Clinical Placement Support
Impressive Pass Rates
Multiple Start Dates
Affordable TuitionPlease visit our state authorizations page to see whether this program is available in your area.
Do you want to take your nursing career further and expand your quality of care? Wilkes University is proud to offer a fast and affordable online Post-Graduate/Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Certificate program so that you can do more for patients in less time. Build on your graduate education and specialize your skills in one of three nurse practitioner (NP) concentrations:
Our post-master’s nurse practitioner certificate strengthens your theoretical and practical skills through 100% online, asynchronous curriculum and conveniently located clinical rotations. In as little as 12 months, you can gain an advanced certification to increase your understanding and job opportunities.
All applicants are reviewed on an individual basis.
*Applications presenting a history of disciplinary action on professional licenses will be subject to an additional review process by the Special Licensure Discrepancy Committee of the University.
Applications are currently being accepted for May 2023
Wilkes University offers one of the quickest and most cost-effective ways to enhance your graduate education, especially in contrast to national competitors. Our tuition is only $728 per credit hour. Depending on which post-graduate APRN certificate concentration you choose, the total tuition cost ranges from $19,656 to $21,840. Moreover, we offer several forms of financial aid to qualifying nursing students. To learn more about financial aid options, access your free program guide.
See how Wilkes compares to other online post-graduate APRN certificates in the table below.
| Compare Programs | Wilkes University | Regis College | Maryville University | Duquesne University |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Tuition & Fees | $19,656 - $21,840 |
$30,690 - $39,600 |
$23,577 - $30,894 |
$53,955 - $57,225 |
| Number of Credits | 27 - 30 | 31 - 40 | 29 - 38 | 33 - 35 |
| Clinical Hours | 500 - 584 | 664 | 580 - 745 | 550 - 750 |
| Months to Complete | 12 - 18 | 20 - 24 | 24 - 32 | 30 |
| Starts Per Year | 3 | 3 | 6 | 3 |
Source: Proprietary research
For over 40 years, the Passan School of Nursing at Wilkes has been recognized and respected in nursing. Our dedicated faculty and staff will connect and support you from enrollment through graduation, giving you the confidence you need to elevate your career. During the program* and upon graduation, Wilkes nurses have found success at leading healthcare providers, including:
*While we work diligently to support all students, we cannot guarantee placement.
* The baccalaureate degree in nursing/master's degree in nursing/ Doctor of Nursing Practice and post graduate APRN certificate programs at Wilkes University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org)
The Wilkes Clinical Placement team works with you to offer a high-quality placement experience that is compliant, meets the University and national guidance for clinical requirements and prepares you for success in your future nursing career.
The Placement Team will collaborate with you to help you secure quality placement sites and preceptors. In addition to completing a Placement Intake Form, you will be responsible for completing all of your clinical clearance requirements prior to the start of your first clinical rotation.
This course provides an overview of the normal physiologic and pathologic mechanisms of disease and serves as one primary component of the foundation for clinical assessment, decision-making and management. The course will prepare the advanced practice nurse for interpreting changes in normal function that results in symptoms indicative of illness in patients across the lifespan (Credits: 3).
Advance practice nursing students integrate theories from nursing and other sciences that are evidence-based and sensitive to cultural and ethical issues. Promoting quality outcomes in the adult-gerontology population across the spectrum of young adults, adults, and older adults is the focus of this clinical experience in primary care settings. Advanced health assessment, diagnostic reasoning, and development of therapeutic interventions for self-limiting conditions occurs. Opportunities for interdisciplinary experience and collaborative practice are provided. The seminar component of the course is designed to develop critical-thinking and clinical decision-making skills through case presentations. (Seminar, Residency and 250 clinical practice hours).
Pre-Requisites: NSG-550; Credits: 3
Family/Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioner students integrate theories from nursing and other sciences that are evidence-based and sensitive to cultural and ethical issues. Promoting quality outcomes in the family population across the lifespan is the focus of this clinical experience in primary care settings. Advanced health assessment, diagnostic reasoning, and development of therapeutic interventions for self-limiting conditions occurs. Opportunities for interdisciplinary experience and collaborative practice are provided. The seminar component of the course is designed to develop critical-thinking and clinical decision-making skills through case presentations. (Seminar, Residency and 250 clinical practice hours)
Pre-Requisites: NSG-500, NSG-530, NSG-533, NSG-550; Credits: 3
This course is designed to assist the P-MH nurse practitioner to develop competence in prescribing and monitoring psychopharmacological agents used in the treatment of common psychiatric-mental health disorders across the lifespan. This course will examine the major classes of psychopharmacological agents on neurobiological function with a particular emphasis on the clinical management of target psychiatric symptoms. Drugs of abuse, side effects, issues of polypharmacy, and management of advanced practice prescriptive privileges are also explored.
