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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.

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.

  • 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.

  • Submit additional supplemental items (R.N. license & CV) directly to NursingCAS.

  • 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.

  • Once all applications and documents have been received the application will be processed and reviewed.

The deadline to complete and submit the NursingCAS and supplemental NSU applications for Fall admission will be August 1 and for Winter admission the deadline is December 9. The Office of Admissions works on a rolling basis. Applications are accepted year-round.
Visit the Tuition and Fees page for more information.

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
Students with the three separate, comprehensive graduate-level courses
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
Students with the three separate, comprehensive graduate-level courses
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.

State

Licensing Board/Contact Information

Alabama

https://www.nursinglicensure.org/np-state/alabama-nurse-practitioner.html

Alaska

https://www.nursinglicensure.org/np-state/alaska-nurse-practitioner.html#education

Arizona

https://www.nursinglicensure.org/np-state/arizona-nurse-practitioner.html

Arkansas

https://www.nursinglicensure.org/np-state/arkansas-nurse-practitioner.html

California

https://www.nursinglicensure.org/np-state/california-nurse-practitioner.html

Colorado

https://www.nursinglicensure.org/np-state/colorado-nurse-practitioner.html

Connecticut

https://www.nursinglicensure.org/np-state/connecticut-nurse-practitioner.html

District of Columbia

https://www.nursinglicensure.org/np-state/dc-nurse-practitioner.html

Delaware

https://www.nursinglicensure.org/np-state/delaware-nurse-practitioner.html#education

Georgia

https://www.nursinglicensure.org/np-state/georgia-nurse-practitioner.html

Hawaii

https://www.nursinglicensure.org/np-state/hawaii-nurse-practitioner.html

Idaho

https://www.nursinglicensure.org/np-state/idaho-nurse-practitioner.html

Illinois

https://www.nursinglicensure.org/np-state/illinois-nurse-practitioner.html

Indiana

https://www.nursinglicensure.org/np-state/indiana-nurse-practitioner.html

Iowa

https://www.nursinglicensure.org/np-state/iowa-nurse-practitioner.html

Kansas

https://www.nursinglicensure.org/state/nursing-license-kansas.html#rn

Kentucky

https://www.nursinglicensure.org/np-state/kentucky-nurse-practitioner.html

Louisiana

https://www.nursinglicensure.org/np-state/louisiana-nurse-practitioner.html

Maine

https://www.nursinglicensure.org/state/nursing-license-maine.html

Maryland

https://www.nursinglicensure.org/np-state/maryland-nurse-practitioner.html

Massachusetts

https://www.nursinglicensure.org/np-state/massachusetts-nurse-practitioner.html

Michigan

https://www.nursinglicensure.org/np-state/michigan-nurse-practitioner.html

Minnesota

https://www.nursinglicensure.org/state/nursing-license-minnesota.html

Mississippi

https://www.nursinglicensure.org/np-state/mississippi-nurse-practitioner.html

Missouri

https://www.nursinglicensure.org/np-state/missouri-nurse-practitioner.html

Montana

https://www.nursinglicensure.org/np-state/montana-nurse-practitioner.html

Nebraska

https://www.nursinglicensure.org/np-state/nebraska-nurse-practitioner.html

Nevada

https://www.nursinglicensure.org/np-state/nevada-nurse-practitioner.html

New Hampshire

https://www.nursinglicensure.org/np-state/new-hampshire-nurse-practitioner.html

New Jersey

https://www.nursinglicensure.org/np-state/new-jersey-nurse-practitioner.html#education

New Mexico

https://www.nursinglicensure.org/np-state/new-mexico-nurse-practitioner.html

New York

https://www.nursinglicensure.org/np-state/new-york-nurse-practitioner.html

North Carolina

https://www.nursinglicensure.org/np-state/north-carolina-nurse-practitioner.html

North Dakota

https://www.nursinglicensure.org/np-state/north-dakota-nurse-practitioner.html

Ohio

https://www.nursinglicensure.org/np-state/ohio-nurse-practitioner.html

Oklahoma

https://www.nursinglicensure.org/np-state/oklahoma-nurse-practitioner.html

Oregon

https://www.nursinglicensure.org/np-state/oklahoma-nurse-practitioner.html

Pennsylvania

https://www.nursinglicensure.org/np-state/pennsylvania-nurse-practitioner.html

Rhode Island

https://www.nursinglicensure.org/np-state/rhode-island-nurse-practitioner.html#education

South Carolina

https://www.nursinglicensure.org/np-state/south-carolina-nurse-practitioner.html

South Dakota

https://www.nursinglicensure.org/np-state/south-dakota-nurse-practitioner.html

Tennessee

https://www.nursinglicensure.org/np-state/tennessee-nurse-practitioner.html

 Utah

https://www.nursinglicensure.org/np-state/utah-nurse-practitioner.html

Vermont

https://www.nursinglicensure.org/np-state/vermont-nurse-practitioner.html

Virginia

https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/Boards/Nursing/ApplicantResources/ApplyforLicense/NursePractitioner/

Washington

https://www.nursinglicensure.org/np-state/washington-nurse-practitioner.html

West Virginia

https://www.nursinglicensure.org/np-state/west-virginia-nurse-practitioner.html

Wisconsin

https://www.nursinglicensure.org/np-education/wisconsin-np-programs.html

Wyoming

https://www.nursinglicensure.org/np-state/wyoming-nurse-practitioner.html

American Samoa

www.board-of-nursing.com/american-samoa-board-of-nursing.php 

Guam

https://www.registerednursern.com/guam-board-of-nursing-board-of-nursing-guam-information-registered-nurse-rn/

Northern Mariana

Islands

https://nmibon.info/

US Virgin Islands

http://www.board-of-nursing.com/virgin-islands-board-of-nursing.php

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/

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!

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