Certificate in Gerontology for Nurse Practitioners

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The Post-Professional Certificate in Gerontology for Nurses Practitioners is a non-degree certificate designed for graduate-prepared Family, Adult Primary Care, Psychiatric Mental Health Primary Care, and Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioners who seek to increase their formal education as a principal provider of primary health care in the care of older adults.

The curriculum includes a total of 15 credits; nine (9) credits of core advanced nursing practice and six (6) approved elective credits.  The core advanced nursing practice courses are specifically designed to enable the Nurse Practitioner to increase their capacity in the complex care of older adults.  The curriculum includes a clinical practicum to provide students with the opportunity to synthesize and integrate concepts learned in the delivery of primary health care to older adults across a variety of settings.

Students will select six (6) credits of elective courses related to their career goals or interests (taught through other departments).

Upon successful completion of all requirements students will receive a Certificate in Gerontology for Nurse Practitioners.  Certificate in Gerontology for Nurse Practitioners will appear on the student transcript.

Graduates will increase their marketability across health care settings with expertise in geriatrics and will enhance their clinical practice to better meet the complex health care needs of our aging population.

Curriculum Format

• 100% online delivery (no onsite campus requirements)
• Part time (2-3 terms)
• 15 credits (includes 180 practicum hours in student’s locale)
• Fall term admission

Program Outcomes

Graduates of the Certificate in Gerontology for Nurse Practitioners will be prepared to:

• Apply advanced knowledge about gerontology and geriatrics, and specialized knowledge of aging and the aging process
• Bring expertise to the NP role that includes the diagnosis and management of acute, chronic, and preventive health care needs of the older adult population
• Collaborate with and lead inter-disciplinary health care teams in the care of older adults. 

Admission Criteria

• Current RN license in U.S. state/territory where student will complete practicum requirement
• ≥ 3.0 GPA in MSN or DNP as a Family, Adult Primary Care, Psychiatric Mental Health Primary Care, or Adult Acute Care NP program from ACEN, NLN, ACICS, or CCNE accredited program
• Pre-admission interview
• Short essay