DNP student performs health assessment in a simulated clinic environment.

Certificate Programs

Post- Graduate Certificates are available for all nurse practitioner specialties. Interested students should connect with an advisor to learn more.

Connect with an Advisor

Advance Your Career with a Post Graduate APRN Certificate

Our post graduate APRN certificate options prepare nurses for national certification, licensure, and advanced practice. Progress through a specialized curriculum that focuses on your area of interest. Registered nurses holding a Master of Science degree in nursing or a terminal degree (i.e. PhD, EdD, DNP) are eligible to apply.

Program Structure

The Post Graduate APRN Certificate program is structured in a hybrid format. Students are required to attend class on campus 4 to 6 times a semester. In person classes are typically scheduled on Thursdays. The remainder of the class content will be delivered in an online format.  

 Prerequisites

  • Advanced Pathophysiology for the nurse clinician
  • Advanced Pharmacology*
  • Advanced Physical Assessment*

*Not required for the Neonatal specialty. 

Clinical Hours

APRN’s seeking a second specialty will be required to complete a minimum of 504 clinical hours. Students earning their first APRN specialty will be required to complete a minimum of 672 clinical hours.

Areas of Interest

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

An AGACNP cares for a wide range of patients, from adolescents to aging adults, who are physiologically unstable or vulnerable to complications. Care can range from disease prevention to acute critical care case management in a variety of settings.
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

An AGPCNP serves adolescents, adults, and aging adults to assess the management of both health and illness states. They provide healthcare services in various settings like internal medicine offices, health clinics, hospitals, and more.
Family Nurse Practitioner

Family Nurse Practitioner

An FNP provides care for individuals and families of all ages, offering preventative healthcare, diagnosis, treatment of illnesses, and family-centered care in settings like health clinics, primary care offices, schools, and urgent care facilities.
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

An NNP provides health care to neonates, infants, and children through 2 years of age, requiring specialized knowledge and skills to provide safe, high-quality care to patients to assess, diagnose and treat acute and chronic illnesses in neonates.
Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

A PACNP provides advanced nursing care for infants, children, adolescents, and young adults with acute, critical, and chronic health conditions in various settings like pediatric units, intensive care, emergency departments, and specialty practices.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

The PMHNP offers primary mental health care to individuals, families, and populations at risk for psychiatric disorders. Services include assessment, diagnosis, and management of mental health issues across all ages in various settings.

Program Accreditation

The bachelor of science in nursing, master of science in nursing, doctorate of nursing practice, and post-graduate certificate programs at the University of Louisville are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.