Post-Master’s Graduate Certificate: Adult/Gerontological Nurse Practitioner

Program director:
Deana Hays
2042 Human Health Building
(248) 364-8726
hays@oakland.edu
 

Program description

The plan of study for the Post-Master’s Graduate Certificate: Adult/Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (Adult/GNP) program prepares the advanced practice nurse as a primary care provider for adult, older adult and frail elder clients in a variety of settings. The curriculum focuses on culturally sensitive care, incorporating health promotion and management of acute and chronic health problems. The graduate is prepared to apply nursing theory, principles and advanced practice nursing and the research process in the design and delivery of primary care. Knowledge for advanced nursing practice is synthesized from concepts in nursing, as well as the biological and social sciences. Graduates of the Adult/GNP graduate certificate program are prepared to take the Adult/GNP national certification examination.

Admission terms and application deadlines

Before an applicant’s file can be reviewed for full program admission, all application documents must be received in Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning by the semester deadlines listed below. Incomplete applications will not be sent to departments for admission review.

• April 1 for fall semester
• August 1 for winter semester

Readmission and program transfer

Requests for readmission and program transfers must be completed and approved prior to the beginning of a semester.

International application deadlines

International applications are reviewed for fall and winter admission only. To ensure adequate time for review, international applications must be completed at least six months before the desired date of intended enrollment in the University. All international application materials must be submitted by May 1 for fall admission and by September 1 for winter admission.

Application requirements

To be considered for graduate admission, applicants must submit all of the following university and program application documents by the published application deadlines.

University graduate application requirements

• Online Application for Admission to Graduate Study    
• Official transcripts providing evidence of an earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited U.S. institution, OR a degree equivalent to a four-year U.S. baccalaureate degree from a college or university of government-recognized standing.
• Official transcripts for all post-secondary educational institutions from which the applicant earned a degree (beginning with the first baccalaureate) and for all enrollment in graduate-level coursework beyond the bachelor’s degree. International university transcripts must be evaluated by a professional credential evaluation service.
  • As part of the admission requirements, graduate programs may require official transcripts from post-secondary educational institutions from which the applicant earned an associate’s degree and all enrollment in coursework both pre- and post-bachelor’s degree.
• Two official and original Recommendation for Graduate Admission forms.
• Proof of English language proficiency

• International supplemental application and supporting documentation must be submitted before international applicants can be issued the Certification of Eligibility (I-20). This certificate is required to apply for a student visa from the U.S. embassy or consulate. 

Program application requirements

• School of Nursing Supplemental Application 
• Completion of a master’s degree in nursing from an institution accredited by the National League for Nursing or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education with an overall graduate cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above.
• 500 to 1,000 word professional goal statement. The goal statement should focus on recent clinical experience, how a post-master’s certificate will enhance professional development, and career goals after completion of the program. The goal statement will be evaluated on content and appropriate use of grammar, style, spelling and rhetoric.
• Requirements for recommendations:
  The two recommendations (above) must be from healthcare professionals (prefer letters from nurses in leadership/education) who are able to attest to the applicant’s nursing skills and/or abilities. At least one reference must be from a colleague who is familiar with the applicant’s work.
• If student has completed graduate-level pathophysiology, pharmacology, and/or health assessment, the student must submit a syllabus for each course prior to completion of a plan of study.
• Provide evidence of having completed a graduate-level pathophysiology course.
• Eligible for current Registered Nurse license in the applicant’s state of practice.
• Students must meet the same admission requirements as those students entering the MSN-Adult/GNP program except the GRE requirement is waived.
• Qualified applicants will be selected for an individual interview with a School of Nursing faculty. The interview will be scheduled after all application materials have been submitted.
• A minimum of one year of clinical experience as an R.N. is required during which time the applicant must have functioned as an independent decision maker and demonstrated advanced psychomotor skills, within two years of the application deadline.

Admission review and assessment

Admission to graduate study at Oakland University is selective. In making admission recommendations to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning, each department assesses the potential of applicants for success in the program by examining their undergraduate records, goal statement, letters of recommendation, prerequisite courses and any other admission requirements established by the academic department.