Program:
Nursing

Degree Awarded:
Post-Graduate Certificate

Length of Program:
Full-time: 4-7 semesters
Part-time: 7-10+ semesters

Application Deadlines:
Fall Semester: July 18
Spring Semester: Oct. 15
Summer Semester: March 15
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Degree Overview

Clarkson College offers educational opportunities for even the most highly-educated nurse. Our Post-Graduate Certificate tracks are designed for registered nurses with a graduate degree in nursing who seek academic preparation in one of the following specialty areas of advanced nursing:

Family Nurse Practitioner

Educating nurses who wish to become advance practice providers promoting health and providing care of the individual and family in primary care settings. 
Degree Plan

Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Educating nurses who wish to become advance practice providers promoting health and providing care to adult and gerontological patients in the acute care settings.
Degree Plan

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Educating nurses who wish to become advance practice providers promoting health and providing care for patients in mental and/or behavioral health settings.
Degree Plan

Nursing Education

Educating nurses who wish to become academic or clinical nurse educators.
Degree Plan 

Nursing Healthcare Administration

Educating nurses who wish to become nursing health care administrators (i.e., executives or managers). 
Degree Plan 

 

Each certificate track is designed to be in compliance with national certification requirements, including required support courses, didactic specialty courses and clinical/practicum hours.

All courses are offered completely online for the convenience of working nurses. Our expertly designed and highly interactive web-based courses make it possible to log on at any time and from any location. Additionally, students have the ability to complete any clinical/practicum requirements specified for their degree option in or near their home communities.

Although the Post-Graduate Certificate program is offered entirely online, students enrolled in any of the Nurse Practitioner tracks are required to complete minimal on-campus visits. View the Graduate Student Handbook for current details.

State Authorization & Licensure Information

Required Courses for Post-Graduate Certificate

Family Nurse Practitioner Courses

The goal of this program option is to educate nurses who wish to become advance practice providers promoting health and providing care of the individual and family in primary care settings. Throughout this program option, the learner will develop an advanced nursing practice that encompasses concepts and theories related to nursing and health care, as well as recognized and evidence-based care standards to deliver family-centered care. The family nurse practitioner (FNP) assumes the role of educator, referral agent and advocate while providing care within an evolving health care system.

Courses Semester Hours
NS 807 (NRS 807) - Theories and Concepts of Advanced Practice Roles 3
NS 830 (NRS 830) - Advanced Physical Assessment 3
NS 832 (NRS 832) - Primary Healthcare I 3
NS 833 (NRS 833) - Foundations of Adult-Gerontologic Healthcare 2
◊ NS 834 (NRS 834) - Advanced Nutrition 3
NS 835 (NRS 835) - Foundations of Psychiatric-Mental Health 2
NS 836 (NRS 836) - Pharmacology for Practitioners 3
NS 838 (NRS 838) - Advanced Pathophysiology 3
NS 840 (NRS 840) - Primary Care of Children and Adolescent 3
NS 842 (NRS 842) - Primary Care of Women 3
NS 844 (NRS 844) - Primary Healthcare II 3
NS 852 (NRS 852) - Family Nurse Practitioner Transition to Practice 2
Total Semester Hours 33

*The Family Nurse Practitioner curriculum is designed for singular progression through clinical courses. Though the program may be com­pleted online, students are required to attend an on-campus weekend for the specified clinical course (NS 830). Only one clinical course may be taken at a time.

Nursing Education Courses

The goal of this program option is to educate nurses who wish to become academic or clinical nurse educators. The evidence-based curriculum offers students the opportunity to acquire information about teaching and learning theories and strategies, curriculum or program development, and evaluation or assessment strategies while fostering an ethical perspective. These learners will also encounter technologies being used to deliver nursing education content and experiences, from classroom technologies to skills lab and simulation technologies. The nurse educator assumes the role of mentor, coach, guide and expert, nurturing student nurses and/or providing continuing professional development to registered or licensed practical nurses.

Courses Semester Hours
NS 807 (NRS 807) - Theories and Concepts of Advanced Practice Roles 3
NS 806 (NRS 806) - Theories of Learning for the Nurse Educator 3
◊ NS 822 (NRS 822) - Curriculum Development for the Nurse Educator 3
NS 823 (NRS 823) - Evaluation Strategies for the Nurse Educator 3
NS 826 (NRS 826) - Pharmacology, Pathophysiology and Health Assessment Overview for Nurse Educators 3
NS 827 (NRS 827) - Teaching and Learning Strategies for the Nurse Educator 3
NS 894 (NRS 894) - Nursing Education Practicum 3
NS 890 (NRS 890) - Nurse Educator Transition to Practice 2
Total Semester Hours 23
Nursing Healthcare Administration Courses

The goal of this program option is to educate nurses who wish to become nursing health care administrators (i.e., executives or managers). The curriculum encompasses systems, leadership, and organization information, including theoretical models and concepts that are relevant to the role of nursing health care administrator. Learners will review and evaluate several health care settings and identify strategies to manage those areas. This program option prepares the learner to engage in evidence-based, data-driven decision-making while pursuing high-quality health care that is safe, affordable and results in positive outcomes.

