(Updated June 2026)
The College of Health Sciences Undergraduate Research Experiences Program offers a Certificate in Undergraduate Research in Human Health Sciences. The certificate program recognizes students who have demonstrated a sustained commitment to scholarly inquiry, discovery, and research excellence. Designed for highly motivated students seeking to go beyond traditional coursework, the certificate provides a structured pathway for engaging in meaningful research experiences that deepen academic learning and professional development.
Through advanced faculty-mentored research experiences, students gain firsthand exposure to interdisciplinary clinical, translational, community-based, and basic science research across the health sciences. Participants develop the skills necessary to formulate research questions, evaluate evidence, analyze data, communicate findings, and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in their field.
The certificate offers students the opportunity to build a strong foundation in the research process while working closely with faculty mentors and research teams. Along the way, students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, leadership, and professional communication skills that are highly valued by employers, healthcare organizations, and graduate and professional programs.
Earning the Certificate in Undergraduate Research in Human Health Sciences distinguishes students who have made a significant investment in scholarly and research pursuits during their undergraduate education. It serves as formal recognition of their commitment to academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, and the pursuit of evidence-based solutions to challenges in health and healthcare. Whether your goal is to pursue graduate education, enter a professional healthcare program, or begin a career in the health sciences, the certificate provides a valuable credential that demonstrates initiative, achievement, and a commitment to lifelong learning.
Admissions Criteria
The admissions criteria for the certificate are:
- A minimum 2nd-semester freshman
- 3.0 GPA
- Active and current participation in a faculty-mentored research lab, along with a statement from the research mentor indicating their willingness to sponsor the student
- An application submitted through the Certificate in Undergraduate Research web portal (see below).
Onboarding activities
Before beginning any lab work or research experience, all students will be required to:
- Register with the main UK Office of Undergraduate Research to receive funding and presentation opportunity updates
- Complete human subjects protection and responsible conduct in research training.
- If the student is working with animals or animal tissues, the student may substitute human subjects training with some form of animal welfare training through IACUC.
- Complete web-based lab safety modules as needed and directed by their faculty mentor.
- Complete a ForagerOne Student Account.
Requirements to Earn the CHS Undergraduate Research (UGR) Certificate
- A total of 12-15 credit hours will be required to successfully complete the CHS UGR Certificate. All required courses for the certificate must be completed with an overall GPA of a 3.0 or better and each course within the certificate must be completed with at least a C or better. Courses are described below and can be adapted to accommodate students enrolled in the Honors Program as requested.
- In addition to these course credits, the student must participate in some form of research dissemination (oral or poster presentation, manuscript prep, lit review, lecture, etc.) during their certificate program. The form of research dissemination required for a given student will be left up to the faculty mentor in consultation with the student mentee.
1. Certificate Course Requirements:
- HHS 454: Research in Human Health Sciences (3 credit hours)
This course provides an introduction to basic methods for researching issues related to health, healthcare, and within health services organizations and systems. - HHS 455: Research Experience in Health Sciences (6 - 9 credit hours)
HHS 455 provides the student with the opportunity to engage in independent work devoted to research on a specific problem with the goal to challenge the student to synthesize concepts from his/her total program and relate them to his/her specific field of research interest. Students work under the direction of a faculty mentor in an area of mutual scientific interest. Student and mentor collaborate to develop a research contract that outlines the expectations of the research experience including: a description of the experience with goals and objectives, and tasks for completing the objectives with timelines and criteria (with percentages) for assessment. As part of the HHS 455 course, students will also engage in additional activities deemed necessary by the faculty mentor including participation in the mentor’s lab group/journal club, IRB (human research review board) or IACUC (animal research review board) protocol preparation, discussions with the mentor on topics related to research ethics, and additional presentation experiences at scientific meetings, etc. These additional activities are varied and flexible and are meant to involve the student in the scientific life and culture of the mentor's lab. - Out-of-Discipline Course (3 credit hours) (Course must be at 300 level or higher)
The student and mentor will collaborate to select an out-of-discipline course (ODC) to meet this requirement of the certificate program. The course may come from any program on the UK campus, with the caveat that the content of the course is specific to the student’s scientific field of interest^. For example, a student with a major in communication sciences and disorders interested in the effects of preterm birth on family stress might take a course in sociology (A&S), psychology (A&S), or health care navigation (HHS). Alternatively, a student interested in aging muscle might take a course in gerontology (GRN), public health (CPH), or physiology (ANA). The connection between the selected course and its application to the area of research the student is currently engaged in, must be clearly linked in the agreement between the student and faculty mentor. In considering course options, the student and mentor are responsible for obtaining any necessary instructor consent prior to student enrollment. (^Please note: Required courses from a student’s primary major cannot be used to satisfy the ODC requirement for the certificate. ODCs must be outside of the student’s primary major.)
2. Dissemination Requirement:
- Lastly, in addition to the three course requirements listed above, students seeking the UGR certificate are required to complete either (1) a presentation to a targeted group (e.g. professional meetings, journal clubs, other scientific or clinical meetings), (2) poster preparation for a regional/national/international conference, (3) manuscript development/writing with mentor, or (4) writing a scholarly literature review. Other forms of dissemination will be allowed as needed with prior approval from the CHS Director of Undergraduate Research.
To view a sample checklist of requirements needed for the CHS UGR Certificate, please click here (pdf).