Postgraduate Certificate Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
Go Further
Take your nursing career to the next level with a Postgraduate Certificate. If you've already earned an accredited M.S.N. degree, apply to our postgraduate certification program to add more focus to your work. Our program offers the NSU edge that can transform your career for the better.
Explore the Possibilities
As a nurse practitioner, your skills are highly respected in your field. Our program will prepare you for national certification in your chosen specialization, and you may even continue your education to the doctoral level. With your evidence-based perspective and expertise, you'll be able to lead other health care professionals and make a real impact within the industry.
Select Your Path
We offer a range of APRN certifications to suit your interests and career goals, consisting of:
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate
- Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate
Each specialization is designed to provide you with targeted expertise, preparing you for success in your chosen field.
Start Your Journey
A NursingCAS application is required to be considered for admission to NSU. Please follow the steps below.
Step 1: Apply to NursingCAS
Step 2: Apply to NSU
Admissions Information
Admission to the Postgraduate Certificate Advanced Practice Registered Nurse program requires the following:
- Overall cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in the candidate’s Master of Science in Nursing.
- M.S.N. degree from a regionally or internationally accredited university or college. (The M.S.N. degree nursing program must be accredited by the National League of Nursing Accrediting Commission [NLNAC] or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education [CCNE])
- Current active state of Florida professional nursing (R.N.) licensure. Licensure must remain current in the jurisdiction of the practicum throughout the program.
- A curriculum vitae
- Living within 150 miles from the program campus.
- 12 months of active independent clinical practice (not including position residencies or facility operations).
- For applicants interested in AGACNP current Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certificate is required.
- Submit your NursingCAS application online at: https://nursingcas.liaisoncas.org/apply/.
The Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing participates in the centralized applications service called NursingCAS. NursingCAS is used for document verification but does not take part in the student selection.
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Request all official transcripts from all previously attended institutions to be sent directly to NursingCAS.
NursingCAS
P.O. Box 9201
Watertown, Massachusetts, 02471
Coursework taken at foreign institutions must be evaluated for U.S. institutional equivalence by an approved National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) organization such as one of the services listed below.
World Education Services
www.wes.org
Josef Silny and Associates
www.silny.com
Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.
www.ece.org
It is the applicant's responsibility to have this coursework evaluated. An official course-by-course evaluation with a cumulative grade point average must be sent directly from the evaluation service.
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Submit additional supplemental items (R.N. license & CV) directly to NursingCAS.
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Once the NursingCAS application is completed, an applicant needs to complete the supplemental NSU Application online. If an applicant is missing the 3 P's (advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, or advanced health assessment) from their completed master’s degree they will be required to submit a non-degree seeking application. Non-degree seeking applicants will have an opportunity to enroll in the 3 P’s. Upon completion of these courses an applicant will need to submit an application for the postgraduate certificate program and will then be enrolled in their specified program track.
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Once all applications and documents have been received the application will be processed and reviewed.
Curriculum
In order to meet graduation requirements applicants must have or obtain the three separate, comprehensive graduate-level course in:
- Advanced physiology/pathophysiology, including general principles that apply across the life span
- Advanced health assessment, which includes assessment of all human systems, advanced assessment techniques, concepts, and approaches
- Advanced pharmacology, which includes pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacotherapeutics of all broad categories of agents
| SEMESTER | COURSE NUMBER | COURSE TITLE | COURSE CREDITS |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | *NSG 5620 | Adult-Gerontology Acute Care I | 6 |
| II | *NSG 5630 | Adult-Gerontology Acute Care II | 6 |
| III | *NSG 5650 | Adult-Gerontology Acute Care III | 6 |
| IV | *NSG 5660 | Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Capstone | 6 |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 24 | ||
*Requires 150 Practicum Hours
Students needing the three separate, comprehensive graduate-level courses will first need to submit a non degree seeking application to complete those courses.
| COURSE NUMBER | COURSE TITLE | COURSE CREDITS |
|---|---|---|
| NSG 5531 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NSG 5510 | Advanced Pharmacology | 3 |
| NSG 5502 | Advanced Health Assessment | 3 |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 9 | |
To review course descriptions please view the HPD Catalog.
