Overview
The Penn State Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing offers a range of graduate certificates designed to enhance professional expertise and expand career opportunities in specialized areas of nursing. These certificate programs provide advanced education and practical skills tailored for nurses looking to deepen their knowledge, stay competitive in the evolving healthcare landscape, or prepare for leadership roles. With flexible learning options and expert faculty support, the college’s graduate certificates empower nursing professionals to make a greater impact in patient care, education, and healthcare innovation. Explore the possibilities and take the next step in your nursing career today.
Graduate Certificate Options:
Nurse Administrator »
Nurse Educator »
Post-Graduate APRN Certificates »
Application Deadlines
| For Fall admission June 30 | For Spring admission October 1 | For Summer admission March 1 |
Professional Licensure/Certification
Many US states and territories require professional licensure/certification to be employed. If you plan to pursue employment in a licensed profession after completing this program, please visit the Professional Licensure/Certification Disclosures by State interactive map.
Graduate Certificate in Nurse Administrator
As medical conditions become increasingly complex across our population, nurses will continue to be an integral part of the overall care of patients. However, nurses with the ability to lead and manage people and who also possess the knowledge of how to improve the business processes in a hospital or health system will be in high demand.
This certificate is designed as a “stand-alone” certificate or can serve as a “step-up” to the Nurse Administrator option in the Master of Science in Nursing degree. When you have successfully completed our nurse administrator certificate program, you may apply the credits toward the master’s degree if granted admission to enter the highly competitive program.
Courses in the 9-credit certificate can help prepare you for a career as a nurse administrator by focusing on topics including:
- health care policy and economics
- nursing leadership roles, concepts, and theories
- human resources in complex health care organizations
The Nurse Administrator Graduate Certificate requires the successful completion of three 3-credit graduate-level nursing administrator courses. The program also includes an optional 4-credit practicum course designed to give you the opportunity to apply the knowledge you gained in the three required courses.
Required Courses (9 credits):
NURS 845 Health Care Economics and Policy for Nurse Administrators – 3 credits
Concepts of health care economics and policy for nurse administrators.
NURS 846 Leadership Concepts and Theories for Nurse Administrators – 3 credits
This course provides a foundation in nurse leadership roles, concepts, and theories. Students will explore the theoretical basis of leadership and change, as well as analyze organizational structure, power, and politics. This course is intended to provide students with a theoretical and evidence-based foundation for leadership roles in healthcare organizations. Discussion of communication, decision-making, and problem-solving strategies for nurse administrators is included throughout the course.
NURS 847 Human Resource and Workforce Issues for Nurse Administrators – 3 credits
This course provides a foundation in human resources within health care organizations. Students will examine ethical and legal issues related to collective bargaining, unions, and staffing. This course is intended to prepare students to utilize leadership strategies for recruiting, retaining, developing, and evaluating a diverse, multidisciplinary workforce in complex health care environments. Discussion of evidence-based strategies for conflict resolution will be included throughout the course.
Optional Course (4 credits):
NURS 848 Synthesis and Application of the Nurse Administrator Role – 4 credits
This course involves the practical application of knowledge acquired in previously completed courses related to nurse administration. Students will work with a preceptor in a health care setting to demonstrate multiple aspects of the nurse administrator role. The practicum experience will be developed to fulfill mutually agreed-upon objectives based on students’ previous experiences and identified learning needs.
Learn more about the certificate’s courses by visiting the University Bulletin »
Graduate Certificate in Nurse Educator
As medical diagnoses and patient care become more complex, a serious nursing shortage could impact the quality of nursing staff in the United States. And, unfortunately, since there are fewer nurses with the background to teach prospective students, many nursing programs are forced to turn away qualified applicants.
The Nurse Educator Graduate Certificate is an excellent stand-alone credential to help you explore a teaching role. In addition, all of the required credits in this graduate certificate can be applied toward the Nurse Educator option of the Master of Science in Nursing if you are granted admission into the highly competitive degree program.
The courses in the 9-credit certificate can help prepare you to teach in a variety of educational and clinical settings and cover topics such as:
- nursing education theories and strategies
- assessment and evaluation strategies for nursing education
- curriculum and program development in nursing education
The Graduate Certificate in Nurse Educator requires successful completion of three 3-credit graduate-level nurse educator courses. The program also includes an optional 4-credit practicum course designed to give you the opportunity to apply the knowledge you gained in the three required courses.
