The Advanced Practice Registered Nurse certificate program is a post-master’s nursing program for students wishing to complete coursework necessary to sit for national certification as an Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist, Family Nurse Practitioner, Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, or Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

Graduate Handbook

Graduate handbook information is updated and maintained by each program. Graduate handbooks are available within each program's office and online. Please contact the program with concerns or questions.

Admission 

The Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Certificate program is designed for nurses who already hold a master’s degree in nursing and desire to be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for advanced practice nursing. The entering student holds a master’s degree from a program accredited by the National League for Nursing or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and holds a registered nurse license that allows the student to practice as a registered nurse in Texas.

Factors considered in the admission decision include a grade point average of at least 3.00 in upper-division undergraduate and graduate coursework; information derived from academic and professional references; professional background and goals; and proficiency in the English language. An interview may also be required. The composite picture presented by these factors is an important part of the holistic admission review and decision.

Total Hours Required: 24

Requirements

The post-master’s Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Certification (APRN) certificate programs are designed for those nurses who have a master’s degree in nursing from a program accredited by the National League for Nursing or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or a recognized degree from a foreign academic institution and wish to complete the course work necessary to sit for national certification as an APRN. Students choose a certificate track as an Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, or Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist. Depending on the chosen track, students must complete a minimum of 24 to 29 semester hours of coursework.

Practicing nurses and nursing students are held to high standards of competence to perform responsible and safe care. Successful completion of the nursing program requires that students demonstrate an ability to perform essential skills effectively and safely. 

Additionally, students must demonstrate proficiency in interpersonal and organizational skills, as well as ethical comportment. Students considering this major must meet the required standards.

Upon completion of the advanced practice coursework, one of the following will appear on the student's transcript: Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, or Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist.