
Graduate Certificates
About the Graduate Certificates
The certificate offerings provide graduate‑prepared professionals with focused, advanced education to expand their expertise and transition confidently into new or evolving roles.
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
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Emergency Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate (beginning Fall 2026)
Coordinators

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Dr. Kelley Noll
MSN NE Coordinator
Email:
(334) 844-6153
Phone:

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Dr. Rachael Sweeney
MSN NP Coordinator
Email:
(334) 844-6730
Phone:
The Post-Graduate Nurse Educator Certificate is designed for nurses who already hold a graduate nursing degree and desire to become effective educators and leaders in academic and clinical settings. Designed for nurses with a passion for teaching and addressing the critical and growing shortage of nurse faculty, students will explore teaching and learning strategies, curriculum design, effective assessment, and quality program evaluation. The certificate prepares nurse educators to lead and adapt innovative educational methods to meet the needs of communities and populations.
The Post-Graduate Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate is designed for nurses who already hold a graduate nursing degree and seek preparation for advanced practice in primary care. The program is offered primarily online and includes on-campus learning experiences each semester that support integration of theoretical and clinical concepts, student engagement, and professional role development. Completers are prepared to sit for the national Family Nurse Practitioner exam.
The Post-Masters Healthcare Simulation Certificate provides the essential components of simulation as a teaching strategy for interdisciplinary healthcare educators. The curriculum enables learners to use evidence-based principles and best practices to facilitate learning in the simulation environment.
The Rural Health Graduate Certificate is designed for interdisciplinary graduate students and health professionals who are currently practicing or intend to practice in rural settings. Upon completion of the Rural Health Graduate Certificate, completers 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.
Rural Health Graduate Certificate Curriculum ModelÂ
Students must be currently enrolled in a health or health related graduate program of study or hold a graduate degree in a health or health related profession (Nursing, Psychology, Physical Therapy, medical doctors, veterinarians etc.)Â
Courses are only offered and taught in the semester which they are listed. Â
The Emergency Nurse Practitioner Post-Master’s Certificate builds upon the family nurse practitioner curriculum and aims to prepare advanced practice nurses to deliver high-quality, evidence-based emergency care for patients across the lifespan. Completers of this certificate will be equipped with advanced clinical decision-making skills, procedural competencies, and leadership capabilities essential for practice in urgent, emergent, and critical care settings.
Graduate Certificates – Admission Criteria:
Applicants must submit all official transcripts directly to the Graduate School.
Applicants must have earned a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or master’s in nursing (MN or MS) from an accredited nursing program for the Post-Graduate PCNP or Post-Graduate Nurse Educator Certificate.
Applicants must have earned a graduate degree in a health or health related profession (Nursing, Psychology, Physical Therapy, medical doctors, veterinarians, etc) or be currently enrolled in a health or health related program of study for the Rural Health Graduate Certificate.
Applicants must have earned a master’s degree in healthcare or a related discipline for the Post-Masters Healthcare Simulation Graduate Certificate.
Applicants must have a minimum of 1-year clinical experience.
Applicants must have earned a minimum nursing GPA of 3.0 in a nursing master’s program. (nursing masters courses used to calculate GPA).
Applicants must have successfully completed (C or better) an undergraduate statistics course.
Applicants must have good academic standing from the last university you attended.
Applicants must 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 must contact the Administrator of Academic Programs at jlr0012@auburn.edu to confirm that the relevant state board of nursing permits completion of clinical hours in the state where the student intends to complete them. ***
Applicants must have successfully completed Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacology and Advanced Physical Assessment with a 3.0 or higher within the last 5 years.
Applicants must provide three professional references in the application. Individuals must be able to speak directly to your academic abilities, work ethic, nursing practice, and potential for success in the program. References should follow the email submission instructions.
Applicants must submit a Professional Goal Statement of approximately 750 words. This statement will include reasons for pursuing this degree and program option, past experience, career goals, and past achievements.
Applicants must provide a current curriculum vitae (CV) or resume.
Applicants must complete an interview via telephone, on campus, or videoconference, if requested.
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All application materials should be submitted via the online application system. Materials sent directly to the College of Nursing will not be reviewed.
Admission Statuses
*International Applicants must follow Graduate School criteria found in the following link: Graduate School International 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
Tuition and fees are the same for Alabama residents and out of state residents. The AU College of Nursing Graduate Program tuition is currently $630 per credit hour.
*There are one-time clinical course fees for each of the following: NURS 7110, NURS 7330, NURS 7440, and NURS 7920.
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 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.
**Please note: The Auburn University Tuition Calculator does not accurately reflect out of state tuition for distance education. Please refer to the above information for tuition and fees for the AUCON distance programs. For questions, contact Jennifer Edwards at jlr0012@auburn.edu
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.
