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How to ApplyRequest Info
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Graduate Certificate inAdult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

Summary Courses Careers Costs and Aid

This certificate is designed for nurses who are licensed to practice nursing in Pennsylvania, have already earned a graduate degree in nursing, and want to expand their scope of practice to care of older adult patients in primary care settings as an adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioner.

CCNE Accredited

This program is CCNE Accredited

Apply by June 30 to start August 25

20–35 Credits$1,027 per credit

Positively Impact the Health and Well-Being of Older Adults

  • Understand clinical assessment techniques specific to primary care settings to enable accurate diagnosis and management of health problems in older adults.

  • Promote strategies for improving health, preventing disease, and providing older adult patients with the tools they need to lead healthy lives.

  • Provide evidence-based treatments and interventions to ensure that care is continuously improved based on patient outcomes and best practices.

  • Collaborate with other health care professionals as part of an interdisciplinary team to provide holistic care to patients.

  • Understand how cultural differences and economic considerations impact health beliefs and practices, and deliver care that respects and integrates patients' diverse backgrounds.

  • Recognize the prevalence and patterns of diseases within different populations to better assess and manage health conditions.

The course work for this certificate focuses on the assessment, diagnosis, management, and treatment of adults and older adults who are experiencing common acute or episodic health problems.

Following successful program completion, students are eligible to take national certification examinations as adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioners.

This program focuses on the specialized skills, empathy, and communication needed to address the unique health care needs of this population. By studying epidemiological, cultural, ethical, and economic factors and engaging in interprofessional collaboration related to health promotion, disease prevention, and treatment, you can be well-prepared to excel as the primary care provider for your older adult patients.

To earn this certificate, you must successfully complete a minimum of 20 credits. Additional course work may be required, based on an evaluation of transcripts and prior courses completed. Courses are based on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Essentials and national nurse practitioner competencies.

Required Courses (20 credits)

  • 3
    credits

    Provides instruction in the Nurse Practitioner role to promote health, prevent illness, and manage common acute/episodic health problems across the adult-older adult population. 

    • Prerequisite

      NURS 802, NURS 803, and NURS 804

  • 3
    credits

    Nurse Practitioner role with individuals and families to maximize health and manage complex and/or chronic health problems.

    • Prerequisite

      NURS 870, NURS 872

    • Concurrent

      NURS 873

  • 3
    credits

    This is a comprehensive practicum in which students implement the Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner role through application of theoretical knowledge and psychomotor skills taught in all prior courses.

  • 3
    credits

    This is a comprehensive practicum in which students implement the Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner role through application of theoretical knowledge and psychomotor skills taught in all prior courses.

  • 5
    credits

    This is a comprehensive practicum in which students implement the Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner role through application of theoretical knowledge and psychomotor skills taught in all prior courses.

  • 3
    credits

    This is a comprehensive didactic and simulation experience in which students implement the Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner role through application of theoretical knowledge and psychomotor skills.

Advanced Practice Core Courses

Any or all of these courses may be waived based on the certificate program chair’s evaluation of transcripts and prior courses completed.

  • 3
    credits

    Current conceptual and theoretical models in nursing, including relationship to practice and research in development of nursing science.

  • 3
    credits

    Advanced nursing assessment and diagnosis of physical, psychosocial, and developmental health for adults and families across the adult age spectrum.

  • 3
    credits

    Integration of advanced physiology, genetics, and pathophysiology as related to specific disease entities and alterations in functioning.

  • 3
    credits

    Pharmacologic therapies in advanced nursing practice.

  • 3
    credits

    Examines the relationship of nursing theories to the development of nursing science, as well as current scientific advances that guide nursing practice and research.

Course Availability

If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.

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You can use the knowledge gained from this program and the support of Penn State career resources to pursue a role as a nurse practitioner specializing in the primary care of older adult patients.

Career Services to Set You Up for Success

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From the day you're accepted as a student, you can access resources and tools provided by Penn State World Campus Career Services to further your career. These resources are beneficial whether you're searching for a job or advancing in an established career.

