Certificate Programs

The Nurse Educator Certificate program offers valuable knowledge and practical experience related to teaching in entry-level or graduate nursing education programs. Courses provide an overview of nursing curriculum design, program evaluation, student assessment, instructional methodologies, and professional/ethical/legal issues in nursing/health professions education. Completion of a teaching practicum is required.

This certificate program is targeted to nurses with at least one graduate degree in nursing who may be seeking faculty positions in entry-level or graduate nursing education programs. Admission is also open to degree-seeking students currently enrolled in a graduate nursing program at ODU, as well as currently enrolled or graduates of other Health Sciences graduate degree programs. The expected time to complete the certificate is three semesters. It is recommended that students begin the course sequence in fall semester.

Note: Students enrolled in the Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist/Educator program will complete 3 of the 4 courses for the Nurse Educator Certificate as part of the degree program. Those who desire to earn the certificate must complete one additional 3-credit course, NURS 676 Professional, Ethical and Legal Concepts of Nursing Education. This course is typically offered during summer semester.

This program is designed to provide certified physician assistants with the didactic content needed to complement on-the-job clinical training in critical care management of the sick and premature infant. Applicants must be hired by a neonatal practice that will provide a sponsoring physician to guide clinical training while completing the didactic courses during the 3-semester program of study.

This post-professional certificate is targeted to licensed, registered nurses with a MSN who wish to gain new skills and knowledge for board certification to provide primary care services as a family nurse practitioner. The program has been developed to address a growing demand from nurses for programming that enables them to obtain national certification as an advanced practice nurse (nurse practitioner) in the area of family care. The program will educate students in the concepts associated with illnesses and conditions across the lifespan. Students will develop knowledge in the diagnosis and management of illnesses. Students will learn to provide advanced nursing care to patients from childhood to older adulthood. Upon completing the program, application of key concepts related to diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing management of patients in primary care settings, with a focus on healthy promotion and disease prevention using best practices and evidence-based care to achieve the best possible patient outcomes will be understood.

This post-professional certificate enables nurses with a previously earned MSN to complete only those courses and practicums required for eligibility to take the Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist certification exam.

The program will educate students in the concept of gerontology and associated illnesses and conditions. Students will develop knowledge in the diagnosis of illnesses, and management of an illness. Students will learn to provide advanced nursing care to older adult patients. Graduates will understand and apply key concepts related to diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing management of older adult patients, as well as provide expertise and support to nurses caring for older adult patients in multiple settings, help drive practice changes throughout an organization, and ensure the use of best practices and evidence-based care to achieve the best possible patient outcomes. Additionally, the adult gerontology clinical nurse specialist is educated with skills and expertise to identify gaps in health care delivery and help assess, design, implement, and evaluate interventions to improve the overall process of health care for older adults.

The 19-credit hour post-master's certificate curriculum includes those courses required by the American Nurses Credentialing Center and the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, both of which administer certification exams for the Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist.

The Post-Professional Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner has been developed to address a growing demand from nurses for programming that enables them to obtain national certification as an advanced practice nurse (nurse practitioner) in psychiatric mental health. This certificate program is targeted to licensed, registered nurses with an APRN MSN who wish to gain new skills and knowledge for board certification to provide psychiatric care services as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. The expected time to complete the program is 3 semesters or 12 months. There is a limited number of seats for the Post-Professional Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.  The application deadline is January 15^th each year.