Dec 04, 2024

2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

Adult Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Primary Care, Post-Master’s Graduate Certificate

School of Nursing
3008 Human Health Building (map)
(248) 370-8733 • Fax (248) 364-8740
www.oakland.edu/nursing

Program Director:
Carolyn Tieppo
2042 Human Health Building
(248) 364-8714
cktieppo@oakland.edu

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Program description

Post-Master’s Certificate

Required coursework is based upon a gap analysis that compares prior MSN didactic and clinical experience with the AG-PC national certification requirements to determine the courses for the plan of study.

The Adult Gerontological-Primary Care (AG-PC) Post-Masters Certificate Program prepares the students to be leaders in health care. The curriculum focuses on holistic patient care in the management of routine, episodic and complex health issues, with attention given to clinical experiences in primary care of adolescents, young adults, adults, and older/aging adults. Oakland University’s Nurse Practitioner Program is proud to educate students with experienced nurse practitioner faculty and students have opportunities for involvement with many organizations on campus, including the Michigan Council of Nurse Practitioners - Oakland Chapter. Oakland University School of Nursing is accredited through Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Upon completion of all program requirements, graduates are prepared for certification through American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP).

Admission to the program is competitive and priority is given to students who submit all materials by the deadline. Our desired applicants are self-directed learners, demonstrate superior communication and interpersonal skills, and have strong critical thinking skills. Qualified applicants will be selected for an interview with current Oakland University School of Nursing faculty.

Master’s program outcomes

Building on the foundation of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program will prepare graduates as transformational leaders with advanced nursing knowledge and practice expertise for optimizing health outcomes. (Essential IX)

The Post MSN APRN Certificate program prepares graduates to:

Integrate theories and scientific findings from nursing, biopsychosocial fields, genetics, public health, and organizational sciences using translational processes to improve evidence-based nursing practice across diverse settings. (Essentials I & IV, VIII, IX)
Describe concepts from organizational leadership, systems leadership, and information technology in the promotion of quality improvement and safety. (Essentials II, III, V, IX)
Synthesize requisite knowledge of legal and regulatory processes, health policy, ethics, and advocacy to improve health outcomes of diverse populations at the organizational, local, state, and federal level. (Essentials IV, VI, VIII, IX)
Formulate intra/interprofessional collaborative strategies integral to the design and delivery of evidence-based health promotion and disease prevention interventions to improve health outcomes in individuals, families, communities, and populations. (Essentials IV, VII, VIII, IX)
Integrate professional standards and guidelines in the provision of nursing practice in a specialty area. (Essentials IX)

Admission terms and application deadlines

Before an applicant’s file can be reviewed for full program admission, all application documents must be received in NursingCAS by the deadline listed below. Incomplete applications will not be sent to departments for admission review.

All applicants to this program are admitted once a year in the fall (full-time and part-time). The application deadlines are:

Fall Admission Application Deadlines

Early Decision Application Deadline: March 1
Standard Decision Application Deadline: May 1

Winter Admission Application Deadlines

Early Decision Application Deadline: September 1
Standard Decision Application Deadline: November 1

International students: May 1 for admission to the following Fall semester and September 1 for following Winter semester (see additional requirements below)

Application requirements

Applicants do not submit an online Oakland University Graduate Application. A completed application and required materials must be submitted through the Nursing Centralized Application Service (NursingCAS).

To be considered for graduate admission, applicants must submit all Graduate Application Requirements and additional department requirements by the published application deadlines.

Additional department application requirements

• Applicants for admission to the Master of Science in Nursing program must have completed a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree with an overall undergraduate cumulative grade point average of B (3.0) or above from an institution accredited by the National League for Nursing or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

• Applicants must submit all transcripts from previously attended institutions.

• Proof of a current unrestricted Registered Nurse license in the United States or its territories.

• Unrestricted R.N license to practice in Michigan.

• Two (2) letters of recommendations are required and must be completed by healthcare professionals in nursing, leadership, administration/management, or education who can attest to the applicant’s work and/or educational experience, as well as the applicant’s potential for graduate study.

Professional statement of 750 words or less. The professional statement should focus on the consensus model within the APRN scope of practice, the applicant’s career goals after completion of the program, how recent clinical experiences have prepared the applicant for an advanced practice role, and plans for professional development.

International Students

International students are encouraged to contact The Graduate School (www.oakland.edu/grad) to determine what additional documentation is required for admission eligibility.

Admission review and assessment

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

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.

