The School of Nursing offers several post-graduate Nursing Certificate programs. 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. APRN licensure is not required for the Executive Leadership Certificate. With the exception of the Executive Leadership Certificate, all certificate programs admit new cohorts in summer semesters: Executive Leadership admits in spring semesters.

The Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) Certificate (19 credit hours) prepares registered nurses who have previously earned a graduate nursing degree to provide direct acute care to adolescents through aging adults.

Required didactic courses are offered online. Practicum courses NURS 975, NURS 976, and NURS 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 Kansas City campus are used for skills training. Upon completion, graduates are eligible to sit for national certification examination(s).

The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Certificate (18 credit hours) prepares APRN students to provide primary care services to patients and families including wellness and preventative, episodic, and chronic care across the lifespan. 

Required didactic courses are offered online. Practicum courses NURS 955, NURS 956, and NURS 957 require visits to the KU Medical Center Kansas City campus several times during each semester for Clinical Intensive workshops, simulation experiences, and Standardized Patient exams. Upon completion, graduates are eligible to sit for national certification examination(s).

The Nurse-Midwife Certificate (27 credit hours) prepares advanced practice nurses to provide primary care, as well as sexual, reproductive, and gynecologic care to patients across the lifespan. The program content is family-centered, respectful of individual and cultural variations, and promotes health through individual choice and participation. 

Required didactic courses are offered online. Practicum courses NURS 965, NURS 966, and NURS 967 require visits to the KU Medical Center Kansas City campus several times during each semester for Clinical Intensive workshops, simulation experiences, and Standardized Patient exams. Upon completion, graduates are eligible to sit for national certification examination(s).

The Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Certificate (24 credit hours) prepares advanced practice nurses to provide primary mental health care services to groups, patients, and families across the lifespan. 

All courses are online and upon completion, graduates are eligible to sit for national certification examination(s).

Other Post-Graduate Certificate Programs

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. The Health Professions Educator Certificate is not offered for the 2026-2027 academic year.