Certificate Programs

Post-graduate nurse practitioner certificates 

The post-graduate certificate programs are designed for nurses with a master's degree in nursing who seek advanced clinical preparation as a nurse practitioner.

Supervised clinical practice is an integral part of the program. Whenever possible, clinical experience will be arranged near the student's place of residence.

Upon completion of the certificate program, graduates will be eligible for certification in New York state and are eligible to sit for a national certification examination.

Specializations

Students will pursue a post-graduate nurse practitioner certificate in one of four areas of specialization:

  • Adult-gerontological nursing (primary care)

    This program provides students with an in-depth understanding of health and illness across the lifespan in the adult and older-adult populations. Graduates are prepared to provide advanced, primary care nursing to well adults/elders, acutely and chronically ill adults/elders, and frail older persons in community or institutional settings.

  • Community health primary care nursing

    Graduates assess and diagnose actual and potential health problems of the community and work with individuals, families, groups and communities to improve and maintain health. 

  • Family health nursing

    This program prepares nurses for advanced practice with families by addressing individual and family health problems, family functioning and complex families. 

  • Family psychiatric mental health nursing*

    Graduates of the program in family psychiatric mental health nursing are prepared to provide comprehensive, client-centered mental health care to individuals, families and groups across the lifespan. Students acquire in-depth knowledge in the assessment, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental illness, as well as the promotion of mental health.

* Decker College is not accepting applications in the family psychiatric mental health specialization for the NP certificate program for fall 2021 or spring 2022.

Curriculum

Certificate program requirements can be found below. In addition, visit our Google drive for a curriculum plan specific to each specialization area, as well as a curriculum worksheet that includes all specialization areas.

Key
  • AG = adult-gerontological (primary care)
  • CH = community health primary care
  • FAM = family health
  • PSYC = family pyschiatric mental health
Specialization Clinical hours Credits
YEAR 1, FALL SEMESTER
NURS 502: Advanced Physical Health Assessment ALL 60 3
NURS 518: Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan ALL   3
NURS 540: Elements of Epidemiology and Biostatistics CH   3
Semester total   60 6–9
YEAR 1, SPRING SEMESTER
NURS 511: Adult-Gerontological Nursing Practice I AG 60 3
NURS 514: Adult-Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Role I AG 120 4
NURS 515: Functional Role I, Community Health Primary Care Nurse Practitioner CH 120 4
NURS 519: Advanced Pharmacology for Clinical Practice ALL   3
NURS 521: Nursing in Family Practice I FAM 60 3
NURS 541: Community Health Nursing Practice I CH 60 3
NURS 553: Family Nurse Practitioner Role I FAM 120 4
NURS 565: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Role I, Assessment and Diagnosis PSYC 120 4
Semester total   120–180 7–10
YEAR 2, FALL SEMESTER
NURS 512: Adult-Gerontological Nursing Practice II AG 60 3
NURS 516: Functional Role II, Community Health Primary Care Nurse Practitioner CH 120 4
NURS 522: Nursing in Family Practice II FAM 60 3
NURS 542: Community Health Nursing Practice II CH 60 3
NURS 554: Family/Adult-Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Role II AG/FAM 120 4
NURS 562: Psychopharmacology PSYC   2
NURS 563: Psychiatric Mental Health Specialization I, Acute Illnesses PSYC 120 4
NURS 566: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Role II, Individual Therapies PSYC 120 4
Semester total   120–240 7–10
YEAR 2, SPRING SEMESTER
NURS 513: Adult-Gerontological Nursing Practice III AG 120 3
NURS 517: Functional Role III, Community Health Primary Care Nurse Practitioner CH 120 4
NURS 543: Community Health Nursing Practice III CH 120 3
NURS 555: Family/Adult-Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Role III AG/FAM 120 4
NURS 564: Psychiatric Mental Health Specialization II, Chronic Illnesses PSYC 120 4
NURS 567: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Role III, Group and Family Therapy PSYC 120 4
NURS 596: Nursing in Family Practice III FAM 60 3
Semester total   180–240 7–8
TOTAL REQUIRED FOR CERTIFICATE COMPLETION
  AG 660 30
  CH 600 33
  FAM 660 30
  PSYC 660 31

If you have questions about the worksheets or the curriculum plans, contact the Decker Divsion of Advising and Acadmic Excellence. 

Application criteria

A complete listing of application criteria for this certificate program is presented on the Certificate Programs General Information webpage.

Students holding an MS degree in nursing may enroll in the post-graduate nurse practitioner certificate program. Depending on prior educational preparation, several course requirements may be eligible for waiver by the graduate nursing program director with the submission of official transcripts reflecting successful completion of previous coursework (grade of B or better) and related supporting course syllabi. Review Decker's policy on transferring graduate credit in the Graduate Student Handbook.

NOTE: Graduate record examination (GRE) scores are not required for admission to this program.

Application procedures

Information on admissions, financial aid, housing, program costs and visiting Binghamton University's campus (including a virtual tour) is presented on the Graduate School website.

Complete instructions for applying to a certificate program at Binghamton University are available on the Graduate School's how to apply webpage. If you have questions regarding application submission, contact the Graduate School at 607–777–2151 or gradadmission@binghamton.edu.