Post-Graduate Certificate


There are six post-graduate certificates available to students who already have a graduate degree.

View plans of study for the post-graduate certificate programs below.

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) Post-Graduate Certificate


If you want to care for adult patients with acute, critical, or chronic illnesses, then the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) post-graduate certificate program may be the best fit for you.

You'll learn differential diagnosis, disease management, therapeutic interventions, and more.

Here’s what else you need to know about the AGACNP post-graduate certificate:

  • Comprises 21 credits and 600 clinical hours
  • Can be completed in two semesters and one summer session
  • Costs approximately $24,000

Visit the course catalog for more info on the specific courses you will take in this program.

Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (AGCNS) Post-Graduate Certificate


Are you driven to give direct care to adult patients and work with nursing systems and organization? Check out the Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (AGCNS) post-graduate certificate program.

Here’s what else you need to know about the AGCNS post-graduate certificate:

  • Comprises 16 credits and 480 clinical hours
  • Can be completed in three semesters
  • Costs approximately $18,000

Visit the course catalog for more info on the specific courses you will take in this program.

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Post-Graduate Certificate


If you enjoy working with people of all walks of life, look no further than the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) post-graduate certificate program.

Here’s what else you need to know about the FNP post-graduate certificate:

  • Comprises 24 credits and 600 clinical hours
  • Can be completed in two semesters
  • Costs approximately $27,000

Visit the course catalog for more info on the specific courses you will take in this program.

Nurse Educator (NE) Post-Graduate Certificate


Want to combine your passions for nursing and teaching? Check out the Nurse Educator (NE) post-graduate certificate program.

You'll learn how to teach in either an academic or healthcare setting, how to design your curriculum, how to be an effective instructor and evaluator—and more.

Here’s what else you need to know about the NE post-graduate certificate:

  • Comprises 12 credits and 180 clinical hours
  • Can be completed in one semester
  • Costs approximately $14,000

Visit the course catalog for more info on the specific courses you will take in this program.

Nursing & Organizational Leadership (NOL) Post-Graduate Certificate


Want to be a leader or administrator in the healthcare field? Dive into the Nursing and Organizational Leadership (NOL) post-graduate certificate program.

Here’s what else you need to know about the NOL post-graduate certificate:

  • Comprises 24 credits and 360 clinical hours
  • Can be completed in four semesters
  • Costs approximately $27,000

Visit the course catalog for more info on the specific courses you will take in this program.

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Post-Graduate Certificate


Are you passionate about helping others of all ages who have behavioral and mental health problems and disorders? The Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) post-graduate certificate program may be right up your alley.

Here’s what else you need to know about the PMHNP post-graduate certificate:

  • Comprises 24 credits and 600 clinical hours
  • Can be completed in three semesters and two summer sessions
  • Costs approximately $27,000

All PMHNP post-graduate certificate students are also required to be on campus for the NURS 679 Immersion course the first three days of Spring semester.

Visit the course catalog for more info on the specific courses you will take in this program.

Degree Seeking Student


Not yet accepted into WSU or the Department of Graduate Nursing but want to start taking classes now?

You can earn up to 12 credits that count toward graduation requirements and some of our programs as a Degree Seeking Student.

Credit by Portfolio


Credit by Portfolio allows students to receive their degree in less time by submitting a portfolio that proves their prior learning and/or professional experiences fulfill program requirements.

Students can then earn credit for specific Graduate Nursing courses without formally enrolling in and completing those courses.

Master’s- and DNP degree-seeking students may earn up to 15% of their program credits through Credit by Portfolio. Post-Graduate Certificate students may earn no more than half of their program credits through Credit by Portfolio.

Interested students should work with their academic adviser to initiate this process. Portfolio submissions occur one semester before students would normally take the course(s) they want to substitute.

Application Deadline


For the Fall 2022 term:

  • AGACNP, FNP, and PMHNP program applications are due Oct. 1.
  • AGCNS, NE, and NOL program applications are due Feb. 1.

Interested applicants should apply through NursingCAS, our online application system.

Plans of study for our post-graduate certificates in Graduate Nursing provide detailed outlines of courses students will take.


Graduate Certificate Plans of Study

Effective Aug. 2022

The post-graduate certificate programs are designed so that each student will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate proficiency in advanced nursing practice in an advanced nursing role and/or patient population focus with attention to diversity, cultural sensitivity, inclusivity, and socio/cultural/political/spiritual determinants of health and well-being.
  2. Integrate scientific underpinnings for advanced nursing practice, clinical judgment, and advanced decision making into an advanced nursing role and/or patient population focus.
  3. Demonstrate role and population competencies as defined by professional standards and State practice acts to improve individual, family, population, and organizational outcomes.
  4. Participate in evidence-based practice and practice innovation within inter-professional teams to improve the safety and quality of person-centered care for individuals, families, populations, and organizations.

