Overview
With a completely online format, you don’t need to put your life on hold to continue your nursing education. You’re never alone as a student in Penn State’s online nursing programs. Our online campus connects you with highly regarded faculty from the Penn State Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, fellow students, caring advisors, and other experts who will support you during every step of your education.
Typically, one or two courses in each certificate program are offered each semester. Your academic advisor can help you to develop your plans for completing the courses in as timely a manner as possible.
Application Deadlines
| For Fall admission June 30 |
For Spring admission October 1 |
For Summer admission March 1 |
Graduate Certificate in Nurse Administrator
As medical conditions become increasingly complex across our population, nurses will continue to be an integral part of the overall care of patients. However, nurses with the ability to lead and manage people, and who also possess the knowledge of how to improve the business processes in a hospital or health system, will be in high demand.
This certificate is designed as a “stand-alone” certificate or can serve as a “step-up” to theNurse Administrator option in the Master of Science in Nursing degree. When you have successfully completed our nurse administrator certificate program, you may apply the credits toward the master’s degree, if granted admission to enter the highly competitive program.
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Graduate Certificate in Nurse Educator
As medical diagnoses and patient care become more complex, a serious nursing shortage could impact the quality of nursing staff in the United States. And, unfortunately, since there are fewer nurses with the background to teach prospective students, many nursing programs are forced to turn away qualified applicants.
The Nurse Educator Graduate Certificate is an excellent stand-alone credential to help you explore a teaching role. In addition, all of the required credits in this graduate certificate can be applied toward theNurse Educator option of the Master of Science in Nursingif you are granted admission into the highly competitive degree program.
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Post-Graduate APRN Certificate
This program is a great option for nurses who are preparing to take advantage of the nationwide demand for nurse practitioners. Nurse Practitioner certificate requirements are based on a Gap Analysis of the student’s educational history.
Delivered online, this program enables individuals with a master’s degree in nursing to obtain certification as a nurse practitioner. Specialties in family/individual across the lifespan (FNP), adult-gerontology primary care (AGPCNP), adult-gerontology acute care (AGACNP), and psych-mental health (available summer 2024) are available.
Professional Licensure/Certification
Many US states and territories require professional licensure/certification to be employed. If you plan to pursue employment in a licensed profession after completing this program, please visit theProfessional Licensure/Certification Disclosures by Stateinteractive map.
