Post Graduate Certificate

Build on certification for specialized NP roles

The NursingCAS application process will open August 2024 for Fall start 2025 Admissions 

Fall 2025: Post Graduate Certificates

• Priority Admission Deadline for Scholarship Consideration: 2/2/25
• Application Deadline: 5/1/25

Priority Admission Deadline for Scholarship Consideration: Applicants who submit a completed application by this deadline will be considered for our limited Chancellor and Nightingale Scholarships.
Application Deadline: Applications completed after the Priority deadline will be considered based on seat availability, up until this final admission deadline.* For consideration after the Application Deadline, please contact our Admissions Counselor

Applicants must submit a completed application to NursingCAS by the deadline date to be considered for admission. Application status emails will be sent to the email provided on the application via NursingCAS. 

Psychiatric Mental Health for NPs

The Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (NP) post graduate certificate program is geared towards providing the already practicing NP the additional classroom and clinical experience needed to address the mental health needs of patients across the lifespan. Faculty at the Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing bring to the classroom cutting-edge knowledge in the treatment of mental health conditions. The Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing prides itself on its ongoing scholarship in the field of teaching and academics, providing the students with current technologically advanced and innovative interprofessional learning environments.

Our students will be prepared to diagnose and treat patients acute or chronic mental health conditions, provide psychotherapy to those coping with psychosocial stressors and/or those with addiction issues. Graduates of the certificate program will have additional knowledge and competency in assessing and diagnosing psychiatric conditions, as well as in providing psychotherapy and prescribing medications for patients of all age groups.

Our graduates are eligible to take the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner board certification examination. Upon graduation and certification our Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing Psychiatric Mental Health NPs will find themselves in high demand with their new expertise. Psychiatric Mental Health NP graduates, certified across the lifespan, will provide services in a variety of settings including outpatient and inpatient settings, step-down or residential programs as well as private outpatient practices.

Explore the Psychiatric Mental Health Curriculum

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care

This is an 18 credit Post Graduate Certificate that can be completed in two semesters full time.  Courses will be offered in a hybrid format with flexible course delivery with combination of online and face to face.  Students complete 540 clinical hours in an acute care setting with adults and older adults. Graduates are eligible to sit for Adult Gerontology Acute Care NP certification exam given by AACN or ANCC upon successful completion of the program.  Applicants must be practicing NPs who are certified as Adult, Adult Gerontology Primary Care, or Family NPs. A review of previous coursework prior to admission will be done to ensure eligibility for certification.

Prerequisite Courses for Adult Gerontology Acute Care

• Advanced Pathophysiology
• Advanced Pharmacology (For the APRN)
• Advanced Health Assessment (For the APRN)
• Demonstration and successful completion of head to toe physical examination prior to initial course.  Failure of head to toe examination will result in repeating Advanced Health Assessment or designated remediation course. 

Explore the Acute Care Curriculum

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP

The Post Graduate Certificate Program is designed for individuals who have previously acquired a master’s degree in nursing.  This Certificate allows nurses to expand their role as Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioners to function as Nurse Practitioners in ambulatory or community-based areas.  Provides comprehensive care to the entire spectrum of adults including young adults, adults and older adults. Provides direct health care services incorporating health promotion, health protection, disease prevention and disease management.  Graduates of this track are eligible to take the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner certification examination. The Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing prepares students to meet the competencies from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) Core Competencies for Nurse Practitioners.

Prerequisite Courses for Adult Gerontology Primary Care NP

• Completed courses in Advanced Pathophysiology and Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Practice Nurse taken within 5 years.  If taken at another institution transcripts and course syllabi must be submitted for approval with a B or higher. 
• Completed course in Advanced Health Assessment for the Advanced Practice Nurse, and will be required to demonstrate head to toe competency through clinical performance examination or enrollment in N615 in the spring prior to matriculation

Explore the Primary Care Curriculum

What makes our Post Graduate Certificate one of the best in Massachusetts?

• Part of an academic health science center partnership in interprofessional education and practice.
• Access to a world class ranked medical school that includes a state of the art center for simulation and learning community
• A small faculty to student ratio ideal for best-in-class graduate-level education for our accelerated RN and doctoral nurse practice program.
• Faculty committed to student learning who actively practice in acute and community care settings and health care organizations.

Post Graduate Certificate Requirements

GPA Requirement - GPA of 3.0 or higher is preferred for all degrees. 

Education - Unrestricted MA licensure as a Nurse Practitioner; Eligible out of state applicants must live or plan to relocate to one of the following states: MA, RI, CT, NH, VT, ME

Prerequisites Required with a B- or higher preferred

• Statistics
• Advanced Pathophysiology
• Advanced Pharmacology
• Advanced Health Assessment      

Video Essay - You will be required to complete 3 video essay interviews in the supplemental application; you will have 2 minutes to respond to each essay. There is no additional fee to complete the essays.                                                 
Personal Statement: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner 

• Why are you choosing to pursue a career as an advanced practice nurse in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care? (500 words total). 

Personal Statement: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner 

• Why are you choosing to pursue a career as an advanced practice nurse in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care? (500 words total). 

Personal Statement: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner 

• Why are you wishing to pursue a career as an additional scope of practice in mental health and what is it you hope to do with further education? (500 words total). 

References - Please submit 2 letters of recommendation from an academic or professional source, preferred within the last five years: 

• A professional reference should be from a former supervisor or professional colleague who can speak to your experience, competence, readiness, leadership, work ethic and dedication to your work. 
• An academic reference should be from a former faculty member or advisor.