Post-Graduate
Certificates
About the Program
Obtaining a graduate certificate provides opportunities to build upon existing clinical skills and knowledge, while allowing the exploration of new professional directions in nursing education, as a primary care nurse practitioner, or in healthcare simulation.
The following graduate certificates are currently offered:
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Post-Graduate Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate
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Post-Graduate Nurse Educator Certificate
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Post-Master's Healthcare Simulation Certificate
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Rural Health Graduate Certificate (coming soon)
The graduate certificates are hybrid programs that are completed primarily online with some on-campus days required. Auburn utilizes a variety of state-of-the-art online and distance learning technologies and techniques to facilitate and enrich the student learning experience.
The post-graduate certificates are designed to strengthen or broaden the knowledge and capabilities of graduate-level prepared nurses who are planning a role expansion or role change.
The following post-graduate certificates are currently offered:
Post-Graduate Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate
Upon successful completion of the Post-Graduate PCNP Certificate, graduates will sit for the family nurse practitioner certification exam. *** Out of state applicants should contact the Administrator of Academic Programs at jlr0012@auburn.edu or the MSN Coordinator at rls0080@auburn.edu regarding the availability of clinicals within their state.
Post-Graduate Nurse Educator Certificate
Post-Masters Healthcare Simulation Certificate The purpose of the program is to provide the essential components of simulation as a teaching strategy for healthcare educators. The program enables learners to use evidence-based principles and best practices to facilitate learning in the simulation environment.
Rural Health Graduate Certificate (coming soon) - The Graduate Certificate in Rural Health is a 9-credit program that is designed for graduate students and health professionals who are currently practicing or intending to practice, in rural settings. The certificate's curriculum includes courses that: 1) explore the community impact on rural health and healthcare challenges in rural areas, 2) address special populations and population health challenges in rural areas, and 3) give students a hands-on opportunity to partner with rural health organizations to improve rural health. Upon completion of the Rural Health Certificate, graduates will have a strong understanding of the impact of rurality on health systems and community health and have the necessary knowledge to assess and implement positive changes in rural communities. The Rural Health Certificate curricula is designed to address unique health challenges in rural communities. Students will gain knowledge on the impact of rurality on community health and health systems. Students will utilize curricular knowledge to generate positive change on rural communities and health outcomes.
The GRE is not required to apply for the post-graduate certificates and the Graduate School will waive this requirement on the application.
Last updated: 6/24/25
Have earned a Masters of Science degree in Nursing (MSN) or Masters in Nursing (MN or MS) from an accredited nursing program.
Provide proof of current, unencumbered RN license in the United States in the state in which you plan to participate in any clinical experiences (must show name, license number, expiration date; may upload screenshot from BON website). *** Out of state applicants should contact the Administrator of Academic Programs at jlr0012@auburn.edu or the MSN Coordinator at rls0080@auburn.edu regarding the availability of clinicals within their state. ***
Have earned a minimum Nursing GPA of 3.0 from an accredited MSN, MN, or MS Program (MSN, MN, and MS Nursing courses used to calculate Nursing GPA).
Must have good academic standing from the last university you attended.
Must have successfully completed Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacology, and Advanced Physical Assessment with a minimum of 3.0 within the last 5 years.
Must have successfully completed (C or better) an undergraduate statistics course.
Provide three professional references for the online recommendation form. Individuals must be able to speak directly to your academic abilities, work ethic, nursing practice, and potential for success in the program. Ideal references include nursing supervisors or other healthcare professionals who have observed your performance in a clinical setting. Please avoid selecting personal acquaintances, family members, or friends, as these individuals are not able to provide the objective, professional insight required for admissions evaluation. Selecting such individuals could negatively affect your application.
Must have a minimum of 1-year clinical experience.
Submit a Professional Goal Statement of approximately 750 words. This statement describe past/current experiences that have prepared you for an online educational program that includes coursework, professional writing, group presentations, etc. It should also include motivation for pursuing a graduate certificate, personal characteristics that will contribute to your success, and long-term career goals and the future impact you hope to achieve in the profession. The statement will be uploaded with your application in the Slate application system.