In order to meet graduation requirements applicants must have or obtain the three separate, comprehensive graduate-level course in:
- Advanced physiology/pathophysiology, including general principles that apply across the life span
- Advanced health assessment, which includes assessment of all human systems, advanced assessment techniques, concepts, and approaches
- Advanced pharmacology, which includes pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacotherapeutics of all broad categories of agents
| SEMESTER | COURSE NUMBER | COURSE TITLE | COURSE CREDITS |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | **NSG 5542 | Primary Care: Adult I | 6 |
| II | **NSG 5550 | Primary Care: Adult II | 6 |
| III | *NSG 5560 | Primary Care Women | 3 |
| III | *NSG 5580 | Primary Care Pediatrics | 3 |
| IV | **NSG 5590 | Family Nurse Practitioner Capstone | 6 |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 24 | ||
*Requires 75 Practicum Hours
**Requires 150 Practicum Hours
Students needing the three separate, comprehensive graduate-level courses will first need to submit a non degree seeking application to complete those courses.
| COURSE NUMBER | COURSE TITLE | COURSE CREDITS |
|---|---|---|
| NSG 5531 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NSG 5510 | Advanced Pharmacology | 3 |
| NSG 5502 | Advanced Health Assessment | 3 |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 9 | |
To review course descriptions please view the HPD Catalog.
In order to meet graduation requirements applicants must have or obtain the three separate, comprehensive graduate-level course in:
- Advanced physiology/pathophysiology, including general principles that apply across the life span
- Advanced health assessment, which includes assessment of all human systems, advanced assessment techniques, concepts, and approaches
- Advanced pharmacology, which includes pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacotherapeutics of all broad categories of agents
Students with the three separate, comprehensive graduate-level courses
| SEMESTER | COURSE NUMBER | COURSE TITLE | COURSE CREDITS |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | NSG 5532 | Neurobiology Psychopharmacology | 3 |
| II | *NSG 5710 | Psychiatric Management I: Psychopathology & the DSM V | 6 |
| III | *NSG 5720 | Psychiatric Management II: Developmental Theories for Child & Adolescent Mental Health | 6 |
| IV | *NSG 5730 | Psychiatric Management III: Modalities of Psychotherapy | 6 |
| V | *NSG 5790 | Psychiatric Care Management Integration Capstone | 6 |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 27 | ||
*Require 150 Practicum Hours
Students needing the three separate, comprehensive graduate-level courses will first need to submit a non degree seeking application to complete those courses.
| COURSE NUMBER | COURSE TITLE | COURSE CREDITS |
|---|---|---|
| NSG 5531 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NSG 5510 | Advanced Pharmacology | 3 |
| NSG 5502 | Advanced Health Assessment | 3 |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 9 | |
To review course descriptions please view the HPD Catalog.
Professional Licensure Disclosure
|
Professional Licensure Disclosure/Notification Statement Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing Nurse Practitioner Program (S) |
||
|---|---|---|
| Degree Title | Level | Degree |
| Master of Science in Nursing | Master | M.S.N. APRN |
At this time, we cannot confirm that the Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing (ACON) Master of Science in Nursing (MSN APRN) program meets the educational requirements for professional licensure in other states or territories outside of Florida. Students who plan to take the licensing exam outside of Florida must check with the state in which they are seeking licensure for any additional requirements.
ACON’s Nurse Practitioner graduates seek certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, or as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner upon completion of the APRN program. These exams are offered through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP.)
Family Nurse Practitioner Certification (FNP-BC)
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (AGACNP-BC)
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Across the Lifespan) Certification (PMHNP)-BC)
Students may also apply for a multi-state license if their home state is part of the nurse licensure compact. The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) allows a nurse to have a multistate license to practice in their home state and other approved compact states https://aprncompact.com/index.htm#map
Nova Southeastern University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing, MSN Program is a Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited program.
| Program meets Educational Requirements | Program does not meet educational requirements | cannot be confirmed if program meets educational requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | All States (Except Florida) the District of Columbia and the US protectorates, as defined in 34 CFR §600.2. |
For all students, applicants, or prospective students seeking licensure in any state listed in the “Program Does Not Meet Educational Requirements” or “Cannot Be Confirmed If Program Meets Educational Requirements” columns, please see the chart below detailing these states’ licensing boards and contact information.
To access nurse practice acts and administrative codes by state please visit the National of State Boards of Nursing NCSBN website (NCSBN) https://www.ncsbn.org/npa.htm
If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact Dr. Susan Holland at sholland1@nova.edu.
Contact Nursing
If you have any questions for the College of Nursing, reach out to us anytime! We look forward to assisting you on your journey to success!