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The Certificate of Graduate Study in Advanced Practice Nursing (nurse practitioner) is restricted to students who hold a master’s degree in nursing. The program of study is designed to augment the student’s prior graduate study through advanced practice preparation in one of three emphasis areas: Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

Students who complete the program of study are eligible to apply to take a national certification examination in the applicable nurse practitioner specialty area.

Learning Outcomes

• Apply knowledge from core courses in the assessment of clients.
• Integrate core and clinical course content in the diagnosis and treatment of clients.
• Use core and clinical course content within the context of the community and to understand community as client.
• Apply theory to practice problems, to analyze practice guidelines, and to conduct an evidence based practice project
• Examine laws governing advanced practice, to understand scope of practice, and to apply evidence based practice knowledge in treatment planning.

Entry Options

The Advanced Practice Nursing, Certificate program offers two entry points for students:

1. M.S.N. certified and practicing as an APRN (please note after admission a GAP analysis will be done to determine specific plan of study based on the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties LACE components).
2. M.S.N. not certified as Advanced Practice Nurses

Certificate Requirements

1. Completion of an approved program of study;
2. A GPA of 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) on all courses attempted for graduate credit and all courses numbered 700 and above;
3. A GPA of a 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) on all courses on the approved program of study
4. Minimum 18 Hours for students already certified for advanced practice nursing who need to obtain additional certification.