Family Nurse Practitioner (Post-Graduate)

The Post-Graduate (PGC) Certificate program at Harding University Carr College of Nursing is a 32 credit hour program designed to provide education for registered nurses who hold an MSN (Master of Science degree in Nursing). The certificate program is designed for students interested in specializing or expanding their clinical focus. Students with an MSN from an accredited program have previously taken and passed essential foundational courses. The PGC program provides the students’ knowledge and clinical experience to allow them to sit for the national certification exam as family nurse practitioners. Federal financial aid is not offered through Harding University for this certificate program; however, private lending options may be available.  

The 32-credit hour program can be completed in 5 semesters, depending on the determined need for certification exam eligibility. For students who have an MSN from an accredited program but do not have certification as advanced practice registered nurses, the plan of study consists of 32 credit hours.

Students who have completed their MSN with an accredited graduate program and have certification in a clinical practice focus (Nurse practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, etc.) will have a reduced number of credit hours in their plan of study based upon analysis of previous course completion. These students typically have a certification in another setting (acute care) and another population focus of practice (i.e. pediatrics, adult-gerontology or neonatal), but wish to expand their knowledge and clinical focus to family practice in a primary care setting. To determine the course requirements for these students, a gap analysis is completed by the faculty during their application to the program. An individualized plan of study is developed for each student. The minimum requirements for this certificate program include NURS 6060 as a university Bible requirement and the four FNP Focus Courses. If students have advanced practice certification in other areas and the NP Core Courses have been completed within the last 5 years, those courses may be transferred to the university to meet the requirements of this program.