Certificate in Gerontology for Nurse Practitioners

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The online Post-Professional Certificate in Gerontology for Nurses Practitioners is a non-degree certificate designed for graduate-prepared Family, Adult Primary Care, Psychiatric Mental Health, 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 11 credits; five (5) credits of core advanced nursing practice and six (6) approved elective credits. The core advanced nursing practice courses are specifically designed to enable Nurse Practitioners 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 (some 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

• Part time (2-3 terms)
• Online
• 11 credits (students may add up to 180 hours of optional practicum in student’s locale)

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

• Valid registered nurse license in US State/Territory or location where clinical experiences are performed
• MSN or DNP degree as a Family, Adult Primary Care, Psychiatric Mental Health, or Adult Acute Care NP (from ACEN, NLN, or CCNE accredited program)
• GPA ≥ 3.0 in MSN or DNP program
• Pre-admission interview
• Short essay
• Complete online application
• International applicants: see www.nursing.pitt.edu and www.ois.pitt.edu
• Fall, Spring, and Summer term admission

Admission of International Applicants 

Applications from international students are reviewed according to the admission criteria stated above, and admissions deadlines for all programs are available online. The online application must be completed in English.  See the School of Nursing International Applicants page for specific admission requirements.