The College of Nursing offers flexible certificate pathways to expand your clinical scope or build expertise as a nurse educator. All programs are transcripted and combine rigorous coursework with applied learning experiences.
Our 27-credit post-graduate certificates are designed for nurses with Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) certification and state licensure who want to expand their scope of practice beyond their original graduate preparation.
These programs prepare APRNs to deliver broader, more comprehensive care across patient populations.
Available certifications:
In addition to clinical certificates, students may pursue a Teaching in Nursing Certificate to develop expertise as a nurse educator.
This fully online program prepares graduate and post-graduate nurses to teach in academic and clinical settings through a blend of theory and hands-on experience.
For doctoral students, the College of Nursing coordinates the MSU Certification in College Teaching in Nursing, a university-wide credential focused on academic career preparation.
This fully online program prepares graduate and post-graduate nurses to teach in academic and clinical settings through a blend of theory and hands-on experience.
Admission is limited to Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) who hold a master’s or doctoral degree from a CCNE- or NLNAC-accredited program and maintain current national certification in their specialty.
Applicants must:
A gap analysis will assess prior coursework in the three APRN core areas across the lifespan:
NUR 907: Advanced Pathophysiology
NUR 908: Advanced Physical Assessment
NUR 909: Advanced Pharmacology
Based on this review, applicants may be required to complete one or more courses before beginning the certificate. Pharmacology coursework must have been completed within the past five years.
Validation Form
Applicants must submit a validation form verifying total clinical hours and prior APRN coursework. Forms must be uploaded with the application or submitted to the Office of Student Affairs by the application deadline.
Out-of-State Applicants
Students residing outside of Michigan should contact their state licensing board to confirm program eligibility for licensure prior to enrollment. A state-by-state authorization guide is available through MSU.
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
(Students Starting Spring 2027 or Earlier)
NUR 913: Health Promotion – Adult-Gerontology
NUR 925: Clinical Diagnosis and Management I - Adult-Gerontology
NUR 926: Clinical Diagnosis and Management II - Adult-Gerontology
NUR 927: Clinical Diagnosis and Management III - Adult-Gerontology
NUR 928: Clinical Diagnosis and Management IV - Adult-Gerontology
AGPCNP Certificate Curriculum (Starting Spring 2027 or Earlier)
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
(Students Starting Spring 2028 or Later)
NUR 912: Health Promotion and Population Health for the Primary Care NP
NUR 925: Clinical Diagnosis and Management I - Adult-Gerontology
NUR 916: Diagnosis and Management for the Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
NUR 927: Clinical Diagnosis and Management III - Adult-Gerontology
NUR 928: Clinical Diagnosis and Management IV - Adult-Gerontology
NUR 942: Introduction to Diagnostic Reasoning for the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
NUR 944: Gerontological Concepts for the Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
AGPCNP Certificate Curriculum (Starting Spring 2028 or Later)
Family Nurse Practitioner
(Students Starting Spring 2027 or Earlier)
NUR 912: Health Promotion – Family
NUR 915: Clinical Diagnosis and Management I - Family
NUR 916: Clinical Diagnosis and Management II - Family
NUR 917: Clinical Diagnosis and Management III - Family
NUR 918: Clinical Diagnosis and Management IV – Family
FNP Certificate Curriculum (Starting Spring 2027 or Earlier)
Family Nurse Practitioner
(Students Starting Spring 2028 or Later)
NUR 912: Health Promotion and Population Health for the Primary Care NP
NUR 915: Clinical Diagnosis and Management I - Family
NUR 916: Diagnosis and Management for the Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
NUR 917: Clinical Diagnosis and Management III - Family
NUR 918: Clinical Diagnosis and Management IV – Family
NUR 941: Introduction to Diagnostic Reasoning for the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
NUR 943: Pediatric and Perinatal Concepts for the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
FNP Certificate Curriculum (Starting Spring 2028 or Later)
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
NUR 952: Psychopharmacology and Neuropathological Basis of Mental Illness
NUR 953: Clinical Diagnosis and Management I - Psychiatric Assessment and Diagnosis
NUR 954: Clinical Diagnosis and Management II – Evidence- Based Therapeutic Interventions
NUR 955: Clinical Diagnosis and Management III - Special Populations and Group
NUR 956: Clinical Diagnosis and Management IV - Complex and Collaborative Mental Health Care
Historic curriculum trajectories available upon request; contact CON.SpartanNursing@msu.edu.
MSU Certification in College Teaching (CCTP)
Designed for doctoral students preparing for academic careers, this university-wide certification develops core teaching competencies.
College of Nursing Certificate in Teaching in Nursing
A comprehensive certificate for graduate and post-graduate nurses seeking formal preparation as nurse educators.
NUR 861 – Curriculum Design in Nursing Education (3 credits)
Focuses on curriculum development, instructional design, and evaluation. Students develop a personal teaching philosophy.
NUR 868 – Topics in Nursing Education (3 credits)
Explores teaching strategies, learner assessment, educational technology, and the nurse educator role across settings.
NUR 866 – Academic and Clinical Teaching Internship (3 credits)
A 90-hour mentored teaching experience in academic or healthcare environments.
Prerequisites: NUR 861 and NUR 868. Compliance requirements must be completed prior to enrollment.
Graduates of the certificate program will be able to:
To apply, you must:
This program helps doctoral students develop teaching expertise across five core competency areas through coursework, mentored teaching, and professional development.
Students work closely with faculty mentors to integrate the certification into their doctoral studies.
Dr. Kathleen Poindexter
Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Programs
College of Nursing