Post Master’s APRN Certificate requirements

A gap analysis of prior didactic coursework and clinical experiences from an applicant’s master’s degree program will be completed to determine coursework required for the post-master’s APRN AGPCNP certificate. The gap analysis will identify Foundation, Clinical Core, and Specialty course content necessary to prepare students to be eligible to sit for a national certification exam that corresponds with the role and population focus of the AGPCNP track. Additional clinical hours may be necessary to meet the 500-hour minimum required for certification. Students completing all required courses based on the gap analysis will earn a post-masters certificate in Adult Gerontological Primary Care NP. Based on the gap analysis courses for the student’s plan of study (POS) will be selected from the following list of Foundation, Clinical Core, and Specialty courses.

The PM APRN Certificate, AGPCNP is awarded upon satisfactory completion of a minimum of 15 credits in an approved plan of study.

a. Foundation course requirements (10 credits)

Foundation courses address critical content needed by all graduate nursing students.

NRS 5312 - Theory and Transitional Research for Advanced Nursing Practice (4 credits)
NRS 5322 - Nursing Scholarship and Dissemination (1 credit)
NRS 5241 - Systems Leadership and Health Policy for Advanced Nursing Practice (3 credits)
NRS 6398 - Graduate Project (2 credits)

b. Clinical core courses (11 credits)

The clinical core courses provide graduate students with advanced clinical knowledge and skills and are based on population foci.

NRS 6411 - Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan (3 credits)
NRS 6421 - Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan (0 or 4 credits)
NRS 6441 - Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan (4 credits)

c. Specialty courses (26 credits)

Specialty courses are comprised of didactic and clinical courses that prepare students for advanced practice nursing. The specialty courses build upon nursing knowledge and skills learned at the undergraduate level and graduate foundation and clinical core courses and are based on population foci.

NRS 5251 - Inter-professional Role Development Leadership and Ethics in Advanced Nursing Practice (3 credits)
NRS 6627 - Advanced Concepts in Gerontology (3 credits)
NRS 6633 - Health Promotion Across the Lifespan (2 credits)
NRS 6637 - Advanced Nursing Care Acute Health Conditions (6 credits)
NRS 6647 - Advanced Nursing Care of Chronic Health Conditions (6 credits)
NRS 6667 - Advanced Nursing Care of Aging Adults (6 credits)

Satisfactory academic progress

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is the term used to denote a student’s successful completion of coursework toward a certificate or degree. Federal regulations require the Office of Financial Aid to monitor Satisfactory Academic Progress for all financial aid recipients each semester.

Students who fall behind in their coursework, or fail to achieve minimum standards for grade point average and completion of classes, may lose their eligibility for all types of federal, state and university aid. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for additional details.

Good academic standing

All graduate students are expected to remain in good academic standing throughout the entire course of their graduate program. To be in good academic standing, a graduate student must make satisfactory progress toward fulfilling degree requirements, including the completion of critical degree milestones as set forth by the academic program. The student must also maintain a minimum semester and overall GPA of B (3.0).

Good academic standing is a requirement for:

Holding a Graduate Assistantship
Receiving a fellowship or scholarship
Advancing to candidacy for a graduate degree
Going on a leave of absence
Obtaining a graduate certificate or degree from Oakland University.

Additionally, graduate students must meet all department academic standards which may be more stringent than the minimum set forth by the University.

Program requirements: Students are required to follow the university policies and procedures for graduate students, as described in the Oakland University Graduate Catalog. In addition to the university requirements, specific School of Nursing policies and procedures are outlined in the School of Nursing Graduate Student Handbook.

Students are expected to earn a grade of B (3.0) or above in each course in the PM APRN Certificate program. In courses graded Satisfactory/ Unsatisfactory (S/U), students are expected to earn a course grade of satisfactory. Students who are not making satisfactory progress in the program may be placed on probation with conditions imposed for retention in the program or may be recommended for dismissal from the program.

Students are required to keep health requirements current and must maintain an RN license that is current and free of any complaint or restriction throughout the program. See the School of Nursing Web site for health requirements. Students are also required to meet any requirements of the health care facilities where they have clinical learning experiences.

Graduate students who are not in good academic standing for any reason are subject to probation and/or dismissal from further graduate study.

Related program information

Plan of study

All accepted applicants, in consultation with their assigned NP Program Director, must develop a plan of study that details specific courses the students will use to satisfy their degree requirements. The plan of study must be signed by the NP Program Director and student.

Note: Credit granted for successful completion of a course toward an undergraduate degree program may not be repeated for a graduate degree. If a substitution is approved, the minimum number of program-approved graduate credits will be required. A Petition of Exception - OU Course Waiver/ Substitution requesting the substitution must be approved.

Advising

Students are responsible for requirements and policies stated in the School of Nursing Graduate Student Handbook and in each course syllabus. Every student admitted to the MSN program is assigned an academic adviser and program director who are available to discuss coursework, plans of study, concerns regarding progression in the program, and student career goals.