Certificate Level: Graduate
Admission Requirements: Master's degree
Certificate Type: Post-Master's
Number of Credits to Completion: 34.0
Instructional Delivery: Online
Calendar Type: Quarter
Maximum Time Frame: 2 years
Financial Aid Eligibility: Eligible
Disclaimer:
Drexel University is authorized by the Washington Student Achievement Council and meets the requirements and minimum educational standards established for degree-granting institutions under the Degree-Granting Institutions Act. This authorization is subject to periodic review and authorizes Drexel University to offer field placement components for specific degree programs. The Council may be contacted for a list of currently authorized programs. Authorization by the council does not carry with it an endorsement by the council of the institution or its programs. Any person desiring information about the requirements of the act or the applicability of those requirements to the institution may contact the Council at P.O. Box 43430, Olympia, WA 98504-3430.
**Drexel University is approved by the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission to provide practice experiences in Washington State for MSN/Clinical Nurse Leader, MSN/Clinical Trials Research, MSN/Leadership in Health Systems Management, MSN/Nurse Educator and Faculty Role, MSN/Adult Gerontology Acute Care NP, MSN/Adult Gerontology Primary Care NP, MSN/Family Individual Across the Lifespan NP, MSN/Pediatric Acute Care NP, MSN/Pediatric Primary Care & Pediatric Acute Care NP, MSN/Pediatric Primary Care NP, MSN/Psychiatric Mental Health NP, and MSN/Women’s Health Gender Related NP programs. For more information, go to the following website.
State Regulations
Disclaimer:
Drexel University accepts New York residents into this program. Clinical Rotations, however, cannot be in New York State. This will not affect New York certification and licensure.
State Regulations
State restrictions may apply to some programs
Program
The Post-Master's Certificate in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care (AG-PC) Nurse Practitioner program is intended for MSN prepared clinicians who would like to gain further knowledge in the primary care continuum. It is designed to prepare practitioners who will take advanced nursing roles as clinicians, educators, researchers, and leaders in the rapidly changing, evidence-driven healthcare environment.
This certificate program is 34.0 credits and can generally be completed in one year of part-time study. Graduates will be eligible to apply for certification as an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) and American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
What you'll learn
The AG-PCNP certificate program provides the knowledge and skills needed to improve and sustain the health of patients. Emphasis is placed on evidence-based practice, interdisciplinary collaboration and critical use of evolving technology. Graduates will be prepared to provide care for adults throughout their lifespan to promote maximal health, reduce risks and manage acute and chronic health condition.
All post-master's students in nurse practitioner tracks must transfer in three credits (quarter or semester) of master's-level advanced pathophysiology or advanced physiology, advanced pharmacology and advanced physical assessment. If these courses are not transferred in they must be taken at Drexel prior to the first clinical course. Students should check with the MSN Program Coordinator for the exact schedule. Acute care pharmacology is required prior to beginning the clinical courses.
During your time in the program, you will participate in a mandatory on-campus and/or virtual intensive. The required intensive/s will be held during clinical courses. Exact dates and times will be confirmed with students prior to the term.
What makes the AG-ACNP Certificate program unique?
- Online lectures are offered in a highly interactive, e-learning method that challenges and engages students.
- Convenient format ideal for working professionals.
- Graduates will be eligible to apply for certification as an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner.
Pennsylvania RN licensure is required prior to the start of your clinical components. While this is not a requirement for admission, we recommend starting the process immediately after admission.
*The nurse practitioner programs in the Division of Graduate Nursing at Drexel University provide students the flexibility of finding and coordinating their own clinical site and preceptor. The Division of Graduate Nursing offers students resources to assist in this process. Accessibility to clinical sites and preceptors varies from state to state. Students may be required to travel to access clinical sites/preceptors and achieve the necessary clinical hours.
COMPLIANCE
The College of Nursing and Health Professions has a compliance process that may be required for every student. Some of these steps may take significant time to complete. Please plan accordingly.
Visit the Compliance pages for more information.
Application Deadline
July 1, 2023
Admission Requirements
Degree:
A Master's degree with a major in nursing from a regionally accredited program with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a scale of 4.0. Please note: Applicants must have an MSN degree to apply.
Standardized Tests:
N/A
Transcripts:
- Official transcripts must be sent directly to Drexel from all the colleges/universities that you have attended. Transcripts must be submitted in a sealed envelope with the college/university seal over the flap. Please note that transcripts are required regardless of number of credits taken or if the credits were transferred to another school. An admission decision may be delayed if you do not send transcripts from all colleges/universities attended.
- Transcripts must show course-by-course grades and degree conferrals. If your school does not notate degree conferrals on the official transcripts, you must provide copies of any graduate or degree certificates.
- If your school issues only one transcript for life, you are required to have a course-by-course evaluation completed by an approved transcript evaluation agency
- Use our Transcript Lookup Tool to assist you in contacting your previous institutions
Prerequisites:
Please Note: The Gap Analysis is not mandatory for acceptance into the program. If the prospective student chooses to have a Gap Analysis completed, it is performed and paid in full at the time of application to the program.
References:
Two professional references required from previous or current supervisors, managers, nursing faculty members or program directors who can attest to applicant's clinical knowledge, skill, and potential aptitude for graduate study. References will not be accepted from colleagues or family members.
- You may use our electronic letter of recommendation service
- If a recommender prefers to submit an original, hard copy letter, please remind them that it must include an ink signature and be submitted in a sealed envelope.
Personal Statement/ Essay:
Personal statement (800-1,600 words) that will give the Admissions Committee a better understanding of why you are choosing this particular program of study, your plans upon completion of this program, and how your current work experience will enhance your experience in this program.
Interview/Portfolio:
A personal interview via phone or in-person may be required.
CV/Resume:
Required.
Licenses:
A copy of your current, unrestricted United States RN license or eligibility for licensure as a registered nurse. License verification from your nursing license registry website are acceptable. Applicants must have a current RN license in the state of Pennsylvania. In addition, students are required to have a RN Nursing License for the state in which the clinical practicum rotations are being completed.
Clinical Work/Volunteer Experience:
Applicants seeking admission into the A-GPC Post-Graduate Certificate Program must complete 640 clinical practicum hours in their state of residency or in the state of Pennsylvania. Accepted students will need to be issued a Pennsylvania RN license in addition to their current RN license if it is not from Pennsylvania
International Students:
International applicants, as well as immigrants to the United States and U.S. permanent residents whose native language is not English and who have not received a bachelor's degree or higher in the United States, Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom, must show proficiency in English speaking as well as listening, writing and reading. American citizens born on U.S. military bases abroad may be waived from the TOEFL requirement after providing documentation of this status. Otherwise, applicants must meet one of the following requirements:
If you take the TOEFLiBT exam, you must have:
- a minimum combined score for listening, writing, and reading sections of 79 plus a speaking section score of 26 or higher.
- a minimum score of 550 or higher and a Test of Spoken English score (TSE) of 55 or higher.
Tuition and Fee Rates:
Please visit the Drexel Online Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Post-Masters Certificate tuition page
Application Link (if outside organization):
N/A
Students are accepted once a year by May 1st.
Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program and post-graduate APRN certificate program at Drexel University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington DC 20001, 202.887.6791.