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MSU Online > Online Programs >

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Post-Graduate Certificate

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

Post-Graduate Certificate

Michigan State University

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Hybrid

Course Delivery

27

Total Credits

$978.25

Credit Hour

1.5 years

Minimum Duration

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    Headshot of Kara Schrader

    Dr. Kara Schrader

    Assistant Professor and Primary Care NP Program Director 

    Kara Schrader, BSN/1990, MSN/2005, and obtained a DNP/2016 from Frontier Nursing University in Hyden, Kentucky. Kara works for the MSU College of Nursing as an Assistant Professor in the NP program and also practices at the MSU Family Health Center as a FNP. Kara notes that she is a second-generation Spartan and her daughter is a  third-generation Spartan (and, most importantly, a second-generation Spartan nurse!) An alumna of both the undergraduate and graduate schools, Kara brings to the Alumni Board first-hand knowledge of what it takes to be a Spartan nurse and NP. She looks forward to helping recruit nurses to CON graduate programs, keeping in touch with graduates, and celebrating the work being done by Spartan nurses across the nation. Kara routinely volunteers to staff the MSU CON table at the Michigan Council of Nurse Practitioners conference, in part to recruit potential DNP students and NP preceptors while reconnecting with CON graduates. Kara is active with the MSU HealthTeam Primary Care Advisory Council and sits on the HealthTeam’s Governing Board. Kara also sits on the Michigan Council of Nurse Practitioners Capital area board in the role of secretary.  Kara has an interest in quality improvement and currently leads an initiative to facilitate collaboration between MSU primary care and community behavioral health providers in order to improve behavioral health care outcomes.

    Program Details

    The post-graduate certificate is designed for certified Advanced Practice Registered Nurses who want to extend their scope of practice to provide broader patient care outside their original area of practice that they studied previously in graduate school. Through five courses, the nursing program prepares professionals to work as Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioners with patients age 13 and older in primary care settings. The program is hybrid: courses include online, on-campus, and clinical components.

    Program Outcomes

    Students who complete the post-graduate certificate will be eligible to sit for certification as an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner.
     

    Career Outlook

    Students will be prepared to earn certification as an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner. The program gives Advanced Practice Registered Nurses knowledge and skills to assess and manage the healthcare of adolescents, adults, and older adults.
     

    A Top-Ranked Education

    • 29th among Best Public Universities in America — U.S. News & World Report, 2026
    • Veteran-Friendly 'Gold Status' 10 Years in a Row — Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, 2025
    • #130 in Best Online Master's in Nursing Program — U.S. News & World Report, 2026
    • #52 in Best Nursing Schools: Master's — U.S. News & World Report, 2026

     

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  • Admissions Requirements
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    Key Dates

    Spring

    Application Deadline

    October 1st
     

  • Tuition & Fees
  • Tuition & Fees per credit

    In-State Tuition
    Out-of-State Tuition
    $978.25
    $1,222.25

     

    Cost of Attendance

    The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible. In addition to tuition and fees, there are other expenses associated with your Cost of Attendance. A breakdown of a graduate student budget can be found on the "Estimate Your Cost of Attendance" page.
     

    The MSU Value Promise

    You can be ensured a return on your investment at Michigan State University.

    The MSU Difference

    As one of the top research universities in the world, Michigan State University has advanced the common good with uncommon will since 1855.

    MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community.

    MSU has been offering online degree programs since 1998. Our maturity is evident in the high quality of the learning experience enjoyed by our online students.

    Diverse and Inclusive Communities

    MSU provides programs and initiatives that support and enhance diversity. We will expand our campus and external partnerships to put in place inclusive recruitment and retention practices. We nurture and promote individuals’ varied experiences and perspectives, ensuring structures and processes make possible full participation by all members of our community.

    Interconnectedness

    MSU actively collaborates with campus and external partners to innovate across all dimensions of graduate education. We create and support networks that increase collaboration and improve educational opportunities for our online students.

    Student Success

    MSU’s nationally recognized online programs foster student growth and well-being throughout their academic career. We will expand inclusive mentoring practices and accelerate improvement across units to implement evidence-based practices to ensure our students complete successfully.

    Continuing education can be one of the most exciting, challenging, and rewarding experiences you undertake in your life. We hope you consider becoming a Spartan, to learn online and reach your career goals. With highly ranked online programs and exceptional professors, we educate students who advance the common good with uncommon will.

     

    Next Steps

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    Course Information

    Core Courses
    • NUR 913 Health Promotion – Adult-Gerontology (3 Credits)
    • NUR 925 Clinical Diagnosis and Management I - Adult-Gerontology (6 Credits)
    • NUR 926 Clinical Diagnosis and Management II - Adult-Gerontology (6 Credits)
    • NUR 927 Clinical Diagnosis and Management III - Adult-Gerontology (6 Credits)
    • NUR 928 Clinical Diagnosis and Management IV - Adult-Gerontology (6 Credits)

    Admissions Requirements

    To be accepted to this program, you must have:

    • A master's degree
      • Hold a master’s degree in nursing from an accredited college or university.
    • 3.0 GPA or above on a 4.0 scale
    • A license / certificate required
      • Possess a current unrestricted license to practice nursing as a registered nurse in the applicant's state or country and specialty certification. Possess current certification from a U.S. National Certifying Board as an NP, CNS, CRNA or CNM.
    • Curriculum Vitae or Résumé
    • A written personal statement
      • Submit a written essay that addresses the applicant’s career goals and motivations for additional graduate study in the selected area of specialty nursing practice; nurse practitioner, or adult-gerontology clinical nurse.
    • 3 letters of recommendation
      • The reference letters must be from a source that has direct knowledge of the applicant’s work and educational experience. Provide contact information for your recommenders and the MSU application system will provide instructions to them.
    • Official transcripts from all previous schools
       

    To apply to this program:

    • Complete a university graduate application and pay the application fee.
    • Submit all required materials to the application portal.
    • Complete an admission interview with the college of Nursing faculty. Recommendations for admission are made by the faculty committee to the Dean of the College based on the requirements for admission and the personal interview.
    • If the applicant’s native language is not English, the applicant must complete the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum average score of 550, no sub-score below 52 on the paper-based test (PBT). If the applicant completes the Internet-based test (iBT), no sub-score below 19 for reading, listening, and speaking; no writing sub-score below 22 and a minimum average score of 80. Applicants should have all test scores sent from the testing agency directly to the Michigan State University Office of Admissions.