Application deadline
Credits and costs
Learn to Treat Older Adult Patients in a Primary Care Setting
Becoming the most effective first level of care for older adult patients involves clinical proficiency but also a deep commitment to understanding and addressing the specific needs of this population.
Offered online through a partnership between Penn State World Campus and the Penn State Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, the Graduate Certificate in Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program prepares nurses who already hold a master’s degree or higher in nursing with the specialized skills and knowledge needed to provide comprehensive primary care to patients across the adult and older-adult age spectrum.
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.
Following successful program completion, students are eligible to take national certification examinations as Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioners.
Learn to 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.
Why a Nursing Certificate from Penn State?
Flexibility — We understand the need for flexible and convenient learning options, using technology not just for convenience, but also to support learning outcomes. Your academic adviser can help you develop your plans for completing your courses in as timely a manner as possible. This certificate can be earned part-time or full-time, with courses based on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Essentials and national nurse practitioner competencies.
Our devoted team of graduate faculty and staff are dedicated to student success and provide individualized mentorship and guidance throughout the program, working to ensure students graduate prepared to deliver expert clinical care and improve health outcomes. Penn State is a leader in online education with innovative and engaging classroom experiences designed to enhance your learning.
Reputation — Penn State nursing programs are among the top online programs in the nation. 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.
Courses
Penn State’s Graduate Certificate in Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner is currently only available to nurses who are licensed to practice professional nursing in the state of Pennsylvania and who also hold a graduate degree in nursing.
The course work will focus on the assessment, diagnosis, management, and treatment of adults and older adults who are experiencing common acute or episodic health problems.
To earn this certificate, you will need to successfully complete a minimum of 20 credits. Additional course work may be required, based on an evaluation of transcripts and prior courses completed.
Required Courses (20 credits)
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.
Costs and Financial Aid
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.
| How many credits do you plan to take per semester? | Cost |
|---|---|
| 11 or fewer | $1,017 per credit |
| 12 or more | $12,203 per semester |
| 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 |
Financial Aid and Military Benefits
Some students may qualify for financial aid. Take the time to research financial aid, scholarships, and payment options as you prepare to apply. Military service members, veterans, and their spouses or dependents should explore these potential military education benefits and financial aid opportunities, as well.
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.
How to Apply
Deadlines and Important Dates
This program is currently only accepting applications from nurses with a graduate degree in nursing and who are licensed to practice professional nursing in the state of Pennsylvania.
Your certificate application, including receipt of all transcripts, must be received by the following deadlines to be considered complete:
Admissions Help
Thank you for your interest in applying to this program. Contact an admissions counselor to discuss your educational goals, financial aid options, and application deadlines.
Prerequisites
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.
What You Need
Applications are submitted electronically and include a nonrefundable application fee. 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. Penn State alumni do not need to request transcripts for credits earned at Penn State but must list Penn State as part of your academic history. If you are admitted, you will be asked to send an additional official transcript. You will receive instructions at that time.
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.
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 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.
Start Your Application
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.
Begin the graduate school application
- Choose Enrollment Type: "Certificate Admission"
- Choose "WORLD CAMPUS" as the campus
- Choose "Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner" as the certificate
Checking Your Status
You can check the status of your application by using the same login information established for the online application form.
Technical Requirements
Review the technical requirements for this certificate program.
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.
Start or Advance Your Career
Start or Advance Your Career
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.
A Head Start toward a Doctoral Degree
A Head Start toward a Doctoral Degree
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.
Contact Us
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.
Faculty
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Dr. Barbara Birriel, Ph.D., ACNP-BC, FCCM
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DegreePh.D., Penn State
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DegreePost-grad certificate ACNP, University of Pennsylvania
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DegreeMSN, Thomas Jefferson University
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DegreeBSN, 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.
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Sandra Halbruner, DNP, CRNP, FNP-BC
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DegreeDNP, Wilkes University
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DegreeM.S., Penn State
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DegreeBSN, Johns Hopkins University
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DegreeB.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.
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Sharilee Hrabovsky, D.Ed.
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DegreeD.Ed., Adult Education, Penn State
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DegreePost-master’s certification, Family Practice Nurse Practitioner, Widener University
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DegreeMSN, Villanova University
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DegreeBSN, 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.
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Susan Leight, Ed.D., ARPN-BC, NP-C, ANP-BC, FAANP, FAAN
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DegreePostdoctoral Fellow, University of Pennsylvania
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DegreeResearch Fellow, University of Pennsylvania
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DegreeEd.D., West Virginia University
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DegreeMSN, West Virginia University
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DegreeBSN, 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.
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Paul Logan, PH.D., CRNP, ACNP-BC
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DegreePh.D., Penn State
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DegreeMSN, University of Pennsylvania
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DegreeBSN, 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.
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Brandi Peachey, DNP, FNP-BC, RN
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DegreeDNP, Penn State
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DegreeBSN, 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.
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Nicole Peterson, DNP, A/GPCNP-BC, CRNP, RN
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DegreeDNP, University of Iowa
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DegreeMSN, University of Iowa
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DegreeBSN, 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.
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Beth Ann White, DNP, CRNP-BC, RN
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DegreeDNP, Penn State
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DegreeM.S. and Adult Nurse Practitioner, Penn State
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DegreeB.S., Nursing, Penn State
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DegreeRN, 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.
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Sheilah Yohn, DNP, AGNP-BC, RN
DegreeDNP, Wilkes UniversityDr. 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.