  • Opportunities to connect with employers
  • Career counselor/coach support
  • Occupation and salary information
  • Internships
  • Graduate school resources 

Ready to Learn More?

Get the resources you need to make informed decisions about your education. Request information on this program and other programs of interest by completing this form.

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Ready to take the next step toward your Penn State graduate certificate?

Apply by June 30 to start August 25. How to Apply 

Learn about this program's tuition, fees, scholarship opportunities, grants, payment options, and military benefits.

Graduate Tuition

Graduate tuition is calculated based on the number of credits for which you register. Tuition is due shortly after each semester begins and rates are assessed every semester of enrollment.

2024–25 Academic Year Rates

Tuition Rates for the Fall 2024, Spring 2025, and Summer 2025 Semesters
How many credits do you plan to take per semester?Cost
11 or fewer$1,027 per credit
12 or more$12,325 per semester

2025–26 Academic Year Rates

Tuition Rates for the Fall 2025, Spring 2026, and Summer 2026 Semesters
How many credits do you plan to take per semester?Cost
11 or fewer$1,037 per credit
12 or more$12,448 per semester

Paying for Your Certificate

Students pursuing a certificate are considered "nondegree," a status that is not eligible for federal student aid, including the Federal Direct Stafford Loan program. A private alternative loan may be an option to consider.

Additionally, Penn State offers many ways to pay for your education, including an installment plan and third-party payments. Penn State World Campus also offers an Employer Reimbursement and Tuition Deferment Plan. Learn more about the options for paying for your education.

Students pursuing a degree and meeting all other eligibility requirements may qualify for financial aid.

Technical Requirements

Review the technical requirements for this program.

Military Benefits

Military service members, veterans, and their spouses or dependents should explore these potential military education benefits and financial aid opportunities, as well.

Additional Cost of Attendance Details

To view the detailed list of cost of attendance elements:

A figure walking on a path that includes a certificate part of the way through their progress

Not only can this program help create opportunities in your career, it can also give you a solid head start toward a Doctor of Nursing Practice – Nurse Practitioner (DNP–NP) degree.

Degree Program Related to This Certificate

All the required credits in this graduate certificate can be applied toward the following doctoral degree program, if you apply and are granted admission:

Prepare to provide direct care through an expanded nursing role in this online nurse practitioner doctoral degree program, available exclusively to nurses licensed to practice professional nursing in Pennsylvania. Choose from options specific to family, adult/gerontology, and mental health patients.

Learn more

Who Should Apply?

This certificate is designed for nurses who are licensed to practice nursing in Pennsylvania, have already earned a graduate degree in nursing, and want to expand their scope of practice to care of older adult patients in primary care settings as an adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioner.

The Penn State Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and post-graduate APRN certificate programs at Penn State are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, D.C. 20001, 202-887-6791. Further information can be found at ccneaccreditation.org.

The Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing has been designated a Center of Excellence by the National League for Nursing in recognition of the college’s work creating and sustaining environments that promote the pedagogical expertise of the faculty.

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Whether you are looking to finish your program as quickly as possible or balance your studies with your busy life, Penn State World Campus can help you achieve your education goals. Many students take one or two courses per semester.

Your academic adviser can help you develop your plans for completing your course work as quickly as your schedule will allow.

Convenient Online Format

This program's convenient online format gives you the flexibility you need to study around your busy schedule. You can skip the lengthy commute without sacrificing the quality of your education and prepare yourself for more rewarding career opportunities without leaving your home.

A Trusted Leader in Online Education

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Penn State has a history of more than 100 years of distance education, and World Campus has been a leader in online learning for more than two decades. Our online learning environment offers the same quality education that our students experience on campus.

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Apply by June 30 to start August 25

Application Instructions

Deadlines and Important Dates

Complete your application and submit all required materials by the appropriate deadline. Your deadline will depend on the semester you plan to start your courses.

