Dean of Nursing 
Aubray Orduña, Ed.D., M.S.N., R.N.
PH 402.552.6118 TF 800.647.5500 orduna@clarksoncollege.edu

Director of Master of Science in Nursing
Layna Himmelberg, Ed.D., MSN, CNE
PH 402.552.2776  TF 800.647.5500
himmelberg@clarksoncollege.edu

Post-Master’s Certificate Programs

The purpose of the Post-Graduate certificate programs is to provide opportunities for students who already have a Graduate degree to gain knowledge within a specialty at Clarkson College. The Post-Graduate certificate represents the student’s successful completion of the required courses in the chosen nursing option. 

Admission Policies

Enrollment in Clarkson College degree programs is limited through a selective admissions process. Admission policies and procedures are available from: the Admissions office, the College website, or in the Academic Policies & Procedures section (AD-1).

Program requires Health and Safety – View Health and Safety Information

Family Nurse Practitioner

The focus of this Post-Graduate certificate is to educate nurses who desire prepara­tion in advanced practice nursing, specifically in the family nurse practitioner role. The purpose of a Graduate prepared family nurse practitioner is to promote the health of citizens in family practice settings. The family nurse practitioner will be able to develop a practice incorporating concepts, theories, and recognized care standards into the delivery of health services in a family practice setting. The family nurse practitioner functions as an educator, counselor, referral agent and advocate dealing with families. The curriculum focuses on evidence-based concepts relevant to advanced practice nursing and the evolving primary health care system.

Adult–Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

The focus of this Post-Graduate certificate is to educate nurses who desire prepara­tion in advanced practice nursing, specifically in the Adult–Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner role. The purpose of a Master’s prepared Adult–Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner is to promote the health of citizens in adult practice setting through emphasis on health promotion, disease prevention, and the diagnosis and management of acute and chronic diseases. Adult–Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioners assess and manage a client base that includes adolescents, young, middle and older adults. The Adult–Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner will be able to incorporate concepts, theories and recognized care standards into the delivery of health services in an adult practice setting. The curriculum focuses on evidence-based concepts relevant to advanced practice nursing and the evolving primary health care system.

Nursing Education

The focus of this Post-Graduate certificate is to prepare nurses who desire advanced preparation in nursing education. The curriculum focuses on theoretical concepts that guide the instructional process and teaching strategies. Methods to develop, administer and evaluate nursing educational programs will be discussed. Technologies are implemented that support quality instruction and evaluation of learn­ing outcomes in health-related settings.

Nursing Health Care Administration

The focus of this Post-Graduate certificate is to prepare nurses who desire advanced preparation in nursing health care administration and systems. The curriculum focuses on theoretical concepts relevant to the practice of nursing health care administration and leadership in a broad context of current health care delivery settings. Strategies to develop, administer and evaluate systems within contemporary health care contexts will be discussed along with application of decision-making processes to improve outcomes in health care organizations.

Required Courses for Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing Programs

Family Nurse Practitioner Courses

(26 semester hours)*

Courses	Semester Hours
NS 830 - Advanced Physical Assessment	3
NS 832 - Primary Health Care I	3
◊ NS 834 - Advanced Nutrition	3
NS 836 - Pharmacology for Practitioners	3
NS 838 - Advanced Pathophysiology	3
NS 840 - Primary Care of Children and Adolescent	3
NS 842 - Primary Care of Women	3
NS 843 - Behavioral Health Care for Practitioners	2
NS 844 - Primary Health Care II	3
Total Semester Hours	26

*The Family Nurse Practitioner curriculum is designed for singular progression through clinical courses. Though the program may be com­pleted online, students are required to attend on-campus weekends for specified clinical courses. Only one clinical course may be taken at a time.

Adult–Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Courses

(26 semester hours)**

Courses	Semester Hours
NS 830 - Advanced Physical Assessment	3
NS 831 - Primary Care of the Adult-Gerontology Client	3
NS 832 - Primary Health Care I	3
◊ NS 834 - Advanced Nutrition	3
NS 836 - Pharmacology for Practitioners	3
NS 838 - Advanced Pathophysiology	3
NS 842 - Primary Care of Women	3
NS 843 - Behavioral Health Care for Practitioners	2
NS 844 - Primary Health Care II	3
Total Semester Hours	26

**The Adult–Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner curriculum is designed for singular progression through clinical courses. Though the program may be com­pleted online, students are required to attend on-campus weekends for specified clinical courses. Only one clinical course may be taken at a time.

Nursing Education Courses

(18 semester hours)

Courses	Semester Hours
NS 806 - Theories of Learning for the Nurse Educator	3
◊ NS 822 - Curriculum Development for the Nurse Educator	3
NS 823 - Evaluation Strategies for the Nurse Educator	3
NS 826 - Pharmacology, Pathophysiology and Health Assessment Overview for Nurse Educators	3
NS 827 - Teaching and Learning Strategies for the Nurse Educator	3
NS 894 - Nursing Education Practicum	3
Total Semester Hours	18

Nursing Health Care Administration Courses

(21 semester hours)**

Courses	Semester Hours
MB 808 - Health Care Leadership	3
◊ MB 810 - Human Resources and Organizational Behavior	3
MB 827 - Finance for Health Care Leaders	3
MB 836 - Health Care Project Management	3
MB 851 - Health Care Economics	3
NS 898 - Nursing Health Care Leadership Practicum	3
MB 823 - Health Care Strategic Planning and Marketing OR MB 816 - Healthcare Informatics	3 3
Total Semester Hours	21

**Each of the MB courses is offered in a six-week format, allowing Post-Graduate Certificate students to interact with the graduate students in the Health Care Administration program.