Submit all official transcripts to the Graduate School, 106 Hargis Hall, Auburn, AL, 36849. Transcripts sent to the College of Nursing will not be forwarded.
Provide a current curriculum vitae (CV) or resume.
Complete an interview via telephone, on campus, or videoconference, if required.
Applicants must meet all criteria listed in the current Auburn University Graduate School bulletin and must meet all College of Nursing admission criteria. Applicants may be admitted under fully approved status, or under provisional or exception status. Approved admissions meet all the criteria listed for the Graduate School and any additional criteria for the department, school, or college. Provisional or exception status admission could possibly be granted for applicants who do not meet certain requirements for admission. Applicants admitted as provisional or as an exception will be fully admitted to the nursing graduate program only when all requirements for admission have been satisfied. Applicants admitted as provisional or as an exception who fail to satisfy all requirements for admission within the specified time period will be dismissed from the nursing graduate program.
*International Applicants must follow Graduate School criteria found in the following link: International Prospective Student Instructions
*For more information regarding international applicants/students, please contact Penny Christopher, Graduate School International Admissions Processing, at pzc0003@auburn.edu or 334-844-7105.
Last updated: 6/24/25
Applicants that meet all criteria (completed application and meet all above requirements) will be considered for approved admission.
If applicant is currently a student in last semester of a BSN program (at time of application), the applicant must submit a request for waiver of the BSN and unencumbered RN license admission requirements to Mrs. Jennifer Edwards, Academic Programs Administrator, at jlr0012@auburn.edu for approval by the Graduate Admissions, Progression and Graduation (APG) Committee. If waiver request is approved and applicant is admitted, the student must complete the BSN in good standing prior to enrollment and must obtain the RN license during the first semester of study. These applicants will be admitted under the exception status until the RN license is obtained. An official transcript indicating completion of the BSN must be submitted directly to the Graduate School and documentation of RN license must be submitted to AU College of Nursing before the student will be a fully approved admission. If a waiver is obtained, these applicants will be considered based on the nursing GPA on their current transcripts.
Applicants may possibly be admitted under provisional status, if otherwise qualified, if the MSN nursing GPA is less than 3.0 on 4.0 scale. Once the student has completed 9 hours of graduate credit with a cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale, the provisional status will be removed. Failure to meet the requirement as stated will prevent progression in the College of Nursing graduate program.
The Professional Goal Statement will be evaluated using a rubric developed by the Graduate Admission, Progression, and Graduation (APG) Committee. Each statement will be evaluated by 2 graduate faculty members. Applicants to the PCNP track will have at least one NP faculty member evaluate the goal statement.
Students must complete the letter of intent form sent by the AU College of Nursing, officially accept enrollment from the Graduate School within their application, and meet all compliance requirements by the deadline indicated on the offer at admission, to remain in the program.
Students are required to provide compliance documentation and must complete a background check and drug screen. All compliance documentation, background check, drug screen, and any other requirements by Auburn University and/or College of Nursing must be completed by the deadline indicated, prior to course registration.
To progress through the program, all AU College of Nursing graduate students must receive a grade no less than "B" in all courses. Students earning any two course grades of less than a "B" will be dismissed from the graduate program.
Last Updated: 6/24/25
Apply through the Graduate School Application
Graduate School Information for Applicants and Prospective Students
All items listed below need to be uploaded with your application:
Request all transcripts from every college attended to be sent directly to the Graduate School, 106 Hargis Hall Auburn University, AL 36849. Do not send transcripts to the College of Nursing.
Three professional references for online recommendation form – Choose the online option within your application. Letters will not be reviewed.
Professional Resume (uploaded with your application)
Unencumbered Registered Nursing License (must be located within the United States and proof of licensure uploaded with application)
Professional Goal Statement - This 500 word statement will include reasons for pursuing this degree and program option, past experiences, career goals and past achievements. Keep this at a 500 word maximum.