Pre-Requisites: NSG-533; Credits: 2
Below is a sample list of courses you will take as part of the online Post-Graduate/APRN Certificate program. All courses are 12 weeks long. To see the full program curriculum, access your free program guide.
This course provides the basic principles of pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and pharmacotherapeutics for broad categories of drugs. Purpose of action, common interactions and contraindications of major drug categories are highlighted. Case studies are integrated to provide students the opportunity to demonstrate application of pharmacological theory in advancing nursing practice (Credits: 3).
This foundational clinical course introduces students to advanced practice psychiatric nursing in a variety of mental health settings. Students acquire skills in completing comprehensive mental health assessments. Students identify and apply concepts, theories, and principles to the practice of individual, family, and group psychotherapy, with emphasis on process dynamics. Considerations and challenges in providing psychotherapy to culturally diverse individuals, families, and groups are explored and discussed. Skills are gained in assessing psychopathological symptoms across the lifespan and in implementing planned interventions. Students integrate theory and practice of the advanced practice psychiatric nurse in a supervised clinical practicum (Total: Residency and 250 practice hours).
Pre-Requisites: NSG-550, NSG-552; Credits: 3
This course is designed to prepare primary care nurse practitioner students to provide primary health care to the adult and older adult population during wellness and acute/episodic illness. The course integrates nursing theories that are evidence-based with health assessment and diagnostic reasoning of acute/episodic primary care health problems. Health promotion, protection and disease prevention interventions are provided with consideration of culturally diverse populations.
Pre-Requisites: NSG-550; Credits: 3
This course is designed to prepare primary care nurse practitioner students to provide primary health care to the adult and older adult population during wellness and acute/episodic illness. The course integrates nursing theories that are evidence-based with health assessment and diagnostic reasoning of acute/episodic primary care health problems. Health promotion, protection and disease prevention interventions are provided with consideration of culturally diverse populations.
Pre-Requisites: NSG-550; Credits: 3
In recent years, people are living longer than ever. The aging population presents unique challenges to healthcare professionals. If you desire increased autonomy and authority in your role as a nurse practitioner, a post master’s certificate in adult-gerontology might be right for you.
Wilkes University's online APRN adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner track will give you the skills necessary to integrate evidence-based nursing theories with diagnostic reasoning. With this new knowledge, you will be better prepared to offer exceptional chronic and acute primary healthcare solutions to adults of all ages. Our program fully prepares you to pass the ANCC and AANP national certification exams.
The role of the psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) is to assess, diagnose and treat the mental health needs of patients, including children, adolescents, adults and the elderly. If you’re passionate about offering psychiatric health care services to underserved patients, our APRN-PMHNP track gives you the skills you need, such as competency in prescribing and monitoring medications for patients with mental health disorders or substance abuse problems.
You will develop knowledge of clinical modalities and theories used in health promotion to identify individuals and populations at risk of mental illness. In this role, you will offer primary prevention in mental health, with consideration to culturally diverse, rural and underserved populations. Our program fully prepares you to pass the ANCC and AANP national certification examinations.
According to the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), the United States will be short at least 120,000 family medicine providers by 2030. Earning your family nurse practitioner (FNP) certification online through Wilkes' APRN post-graduate program allows you to be part of the solution.
As an FNP, you can make a difference in patients' lives by expanding your knowledge and skills beyond treatment. With your new experience, you will be able to provide disease prevention and management, counseling, and health and wellness education for families.
Some of the most rewarding nursing positions are APRN roles. Our online APRN-FNP track gives you the critical thinking skills to have a positive impact on patient outcomes physically, psychosocially, spiritually, cognitively and developmentally. Our program fully prepares you to pass the ANCC and AANP national certification exams.
