Master of Science in Hospice and Palliative Studies

The Hospice Faculty of the College of Nursing and Health at Madonna University believe in the Hospice Philosophy as defined by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. In accordance with this belief, our purpose is to comprehensively prepare individuals to serve diverse client populations during the terminal phase of life, to perform effectively as members of an interdisciplinary team whose goal is to enhance the quality of life by focusing of the physical, psychological, social, emotional, and spiritual needs of the hospice patient and family, and to become leaders in the hospice/palliative care movement by their expertise in a selected cognate area and competency in research methodology. Hospice provides support and care for persons in the last phases of incurable disease so that they may live as fully and as comfortably as possible. Hospice recognizes dying as part of the normal process of living and focuses on maintaining the quality of remaining life. Hospice affirms life and neither hastens nor postpones death. Hospice exists in the hope and belief that through appropriate care, and the promotion of a caring community sensitive to their needs, patients and their families may be free to attain a degree of mental and spiritual preparation for death that is satisfactory to them. Hospice offers palliative care to terminally ill people and their families without regard for age, gender, nationality, race, creed, sexual orientation, disability, diagnosis, availability of a primary caregiver, or ability to pay (National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, www.nhpco.org).