The purpose of the Post-Graduate APRN Certificate Program is to provide for current, certified advanced practice nurse practitioners an additional population focus other than that obtained in their master’s or doctoral program. Individuals eligible for this program hold a national nurse practitioner certification, seek an additional nurse practitioner population focus, hold Advanced Practice Nurse (APRN) licensure and are working in the clinical environment. The program is designed to broaden the clinical capabilities of advanced practice nurses who are planning a role expansion or role change. The program bridges the gap in your formal education requirements between your current certification and required coursework.
There are two Post-Graduate APRN Certificate specialty tracks:
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)
Post-Graduate APRN Certificate Program Student Expected Outcomes:
- Integrate advanced knowledge and theories from nursing and related disciplines into a specialized area of advanced nursing practice.
- Demonstrate competence in advanced nursing roles to meet current and emerging health needs of a specific population or system.
- Use scientific inquiry to identify problems within a specific patient population to improve care outcomes.
- Contribute to the focus and direction of the nursing profession within a specialized area of advanced nursing practice.
- Demonstrate life-long professional learning skills through collecting, organizing, and communicating information in professional writing and presentations.
Post-Graduate APRN Certificate students must successfully complete all didactic and clinical requirements for the population specific track. Students are required to complete clinical practicum hours associated with the population specific didactic courses. Completion of the Post-Graduate APRN certificate program results in the award of a certificate of academic achievement.
Completion enables eligibility for certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board.
Students completing the post-graduate APRN certificate may continue their education by applying to the Health Systems Innovation and Leadership track of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program leading to a doctoral degree. Our students benefit from personalized faculty attention and join classmates who also have diverse backgrounds that enrich learning.
*Gap Analysis for Individualized Course of Study
In accordance with the 2016 Criteria for Evaluation of Nurse Practitioner Programs, a gap analysis is conducted for each applicant, based on prior education and certification, as well as academic didactic and clinical needs, to determine their specific course of study. The total credits required may vary based on evaluation of the student’s previous coursework. The total credits required will vary based on evaluation of the gap analysis.
Curriculum
Click to view course requirements for the Post-Graduate APRN Certificates.
Post-Graduate APRN Certificate students must successfully complete three clinical courses and specialty courses in one track as they apply for the second track based upon the gap analysis. Post-Graduate APRN Certificate applicants may be eligible to transfer the following courses after review of prior nurse practitioner education from their program transcript and evidence of current certification. Applicants who have successfully completed the Clinical Core Courses, the 3 P’s (corresponding Elms courses: NUR 6006, NUR 6004 A, NUR 6004 B, NUR 6007 A and NUR 6007 B), may be approved through a gap analysis review of their college/university transcript for course credit transfer.
Applicants must document successful completion through transcripts of graduate-level courses in Pharmacology (3-credit equivalent), Pathophysiology (3-credit equivalent), and Advanced Health and Physical Assessment (4-credit equivalent).
The Post-Graduate APRN Certificate (PGC) must be completed within two years.
All population specific tracks within the Post-Graduate APRN certificate program require a clinical practice hour component. Students should expect to spend 15-20 hours weekly in coursework and / or clinical practicum.
Program completers are eligible to take the national certification exam upon completing the program requirements. The Post-Graduate APRN Certificate Program will meet the professional standards set forth by the American Nurse Credentialing Center and the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN).
Practice Hours:
There is also an option apply to the DNP post-master’s HSIL track after completion of the certificate program.
Clinical Core Courses (15 credits):
| Course # | Course Name | # of Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NUR 6006 | Advanced Health and Physical Assessment | 4 |
| NUR 6004A | Advanced Pathophysiology (course A) | 2 |
| NUR 6004B | Advanced Pathophysiology (course B) | 2 |
| NUR 6007A | Advanced Pharmacology (course A) | 2 |
| NUR 6007B | Advanced Pharmacology (course B) | 2 |
| NUR 7600 | Clinical Decision Making and Diagnostic Reasoning | 3 |
Family Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate APRN Certificate Core Courses (including clinical practicum)
| Course # | Course Name | # of Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NUR 7203 | Primary Care and Practicum | 4 |
| NUR 7204 | Primary Care and Practicum | 6 |
| NUR 7205 | Primary Care and Practicum | 4 |
| NUR 7402 | Primary Care IV: Complex Health Problems in Primary Care and Practicum | 6 |
| NUR 7404A | Transition into Practice and Certification Seminar for the PGC Student | 2 |
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Post-Graduate APRN Certificate Core Courses (including clinical practicum) – 15 Week Courses.
| Course # | Course Name | # of Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NUR 7216 | Adult Gerontology Health Care I and Practicum | 5 |
| NUR 7217 | Adult Gerontology Health Care II and Practicum | 5 |
| NUR 7218 | Adult Gerontology Health Care III and Practicum | 4 |
| NUR 7219 | Adult Gerontology Health Care IV and Practicum | 4 |
| NUR 7404A | Transitions into Practice and Certification Seminar for the PGC Student | 2 |
| NUR 7601 | Clinical Procedures for Critical and Emergency Care (AGACNP students only) | 2 |
Student Fees
Estimated program fees to be determined by individual gap analysis.