The post-master's Family Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate prepares nurses who already have received a master's degree in nursing for positions as Family Nurse Practitioners. Graduates of this program are eligible to sit for the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) National Board Certification Examination offered by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board or the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Program Objectives
- Analyze social, economic, ethical, cultural, legal and political issues influencing nursing practice and health care in a global context.
- Collaborate with leaders in nursing and other disciplines to improve the quality of professional nursing practice and the healthcare system.
- Develop and implement leadership, management and teaching strategies for the improvement of health and healthcare.
- Develop practice models of evidence-based nursing practice incorporating nursing research.
- Influence health and public policy to improve the health of communities.
- Participate in lifelong learning activities.
- Participate in research and disseminate research findings through presentation and publication.
- Synthesize advanced knowledge from the sciences, humanities and nursing theories to support advanced nursing practice.
- Plan, evaluate and implement the delivery of health care using critical thinking skills.
- Practice in an advanced nursing role.
For information on how this program may prepare you for professional licensure, please visit https://apq.ucf.edu/files/Licensure-Disclosure-Family-Nurse-Practitioner-GC.pdf.
The certificate program is 22 credit hours and includes up to 720 hours of clinical practice. There are 12 credit hours of prerequisite requirements.
Total Credit Hours Required: 22 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Master's Degree
For information on how this program may prepare you for professional licensure, please visit https://apq.ucf.edu/files/Licensure-Disclosure-Family-Nurse-Practitioner-GC.pdf.
Program Prerequisites
- BSN and MSN degree from an accredited institution.
- Undergraduate Statistics course.
- Licensure as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) in the State of Florida. (Out of state applicants must be eligible for licensure in Florida and must achieve licensure to begin clinical courses.)
- Students must demonstrate successful completion of the following courses:
- NGR 5003 - Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning 2 Credit Hours
- NGR 5003L - Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning Lab 1 Credit Hours (60 clinical hours)
- NGR 5141 - Pathophysiological Bases for Advanced Nursing Practice 3 Credit Hours
- NGR 5638 - Health Promotion 3 Credit Hours
- NGR 6172 - Pharmacology for Advanced Nursing Practice 3 Credit Hours
Degree Requirements
Required Courses
22 Total Credits
- Complete all of the following
- Complete the following:
- NGR6334 - Women's Health for APNs (2)
- NGR6201 - Adult I Primary Care (3)
- NGR6240L - Adult I Clinical for APNs (3)
- NGR6263 - Gerontologic Care for APNs (3)
- NGR6263L - Gerontologic Care Clinical for NPs (2)
- NGR6305 - Pediatric Primary Care (3)
- NGR6305L - Pediatric Primary Care Clinical (2)
- NGR6342L - Women's Health for APNs Clinical (1)
- NGR6248L - Family Nurse Practitioner/Adult-Gero Nurse Practitioner Practice Practicum (3)
- The following courses include clinical hours: NGR 6240L - Adult I Clinical for APNs (180 clinical hours) NGR 6263L - Gerontologic Care Clinical for NPs (120 clinical hours) NGR 6305L - Pediatric Primary Care Clinical (120 clinical hours) NGR 6342L - Women's Health for APNs Clinical (60 clinical hours) NGR 6248L - Family Nurse Practitioner/Adult-Gero Nurse Practitioner Practice Practicum (180 clinical hours)
Grand Total Credits: 22
Application Requirements
Admission is open to those with MSN Degrees and is licensed as an advanced practice registered nurse, but who are not prepared as Family Nurse Practitioners. An application to the graduate certificate program and official transcripts must be submitted. Applicants must apply online. All requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline.
In addition to the general UCF graduate application requirements, applicants to this program must provide:
- One official transcript (in a sealed envelope) from each college/university attended.
- BSN and MSN degree from an accredited institution.
- Undergraduate Statistics course.
- Licensure as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) in the State of Florida. (Out of state applicants must be eligible for licensure in Florida and must achieve licensure to begin clinical courses.)
- Address the following 3 items in a written essay. Responses to questions should not exceed 500 words, double-spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font, and 1-inch margins:
- Describe your future career plans and how the program to which you are applying will help you achieve your career goals.
- Describe the changes you would make in your personal and professional life to ensure success in your graduate nursing education.
- Identify one significant contemporary issue or problem in U.S. healthcare and explore how members of the nursing profession can help address that issue or solve that problem
- Curriculum Vitae which reflects prior education, recent clinical accomplishments, any recent scholarly work (publications and presentations), awards, additional certifications, and activities with professional organizations.
- Requires 3 professional recommendations.
- An interview with faculty may also be required.
Before submitting your application, it is recommended that applicants call the College of Nursing Graduate Office at 407-823-2744 to schedule an appointment with an adviser to discuss your goals for graduate study. It is advantageous to discuss the program before writing the required essay because the essay must address your goals for post-master's preparation for advanced nursing practice.
Upon admission to the program, the student will be required to complete FDLE/FBI fingerprinting and certified background checks, and health screening. Students must be able to meet clinical partner background requirements to continue in the program.
The College of Nursing uses a student information management system, LEAP*RN (Project Concert). This database houses information regarding plans of study, clinical placements, clinical hours, logs, and evaluation data to assist in maintaining standards required for CCNE accreditation, facilitate student progression, and enhance clinical tracking. Students will need to access LEAP*RN for clinical course requirements, course evaluations, and portfolios. Upon graduation, students will continue to have no-cost access to their information. All students will be responsible for a one-time subscription of $150 per degree program payable at https://secure.projectconcert.com/ucf and due prior to registering for first semester courses. If students register for courses prior to paying the subscription, a "hold" service indicator will be placed to prevent future enrollment and other progression functions.
Application Deadlines
| Family Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate | *Fall Priority | Fall | Spring | Summer |
| Domestic Applicants | | | Sept 1 | |
| International Applicants | | | | |