The nurse practitioner will develop processes for formulating differential diagnoses of acute and chronic physical and mental illnesses in the primary care setting across the lifespan. A case-study approach is integrated to prepare students for management of health status of patients through the implementation of strategies specific to the synthesis of data from multiple sources that promote quality of care outcomes for patients (Prerequisites: NSG 530, NSG 533; Credits: 2).
Advanced Practice nursing students integrate theories from nursing and other sciences that are evidence-based and sensitive to cultural and ethical issues. Promoting quality outcomes in the adult and gerontology population across the spectrum of young adults, adults, and older adults is the focus of this clinical experience in primary care settings. Advanced health assessment, diagnostic reasoning and development of therapeutic interventions for complex health conditions occurs. Opportunities for interdisciplinary experience and collaborative practice are provided. The seminar component of the course is designed to develop critical-thinking and clinical decision-making skills through case presentations. (Seminar, Residency and 250 clinical practice hours)
Pre-Requisites: NSG-550; Credits: 3
This course provides a foundation in the major systems of therapy for individuals and groups used in advanced psychiatric mental health nursing and other disciplines engaged in mental health practice. Focus will be on therapeutic modalities such as brief psychotherapy, group processes and practices, milieu therapy and crisis intervention as they relate to advanced nursing practice in mental health.
Pre-Requisites: NSG-550, NSG-552; Credits: 3
This clinical course focuses on refining assessment, diagnosis, and pharmacological and psychosocial management of individuals of all ages with mental illness. Individual, family, and group psychotherapies are refined. Students gain skills in identifying individuals/populations at risk for mental illness and primary prevention in mental health. Mental health needs of culturally diverse, rural, and underserved populations are explored. Leadership and advocacy roles of the advanced practice psychiatric nurse as an agent of healthcare policy change are emphasized. Students integrate theory and practice of the advanced practice psychiatric nurse in a supervised clinical practicum (Total: Residency and 250 practice hours).
Pre-Requisites: NSG-550, NSG-552; Credits: 3
This course is designed to prepare Family Nurse Practitioner nursing students to provide primary health care to the pediatric client and their family. The course integrates nursing theories that are evidence-based with health assessment and diagnostic reasoning of acute primary care health problems. Health promotion, protection and disease prevention interventions are provided with consideration of culturally diverse populations.
Pre-Requisites: NSG-500, NSG-530, NSG-533, NSG-550; Credits: 2
This course is designed to introduce the advanced practice nursing student to the issues facing culturally diverse, rural and underserved populations. The theory can be integrated into clinical practice for patients and families in primary care settings to promote an understanding of differences and issues that impact the comprehensive planning of healthcare services (Credits: 2).
This course focuses on the most frequently observed pathologies in psychiatry and mental health, the various conceptual models and theories related to the practice of psychiatric mental health nursing, and the most advanced clinical modalities congruent with the analysis of the best evidence.
Pre-Requisites: NSG-550, NSG-552; Credits: 3
Family Nurse Practitioner nursing students integrate theories from nursing and other sciences that are evidence-based and sensitive to cultural and ethical issues. Promoting quality outcomes in the pediatric population across the lifespan is the focus of this clinical experience in primary care settings. Advanced health assessment, diagnostic reasoning and development of therapeutic interventions for complex health conditions occurs. Opportunities for interdisciplinary experience and collaborative practice are provided. The seminar component of the course is designed to develop critical-thinking and clinical decision-making skills through case presentations. (Seminar, Residency and 84 clinical practice hours)
Pre-Requisites: NSG-500 NSG-530 NSG-533 NSG-550; Credits: 1
This course is designed to prepare primary care nurse practitioner students to provide chronic primary health care to the adult and older adult population. The course integrates nursing theories that are evidence-based with health assessment and diagnostic reasoning of chronic, primary health care problems. Health promotion, protection and disease prevention interventions are provided with consideration of culturally diverse populations.
Pre-Requisites: NSG-550; Credits: 3
Family/Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioner students integrate theories from nursing and other sciences that are evidence-based and sensitive to cultural and ethical issues. Promoting quality outcomes in the family population across the lifespan is the focus of this clinical experience in primary care settings. Advanced health assessment, diagnostic reasoning and development of therapeutic interventions for complex health conditions occurs. Opportunities for interdisciplinary experience and collaborative practice are provided. The seminar component of the course is designed to develop critical-thinking and clinical decision-making skills through case presentations. (Seminar, Residency and 250 clinical practice hours)
Pre-Requisites: NSG-500, NSG-530, NSG-533, NSG-550; Credits: 3
In this course the student will synthesize and review topics relevant to their NP specialty area of clinical practice. This course is designed as a review of specialty focused curriculum for the nurse practitioner national board certification examination.
