiency across an organ procurement organization or raising awareness about the need for organ donation, this program helps you become a more capable, confident leader.
Why choose Nevada Online for your Donor Management and Transplantation Science (Graduate Certificate)?
Earn your Donor Management and Transplantation Science Graduate Certificate online from the University of Nevada, Reno. This 15-credit, expert-developed program provides specialized, flexible training from a Carnegie R1 research university, preparing you for leadership in organ donation and transplantation.
Benefits of learning online with Nevada Online
Classes taught by University of Nevada, Reno faculty
Access to a Carnegie® R1 research university
Choose from accessible, fully online programs
Continue your education from anywhere in the world, free from a fixed schedule