Loewenberg College of Nursing
Graduate Certificates
The Loewenberg College of Nursing (LCON) graduate certificates offer tracks of study designed to prepare students for careers in specialty areas of advanced professional nursing. It accommodates the needs of nurses with an existing graduate degree who wish to practice in another advanced nursing specialty area.
Choose the concentration that's right for you.
A 22 to 32-credit hour certificate that prepares advanced practice registered nurses to deliver advanced nursing care and services to adult patients with complex acute, critical, and chronic health conditions.
IF NEEDED, Advanced Nursing Practice Core Required Courses (10 credit hours):
Credit Hours: 3
Credit Hours: 1
Credit Hours: 3
Credit Hours: 3
Adult Gerontology-Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Concentration Required Courses (22
credit hours):
Credit Hours: 3
Credit Hours: 3
Credit Hours: 3
Credit Hours: 3
Credit Hours: 3
Credit Hours: 3
Credit Hours: 4
A 24 to 34-credit hour certificate that prepares advanced practice registered nurses to provide comprehensive mental health care across the lifespan. Sample Curriculum Sheet >
IF NEEDED, Advanced Nursing Practice Core Required Courses (10 credit hours):
NURS 7101 - Advanced Health Assessment** Credit Hours: 3
NURS 7102 - Advanced Health Assessment Lab** Credit Hours: 1
NURS 7103 - Advanced Pathophysiology** Credit Hours: 3
NURS 7104 - Advanced Pharmacology** Credit Hours: 3
Practitioner Concentration Required Courses (24 credit hours):
NURS 7610 - Psychopharmacology** Credit Hours: 3
NURS 7611 - Advanced Mental Health Assessment & Diagnosis** Credit Hours: 3
NURS 7612 - Advanced Mental Health Assessment & Diagnosis Practicum** Credit Hours: 2
NURS 7613 - PMHNP I** Credit Hours: 3
NURS 7614 - PMHNP I Practicum** Credit Hours: 3
NURS 7615 - PMHNP II** Credit Hours: 3
NURS 7616 - PMHNP II Practicum** Credit Hours: 3
NURS 7619 - PMHNP Roles & Transition to Practice Residency** Credit Hours: 4
An 18 to 28-credit certificate that prepares advanced practice nurses who deliver primary health care to all ages; individuals and families throughout the lifespan and across the health continuum. Sample Curriculum Sheet >
IF NEEDED, Advanced Nursing Practice Core Required Courses (10 credit hours)
- Credit Hours:(3)
- Credit Hours:(1)
- Credit Hours:(3)
- Credit Hours:(3)
Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration Required Courses (18 credit hours)
- Credit Hours:1
- Credit Hours:3
- Credit Hours:3
- Credit Hours:1
- Credit Hours:3
- Credit Hours:3
- Credit Hours:4
A 21-credit hour certificate prepares nurses for advanced leadership roles in various healthcare systems. The Nursing Leadership MSN aligns with the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) Nurse Leader Core Competencies. Sample Curriculum Sheet >
Nursing Leadership Concentration Required Courses (21 credit hours)
- Credit Hours: 3
- Credit Hours: 3
- Credit Hours: 3
- Credit Hours: 3
- Credit Hours: 3
- Credit Hours: 2
- Credit Hours: 4
A 15-credit hour certificate that prepares the student as a nurse educator to teach in schools of nursing programs and in various health care system settings. Students will learn about nursing and education theories, learning strategies, curricular development, and develop skills in different teaching methodologies. Sample Curriculum Sheet >
Nursing Education Concentration Required Courses (15 credit hours)
- Credit Hours:(3)
- Credit Hours:(3)
- Credit Hours:3
- Credit Hours:(2)
- Credit Hours: (4)
Adult Gerontology-Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner graduate students are required to complete the following APRN core courses prior to admission to the Graduate Certificate program:
- Advanced Pharmacology (3 credit hours)
- Advanced Pathophysiology (3 credit hours)
- Advanced Health Assessment with Clinical or Lab (4 credit hours)
Additionally, these three APRN core courses must be current. Current means that the courses have been successfully completed (grade of B or higher) within the last five (5) and/or the applicant is a licensed APRN who has practiced within the last five (5) years.
Graduates of the Nursing Education Graduate Certificate program must have successfully completed coursework in graduate-level advanced health assessment, pathophysiology, and pharmacology with a grade of B or higher. This is fulfilled with one of the following methods:
- Previous graduate-level nursing coursework
- Completion of NURS 7105 & 7106 - Advanced Assessment, Pharmacology, and Pathophysiology for Nurse Educators
- Completion of NURS 7101 & 7102 - Advanced Health Assessment, NURS 7103 - Advanced Pathophysiology, and NURS 7104 - Advanced Pharmacology.
Program length varies depending on the selected concentration.
The Graduate Certificate Program can be completed on a part-time or full-time basis. Students may transfer credit hours with approval from the Academic Dean. Additional MSN courses may be required based on a post-graduate gap analysis.
