Post-Master's Certificate in Family Nurse Practitioner

Dr. Janie Canty-Mitchell, Associate Dean for Research and Community Partnerships

Dr. RuthAnne Kuiper, Interim Department Chair

Dr. Julie Smith Taylor, Graduate Program Coordinator

Purpose

     The purpose of the post-master’s family nurse practitioner certificate program is to prepare nurses who already possess an earned Master of Science degree in nursing for a career as a Family Nurse Practitioner. The program of study for each student will be determined following a review of prior graduate education. However, all students pursing the Post-Master’s FNP Certificate will complete 25 credit hours (based on individual assessment) with 600 clinical hours.  Functional cognate hours must be taken sequentially.  Additional coursework may be required if educational assessment reveals the applicant has not had recent coursework in health assessment, advanced pharmacotherapeutics, or advanced pathophysiology. The program of study will be tailored individually for current nurse practitioners who want the FNP certificate. Upon successful completion of the certificate program, graduates are eligible to take the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) certification exam for Family Nurse Practitioners and seek approval to practice as an FNP in North Carolina or other state of choice.

• Nurses who already hold a master’s degree in nursing and wish to practice as a family nurse practitioner.
• Specialty nurse practitioners who wish to provide health promotion, disease prevention, and management of acute and chronic health conditions to individuals across the lifespan.

Admission Requirements

     Students desiring admission into the Post-Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate Program must seek admission to the UNCW Graduate School.  Applicants interested in admission to the Post Master’s certificate program must hold a Master of Science in Nursing degree from an accredited university or college in the United States or its equivalent from a foreign institution.  The applicant must have a strong overall academic record as evidenced on official transcripts, current unrestricted North Carolina registered nurse license or registered nurse license from one of the affiliated compact states, computer competency, and previous coursework at the graduate level in advanced health assessment, advanced pharmacotherapeutics, and advanced pharmacology (applicants without these required pre-requisite courses may complete these prior to beginning the clinical sequence of the Post Master’s certificate program). Application deadline is March 1 for admission the following fall semester.

Applicants who want to be considered for the program must submit to the graduate school:

• Online application
• All official transcripts (undergraduate and graduate)
• Graduate GPA 3.0 or greater
• Three letters of recommendation (former nurse faculty member and current/former employer, preferred)
• Application fee

• Demographic data form
• Writing sample
• Resume or CV
• Comprehensive interview may be requested

Demographic form  

Link to Program of Study / Requirements for Post-Master's FNP Option

Link to Graduate School

All application materials must be submitted directly to The Graduate School, UNCW, 601 South College Road, Wilmington, NC 28403-5955, unless otherwise instructed.

For questions and/or additional information, please contact:

Dr. Julie Smith Taylor
Graduate Program Coordinator
Friday Annex 189
601 South College Road
Wilmington, NC 28403-5995
Phone: (910) 962 - 7927
Email: taylorjs@uncw.edu

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