Post Graduate Certificate Option

The primary objective of this option is to prepare advanced practice registered nurses for national certification eligibility and licensure in a new or additional specialty area of practice through a formal, organized curriculum that focuses on specialty courses in the students’ area of interest.
Post-Master of Science in Nursing, post-Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing and post-Doctor of Nursing Practice individuals are eligible to apply.

Students enrolled in this option are assessed the professional doctoral tuition and fee rates.

Specialties Available for the Certificate Option

• Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Executive Nursing Leadership

Application Deadline

Application materials are due by January 15. Applications received after this date will be considered if space is available. Admission decisions are made on a competitive basis. Requirements and forms are available at: www.uknursing.uky.edu

Admission Criteria

• Master of Science or doctoral degree in nursing. Doctoral degree preferred.
• Completed application to the UK College of Nursing Certificate Option.
• Minimum score of 550 (or 213 on computer-based test, or 79 on iBT) on Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for all applicants whose native language is not English.
• Unencumbered registered nurse licensure in the state where clinical work will take place.
• Two references, one of which must be from your current supervisor, the other from your master’s or doctoral degree program advisor preferred, or other nursing faculty member.
• Interview(s) with graduate faculty member(s).

Admission to the certificate option is made on a competitive, space-available basis.