Post-Master’s Adult Gerontology Certificate Programs
Master's prepared nurses who wish to specialize further and expand their knowledge base can choose to complete a post-master's certificate program. This option not only provides additional specialized knowledge, but can even allow advanced-practice nurses to change careers and become certified in another specialty. Those interested in adult medicine or gerontology can earn a post-master's certificate and possibly even further sub-specialize.
Choosing an AGNP Post-Master's Certificate Program
Selecting a post-master's certificate program can be daunting. With the adult-gerontology specialty, students can either pursue a program with an acute or primary care focus. Along with the offered adult-gerontology focus, students should keep the following in mind when researching academic programs:
- Accreditation– The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) are the two nationally-recognized accreditation agencies for nursing programs. Some programs may be locally accredited, but for ease of licensure or certification, it's best to look for accreditation by one of these entities.
- Cost– The overall cost to complete a program is a significant factor when selecting a post-master's certificate program. Cost may vary between programs, states, and even cities. Some schools may charge higher fees for out-of-state residents as well. Books, supplies, and university or technology fees are also added
- Program Length– For many students, a post-master's certificate is an extended educational option. Because of this, many students are likely still working and managing a family while returning to school. Therefore, for some, the shorter the program, the better. However, students should ensure that the curriculum is sufficient for licensure/certification.
- Online Options– This is another important factor that students look for. As mentioned earlier, students are likely continuing to work when enrolling in a post-master's certificate program. Online programs offer flexibility and self-paced learning which benefits those who are balancing work, family, and school responsibilities.
- Internship/Externship Options– Students researching post-master's certificate programs should find out what their clinical experience will look like. Some programs are contracted with local hospitals or clinics, and sometimes students must find their facility. With the adult-gerontology specialty, the externship/internship options are usually pretty abundant.
Online Adult Gerontology Post-Master's Certificate Programs
Online post-master's certificate programs, like other academic programs, are becoming more and more prevalent. The following are some key points to keep in mind when considering an online program.
Online vs. Classroom-Based Adult Gerontology Post-Master's Certificate Programs
As stated earlier, online post-master's certificate programs offer students a great deal of flexibility. Nurses can work odd hours, as patient care is not always nine-to-five. Nurses work evenings, weekends, holidays, and night shifts. Being able to participate and study when convenient is critical for many nurses. Additionally, students can study using their personal learning methods and style, which helps retention.
However, some students prefer on-site learning to online programs. They may favor the didactic element between teachers and students as well as peer support. Some find the classroom setting more conducive to learning. Additionally, some students dislike the technology requirements and costs associated with online learning.
Adult Gerontology Post-Master's Certificate Admission Requirements
The admission requirements for and adult-gerontology post-master's certificate program may vary from school to school. However, general admission requirements may include:
- Master's degree in nursing
- Current APRN license, if applicable
- Submission of a resume
- Provide letters of recommendation
- Have completed a specific number of clinical hours
- Have completed advanced courses in pharmacology, physiology, and physical/health assessment
Adult Gerontology Post-Master's Certificate Curriculum
As with admission requirements, the curriculum for adult-gerontology post-master's programs can differ slightly between schools. Generally, the curriculum includes courses in:
- Advanced pharmacology (if not completed in a master's degree program)
- Advanced health assessment (if not completed in a master's degree program)
- Advanced physiology (if not completed in a master's degree program)
- Primary care of the adult (for those pursuing a career as a primary care provider)
- Acute care of the adult (for those looking to work in hospitals, ERs, ICUs).
- Completion of a specified number of clinical practicum hours. Students may choose an area of interest to sub-specialize as well (i.e., cardiology, neurology, etc.)
