Distance-Based Online Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing
Georgetown University’s distance-based, online Post-Graduate Certificate program empowers advanced practice nursing professionals to advance their careers and broaden their influence.
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Enhance your career in nursing by pursuing additional APRN certifications with a post-doctoral/post-master’s certificate.
About the Program
In this nursing post-master’s/post-doctoral certificate program, students will prepare to pursue additional board certification in one of four Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) specializations:
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse-Midwifery
- Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
Specializations for the Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate
In each specialization, students will complete graduate-level coursework and develop advanced clinical abilities that prepare them to expand their expertise.
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
The distance-based FNP post-master’s online certificate program prepares students to provide primary care for the whole family across the life span — including the care of children, adolescents, adults, pregnant and postpartum people, and older adults — with an emphasis on developing a long-term relationship between the patient and FNP provider.
- Program requirements: 19 minimum credits, 650 clinical hours
- Certification eligibility: Family Nurse Practitioner — Board Certified (AANP = FNP-C, AACN = FNP-BC)
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP)
The distance-based AG-ACNP post-master’s online certificate program equips students to learn to provide care for adults and older adults and manage acute and complex chronic health situations. Students will learn to perform point of care ultrasound (POCUS) and invasive procedures such as intubation, central line insertion, thoracentesis, and lumbar punctures.
- Program requirements: 16 minimum credits, 600 clinical hours
- Certification eligibility: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner — Board Certified (ACNP-BC)
Nurse-Midwifery (NM)
The distance-based Nurse-Midwifery online post-master’s certificate program prepares students to provide full-scope midwifery care to the individuals they serve. The NM program has an emphasis on clinical approaches that address the holistic needs of patients while promoting health equity.
- Program requirements: 27 minimum credits, up to 1,000+ clinical hours
- Certification eligibility: Certified Nurse — Midwife (CNM)
Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP)
The distance-based WHNP online post-master’s certificate program prepares students to provide primary, sexual, and reproductive health, antepartum, and postpartum care to individuals across the life span. The WHNP program has an emphasis on health equity and holistic, person-centered care.
- Program requirements: 22 minimum credits, 600–784 clinical hours
- Certification eligibility: Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner — Board Certified (WHNP-BC)
The Georgetown University Experience — Delivered Online
As a student in the distance-based online Post-Graduate Certificate in nursing, students will:
- Grow as a leader under the guidance of School of Nursing faculty, who are fellows, active clinicians, and innovators in health care.
- Practice clinical techniques at Objective Clinical Intensives with standardized patients and genitourinary teaching associates.
- Work with patients during clinical placements at sites that align with their program track and meet Georgetown University standards.
- Develop specialized skills during HD-streaming, live online classes informed by interactive, multimedia course content.
Admissions for the Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate
The Post-Graduate Certificate program for nurse practitioners offers annual start dates in January, May, and September.
Applicants can expect to receive an admissions decision within approximately 15 days. The applicant’s selected start date is contingent upon a thorough faculty review of previously completed degree coursework. Faculty will provide an individualized plan of study for each student, so the student’s start date may be shifted to a later term based on course and clinical placement availability.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible to apply for the distance-based, online post-graduate nursing certificate program, applicants must:
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Hold the following degrees:
- A bachelor’s degree, and
- A graduate-level nursing degree (CNL/entry-level MS in Nursing or APRN from a CCNE- or ACEN-accredited program, or DNAP, DNP or PhD)
- Hold a current U.S. registered nurse (RN) license
- Have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA and a 3.0 science GPA
- Have successfully completed a college-level, three-credit course in statistics with a grade of C or better
AG-ACNP applicants, please note: AG-ACNP requires at least one year of full-time experience in an intensive care unit, emergency department, telemetry unit, or progressive care unit.
Non-practicing APRNs may be eligible for admission if they demonstrate competence in advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, and advanced health assessment by successfully completing an Advanced Health Assessment Objective Clinical Intensive.
