Our online Post-Master's Certificates (PMC) in Nursing allow nurses who have previously earned their MSN to continue their post-graduate nursing education and gain a competitive edge in today's nursing field. Challenge yourself, build upon your existing master's-level nursing education and feed your desire for lifelong learning by earning a Post-Master's Certificate from Duquesne University.
Program Outcomes
The advanced practice nurse will synchronize the nurse competencies with patient characteristics in facilitating health care delivery as follows:
- Demonstrates clinical judgment within the context of the advanced practice role.
- Assumes a leadership role in creating a compassionate and caring environment to promote comfort and prevent suffering.
- Advocates collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches to the design of comprehensive care to individuals/families, communities and populations.
- Integrates theory, clinical inquiry and evidence-based nursing practice into the advanced practice role.
- Participates in the design, implementation and evaluation of health care systems to foster safe passage and excellence in health care delivery.
- Creates a culturally competent practice environment to enhance health care outcomes.
- Champions ethical decision making in all aspects of practice with self, patient/family, community and health care delivery systems.
- Commits to lifelong learning for self and consumers.
As a master's-prepared nurse, you understand the importance of continuing your education and the value that graduate degrees bring to health care. With a PMC in Nursing, you can enhance your comprehensive understanding in a similar area of focus, or you can choose a new area of focus to expand your professional expertise as a nurse. Adding additional expertise to an area of focus in nursing not only helps to increase potential career opportunities, but it also aids your efforts to provide quality patient care in today's evolving health systems.
PMC Tracks
All new MSN students are required to attend a mandatory orientation.
Revisions to all courses and curricula are ongoing.
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
The online Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) PMC prepares advanced practice nurses to focus on advanced nursing care to patients with complex acute, critical and chronic health conditions, including the delivery of acute care services. The AGACNP practices in any setting in which patient care requirements include complex monitoring and therapies, high-intensity nursing intervention or continuous nursing vigilance within the range of high-acuity care.
The role of the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner focuses on delivering acute, chronic and preventive health care services to adult populations. The AGACNP understands chronic and complex health issues, as well as diagnoses and develops treatment plans that help patients manage their illness on a daily basis. Collaboration with other health care professionals and caregivers ensures the best possible patient outcomes.
As a graduate, you will be eligible to take the ACNPC-AG certification examination. The curriculum, developed in accordance with the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF), will introduce you to the management, treatment and observation of care for patients across the adult lifespan. The Acute Care Nurse Practitioner:
- Understands the full spectrum of adult care and focuses on the unique developmental life stages that impact patient care.
- Assesses patients for complex acute, critical and chronic conditions through comprehensive physical, mental and cognitive assessments.
- Determines the impact that a chronic and/or critical acute illness will have on a patient's daily life in relation to overall quality of life, mobility and functional activity levels, cognition and decision-making abilities, safety, and sleep and nutrition patterns.
- Provides care for specific, recurring chronic conditions and complex critical illnesses. Manages the status of chronically ill patients and their complex acute health concerns by interpreting diagnostic tests and creating and implementing treatment plans.
Mandatory On-campus Visits
The School of Nursing requires three campus visits for all AGACNP students. These visits are a required component of the PMC and were developed to maintain the integrity and high quality of our online PMC AGACNP. If you are in the military, please contact us; otherwise please note that there are no exceptions to these required campus visits.
Coursework
Please note that revisions to courses and coursework are ongoing.
Course # |
Course Title |
Credits |
| GPNG 527 | Clinical Prevention and Population-Based Health Promotion | 3 credits |
| GPNG 528 | Physical Assessment for Advanced Practice Nursing | 3 credits |
| GPNG 529 | Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice Nursing | 3 credits |
| GPNG 530 | Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nursing | 3 credits |
| GNAG 550 | Foundations of Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Practice | 3 credits |
| GNAG 551 | Adult Gerontology Acute Care I | 5 credits |
| GNAG 552 | Adult Gerontology Acute Care II | 5 credits |
| GNAG 553 | Adult Gerontology Acute Care III | 5 credits |
| GNFN 512 | Transitioning to Advanced Practice Nursing | 3 credits |
Total = |
33 credits |
Note: Students are required to complete 750 precepted clinical hours and 75 lab hours.
Executive Nurse Leadership and Health Care Management
Developed in partnership with Duquesne's Palumbo-Donahue School of Business, this Post-Master's Certificate will help you gain business skills to integrate nursing and organizational leadership knowledge to promote excellence in health care delivery. Students will learn to lead innovative health care systems by collaborating with other health care professionals, analyzing data to make data-driven decisions and promoting complex care services to people across the lifespan.
Our PMC in Executive Nurse Leadership and Health Care Management is designed to introduce you to:
- Social justice and vulnerable populations.