This course is designed to prepare primary care nurse practitioner students to provide chronic primary health care to the adult and older adult population. The course integrates nursing theories that are evidence-based with health assessment and diagnostic reasoning of chronic, primary health care problems. Health promotion, protection and disease prevention interventions are provided with consideration of culturally diverse populations.
Pre-Requisites: NSG-550; Credits: 3
This course presents an overview of the full and comprehensive health assessment of patients across the life span. Emphasis on multiple aspects of assessment including physical, functional, and mental health assessment along with transcultural variations, will prepare the student for advanced nursing practice.
Something that I loved about this program is the attention that I got from my advisors early on, before even being accepted to the program. I was able to talk with my advisor over the phone and ask all of the questions that I had at the time to decide whether or not to move forward with the program. I had looked at a lot of schools, but this one fit what I needed."
Trenise Griffith, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Submit your information to access a comprehensive digital program guide. One of our dedicated admissions counselors will contact you shortly to discuss next-steps.
Becoming a nurse practitioner or obtaining another additional specialty improves your ability for continuity of care and increases your job security. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, NPs earn an average salary of $120,680 jobs and job growth is expected to increase 46% by 2031. NPs are in demand in hospital settings, outpatient care centers and private practice—and the need will increase as our nation’s population ages.
Wilkes University offers a suite of highly respected programs that give you the advanced skills needed to:
We do the heavy lifting for you. For more information on the nursing clinicals placement process, visit our Clinical Placement Services page, access your free program guide, or email us at admissions@onlinenursingdegrees.wilkes.edu. You can also call us directly at 888-413-5633 or schedule a time to chat.
Time to complete the online post-master’s nurse practitioner certificate varies by experience* and concentration:
*On average, students transfer between 3 and 4 hours of credits.
Tuition for the post-graduate/APRN certificate program depends on the concentration chosen.
Yes, financial aid is available to qualifying nursing students. Please fill out a form or schedule an appointment with an admissions advisor to learn if you qualify for financial assistance. You can also give us a call at 888-413-5633. We're happy to help!
Excluding nursing clinicals and residencies, all coursework is 100% online. Each course experience is primarily asynchronous.
Our three post-graduate/APRN nurse practitioner certificates give you the opportunity to align your advanced degree with your career goals in the nursing field. Choose the track you’re most passionate about and explore curriculum, tuition, admission requirements and more.
At Wilkes, we support and applaud lifelong learning. We are constantly changing, evolving and growing to meet the needs of our online student nurses. We look ahead to the degree programs, experiences and opportunities our students will need to succeed, and that includes complimentary nursing clinical placement services.
Our online nursing programs offer a variety of options for working nurses. Whether you're looking to advance your current role or broaden your career path and pursue a new specialty, Wilkes has a flexible program for you. Going back to school is a big decision. That's why we offer the mentoring and faculty member support of skilled nurse educators you need to succeed.
We’re here to talk about everything Wilkes, everything nursing and anything you need to make the right choice for your career. We'll even help with the application process. Click the link below to fill out a form and start the conversation. We can’t wait!
Out-of-State Students
Our online nursing degree programs prepare graduates to take the national board certification exam appropriate to their degree or chosen NP concentration. ABSN graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Please see our full list of state authorizations to determine whether our program fulfills requirements for licensure in your home state. Wilkes University will not be able to place any students who move to an unauthorized state before or during the program and this may impact your ability to continue with the program.
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To proceed with the Associate Degree in Nursing (R.N.) to M.S.N. program, you are required to have an associate’s degree in nursing and hold a current unencumbered R.N. license.
If you don’t meet these requirements but would still like further information, please contact us.
To proceed with the M.S.N. program, you are required to have a bachelor’s degree in nursing and hold a current unencumbered R.N. license.
If you don’t meet these requirements but would still like further information, please contact us.
To proceed with either the D.N.P., Ph.D. or the Post Graduate A.P.R.N. Certification programs, you are required to have a master’s degree in nursing and hold a current unencumbered R.N. license.
If you don’t meet these requirements but would still like further information, please contact us.
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