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

Graduate Certificate Programs
411 N Central Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85004
(480) 965-7788

1305 N. Martin | PO Box 210203
Tucson, AZ 85721
(520) 626-6154

California

16355 Laguna Canyon Road
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 341-9800

1250 Bellflower Boulevard
Long Beach, CA 90840
(562) 985-4111

Connecticut

231 Glenbrook Rd
Storrs, CT 06269
(860) 486-0876

Graduate Certificate Programs
400 West Campus Drive
Orange, CT 06477
(203) 785-2389

Delaware

120 North State Street
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 736-2300

Florida

Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences
11200 SW 8th Street
Miami, FL 33199
(305) 348-7703

111 Lake Hollingsworth Drive
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 680-4111

12201 Research Parkway, Suite 300
Orlando, FL 32826
(407) 823-2744

Georgia

1120 15th Street
Augusta, GA 30912
(706) 721-9767

Graduate Certificate Programs
1935 Abercorn Street
Savannah, GA 31419
(912) 344-2576

33 Gilmer St SE
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 413-2000

1501 Mercer University Drive
Macon, GA 31207
(180) 063-7237 x8

Idaho

1910 University Dr
Boise, ID 83725
(208) 426-1000

Illinois

One University Parkway
Romeoville, IL 60446
(815) 838-0500

511 NE Greenleaf Street
Peoria, IL 61603
(309) 655-2201

Indiana

Graduate Certificate Programs
Le Mans Hall
Notre Dame, IN 46556
(574) 284-4000

8600 University Blvd.
Evansville, IN 47712
(812) 464-8600

Iowa

1 University Place
Lamoni, IA 50140
(641) 784-5000

Kansas

3901 Rainbow Blvd.
Kansas City, KS 66160
(913) 588-1619

Kentucky

315 College of Nursing Building 751 Rose Street
Lexington, KY 40536
(859) 323-5108

Massachusetts

Graduate Certificate Programs
235 Wellesley Street
Weston, MA 02493
(781) 768-7000

100 William T. Morrissey Blvd.
Boston, MA 02125
(617) 287-5000

Michigan

Graduate Certificate Programs
900 Oakwood St
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
(734) 487-1849

Graduate Certificate Programs
106 E. Main St.
Spring Arbor, MI 49283

4001 W. McNichols Road
Detroit, MI 48221
(313) 993-1828

5557 Cass Avenue
Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 577-4082

Minnesota

Graduate Certificate Programs
1200 Kenwood Avenue
Duluth, MN 55811
(800) 447-5444

Graduate Certificate Programs
308 Harvard Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
(612) 624-9600

859 30th Ave SE
Rochester, MN 55904
(507) 285-7100

Missouri

650 Maryville University Drive
St. Louis, MO 63141
(314) 529-9300

Graduate Certificate Programs
1 University Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63121
(314) 516-5000

Nebraska

Graduate Certificate Programs
101 S. 42 Street
Omaha, NE 68131
(402) 552-3100

Graduate Certificate Programs
2500 California Plaza
Omaha, NE 68178
(402) 280-2700

Graduate Certificate Programs
42nd and Emile
Omaha, NE 68198
(402) 559-4000

Nevada

1664 N. Virginia Street
Reno, NV 89557
(775) 784-1110

New Jersey

Graduate Certificate Programs
1000 River Rd
Teaneck, NJ 07666
(201) 692-2000

400 Cedar Avenue
West Long Branch, NJ 07764
(732) 571-3400

180 University Avenue
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 972-4307

2641 John F. Kennedy Boulevard
Jersey City, NJ 07306
(201) 761-6000

College of Nursing
400 South Orange Ave.
South Orange, NJ 07079
(973) 761-9000

101 Vera King Farris Drive
Galloway, NJ 08205
(609) 652-1776

2000 Pennington Rd.
Ewing, NJ 08628
(609) 771-2591

Graduate Certificate Programs
300 Pompton Rd
Wayne, NJ 07470
(973) 720-2000

New Mexico

2502 Marble Ave NE
Albuquerque, NM 87131
(505) 272-0858

New York

Graduate Certificate Programs
One South Ave, P.O. Box 701
Garden City, NY 11530
(800) 233-5744

Graduate Certificate Programs
4400 Vestal Parkway East
Binghamton, NY 13902
(607) 777-2000

4380 Main Street
Amherst, NY 14226
(800) 462-7652

Graduate Certificate Programs
330 Powell Ave.
Newburgh, NY 12550
(845) 561-0800

Graduate Certificate Programs
433 First Avenue
New York, NY 10010
(212) 998-5300

School of Nursing
101 Nicolls Road
Stony Brook, NY 11794
(631) 689-8333

North Carolina

Graduate Certificate Programs
East Fifth Street
Greenville, NC 27858
(252) 328-6131

Graduate Certificate Programs
9201 University City Blvd
Charlotte, NC 28223
(704) 687-8622

Ohio

10900 Euclid Ave
Cleveland, OH 44106
(216) 368-2000

1375 University Esplanade
Kent, OH 44242
(330) 672-7930

127 S Davis Ave
Columbus, OH 43222
(614) 234-5800

Graduate Certificate Programs
302 E Buchtel Ave
Akron, OH 44325
(330) 972-7111

Graduate Certificate Programs
1 University Plaza
Youngstown, OH 44555
(330) 941-3000

Oklahoma

2501 N Blackwelder
Oklahoma City, OK 73106
(405) 208-5000

Pennsylvania

1601 Cherry Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 895-2000

Graduate Certificate Programs
One Neumann Drive
Aston, PA 01901
(610) 459-0905

Graduate Certificate Programs
418 Curie Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 898-8281

Graduate Certificate Programs
443 Country Club Rd
York, PA 17403
(717) 846-7788

Rhode Island

Graduate Certificate Programs
45 Upper College Rd
Kingston, RI 02881
(401) 874-1000

South Carolina

1601 Greene Street
Columbia, SC 29208
(803) 777-7412

Tennessee

615 McCallie Ave
Chattanooga, TN 37403
(423) 425-4416

Graduate Certificate Programs
1050 Union University Drive
Jackson, TN 38305
(731) 661-6545

Texas

2800 S University Dr
Fort Worth, TX 76129
(817) 257-7000

3601 4th St.
Lubbock, TX 79430
(806) 743-2730

110 Inner Campus Drive
Austin, TX 78712
(512) 471-3434

Vermont

Graduate Certificate Programs
The University of Vermont
Burlington, VT 05405
(802) 656-3131

Virginia

Graduate Certificate Programs
E Main St
Radford, VA 24141
(540) 831-5000

Graduate Certificate Programs
225 Jeanette Lancaster Way
Charlottesville, VA 22903-3388
(434) 924-0141

Graduate Certificate Programs
1100 East Leigh Street
Richmond, VA 23298
(804) 828-0724

Washington

Graduate Certificate Programs
901 12th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98122

1410 NE Campus Parkway
Seattle, WA 98195
(206) 543-2100

Washington, DC

Wisconsin

Graduate Certificate Programs
12800 N Lake Shore Drive
Mequon, WI 53097
(262) 243-5700

1250 W Wisconsin Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53233
(800) 222-6544

Graduate Certificate Programs
2442 E. Kenwood Blvd.
Milwaukee, WI 53211
(414) 229-1122

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