Approved by the Curriculum Committee on Oct. 3, 2021, and by the Department of Graduate Nursing on Nov. 8, 2021.


Effective Aug. 2011 – Aug. 2022

The post-graduate certificate programs are designed so that each student will be able to:

  1. Employ evidence-based practice when planning, implementing, and evaluating health care for individuals, families, aggregates, systems, and organizations.
  2. Integrate nursing theory, research, ethics, and related sciences into the delivery of culturally competent advanced nursing care for diverse populations and healthcare systems.
  3. Demonstrate professionalism within an advanced nursing role.
  4. Demonstrate leadership with inter-professional teams to analyze complex practice and organizational issues.
  5. Apply knowledge and skills to enhance the quality and safety of health care in a variety of settings and for a variety of populations.

Approved March 2011 and implemented Aug. 2011.

The following information complies with Regulation 34 CFR 668.43 (a) (5) (v) through the U.S. Department of Education:


Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

  • WSU’s Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program curriculum meets state educational requirements for APRN licensure or certification in the states/jurisdictions of: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Island, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
  • WSU’s Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program curriculum doesn’t meet state educational requirements for APRN licensure or certification in the states/jurisdictions of:
    • New York: Meets degree requirements to apply for nurse practitioner license in New York. However, an individual must also complete instruction specific to New York and federal laws to apply for a nurse practitioner license.
    • Maryland: The Maryland Board of Nursing must review and approve all Nurse Practitioner Programs before certifying applicants as Advanced Practice Nurses.

Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist

  • WSU’s Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist program curriculum meets state educational requirements for APRN licensure or certification in the states/jurisdictions of: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Island, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
  • WSU’s Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist program curriculum doesn’t meet state educational requirements for APRN licensure or certification in the states/jurisdictions of:
    • New York: Meets degree requirements to apply for nurse practitioner license in New York. However, an individual must also complete instruction specific to New York and federal laws to apply for a nurse practitioner license.
    • Maryland: The Maryland Board of Nursing must review and approve all Nurse Practitioner Programs before certifying applicants as Advanced Practice Nurses.

Family Nurse Practitioner

  • WSU’s Family Nurse Practitioner program curriculum meets state educational requirements for APRN licensure or certification in the states/jurisdictions of: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Island, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
  • WSU’s Family Nurse Practitioner program curriculum doesn’t meet state educational requirements for APRN licensure or certification in the states/jurisdictions of:
    • New York: Meets degree requirements to apply for nurse practitioner license in New York. However, an individual must also complete instruction specific to New York and federal laws to apply for a nurse practitioner license.
    • Maryland: The Maryland Board of Nursing must review and approve all Nurse Practitioner Programs before certifying applicants as Advanced Practice Nurses.
  • WSU’s Family Nurse Practitioner program curriculum hasn’t been determined to meet state educational requirements for APRN licensure or certification in the states/jurisdictions of: American Samoa, Iowa (supervision of fluoroscopy only).

Nurse Educator

WSU’s Nurse Educator program curriculum meets state educational requirements for APRN licensure or certification in the states/jurisdictions of: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Island, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.


Nursing & Organizational Leadership

WSU’s Nursing & Organizational Leadership and Practice & Leadership Innovations program emphasis curriculums meet state educational requirements for APRN licensure or certification in the states/jurisdictions of: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and District of Columbia.


Practice & Leadership Innovations

WSU’s Nursing & Organizational Leadership and Practice & Leadership Innovations program emphasis curriculums meet state educational requirements for APRN licensure or certification in the states/jurisdictions of: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and District of Columbia.


Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

  • WSU’s Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program curriculum meets state educational requirements for APRN licensure or certification in the states/jurisdictions of: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and District of Columbia.
  • WSU’s Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program curriculum doesn’t meet state educational requirements for APRN licensure or certification in the states/jurisdictions of:
    • New York: Meets degree requirements to apply for nurse practitioner license in New York. However, an individual must also complete instruction specific to New York and federal laws to apply for a nurse practitioner license.
    • Maryland: The Maryland Board of Nursing must review and approve all Nurse Practitioner Programs before certifying applicants as Advanced Practice Nurses.

Last updated on July 1, 2021.


Disclaimer

This information has been gathered from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) website and will be updated annually on July 1.

WSU assumes no liability or responsibility for any errors or omissions in the information contained in this resource.