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Post-Graduate Certificates

Post graduate certificates are for nurses who have already earned a master’s degree and want to switch their focus. Prospective students may transfer in up to 12 credits, which can help students earn the certificate more quickly.

The College has four Post-Graduate Certificates including, Adult-Gero Acute Care NP, FNP, Psych Mental Health NP, and Nurse Educator.

Program Outcomes

  1. Integrates advanced communication skills when interacting and collaborating with patients, families, populations and the health care team.
  2. Integrates knowledge and uses insights to create actions which improve issues in the student’s area of practice.
  3. Integrates information to develop interventions that promote, maintain and restore health.
  4. Provides care and services that are equitable and responsive to the unique cultural and ethnic needs of the population.
  5. Integrates leadership, organizational and decision-making skills to promote high quality and safe patient care.
  6. Integrates caring in all encounters associated with one’s role within health care.
  7. Integrates evidence-based practice and standards of care as a continuous process improvement strategy.
  8. Demonstrates accountability in patient care across populations.

Program Options

Post graduate certificates are for nurses who already have earned a master's degree and want to switch their focus. Prospective students may transfer in up to 12 credits, which can help students earn the certificate more quickly.

The College has four post graduate certificates:

Admission Criteria

  • Official transcripts from all post high school institutions attended.  Please include the names associated with the transcript for filing purposes.
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing from programs accredited regionally and accredited by ACEN, CNEA or CCNE.
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0
  • Evidence of one year professional nursing experience preferred.
  • The College may request to interview applicant.

Distance Education Student Eligibility by State:

All applicants are welcome to apply. However, due to restrictions on distance education imposed by individual states, the College cannot accept students that are residents of the following states (11-25-20).

  • Alabama
  • Alaska
  • Arkansas - curriculum may not prepare you for licensure in AK
  • Arizona - preceptor must be licensed in AZ
  • California - curriculum may not prepare you for licensure in CA
  • Colorado
  • District of Columbia
  • Georgia
  • Idaho
  • Kansas - curriculum may not prepare you for licensure in KS
  • Louisiana
  • Minnesota
  • Missouri - faculty must be licensed in MO
  • Nebraska
  • New Mexico
  • North Dakota
  • New York
  • Oklahoma - faculty must be licensed in OK
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • South Dakota
  • Tennessee
  • Utah
  • Washington
  • Wyoming

The College has met state specific distance education requirements and has been given permission by the Board of Higher Education to provide this Post-Master's DNP education to students in all states except the ones in the table above. Students can contact the State Board of Nursing for further information. See below for addresses.

Your state not listed or other questions? If you are a potential out of state applicant and you do not see your state listed above or if you have other questions, please contact the Graduate Dean at (309) 655-2230 to determine the College’s authorization to offer distance education in your home state.

Post-Graduate Certificates