Helpful Resources
Other Degree Programs
List of Post Master’s Certificate Adult Gerontology Certificate Programs
Jump to Your State Listings
Arizona
Arizona State University
Phoenix, AZ 85004
(480) 965-7788
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ 85721
(520) 626-6154
California
Brandman University
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 341-9800
Cal State LA
Los Angeles, CA 90032
(323) 343-3000
California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA 90840
(562) 985-4111
Connecticut
University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT 06269
(860) 486-0876
Yale University
Orange, CT 06477
(203) 785-2389
Delaware
Wesley University
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 736-2300
Florida
Florida International University
Miami, FL 33199
(305) 348-7703
Florida Southern College
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 680-4111
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL 32826
(407) 823-2744
Georgia
Augusta University
Augusta, GA 30912
(706) 721-9767
Georgia Southern University (Armstrong)
Savannah, GA 31419
(912) 344-2576
Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 413-2000
Mercer University
Macon, GA 31207
(180) 063-7237 x8
Idaho
Boise State University
Boise, ID 83725
(208) 426-1000
Illinois
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL 60446
(815) 838-0500
Loyola University of Chicago
Chicago, IL 60660
(773) 274-3000
Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing
Peoria, IL 61603
(309) 655-2201
Indiana
Saint Mary's College
Notre Dame, IN 46556
(574) 284-4000
University of Southern Indiana
Evansville, IN 47712
(812) 464-8600
Iowa
Graceland University
Lamoni, IA 50140
(641) 784-5000
Morningside College
Sioux City, IA 51106
(712) 274-5000
Kansas
University of Kansas
Kansas City, KS 66160
(913) 588-1619
Kentucky
University of Kentucky College of Nursing
Lexington, KY 40536
(859) 323-5108
Massachusetts
MGH Institute Of Health Professions
Boston, MA 02129
(617) 726-2947
Regis University
Weston, MA 02493
(781) 768-7000
University of Massachusetts Boston
Boston, MA 02125
(617) 287-5000
University of Massachusetts Medical School
North Worcester, MA 01655
(508) 856-3488
Michigan
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
(734) 487-1849
Spring Arbor University
Spring Arbor, MI 49283
University of Detroit Mercy
Detroit, MI 48221
(313) 993-1828
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
(734) 763-5985
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 577-4082
Minnesota
The College of St. Scholastica
Duluth, MN 55811
(800) 447-5444
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN 55455
(612) 624-9600
Winona State University
Rochester, MN 55904
(507) 285-7100
Missouri
Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing
St. Louis, MO 63110
(314) 454-7055
Maryville University
St. Louis, MO 63141
(314) 529-9300
University of Missouri - St. Louis
St. Louis, MO 63121
(314) 516-5000
Nebraska
Clarkson College
Omaha, NE 68131
(402) 552-3100
Creighton University
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Online
Omaha, NE 68178
(402) 280-2700
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, NE 68198
(402) 559-4000
Nevada
University of Nevada, Reno
Reno, NV 89557
(775) 784-1110
New Jersey
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Teaneck, NJ 07666
(201) 692-2000
Monmouth University
West Long Branch, NJ 07764
(732) 571-3400
Rutgers School of Nursing
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 972-4307
Saint Peter's University
Jersey City, NJ 07306
(201) 761-6000
Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ 07079
(973) 761-9000
Stockton University
Galloway, NJ 08205
(609) 652-1776
The College of New Jersey
Ewing, NJ 08628
(609) 771-2591
William Paterson University
Wayne, NJ 07470
(973) 720-2000
New Mexico
The University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131
(505) 272-0858
New York
Adelphi University
Garden City, NY 11530
(800) 233-5744
Binghamton University
- Adult-Gerontological Campus
Binghamton, NY 13902
(607) 777-2000
Daemen College
Amherst, NY 14226
(800) 462-7652
Mount Saint Mary College
Newburgh, NY 12550
(845) 561-0800
NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP Campus
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP Campus
- Gerontology Campus
New York, NY 10010
(212) 998-5300
St. John Fisher College
Rochester, NY 14618
(585) 385-8000
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY 11794
(631) 689-8333
North Carolina
East Carolina University
- Gerontology Campus
Greenville, NC 27858
(252) 328-6131
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte, NC 28223
(704) 687-8622
Ohio
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH 44106
(216) 368-2000
Kent State University
Kent, OH 44242
(330) 672-7930
Mount Carmel College of Nursing
Columbus, OH 43222
(614) 234-5800
Ohio University
Athens, OH 45701
The University of Akron
Akron, OH 44325
(330) 972-7111
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OH 45220
(151) 355-8550 x0
Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH 44555
(330) 941-3000
Oklahoma
Oklahoma City University
Oklahoma City, OK 73106
(405) 208-5000
Pennsylvania
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 895-2000
Neumann University
Aston, PA 01901
(610) 459-0905
University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 898-8281
York College of Pennsylvania
York, PA 17403
(717) 846-7788
Rhode Island
University of Rhode Island
Kingston, RI 02881
(401) 874-1000
South Carolina
University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC 29208
(803) 777-7412
Tennessee
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center- Memphis
Memphis, TN 38163
(901) 448-5500
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Chattanooga, TN 37403
(423) 425-4416
Union University
Jackson, TN 38305
(731) 661-6545
Texas
Texas Christian University
Fort Worth, TX 76129
(817) 257-7000
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX 79430
(806) 743-2730
The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX 78712
(512) 471-3434
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio - UT Health San Antonio
San Antonio, TX 78229
(210) 567-7000
Vermont
University of Vermont
Burlington, VT 05405
(802) 656-3131
Virginia
Radford University
Radford, VA 24141
(540) 831-5000
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA 22903-3388
(434) 924-0141
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA 23298
(804) 828-0724
Washington
Seattle University
Seattle, WA 98122
University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98195
(206) 543-2100
Washington, DC
The George Washington University
Washington, DC 20052
(202) 994-1000
Wisconsin
Concordia Wisconsin Campus
Mequon, WI 53097
(262) 243-5700
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI 53233
(800) 222-6544
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI 53211
(414) 229-1122
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