Master of Science in Nursing

Certificate Programs

Health Professions Educator Certificate - 12 credit hours
This interdisciplinary certificate affords graduate-prepared nurses broader opportunities and the necessary skill to find positions in nursing education at the various levels and become leaders in their field. Paired with faculty mentors throughout the program, students complete applied teaching projects in each educator course, including a final student teaching capstone. Students may complete the health professions educator certificate within their master's program or as post-master's study. All courses are Web-based. For more information, visit the Health Professions Educator web site.

Leadership Certificates

Organizational Leadership, Healthcare Informatics and Public Health Nursing certificate students choose one course from the Leadership core, as part of the course requirements for each program.

Leadership Core (select one course):

Organizational Leadership Certificate - 17 to 18 credit hours
This certificate is designed to prepare clinicians with skills in organizational behavior, clinical operations and system design, quality measurement and risk management, fiscal operations and systemic change and project management. It prepares the organizational leader for entry to mid-level clinical leadership and management positions, with the possibility of future promotions to a higher executive level. All NRSG courses are Web-based.

Leadership Core elective course (2 or 3 credits)

Healthcare Informatics Certificate - 17 to 18 credit hours
This program is designed to prepare clinicians and health care managers with skills in analysis, design, implementation and evaluation of information systems that support a full range of clinical and patient care functions. The graduate will be prepared for entry and mid-level positions within IT departments, advanced clinical departments and as consultants and/or staff in organizations that specialize in computer operations and knowledge management. All NRSG courses are Web-based.

Leadership Core elective course (2 or 3 credits)

Public Health Nursing Certificate - 16 to 19 credit hours
Nurses in this program will acquire skills in advanced community-based interventions and outcomes measurement, with emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention strategies for a targeted population. Public health nurses will find employment in state and county health departments, national and regional agencies that focus on specialized client populations, or as leaders in community-based clinical and advocacy agencies. All courses are Web-based.

Leadership Core elective course (2 or 3 credits)

Advanced Practice Clinical Post-Master's Certificates

The Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Midwife and Family Nurse Practitioner certificate programs require that students have earned a master's degree in nursing from a nationally accredited school of nursing. Students must also have completed the following Advanced Practice prerequisite courses at KU or their equivalents from another institution.

Advanced Practice Core - 12 credit hours

Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate - 18 credit hours
Prepares advanced practice nurses to diagnose and treat common mental health conditions in general medical settings and to deliver more effective psychiatric care in mental health settings. Students are prepared to apply knowledge and skills in interpersonal, psychotherapeutic and psychopharmacologic interventions for individuals, groups and families with psychiatric disorders. All courses are web-based, and offered in sequence every other year. January 2008 will begin the next available course sequence.

Nurse Midwife Certificate - 19 credit hours
This program focuses on the care and management of well women's primary and reproductive health care needs throughout the life span. The program content is family-centered, respectful of individual and cultural variations and promotes health through individual choice and participation. Courses are offered on the KU Medical Center campus.

Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate - 15 credit hours

Currently the School of Nursing is not accepting applications for the FNP Post Master's Certificate Program.

Prepares nurses to transition to the role of a family nurse practitioner in collaboration with other professionals to coordinate and improve health care. Students acquire knowledge, skills and competencies to manage primary health care needs of clients and families throughout the lifespan. The courses include primary care theory courses, practice-focused clinical courses and an intensive preceptorship experience. All courses are offered on the KU Medical Center campus.