  • Fall Deadline

    Apply by June 30 to start August 25

  • Spring Deadline

    Apply by October 1 to start January 12

  • Summer Deadline

    Apply by March 1, 2026, to start May 18, 2026

Steps to Apply

  1. Applicants must hold a graduate degree in nursing from an ACEN– or CCNE–accredited institution that is also a U.S. regionally accredited institution or a postsecondary degree in nursing that is equivalent to a U.S. baccalaureate degree earned from an officially recognized degree-granting international institution. 

    Applicants to the Graduate Certificate in Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program must also be current nurses licensed to practice professional nursing in the state of Pennsylvania.

    In addition, undergraduate chemistry and statistics are required.

    GPA — It is recommended that you have a grade-point average of 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) for the baccalaureate degree with a B or better in all science and nursing courses.

  2. You will need to upload the following items as part of your application:

    Official transcripts from each institution attended, regardless of the number of credits or semesters completed. Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation. If you are a Penn State alum, you do not need to request transcripts for credits earned at Penn State but must list Penn State as part of your academic history.

    Test Scores — GRE or GMAT scores are NOT required for admission.

    English Proficiency — The language of instruction at Penn State is English. With some exceptions, international applicants must take and submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Minimum test scores and exceptions are found in the English Proficiency section on the J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School's "Requirements for Graduate Admission" page. Visit the TOEFL website for testing information. Penn State's institutional code is 2660.

    Please note that for entrance into a Penn State Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing graduate-level program, the minimum acceptable score for the TOEFL is 580 for the paper-based test, or a total score of 80 with a 25 on the speaking section for the internet-based test (iBT). The minimum composite score for the IELTS is 7.0.

    References (2) — You will need to initiate the process through the online application by entering names and email addresses of two references. Upon submission of your application, an email will be sent to each reference requesting they complete a brief online recommendation regarding your commitment for success in an online program. Please inform all recommenders they must submit the form in order for your application to be complete.

    References should be obtained from academic and professional perspectives. If you completed college-level courses over the past five years, an academic reference is required. Other references should be from a nursing supervisor, preferably holding a degree higher than yours.

  3. To begin the online application, you will need a Penn State account.

    Create a New Penn State Account

    If you have any problems during this process, contact an admissions counselor at [email protected].

    Please note: Former Penn State students may not need to complete the admissions application or create a new Penn State account. Please visit our Returning Students page for instructions.

  4. You can begin your online application at any time. Your progress within the online application system will be saved as you go, allowing you to return at any point as you gather additional information and required materials.

    • Choose Enrollment Type: "Degree Admission"
    • Choose "WORLD CAMPUS" as the campus

    Checking Your Status 
    You can check the status of your application by using the same login information established for the online application form. 

  5. 5. Complete the application.

    Penn State Fox Graduate School Application

Admissions Help

If you have questions about the admissions process, contact an admissions counselor at [email protected].

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Have questions or want more information? We're happy to talk.

To learn more about the Graduate Certificate in Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, offered in partnership with the Penn State Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, please contact:

World Campus Admissions Counselors
Phone: 814-863-5386
[email protected]

Cody Hoffman
Student Enrollment Recruiter
Penn State Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing
Phone: 814-865-0865
[email protected]

To learn more about additional, highly respected nursing programs from Penn State, visit the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing website.

This graduate certificate is offered through Penn State World Campus in collaboration with the highly respected Penn State Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing. Our courses are taught by distinguished faculty who have special training and experience teaching in an online environment.

Faculty

  • Dr. Barbara Birriel, Ph.D., ACNP-BC, FCCM

    • Ph.D., Penn State
    • Post-grad certificate ACNP, University of Pennsylvania
    • MSN, Thomas Jefferson University
    • BSN, Bloomsbury State College (University)

    Dr. Barbara Birriel is an assistant research professor and an acute care nurse practitioner. Her research interests include ethics for the practitioner, palliative care, and family caregiving experiences in heart failure patients.

