Post-MSN Certificate

The certificate programs at WVU offer masters-prepared nurses the opportunity to earn a certificate in pediatric (PNP) and family (FNP) nurse practitioner specialty; a post-master’s certificate in an adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner specialty; a post-master’s certificate in a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner specialty; and a post-master’s certificate in nurse executive leadership.

Learn more about our AGACNP, NEL, and MSN/MBA programs here:

AGACNP Information Session

Please note: Students enrolled in certificate programs are not eligible for financial aid. Visit Student Financial Support & Services for additional information.

Post-Master's Certificate Outcomes

Graduates of the FNP, PNP, PMHNP, and AGACNP certificate programs will be able to:

  1. Conduct a comprehensive and systematic assessment of health and illness in complex situations, incorporating individualized and culturally sensitive approaches.
  2. Design, implement, and evaluate therapeutic interventions based on nursing and other sciences.
  3. Develop and sustain therapeutic relationships and partnerships with patients (individual, family, or population) and other professionals to facilitate optimal care and patient outcomes.
  4. Demonstrate advanced levels of clinical judgement and accountability in designing, delivering, and evaluating evidence-based care to improve patient outcomes.
  5. Guide, mentor, and support other nurses to achieve excellence in nursing practice.
  6. Educate and guide individuals and groups through complex health and situational transitions.

Graduates of the NEL certificate program will be able to:

  1. Conduct a comprehensive and systematic assessment of organizational systems and/or communities and/or population groups to identify aggregate health or systems needs, incorporating diverse and culturally sensitive approaches.
  2. Collaborate with diverse stakeholders for inter- or intra-organizational achievement of health-related organizational or public policy goals.
  3. Utilize complexity science and systems theory in the design, delivery, and evaluation of health care.
  4. Develop the leadership skills required to guide, mentor, and support other nurses to achieve excellence in nursing practice.
  5. Evaluate outcome data using current communication technologies, information systems, and statistical principles to develop strategies to reduce risks and improve health outcomes in systems, communities, and/or identified population groups.
  6. Advocate for the value and role of the professional nurse as member and leader of interprofessional healthcare and organizational teams.

Areas of Study and Progression Plans

The Post-Graduate Certificate Programs prepare graduate level nurses to sit for a national certification examination based on their chose area of study, either FNP, PNP, AGACNP, PMHNP or NEL. Please click on an area of study below to learn more. 

State Approvals for Clinical Placements

Universities offering distance education must abide by the laws of each state in which students are placed for their practicum experience. There are several states at this time that may not allow WVU nursing students to participate in a practicum experience, and therefore a site placement cannot be guaranteed. A State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) must be in place to allow a WVU nursing student to participate in clinicals. To determine if your state has been approved for clinical placements, go to WVU Online. 

Please contact with questions about State Authorization for clinicals:

A photo of Billie Vance.
Billie Sue Vance, PhD, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, CNE
Positions
Director of MSN/DNP Programs, Office of Academics
Clinical Associate Professor, Adult Health Department
Nurse Practitioner, Office of Faculty Practice and Community Engagement
Phone
304-293-1771

Information Request

Our Student Services staff will be glad to answer your questions in person or by phone/e-mail. Please fill out the information request form via WVU Online and someone will be in touch.