Graduate Programs Info Session
June 9 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Join us for a Zoom presentation by Penn State faculty about the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing’s DNP, MSN, and graduate certificate programs (including our four nurse practitioner options), followed by a Q&A with our panel of experts.
Advance registration is required »
NOTE: Our DNP-Nurse Anesthesia and PhD in Nursing programs will not be covered in this session. If you are interested in either of those programs, please check the corresponding program page for updates on upcoming info sessions.
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING
The Nurse Administrator program enables the student to acquire advanced knowledge of organizational leadership, health policy, and evidence-based health care delivery. The program is designed to prepare students for leadership and administrative roles in a variety of healthcare settings.
The Nurse Educator option can provide you with advanced knowledge of evidence-based teaching and learning principles, curriculum development, and evaluative techniques. After successful completion of the program, you will be prepared for educator roles in various academic and healthcare settings. In addition, the curriculum can help to prepare you for national certification as a nurse educator.
DOCTOR OF NURSING PRACTICE
The DNP-Leadership option prepares transformational nursing leaders to improve health and healthcare outcomes through evidence-based practice, informatics, healthcare policy, and immersion experiences. The DNP–Leadership degree has two entry pathways based on your previous education and nursing experience: directly from the B.S. in Nursing or post–Master of Science in Nursing.
Empower the next generation of nurses and lead innovations in education. Penn State’s hybrid Doctor of Nursing Practice – Nurse Educator option is designed for experienced nurses who are passionate about teaching and committed to transforming nursing education. This practice-focused doctoral program equips you with the expertise to teach in academic and clinical settings while improving educational outcomes across health systems.
Acute Care Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner option »
This option prepares nurses for advanced practice roles caring for individuals who are acutely and critically ill across the continuum of acute care services. The curriculum gives students a strong background in advanced assessment, therapeutics, and technological interventions. Emphasis is placed on integrating didactic knowledge with patient management and advanced technical skills. Applicants to the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner option are required to have two years of acute care hospital experience.
Primary Care Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner option »
This option prepares nurses for advanced practice roles as primary care providers to manage the health of individuals from adolescence through adulthood and the end of life. AGPCNPs work in a variety of settings, including long-term care, hospital-based clinics, and private practice.
Family/Individual Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioner option »
This option prepares nurses for advanced practice roles to deliver comprehensive primary care to individuals from infancy to adulthood in a variety of settings. The curriculum emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and strategies for meeting primary care needs through a family-centered approach to health promotion and illness prevention/intervention.
Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner option »
This option prepares nurses for advanced practice roles in assessing and managing individuals with mental illnesses across the lifespan. The curriculum emphasizes all aspects of mental health and substance use disorder services to diverse populations across the lifespan. Using multivariate evidence-based interventions, including individual and family psychotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy, and medication management, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners diagnose and treat mental health and substance use disorders.
GRADUATE CERTIFICATES
This certificate is designed as a “stand-alone” certificate or can serve as a “step-up” to the Nurse Administrator option in the Master of Science in Nursing degree. When you have successfully completed our nurse administrator certificate program, you may apply the credits toward the master’s degree, if granted admission to enter the highly competitive program.
The Nurse Educator Graduate Certificate is an excellent stand-alone credential to help you explore a teaching role. In addition, all of the required credits in this graduate certificate can be applied toward the Nurse Educator option of the Master of Science in Nursing.
This program is a great option for nurses who are preparing to take advantage of the nationwide demand for nurse practitioners. Nurse Practitioner certificate requirements are based on a Gap Analysis of the student’s educational history.
Delivered online, this program enables individuals with a master’s degree in nursing to obtain certification as a nurse practitioner. Specialties in family/individual across the lifespan (FNP), adult-gerontology primary care (AGPCNP), adult-gerontology acute care (AGACNP), and psych-mental health (PMHNP) are available.
