The School of Nursing offers several post-graduate Nursing Certificate programs in Advanced Practice. In addition, two post-baccalaureate Interprofessional certificates are offered: Health Informatics and Health Professions Educator. Select the program link below for detailed information on admission and certificate requirements for each certificate option. 

Advanced Practice Post-Graduate Certificate Programs

The advanced practice clinical certificates programs require that applicants have completed an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) educational program from a nationally accredited school of nursing. Applicants must also have completed the following advanced practice prerequisite courses (either as part of their previous graduate degree or as post-graduate study through an accredited university): advanced health assessment, advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, and health promotion.

The Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) Certificate (19 credit hours) is designed to provide APRNs who have a baseline preparation in primary care with an opportunity for additional training in acute care, as part of an interprofessional healthcare team. The curriculum includes core concepts of the advanced practice nursing role in acute care settings, expanded models of acute care, care transitions, and age-related considerations of the adult/gerontology patient in acute care. The role of the AGACNP may include episodic management of a patient in a clinical specialty unit, following a caseload of patients during a hospitalization, or caring for patients across the acute care continuum. 

Required didactic courses are offered online. Practicum courses NRSG 975, NRSG 976, and NRSG 977 use on-campus, face-to-face clinical learning experiences, with clinical placement opportunities in diverse acute care environments, which may include the University of Kansas Health System. Simulation spaces on the KU Medical Center campus are used for skills training. Application deadline is April 1 for Summer semester. The AGACNP Certificate is not offered for the 2024-2025 admission cycle.

The Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) Certificate (16 credit hours) focuses on the knowledge and skills required to educate advanced practice nurses to provide primary health care to a diverse population of adults. The Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner focuses on assessment and management of common acute and chronic health care problems of adult and older adult patients in a primary care setting. A variety of practice settings are used: primary care or internal medicine clinics; occupational health clinics; home based care; long-term, assisted living or post-acute care; rural health clinics; and other sites serving adults and older adults.

Required didactic courses are offered online. Practicum courses NRSG 903, NRSG 904, and NRSG 905 require visits to the KU Medical Center campus several times during each semester for Clinical Intensive workshops and Standardized Patient exams. The AGPCNP Certificate is not offered for the 2024-2025 admission cycle.

The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Certificate (16 credit hours) focuses on the knowledge and skills required to educate advanced practice nurses to provide primary health care to clients and families across the lifespan. Family Nurse Practitioners provide comprehensive health promotion services to ambulatory clients; evaluate presenting problems at the client's initial contact with the primary care system; and continuing care to clients with acute and stable chronic illnesses.

Required didactic courses are offered online. Practicum courses NRSG 916, NRSG 917 and NRSG 918 require visits to the KU Medical Center campus several times during each semester for Clinical Intensive workshops and Standardized Patient exams. Application deadline is June 1 for Fall semester.

The Health Systems Leadership Certificate (14 credit hours) program prepares health professionals with skills in financial management, human resource management, performance improvement, systems thinking, strategic management, relational leadership, and personal and professional accountability. Students may complete the Health Systems Leadership Certificate as a licensed professional with a health-related degree, as a post-graduate certificate, or concurrently with a graduate program in nursing or other health-related discipline. All courses are online.

The Population Health Nursing Certificate (13 credit hours) is a program that prepares nurses with skills in health promotion of a target population, clinical and translational applications of epidemiology, global perspectives of healthcare, change leadership, and policy analysis. Students may complete the Population Health Nursing Certificate as a licensed professional with a nursing degree, as a post-graduate certificate, or concurrently with a graduate program in nursing or other health-related discipline. All courses are online.

The Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Certificate (24 credit hours) prepares advanced practice nurses to diagnose and treat common mental health conditions in general medical settings and to deliver effective psychiatric care in mental health settings. Students are prepared to apply knowledge and skills in interpersonal, psychotherapeutic, and psychopharmacologic interventions for individuals, groups, and families with psychiatric disorders. All courses are online and offered in sequence every other year. Spring 2025 starts the next available course sequence. Application deadline is November 1 for Spring semester.

The Nurse-Midwife Certificate (25 credit hours) prepares advanced practice nurses to focus on the care and management of well women's primary and reproductive health care needs throughout the life span. The program content is family-centered, respectful of individual and cultural variations, and promotes health through individual choice and participation. Courses are offered online and on the KU Medical Center campus. Required didactic courses (NRSG 841, NRSG 921, NRSG 922, NRSG 923, NRSG 924, NRSG 962) are offered online. Practicum courses (NRSG 966, NRSG 967, and NRSG 968) require visits to the KU Medical Center campus several times during each semester for Clinical Intensive workshops, simulation experiences, and Standardized Patient exams. The next available sequence begins Fall 2024. The application deadline is June 1.

Interprofessional Certificate Programs

The Health Informatics Certificate (17 credit hours) is an interprofessional program designed to prepare clinicians and health care professionals with skills in analysis, design, implementation, and evaluation of information systems that support a full range of clinical and patient care functions. The graduate will be prepared for entry and mid-level positions within informatics departments, and as consultants and/or staff in organizations specializing in electronic health systems and knowledge management. A baccalaureate degree in any area is required and previous health care experience is preferred, but not required. All classes are offered online.

The Health Professions Educator Certificate (12 credit hours) is an interprofessional program that affords broad opportunities and necessary skills to develop healthcare education expertise in various roles within academic and clinical settings. Students complete applied teaching projects in each educator course, including a final student teaching capstone. Students may complete the Health Professions Educator Certificate as a post-baccalaureate student with a health-related degree, as a post-graduate certificate, or concurrently with a graduate program in nursing or other health-related discipline. All required didactic courses are online. Practicum courses typically require in-person attendance at the practicum sites.