Dr. Casey Henley
Associate Professor and Director of Online Neuroscience Program
Dr. Casey Henley is a neuroscience educator and education researcher. She received her undergraduate degrees, graduate degree, and postdoctoral training at MSU. She spends her time teaching, building online programs, and studying what makes course design work, particularly for students who are most often left behind by traditional approaches.
She wrote and illustrated Foundations for Neuroscience, a free, award-winning open textbook used by students and instructors around the world. She also coordinates neuroscience outreach, connecting MSU with K-12 students through events like the Brain Bee at MSU and Neuroscience Fair.
Program Details
The Michigan State University online Medical Neuroscience Certificate Program will provide post-baccalaureate credentials and career development for students seeking to improve their academic profile or employment qualifications. The graduate program is aimed at students interested in applying to graduate or professional school and individuals working in the pharmaceutical or medical device industries. The health care field is changing with new medical research advancing scientific knowledge at a rapid pace, and our program aims at helping students to navigate developments in the field of neuroscience.
Admission to graduate or professional schools has become a complex and highly competitive process. Changes to admission exams, like the MCAT, shifts focus from testing what the applicants know to testing how they apply and use what they know. Our program will give students the skills to think critically, work in teams, and communicate effectively, all important skills necessary for success in graduate school, professional school, or industry.
Program Outcomes
By obtaining the Medical Neuroscience graduate certificate, students will be able to do the following:
- Obtain and apply knowledge of the following topics to solve novel problems
- General neuroscience principles
- Nervous system disorders
- Drug use, abuse, and interactions
- Development
- Work successfully in team-based settings
- Analyze and interpret data from published peer-reviewed papers
- Assess ethical, legal, and social implications of neuroscientific research, tools, and discoveries
- Effectively and accurately communicate scientific findings
Career Outlook
A graduate certificate in Medical Neuroscience from Michigan State University can impact your career advancement and professional development in multiple ways:
- Strengthen applications to graduate or professional school
- Compete for raises or promotions
- Transition into a neuroscience-specific position
- Apply new knowledge and skills to current job responsibilities
- Grow your professional network
A Top-Ranked Education
- 29th among Best Public Universities in America — U.S. News & World Report, 2026
- Veteran-Friendly 'Gold Status' 10 Years in a Row — Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, 2025