  • Sandra Halbruner, DNP, CRNP, FNP-BC

    • DNP, Wilkes University
    • M.S., Penn State
    • BSN, Johns Hopkins University
    • B.S., Franklin & Marshall College

    Dr. Sandra Halbruner is an assistant teaching professor for the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing. She has more than 21 years of experience in the field of medicine. Her research interests include active learning techniques in the multi-site or online classroom.

  • Sharilee Hrabovsky, D.Ed.

    • D.Ed., Adult Education, Penn State
    • Post-master’s certification, Family Practice Nurse Practitioner, Widener University
    • MSN, Villanova University
    • BSN, Thomas Jefferson University

    Dr. Sharilee Hrabovsky is an assistant research professor with the  College of Nursing. She teaches online courses in the graduate school. She has been a practicing nurse for the last 36 years, 23 of them as a nurse practitioner, and has presented on tobacco use, treatment, and regulation research for the last eight years. She is a nationally certified tobacco treatment specialist and has worked with hundreds of tobacco users through clinical trials or direct patient care in their quest to reduce or quit tobacco use.

  • Susan Leight, Ed.D., ARPN-BC, NP-C, ANP-BC, FAANP, FAAN

    • Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Pennsylvania
    • Research Fellow, University of Pennsylvania
    • Ed.D., West Virginia University
    • MSN, West Virginia University
    • BSN, State University of New York at Buffalo

    Dr. Susan Leight is the director of the NP programs, the WE Lead program, and innovation at the College of Nursing. Dr Leight’s research interests include vulnerable populations, focusing on rural health and women’s health. She also spends time in Central America providing care for the underserved.

  • Paul Logan, PH.D., CRNP, ACNP-BC

    • Ph.D., Penn State
    • MSN, University of Pennsylvania
    • BSN, Messiah College

    Dr. Paul Logan is an assistant research professor for the College of Nursing. His research interests include outcomes, quality, and value in health care, particularly the quality of care provided by nurse practitioners. His clinical interests include acute care, critical care, and cardiovascular disease.

  • Brandi Peachey, DNP, FNP-BC, RN

    • DNP, Penn State
    • BSN, West Virginia University

    Dr. Brandi Peachey is an assistant teaching professor in both the graduate and undergraduate programs. She is an FNP who practices in pediatrics. Dr. Peachey’s interests include adolescent substance abuse and screening techniques.

  • Nicole Peterson, DNP, A/GPCNP-BC, CRNP, RN

    • DNP, University of Iowa
    • MSN, University of Iowa
    • BSN, University of Iowa

    Dr. Nicole Peterson is an assistant teaching professor and emeritus associate professor of instruction at the University of Iowa. She has been an adult and gerontological primary care nurse practitioner since 2008, with clinical practice experience in long-term care, community care, home care, and primary care. This includes providing geriatric and primary care to the Meskwaki Nation community (Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa and their employees). She has teaching experience in undergraduate and graduate nursing, including master’s and doctorate levels, as well as serving as a geriatric nurse practitioner.

  • Beth Ann White, DNP, CRNP-BC, RN

    • DNP, Penn State
    • M.S. and Adult Nurse Practitioner, Penn State
    • B.S., Nursing, Penn State
    • RN, Diploma, Geisinger School of Nursing

    Dr. Beth Ann White is the coordinator for the FNP program and is an associate teaching professor in the College of Nursing. She has worked as a case manager, disease manager, and regional manager for the Medical Home project, along with her continued practice as an adult nurse practitioner. Her research interest includes improved oral care in long-term care.

  • Sheilah Yohn, DNP, AGNP-BC, RN

    DNP, Wilkes University

    Dr. Sheilah Yohn is an assistant teaching professor. She is a practicing NP in a family care setting. Dr. Yohn’s interests are in providing care to the underserved.

Ready to take the next step toward your Penn State graduate certificate?

Apply by June 30 to start August 25. How to Apply