Courses Semester Hours
MB 800 (HCA 800) - Ethics in Leadership 2
MB 808 (HCA 808) - Healthcare Leadership 3
MB 826 (HCA 826) - Healthcare Strategic Management 3
MB 828 (HCA 828) - Financial Management in Healthcare 3
MB 833 (HCA 833) - Healthcare Quality and Risk Management 3
MB 836 (HCA 836) - Healthcare Project Management 3
NS 898 (NRS 898) - Nursing Healthcare Leadership Practicum 3
MB 837 (HCA 837) - Leading Change OR
MB 846 (HCA 846) - Fundamentals of Informatics
3
3
Total Semester Hours 23

**Each of the MB courses is offered in a six-week format, allowing Post-Graduate Certificate students to interact with the graduate students in the Healthcare Administration program.

Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

The goal of this program option is to educate nurses who wish to become advance practice providers promoting health and providing care to adult and gerontological patients in acute care settings. Throughout this program option, the learner will develop an advanced nursing practice that encompasses concepts and theories related to nursing and health care, and will assume the role of educator, referral agent, and advocate while providing care within an evolving health care system.

Courses Semester Hours
NS 807 (NRS 807) - Theories and Concepts of Advanced Practice Roles 3
NS 830 (NRS 830) - Advanced Physical Assessment 3
NS 833 (NRS 833) - Foundations of Adult-Gerontologic Healthcare 2
◊ NS 834 (NRS 834) - Advanced Nutrition 3
NS 835 (NRS 835) - Foundations of Psychiatric-Mental Health 2
NS 836 (NRS 836) - Pharmacology for Practitioners 3
NS 838 (NRS 838) - Advanced Pathophysiology 3
NS 861 (NRS 861) - Introduction to Acute Care Concepts 3
NS 862 (NRS 862) - Applying Acute Care Concepts 3
NS 863 (NRS 863) - Complex Acute Care Concepts 3
NS 864 (NRS 864) - Advanced Acute Care Concepts 3
NS 854 (NRS 854) - Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Transition to Practice 2
Total Semester Hours 33

*The Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner curriculum is designed for singular progression through the clinical courses. Though the program may be completed online, students are required to attend an on-campus weekend for the specified clinical course (NS 830). Only one clinical course may be taken at a time.

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

The goal of this program option is to educate nurses who wish to become advance practice providers promoting health and providing care for patients in mental and/or behavioral health settings. The learner will engage in identifying key concepts and theories related to psychiatric-mental health nursing, strategies for communicating clearly with patients, and evidence-based treatment options or plans that meet the unique needs of each patient. The psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner takes on the roles of educator, communicator and advocate while providing care within an evolving health care system.

Courses Semester Hours
NS 807 (NRS 807) - Theories and Concepts of Advanced Practice Roles 3
NS 830 (NRS 830) - Advanced Physical Assessment 3
NS 833 (NRS 833) - Foundations of Adult-Gerontologic Healthcare 2
◊ NS 834 (NRS 834) - Advanced Nutrition 3
NS 835 (NRS 835) - Foundations of Psychiatric-Mental Health 2
NS 836 (NRS 836) - Pharmacology for Practitioners 3
NS 838 (NRS 838) - Advanced Pathophysiology 3
NS 855 (NRS 855) - Pharmacology for Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner 2
NS 856 (NRS 856) - Introduction to Psychiatric-Mental Health Concepts 3
NS 857 (NRS 857) - Application of Psychiatric-Mental Health Concepts 3
NS 858 (NRS 858) - Complex Psychiatric-Mental Health Concepts 3
NS 859 (NRS 859) - Advanced Psychiatric-Mental Health Concepts 3
NS 860 (NRS 860) - Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Transition to Practice 2
Total Semester Hours 35

*The Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner curriculum is designed for singular progression through clinical courses. Though the program may be completed online, students are required to attend an on-campus weekend for the specified clinical course (NS 830). Only one clinical course may be taken at a time.

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates for the 2023-24 academic year. Rates are subject to change. Find out more information about costs, tuition, and fees.

Scholarships

Learn which scholarships you are eligible for as an in-coming or current student.
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Financial Aid

Explore the various loan and grant opportunities available to help fund your education.
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Graduate Tuition

Cost per Credit Hour
$718


Cost per Semester
$4,458 - Full-time (6 hrs)
$2,229 - Part-time (3 hrs)

Tuition
Graduate Tuition $718 / credit-hour
Fees - Included in cost per semester
Enrollment Fee for first time students $150/ each
Degree Specific Fees - Not included in cost per semester
MSN: Graduate Weekend and Typhon (NS 830) $260/ student
MSN: Typhon Only $100/ student
MSN: Lab Fee – Graduate Weekend (Supplies kit) ( NS 832, NS 844) (NP only) $0/ class
HESI Pre-Cert for Nurse Practitioners (NS 852, NS 854, NS 860) $100/ student
Certification Fee - AANP $315/ student
Certification Fee - ANCC $395/ student
Certification Fee - ANCC for HCA $395/ student
Certification Fee for NE only - CNE $500/ student

Career Overview

Median Salary

$93,044
Payscale.com, 2019

Job Outlook

Employment of Master’s degree-prepared registered nurses is projected to grow 26 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2018
 

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.