Required Courses (9 credits):
NURS 840 Nursing Education Theories and Strategies – 3 credits
This course provides a foundation in the role of the nurse educator and evidence-based strategies for nursing education. Students will explore various theoretical perspectives of teaching and learning, as well as practical application of strategies to meet the diverse needs of learners. The course is intended to prepare students to employ effective teaching strategies in classroom, clinical, and online educational settings. Discussion of managing various challenges related to nursing education will be included throughout the course.
NURS 841 Assessment and Evaluation in Nursing Education – 3 credits
This course provides a foundation in assessment, measurement, and evaluation strategies for nursing education. Students will explore the theoretical basis for evaluation, as well as practical application of the strategies. The course is intended to prepare students to utilize strategies of measurement and evaluation in developing tests, interpreting test results, assessing clinical performance, and evaluating written assignments. Discussion of legal and ethical issues related to evaluation in nursing education will be included throughout the course.
NURS 842 Curriculum and Program Development in Nursing Education – 3 credits
This course provides a foundation in curricular design, program development, and curriculum evaluation in nursing education. Students will explore internal and external contextual factors influencing curriculum design and implementation. This course is intended to prepare students to utilize foundational principles and concepts for the development and evaluation of nursing curricula in academic settings. This course will also prepare students for program development and evaluation in nursing education.
Optional Course (4 credits):
NURS 843 Synthesis and Application of the Nurse Educator Role – 4 credits
This course involves the practical application of knowledge acquired in previously completed courses related to nursing education. Students will work with a preceptor in an educational setting to demonstrate multiple aspects of the nurse educator role. The practicum experience will be developed to fulfill mutually agreed-upon objectives based on students’ previous experiences and identified learning needs.
Learn more about the certificate’s courses by visiting the University Bulletin »
Post-Graduate APRN Certificates
Options for the Post-Graduate APRN Certificate include Acute Care Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, Primary Care Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, Family/Individual Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioner, and Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
Acute Care Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
The purpose of the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner certificate is to prepare individuals with a master’s degree or higher in nursing seeking additional certification as an Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. The goal of this certificate is to prepare nurses to provide direct care of adults/older adults with acute and complex illness in acute care health care settings. Applicants will have an individualized plan of study based on a review of graduate transcripts. To earn this certificate, you must complete at least 22 credits and 600 practicum hours. Additional coursework may be required, based on an evaluation of transcripts and prior courses completed.
The course work in this program will focus on the assessment, diagnosis, management, and treatment of critically ill older adult patients with complex acute and chronic illness to restore or maximize health.
Courses in this certificate are based on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Essentials and national Nurse Practitioner competencies.
Following successful program completion, students are eligible to take national certification examinations as adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioners.
Sample Plan of Study
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | Summer Semester | |
| Year 1 | NURS 866 HA fo Adult Gero Populations in AC – 1 credit NURS 802 Health Assessment – 3 credits Credit total – 4 | ||
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | Summer Semester | |
| Year 2 | NURS 861 NP ROLE – 3 credits NURS 865 Pharma for ACNP – 1 credit NURS 862D AGACNP PRACT (225 CPH) – 3 credits Credit total – 7 | NURS 860 NP ROLE – 3 credits NURS 863D AGACNP PRACT (150 CPH) – 2 credits Credit total – 5 | NURS 867 PRACT SYN – 3 credits NURS 864D AGACNP PRACT (225CPH) – 3 credits Credit total – 6 |
NOTE: Additional coursework including Advanced Pathophysiology and Pharmacology may be necessary depending on Gap Analysis.
Learn more about the certificate’s courses by visiting the University Bulletin »
Primary Care Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
The purpose of the Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner certificate is to prepare individuals with a master’s degree or higher in nursing seeking additional certification as an Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner. The curriculum includes the didactic and clinical courses required for application of the NP role and required for certification. This certificate is designed for nurses who are licensed to practice nursing in Pennsylvania, have already earned a graduate degree in nursing, and want to expand their scope of practice to care of older adult patients in primary care settings as an adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioner.
The coursework for this certificate focuses on the assessment, diagnosis, management, and treatment of adults and older adults who are experiencing common acute or episodic health problems.
Following successful program completion, students are eligible to take national certification examinations as adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioners.
This program focuses on the specialized skills, empathy, and communication needed to address the unique health care needs of this population. By studying epidemiological, cultural, ethical, and economic factors and engaging in interprofessional collaboration related to health promotion, disease prevention, and treatment, you can be well-prepared to excel as the primary care provider for your older adult patients.
To earn this certificate, you must successfully complete a minimum of 20 credits and 600 practicum hours. Additional coursework may be required, based on an evaluation of transcripts and prior courses completed. Courses are based on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Essentials and national nurse practitioner competencies.
Sample Plan of Study
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | Summer Semester | |
| Year 1 | NURS 802 Health Assessment – 3 credits Credit total – 3 | ||
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | Summer Semester | |
| Year 2 | NURS 870 NP ROLE – 3 credits NURS 872D AGPCNP PRACT (225CPH) – 3 credits Credit total – 6 | NURS 871 NP ROLE – 3 credits NURS 873M AGACNP PRACT (150 CPH) – 2 credits Credit total – 5 | NURS 877 PRACT SYN – 3 credits NURS 874D AGACNP PRACT (225CPH) – 3 credits Credit total – 6 |
NOTE: Additional coursework including Advanced Pathophysiology and Pharmacology may be necessary depending on Gap Analysis
Learn more about the certificate’s courses by visiting the University Bulletin »
Family/Individual Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioner
The purpose of the Family/Individual Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioner (FNP) certificate is to prepare individuals with a master’s degree or higher in Nursing seeking additional certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner. The curriculum includes the didactic and clinical courses required for application of the NP role and required for certification. This certificate is designed for nurses who are licensed to practice nursing in Pennsylvania, have already earned a graduate degree in nursing, and want to expand their scope of practice to patients across the lifespan and prepare for certification as a family nurse practitioner.
As a student in this advanced practice nursing program, you will study health promotion and illness prevention as well as the advanced health assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of acute and chronic health problems with individual, age-related, family, and special-population considerations.
The course work will focus on the epidemiological, cultural, ethical, and economic factors related to families and individuals in the context of health promotion, disease prevention, treatment options, and quality improvement processes. You’ll also focus on developing clinical skills that empower patients to maintain their health throughout their lives.
To earn this post-master’s certificate, you will need to successfully complete a minimum of 23 credits and 600 practicum hours. Additional coursework may be required, based on an evaluation of transcripts and prior courses completed.
Sample Plan of Study
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | Summer Semester | |
| Year 1 | NURS 802 Health Assessment – 3 credits NURS 802A Health Assessment – 1 credit Credit total – 4 | ||
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | Summer Semester | |
| Year 2 | NURS 870 NP ROLE – 3 credits NURS 872F F/INP PRACT (150 CPH) – 2 credits NURS 875 NP Role with Children and Families – 2 credits NURS 876F NP PRAC Child Health (75 CPH) – 1 credit Credit total – 8 | NURS 871 NP ROLE – 3 credits NURS 873F F/INP PRACT (150 CPH) – 2 credits Credit total – 5 | NURS 877 PRACT SYN – 3 credits NURS 874F F/INP PRACT (225 CPH) – 3 credits Credit total – 6 |
DPH – Doctoral Practicum Hours | CPH – Clinical Practicum Hours
NOTE: Additional coursework including Advanced Pathophysiology and Pharmacology may be necessary depending on Gap Analysis
Learn more about the certificate’s courses by visiting the University Bulletin »
Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Designed for master’s-prepared nurses seeking to expand their scope of practice, this certificate program provides specialized training in diagnosing and treating psychiatric disorders across the lifespan. With a focus on evidence-based care, integrated behavioral health, and patient-centered treatment, this program prepares you to meet the growing demand for mental health providers. Gain the expertise needed and make a lasting impact in your community.
To earn this post-master’s certificate, you will need to successfully complete a minimum of 23 credits and 600 practicum hours. Additional coursework may be required, based on an evaluation of transcripts and prior courses completed.
Sample Plan of Study
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | Summer Semester | |
| Year 1 | NURS 802 Health Assess (18 DPH) – 3 credits NURS 802M Int Bps – 2 credits Credit total – 5 | ||
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | Summer Semester | |
| Year 2 | NURS 870M NP ROLE – 3 credits NURS 872M PMHNP PRACT (225CPH) – 3 credits NURS 810 Theo Found & App of Psychotherapy – 4 credits Credit total – 10 | NURS 871M NP ROLE – 3 credits NURS 873M PMHNP PRACT (150 CPH) – 2 credits Credit total – 5 | NURS 877M PRACT SYN (38 DPH) – 3 credits NURS 874M PMHNPNP PRACT (225CPH) – 3 credits Credit total – 6 |
NOTE: Additional coursework including Advanced Pathophysiology and Pharmacology may be necessary depending on Gap Analysis
