Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate
Nurses prepared with a master’s degree in nursing from an accredited program and a specialty other than family can enhance their degree through our Post-master’s Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate program.
Students develop skills in critical thinking, communication and advanced clinical decision-making in the context of relationship-based primary care.
Program Type
Graduate Certificate
Program Format
On Campus
About the Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate
The 12-month family nurse practitioner graduate certificate is designed for registered nurses who have already completed a master’s degree in nursing and wish to pursue preparation as a family nurse practitioner. Practicum placements at UWM College of Nursing are a collaborative effort.
Gainful Employment
This certificate program is subject to federal gainful employment regulations.
Due to new federal financial aid regulations, beginning with the summer 2017 term, students who had not previously been awarded federal financial aid at UWM and are enrolled in a standalone certificate program will no longer be eligible for federal Title IV aid. Students in a standalone certificate program who are seeking financial assistance may be eligible for private loans. Private loans are not guaranteed as they are subject to lender approval including a credit check.
FastChoice is a tool that will help you learn what to look for when shopping for a private loan. At the end of the short tutorial, it will provide a comparison shopping tool allowing you to sort, filter, and compare up to five lenders at one time.
Upon applying for the loan of your choice and being approved, the UWM Financial Aid Office will be notified by the lender to provide enrollment information. At such time the loan will be added to your financial aid award.
For previously enrolled students who have been awarded federal financial aid, see the Gainful Employment Certificate Disclosure Information: Gainful Employment Certificate Disclosure Information.
Designated coursework in the certificate program is completed under the direction of faculty experts and clinical preceptors. A three consecutive semester sequence of theory and practicum courses totaling 18 credits is required for completion of the Post-Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate program.
Plan of Study
| Course | Course Number | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| FNP Practicum I | NURS 757 | 3 |
| FNP Speciality Theory I | NURS 767 | 3 |
| FNP Practicum II | NURS 758 | 3 |
| FNP Specialty Theory II | NURS 768 | 3 |
| FNP Practicum III | NURS 759 | 3 |
| FNP Specialty Theory III | NURS 769 | 3 |
Grade Point Average Requirement
A minimum cumulative 3.0 grade point average in certificate courses taken at UWM is required.
Transfer Credit
No more than 20% of the required credits may be taken at an institution other than UWM. These courses are subject to Graduate School transfer policy and must be approved by the director of the certificate program.
Time Limit
Certificate program time limits shall be established as follows:
- 18 or fewer credits/Three years from initial enrollment in the certificate sequence.
- 19 or more credits/Four years from initial enrollment in the certificate sequence.
- For certificates that are designed as add-ons to degree programs and are awarded concurrent with the degree, the time limit shall be the same as that of the degree program.
The admission requirements of the Family Nurse Practitioner graduate certificate are consistent with those requirements specified by the UWM’s Graduate School. The admission requirements for the advanced practice certificate programs are in transition. Contact School of Nursing Student Affairs Academic Advisor prior to submitting an application. In addition, students must also meet the following requirements for the School of Nursing (more details in the application)
In addition, students must also meet the following requirements for the School of Nursing:
- A master’s or doctoral degree in Nursing from an accredited program providing preparation as a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse midwife, or certified registered nurse anesthetist.
- Certification in their current advanced practice registered nurse specialty as applicable.
- Completion with a grade of B or better of a graduate-level course in physiology/pathophysiology, pharmacology, and comprehensive assessment. Evidence of prescriptive authority in the state of Wisconsin will be accepted in place of graduate pharmacology.
- Current registration as a professional nurse in the state of Wisconsin.
- Three (3) letters of recommendation, two (2) of which are from persons most knowledgeable about the applicant’s recent academic and work experiences.
- Personal interviews with a faculty member may be requested.
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Personal statement that includes rationale for certificate study and career goals.
- One year of clinical experience relevant to the chosen specialty.
Prerequisite Courses
| Course | Course Number | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive Assessment of Health (pre-req) | NURS 754 | 3 |
| Physiologic Basis for ANP (pre-req) | NURS 753 | 3 |
| Advanced Pharmacology:Application to APN (pre-req) | NURS 707 | 3 |
- All applicants- even those already enrolled in a UWM graduate program- must apply to the UWM Graduate School through the Panthera admission application.
- Graduate degree and previously admitted graduate non-degree students who decide to pursue a certificate program must submit the Panthera application before completing six credits in the certificate sequence.
- A master’s or doctoral degree in Nursing from an accredited program providing preparation as a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse midwife, or certified registered nurse anesthetist.
May 15
(Completed applications are reviewed on a rolling basis per space availability)