University of Arizona -College of Nursing - Graduate Certificate Program

We offer Post-MS Certificates in four nurse practitioner specialty areas: Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Psychiatric Mental Health and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Each certificate is a 4-semester, part-time opportunity for the working RN. Web delivery of course content is complemented with campus experiences for learning and demonstrating health assessment skills. All specialties are not offered every year. Interested applicants should use the contact information below to verify that the certificiate of interest will be offered at the time of application.

Certificate Program Overview

Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate - Currently not accepting applications.
As a graduate of the FNP specialty, you will be prepared as a beginning level primary care provider for families. Upon completion of the program you will be eligible to take an FNP national board certifying examination. To qualify for entry into the FNP Graduate Certificate program, you must have an MS degree in nursing. The program requires a minimum of 28 credits of clinical courses study and 810 clinical practica hours.

View the sample certificate course schedule: FNP Specialty Certificate Program

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate -Currently not accepting applications.
As a graduate of the AGACNP specialty, you will be prepared as a beginning level advanced practice provider of care for acutely ill adults with multiple and complex problems. Upon completion of the program you will be eligible to take an adult AGACNP national board certifying examination. To qualify for entry into the AGACNP Graduate Certificate program, you must have an MS degree in nursing and RN experience in an acute care setting. Participation in a Clinical Skills Intensive (CSI) scheduled on campus just prior to the start of the second fall semester is requried. Additionally, the certificate requires a minimum of 28 credits and 810 clinical hours.

View the sample certificate course schedule: AGACNP Specialty Certificate Program

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Certificate - Currently not accepting applications.
Graduates of the PNP specialty are registered nurses who have advanced education in pediatric nursing beyond the initial registered nurse preparation. As a PNP student, you will receive a broad foundation of educational preparation in advanced nursing practice with children and families by focusing on prevention, health maintenance and education, and diagnosis and management of common acute and chronic health conditions among well and ill children of all ages. To qualify for entry into the PNP Graduate Certificate program, you must have an MS degree in nursing. The program requires a minimum of 26 credits and 720 clinical hours.

View the sample certificate course schedule: PNP Specialty Certificate Program

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate - Currently accepting applications - Deadline: May 24, 2013.

Graduates of the PMHNP specialty are prepared as psychiatric mental health care providers to treat people across the lifespan with psychiatric disorders at a beginning level of practice. Graduates will receive a broad foundation of educational preparation in advanced psychiatric and mental health nursing practice across the life span, nursing theories and nursing research. Health assessment, primary prevention, health care maintenance, clinical decision making, and illness management are emphasized in the classroom and clinical practica. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be eligible to take an PMHNP national board certifying examination. To qualify for entry into the PMHNP Graduate Certificate program, students must have an MS degree in nursing. The program requires a minimum of 25 credits of clinical courses study and 765 clinical practica hours.

View the sample certificate course schedule: PMHNP Specialty Certificate Program

Admission Requirements
Eligibility: To qualify for entry into an FNP, ACNP PNP, or PMHNP Post Master’s Certificate program, you must have an MS degree in nursing. Additionally, applicants to the AGACNP specialty must have RN experience in an acute care setting. Fall admission only.

Master's in Nursing cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above
Completed online University of Arizona Graduate College application
Submit copies of all post-secondary transcripts to the College of Nursing. Instructions are provided. Official copies may be required once an offer of admission is made.
Computer literacy

International Applicant additional requirements:

Submit the UA Graduate College application by the international deadline date
Complete the TOEFL with a minimum score of 213
Submit CGFNS documentation for nursing degrees earned outside of the U.S.A.

Enrollment Requirements
Once admitted to a Graduate Certificate program you must submit an Arizona Department of Public Safety Fingerprint Clearance Card. ARS § 15-1881 is a condition of final acceptance. Complete information about the statue can be found at the following web sites:

Financial Assistance
Graduate Certificate students are generally not eligible to receive federal financial aid. College of Nursing scholarship opportunities are limited for Graduate Certificate students.

Technology Requirements
Please check the technology requirements for the program

For more information contact:
Office of Student Affairs
College of Nursing, Room 112
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Phone: 520-626-3808 or 1-800-288-6158

Email: advanced@nursing.arizona.edu