The College of Nursing Admission, Progression and Graduation Committee reviews all completed applications. You will receive an email from the College of Nursing notifying you of the admission decision which will include a letter of intent. The letter of intent should be returned by the deadline specified in the email.
The College of Nursing will notify the Graduate School regarding admissions decisions. The Graduate School will then notify you of that admission decision. You must log into your application and accept or decline enrollment. If you decline, the Graduate School will withdraw your application. The acceptance information from the Graduate School will include your banner ID number as well as information needed to set up your AU email address. Auburn email is the official method of communication once you accept enrollment and we will not use any other email address.
Once you have returned the College of Nursing letter of intent and accepted enrollment into the Graduate School, the College of Nursing will email you instructions for your next steps and compliance requirements. All requirements must be completed prior to course registration.
Last updated: 6/24/25
For Post-Graduate PCNP and Post-Graduate Nurse Educator Certificates:
Currently Summer Semester Admission (Summer 2025-last Summer Admission) Only: March 1 Deadline - ***Effective Fall 2026: Fall Semester Admission Only - June 1 deadline
For Post-Masters Healthcare Simulation Certificate:
Fall Semester Admission Only: June 1 Deadline
Last Updated: 6/24/25
Effective Fall 2026, the curricula for the Post-Graduate PCNP Certificate and Post-Graduate Nurse Educator Certificate have been revised and new curriculum models/plans of study will be implemented.
For students admitted Fall 2026 and beyond, the following curriculum models will not apply. Revised curriculum models will be posted at a later date.***
Post-Graduate PCNP Certificate and Post-Graduate Nurse Educator Models only apply to applicants admitted in Summer 2025.
Last Updated: 6/24/25
Effective Fall 2026, the curricula for the Post-Graduate PCNP Certificate and Post-Graduate Nurse Educator Certificate have been revised and new curriculum models/plans of study will be implemented.
For students admitted Fall 2026 and beyond, the following curriculum models will not apply. Revised curriculum models will be posted at a later date.***
Post-Graduate PCNP Certificate and Post-Graduate Nurse Educator Models only apply to applicants admitted in Summer 2025.
Last Updated: 6/24/25
Effective Fall 2026, the curricula for the Post-Graduate PCNP Certificate and Post-Graduate Nurse Educator Certificate have been revised and new curriculum models/plans of study will be implemented.
For students admitted Fall 2026 and beyond, the following curriculum models will not apply. Revised curriculum models will be posted at a later date.***
Post-Graduate PCNP Certificate and Post-Graduate Nurse Educator Models only apply to applicants admitted in Summer 2025.
Last Updated: 6/24/25
Tuition and fees are the same for Alabama residents and out of state residents. The AU College of Nursing Graduate Program tuition is currently $612 per credit hour.
**Effective Fall 2025, graduate tuition will be be $630 per credit hour.
*There are one time clinical course fees for each of the following: NURS 7110, NURS 7330, NURS 7440, NURS 7550, and NURS 7920.
*Effective Summer (May) Semester 2025, clinical course fees will increase. The fees per clinical course will be as follows:
NURS 7110: $600 one time clinical course fee
NURS 7330: $600 one-time clinical course fee
NURS 7440: $600 one-time clinical course fee
NURS 7550: $600 one-time clinical course fee
NURS 7920: $600 one-time clinical course fee
Other fees may be incurred prior to enrollment and/or as you progress through the program such as, but not limited to, background check, drug screen, liability insurance, and course specific requirements.
Tuition and Fees are subject to change by the Board of Trustees at the beginning of any term.
Last Updated: 6/24/25
Applicants will apply through the Graduate School Application Instructions.
*International Applicants must follow Graduate School criteria found in the following link: International Prospective Student Instructions
*For more information regarding international applicants/students, please contact Penny Christopher, Graduate School International Admissions Processing, at pzc0003@auburn.edu or 334-844-7105.
Last updated: 6/24/25
For additional information or questions contact:
Jennifer Edwards
Administrator, Graduate Academic Programs
Last Updated: 6/24/25