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  • Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Post-Master's Certificate

    The accredited online Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Post-Master's Certificate prepares students to perform medical diagnosis and treatment for the young adult and the aging patient populations.

    The program studies the aging process through didactic lectures, problem-based learning, clinical practice hours, patient experiences, and simulation. Graduates will meet the growing demand for adult geriatric nurse practitioners and learn to provide care for the aging and their families across the entire continuum of health and illness.

    Program Features

    • Ranked #41 in 2020's Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs by U.S. News & World Report
    • Ranked #16 in 2020's Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs for Veterans by U.S. News & World Report
    • Collaboration with health care providers that focus on patients at various stages of the aging process
    • An experienced and board certified faculty from Drexel's acclaimed College of Nursing and Health Professions
    • Professors use various forms of technology, including high-fidelity simulation to create adult-centered learning environments
    • Graduates of this program are eligible for Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Certification through ANCC or AACN
    • The post-graduate APRN certificate at Drexel University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

    Clinical Practice

    The clinical practice settings, which include primary care and assisted living provide students with a mixed outpatient experience ranging from specialty clinical and primary care settings. Supervised clinical hours allow students to perform advanced physical assessment, critical thinking, diagnostic reasoning and management of care in collaboration with licensed physicians and APNs in accredited institutions. Pennsylvania RN licensure will be required prior to the start of your clinical components. While this is not a requirement for admission, we recommend starting the process immediately after admission.

    Clinicals

    The nurse practitioner programs in the Department of Advanced Practice Nursing at Drexel University provide you the flexibility of finding and coordinating your own clinical site and preceptor. The department also offers resources to assist you in this process. Accessibility to clinical sites and preceptors varies from state to state, and you may be required to travel to access clinical sites/preceptors and achieve the necessary clinical hours.

    On-Campus Requirements

    This high-quality program demands a major commitment of time, including multiple on-campus visits that are essential for transition into the NP role. During your time in the program, you will participate in mandatory on-campus and/or virtual intensives. The required intensives will be held during clinical courses. Students will attend an in-person on-campus intensive in NURS 660 for 4 days during week one of the summer quarter. Dates are subject to change.

    Online Open Houses

    Learn more about this and other nursing programs during our upcoming online open house webinar series.

    Questions? We're here to help!

    For application related questions:
    enroll@drexel.edu

    For program related questions:
    College of Nursing and Health Professions Program Team
    CNHPGraduateDivision@drexel.edu


    *Online Nurse Practitioner programs are offered only on a part-time basis.
    *State restrictions may apply to some programs.
    *The Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Post-Master's Certificate program at Drexel University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

    Curriculum

    This program is organized into four 10-week quarters per year (as opposed to the traditional two semester system) which means you can take more courses in a shorter time period. One semester credit is equivalent to 1.5 quarter credits.

    Support Courses  
    NUPR 520 Nurse Practitioner Clinical Orientation Seminar 0.0
    NURS 548 Advanced Pathophysiology 3.0
    NURS 549 Advanced Pharmacology 3.0
    NURS 550 Advanced Clinical Assessment & Diagnostic Reasoning 4.0
    NURS 664  Professional Issues for Nurse Practitioners 1.0
    Concentration Courses  
    NURS 641  Advanced Pharmacology for Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioners 3.0
    NURS 660 Adult-Gerontology Primary Care I: Introduction to Adult-Gero Primary Care and Care of the Young-Adult 5.0
    NURS 661 Adult-Gerontology Primary Care II: Management and Care of Adult Patients in Primary Care 5.0
    NURS 662 Adult-Gerontology Primary Care III: Management of the Older-Adult Patient in Primary Care 5.0
    NURS 663 Adult-Gerontology Primary Care IV: Gerontology Management and Care 5.0
    Total Credits 34.0

    View a Sample Plan of Study [PDF]
    View Course Descriptions

    Admissions Criteria

    • Master of Science in Nursing and/or Doctorate of Nursing Practice from program fully accredited by National League of Nursing (NLN) and/or American Association Colleges of Nursing (AACN.) The accrediting body for NLN is ACEN and the accrediting body for the American Association Colleges of Nursing is CCNE.
      • BSN degrees must be from an institution accredited by CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education), ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing), or NLN CNEA (NLN Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation)
    • GPA of 3.0 or above
    • A current, unrestricted United States RN license

    Required Documents

    With multiple ways to submit documents, Drexel makes it easy to complete your application. Learn more by visiting our Completing Your Application Guide.

    • A completed application
    • Official transcripts from all universities or colleges and other post-secondary educational institutions (including trade schools) attended
    • Two professional letters of recommendation from either previous or immediate supervisors or former nursing faculty members who can attest to your clinical knowledge, skill and potential aptitude for graduate study
      • References will not be accepted from colleagues or family members
    • Personal statement (800 to 1,600 words) that will give the admissions committee a better understanding of:
      • Why you are choosing this particular track
      • How your current work experience will enhance your experience in this program, and
      • Your plans upon completing the degree
    • Resume including specific details of your responsibilities and job experiences
    • A copy of your United States RN license (License verification from your nursing license registry website is acceptable)
    • Additional requirements for International Students

    Tuition

    The tuition rate for the academic year 2024-2025 is $1134 per credit. (A 10% tuition savings off Drexel's regular tuition rate of $1260 per credit)

    For the academic year 2024-2025, students enrolled in an online graduate academic program will be charged a graduate online program fee of $125 per year.

    • This program is eligible for Financial Aid.
    • Special tuition rates available for Drexel University AlumniMilitary members, and members of our Partner Organizations.
      • These rates apply only to new online students and students being readmitted.
      • These rates apply only to fully online courses. Hybrid or on-campus courses may have different rates.
      • Tuition rates are subject to increase with the start of each academic year in the fall term.
      • All students must contact applyDUonline@drexel.edu within the first two weeks of the term to request tuition savings for which they qualify.
      • Special rates cannot be combined. If you qualify for more than one special rate, you'll be given the one with the largest savings.
      • When receiving special tuition plans with Drexel University Online, you may not combine them with other tuition benefits that may be available from Drexel University.

    Additional Equipment/Lab Fees

    Scholarship Opportunities

    At Drexel, we understand that developing a plan to finance your education is a critical step in your decision-making process. That's why we encourage students who require financial aid to fill out the FAFSA as early in the application process as possible. Learn more about Drexel's financial aid policies. In addition, nursing students are encouraged to visit the AACN to review the many scholarship opportunities that exist through the organization.

     

    Academic Calendar

    2024-2025 Academic Year

    Term

    Classes Begin

    Classes End

    Exams Begin

    Exams End

    Fall 2024

    September 23, 2024

    December 7, 2024

    December 9, 2024

    December 14, 2024

    Winter 2025

    January 6, 2025

    March 15, 2025

    March 17, 2025

    March 22, 2025

    Spring 2025

    March 31, 2025

    June 7, 2025

    June 9, 2025

    June 14, 2025

    Summer 2025

    June 23, 2025

    August 30, 2024

    September 2, 2025

    September 6, 2025

     

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