- Health care finance.
- Budgeting and business operations.
- Entrepreneurial and business strategies.
- Human resource management.
Gain the skills to lead innovative health care systems by collaborating with other health care professionals, analyzing data to make data-driven decisions and promoting complex care services to people across the lifespan.
Coursework
There are no residency requirements for this Post-Master’s Certificate. Please note that revisions to courses and coursework are ongoing.
Course # |
Course Title |
Credits |
| GPNS 928 | Social Justice and Vulnerable Populations | 3 credits |
| GPNS 956 | Nursing Informatics and Data Management | 3 credits |
| MGMT 619 | Budgeting and Finance for Managers | 3 credits |
| MGMT 620 | Business Strategy | 3 credits |
| MGMT 601 | The Entrepreneurial Manager | 3 credits |
| MGMT 609 | Human Resource Management | 3 credits |
Total = |
18 credits |
Family (Individual Across the Lifespan) Nurse Practitioner
The PMC Family (Individual Across the Lifespan) Nurse Practitioner prepares advanced practice nurses to function as Family (Individual Across the Lifespan) Nurse Practitioners. Family Nurse Practitioners (FNP) provide primary care with expertise to diagnose and develop advanced treatment plans for individuals of all ages and in a variety of settings.
Graduates of this track are eligible to take either the American Association of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program (AANPCP) examination or the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Family Nurse Practitioner certification examination. Upon successfully passing the certification examination, graduates are eligible for licensure as a Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP).
Mandatory On-campus Visits
The School of Nursing requires two campus visits for all PMC Family (Individual Across the Lifespan) Nurse Practitioner students. These visits are a required component of the FNP track and were developed to maintain the integrity and high quality of our online PMC FNP. If you are in the military, please contact us; otherwise please note that there are no exceptions to these required campus visits.
Coursework
Please note that revisions to courses and coursework are ongoing.
Course # |
Course Title |
Credits |
| GPNG 527 | Clinical Prevention & Population-Based Health Promotion | 3 credits |
| GPNG 528 | Physical Assessment for Advanced Practice Nursing Includes 25 hours on-campus residency and 50 precepted hours. |
3 credits |
| GPNG 529 | Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice Nursing | 3 credits |
| GPNG 530 | Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nursing | 3 credits |
| GNFN 508 | Foundations of Family Care: Women Requires 75 precepted clinical hours. |
3 credits |
| GNFN 509 | Foundations of Family Care: Infants, Children & Adolescents Requires 150 precepted clinical hours. |
4 credits |
| GNFN 510 | Foundations of Family and Individual Care I Includes 25 hours on‑campus residency and 200 precepted clinical hours. |
6 credits |
| GNFN 511 | Foundations of Family and Individual Care II Requires 225 precepted clinical hours. |
5 credits |
| GNFN 512 | Transitioning to Advanced Practice Nursing | 3 credits |
Total = |
33 credits |
Forensic Nursing
Develop in-depth knowledge of trauma-informed care, assessment of the victim, evidence collection and legal collaboration that emphasizes victims' rights in one of the nation's first forensic nursing programs.
The forensic nursing program prepares nurses at the advanced practice level in many areas of forensics. At the advanced practice level, nurses impact social policy, health care initiatives, education, research and practice.
Forensic nurses practice in many clinical areas. Some examples include:
- Sexual assault nurse
- Nurse coroner
- Nurse investigator
- Forensic psychiatric nurse
- Forensic correctional/institutional nurse
- Clinical nurse specialist
- Legal nurse consultant
- Expert witness
The certificate is part of a collaborative effort with The Cyril H. Wecht Institute of Forensic Science and Law at Duquesne University.
Objectives
- Apply the principles of law and forensic science to the practice of nursing.
- Develop and incorporate a collaborative approach with other disciplines in planning the care of victims of violence and/or the perpetrator.
- Demonstrate leadership in forensic nursing through active participation in health care policy and professional organizations and by developing roles for forensic nurses in all areas of practice.
Coursework
There are no required residencies for this Post-Master’s Certificate. Please note that revisions to courses and coursework are ongoing.
Course # |
Course Title |
Credits |
| GNFO 517 | Forensic Science and the Legal System | 3 credits |
| GNFO 518 | Criminal Law and the Courts | 3 credits |
| GNFO 519 | Advanced Forensic Nursing I - Theory and Practice | 3 credits |
| GNFO 520 | Advanced Forensic Nursing II - Program Development, Leadership & Policy | 3 credits |
| GNFO 521 | Forensic Clinical and Capstone Requires 150 clinical hours. |
3 credits |
Total = |
15 credits |
Nursing Education and Faculty Role
Earn your Nursing Education and Faculty Role Post-Master's Certificate to inspire tomorrow's nurses and impact the future of nursing in your community and around the world.
