The Post-Graduate Certificate pathway is designed for registered nurses who currently hold a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and seek additional academic preparation in a new specialty or subspecialty area of advanced practice nursing.

Students may choose from any of the specialty options offered by the program. Each certificate pathway is structured to align with national certification requirements, where applicable.

Course content is delivered in a fully virtual format. A maximum of six credit hours may be transferred from another accredited institution, subject to approval (see "Transfer Admission")

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing/master’s degree program in nursing/Doctor of Nursing Practice program and post-graduate APRN certificate program at the University of North Alabama is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

Requirements for Admission to the Post-Graduate Certificate Tracks

All applicants to the Post-Graduate Certificate program must meet the general admission requirements for graduate study at the University of North Alabama (see Admission to Graduate Studies). All required application materials must be submitted by the published deadline.

In addition to UNA’s graduate admission requirements, applicants to the Post-Graduate Certificate Tracks must meet the following criteria:

• A completed application to the Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions (ACONHP) graduate program (available online at https://www.una.edu/graduate/).
• A minimum cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 or better from a professionally accredited master's or doctoral program in nursing.
• Current, unencumbered registered nurse (RN) license. Applicants with license restrictions, including participation in a voluntary disciplinary alternative program, are not eligible for admission.
• Submission of a current résumé documenting a minimum of one year of clinical nursing experience.
• Following acceptance, admission is contingent upon the following:
  1. Negative drug screen
  2. Acceptable criminal background check
  3. Submission of required health documents
  4. Proof of current health insurance

Progression Requirements

Students enrolled in Post-Graduate Certificate tracks must adhere to the progression policies established for the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program.

Program Completion Requirements – Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Certificate Tracks

To be eligible for program completion, students must fulfill the following:

• Successful completion of all nurse practitioner specialty courses and any required support courses not previously completed, including:
  • Advanced Health Assessment
  • Advanced Pharmacology
  • Advanced Pathophysiology
• Submission of official transcripts demonstrating successful completion of three separate, comprehensive, graduate-level courses in:
  • Advanced Physiology/Pathophysiology
  • Advanced Health Assessment
  • Advanced Pharmacology (collectively referred to as "the three P’s")
  • Each course must be completed with a grade of “B” or higher.
• It is recommended that students consider retaking one or more of the "three P’s" if:
  • The course(s) were completed more than 10 years ago, or
  • The student is not currently using this content in clinical practice.

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing/master’s degree program in nursing/Doctor of Nursing Practice program and post-graduate APRN certificate program at the University of North Alabama is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).