The PMC Nursing Education and Faculty Role is for students who already possess a master's or doctoral degree and wish to gain additional theory and experience in nursing education. The certificate program prepares graduates for roles in contemporary nursing education such as a clinical faculty member, online educator or lab coordinator/director.
Emerging technologies are changing the face of nursing education; therefore, modern pedagogies are required for the nursing faculty member of the future. Coursework provides theory and real-world experience that support the teaching and learning environment, with a specific focus on curriculum design and evaluation and the legal environment for the nursing faculty member. Learning experiences are designed for classroom and clinical settings, as well as for the virtual environments of the college lab, simulation and online learning. Special emphasis is placed on engaging students to use innovations in nursing education. The advanced clinical course provides the student with in-depth clinical theory and experience beyond the bachelor's degree.
During the teaching practicum, students work with master teachers to become fully immersed in the role and responsibilities of a faculty member.
Coursework
There are no required residencies for this Post-Master’s Certificate. Please note that revisions to courses and coursework are ongoing.
Course # |
Course Title |
Credits |
| GNED 507 | Foundations in Education Theory for Professional Practice Disciplines | 3 credits |
| GNED 522 | Innovative Curriculum Design and Evaluation | 3 credits |
| GNED 531 | Advanced Clinical Nursing Requires 75 precepted hours. |
3 credits |
| GNED 532 | Emerging Trends and Innovations in the Teaching of Nursing | 3 credits |
| GNED 533 | Nursing Faculty Role Practicum Requires 75 precepted hours. |
3 credits |
Total = |
15 credits |
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Our Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) PMC will prepare the advanced practice nurse to evaluate, diagnose, manage and treat patients with mental health disorders, both acute and chronic.
The PMHNP is responsible for ordering and interpreting lab and diagnostic studies tests; educating patients, their families and larger communities about mental health and substance abuse; and providing integrative therapies that may include interventions, psychotherapy and consultative services.
The PMC PMHNP also includes a focus on substance abuse and mental health among vulnerable populations of all ages and backgrounds. In conjunction with our Forensic Nursing track, the curriculum offers a unique perspective on mental health and forensic nursing.
As a graduate, you will be eligible to take the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) certification exam.
The curriculum, developed in accordance with the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF), will introduce you to the management, treatment and observation of care for patients across the adult lifespan.
The Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner:
- Understands the importance of relationship-based care, which includes assessment, diagnosis and management of treatment plans for mental health and psychiatric disorders.
- Collaborates with other health care professionals to advocate for vulnerable and diverse populations and bring awareness to policy issues related to improving health outcomes and expanding access to treatment opportunities for those with mental health disorders.
- Develops age-appropriate treatment plans for individuals with mental health conditions based on evidence-based practices and ethical guidelines. Treatment plans may include prescribed medication, psychotherapy sessions, collaboration or referrals to other specialists.
- Provides education, guidance and coaching to your patients, their families and communities regarding mental health conditions and the treatment options available.
Mandatory On-campus Residency
The School of Nursing requires two on-campus visits for all PMC PMHNP students. These visits are a required component of the MSN program and were developed to maintain the integrity and high quality of our PMC PMHNP. If you are in the military, please contact us; otherwise please note that there are no exceptions to these required campus visits.
Coursework
Please note that revisions to courses and coursework are ongoing.
Course # |
Course Title |
Credits |
| GPNG 527 | Clinical Prevention and Population-Based Health Promotion | 3 credits |
| GPNG 528 | Physical Assessment for Advanced Practice Nursing | 3 credits |
| GPNG 529 | Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice Nursing | 3 credits |
| GPNG 530 | Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nursing | 3 credits |
| GNMH 535 |
Psychopharmacology/ Biologic Therapies for Neuropsychiatric Dysregulations |
4 credits |
| GNMH 536 | Psych/Mental Health Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Practice Nursing | 2 credits |
| GNMH 537 | Individual, Group, and Family Therapies Across the Lifespan | 2 credits |
| GNMH 538 | Psych/MH Clinical I for Advance Practice Nursing | 3 credits |
| GNMH 539 | Serious Mental Illness/Substance Use Disorders Across the Lifespan | 2 credits |
| GNMH 540 | Psych/MH Clinical II for Advance Practice Nursing | 3 credits |
| GNMH 541 | Psych/MH Clinical III for Advance Practice Nursing | 4 credits |
| GNFN 512 | Transitioning to Advanced Practice Nursing |
3 credits |
Total = |
35 credits |
Note: Students are required to complete 550 precepted clinical hours and 50 lab hours.