For detailed information about the graduate program, including policies, course names and descriptions, visit the :
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Required on-campus experiences are scheduled as a part of the nurse practitioner (NP) clinical courses to provide structured learning experiences (e.g., advanced skills & simulation). NP students will be required to be on-campus up to three times during the program. On-campus experiences may last 1-3 days and are identified at least 6 months in advance.
The Current Schedule:
Nurse Practitioner On-Campus Intensives Schedule
AG-ACNP- January 21-23, 2026
FNP- TBA
PMHNP- TBA
Graduate Certificate Admission Requirements
Admission to the program will be based on competitive selection from the pool of applicants. Multiple criteria will be used when considering applicant admission including, but not limited to, personal statement, undergraduate and graduate grade point averages, professional experience, applicant interview, and letters of recommendation. Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee admission.
Additional admissions requirements for the Nursing Education Certificate Program include:
- A graduate degree in nursing from an accredited program (CCNE, CNEA, ACEN).
- Eligibility to practice as a Registered Nurse in Tennessee or in an approved state in which clinical assignments are completed. Appropriate licensure/authorization must be obtained prior to the start of the program.
- Overall G.P.A. of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- A personal statement which discusses prior professional experience, future career goals, and reasons for pursuing graduate study.
- Professional resume/CV reflecting current/recent clinical nursing practice.
- Letters of recommendation from at least three persons familiar with the applicant鈥檚 academic and professional background and experience in nursing practice, specifying in detail the applicant鈥檚 capabilities for graduate study and for future practice as an advanced practice nurse. It is recommended that at least one letter is provided by a former nursing professor.
- All applicants who will be attending the University on a student visa who are not native speakers of English and are not graduates of 蜜桃导航 must meet the minimum language proficiency requirements set by the University of 蜜桃导航 Graduate School. Refer to the graduate catalog.
- Students鈥痑dmitted to MSN program or graduate certificate programs must have and maintain while in the program:
-
- An unrestricted license to practice as a registered nurse in Tennessee or license to practice in an approved state in which clinical assignments are to be completed.
- Current BLS/CPR certification through American Heart Association.
- Evidence of hepatitis B; measles, mumps, rubella (MMR); tetanus, diptheria, pertussis (Tdap), varicella, and annual influenza vaccinations and/or titers if available.
- Freedom from tuberculosis as evidenced by a negative PPD or health provider examination.
- Current professional malpractice insurance in the amount of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $6,000,000 in the aggregate, which is obtained and maintained by LCON.
Graduates of the MSN program are prepared to:
1. Synthesize and integrate advanced knowledge from nursing, liberal arts, and natural
and social sciences to transform and advance nursing practice and promote excellence
in clinical judgment and innovation.
2. Develop and apply person-centered, culturally sensitive care focused on delivering
health promoting and disease-preventing interventions.
3. Analyze and develop collaborative practices to reduce health disparities, promote
equitable healthcare delivery, and influence health policy while advocating for optimal
health across populations and healthcare settings from local to global.
4. Apply innovative, high-quality healthcare to various populations by translating
evidence to practice and evaluating outcomes at an advanced level.
5. Apply the most current quality and safety principles, including quality improvement,
a culture of safety, civility, and respect, to mitigate risks for patients and healthcare
professionals.
6. Use effective communication methods and leadership strategies to foster the development
and facilitation of diverse and inclusive interprofessional partnerships to enhance
health outcomes.
7. Employ evidence-based leadership practices within complex and evolving healthcare
systems to provide safe, high-quality, equitable, and innovative care.
8. Utilize current information technologies to communicate, manage, and improve care
delivery through knowledge discovery, data analysis and management, and the accessing
and applying of standards and policies.
9. Demonstrate and advance nursing professionalism by applying nursing core values
(e.g., integrity, courage, advocacy, autonomy, equity, and justice) and ethical practices
in diverse settings.
10. Develop and demonstrate a commitment to self-care and well-being, professional
maturity, and population advocacy through nursing leadership.
Admission to the program will be based on competitive selection from the pool of applicants. Multiple criteria will be used when considering applicant admission including, but not limited to, personal statement, undergraduate and graduate grade point averages, professional experience, applicant interview, and letters of recommendation. Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee admission.
Additional admissions requirements for the Nursing Education Certificate Program include:
- A graduate degree in nursing from an accredited program (CCNE, CNEA, ACEN).
- Eligibility to practice as a Registered Nurse in Tennessee or in an approved state in which clinical assignments are completed. Appropriate licensure/authorization must be obtained prior to the start of the program.
- Overall G.P.A. of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- A personal statement which discusses prior professional experience, future career goals, and reasons for pursuing graduate study.
- Professional resume/CV reflecting current/recent clinical nursing practice.
- Letters of recommendation from at least three persons familiar with the applicant鈥檚 academic and professional background and experience in nursing practice, specifying in detail the applicant鈥檚 capabilities for graduate study and for future practice as an advanced practice nurse. It is recommended that at least one letter is provided by a former nursing professor.
- All applicants who will be attending the University on a student visa who are not native speakers of English and are not graduates of 蜜桃导航 must meet the minimum language proficiency requirements set by the University of 蜜桃导航 Graduate School. Refer to the graduate catalog.
- Students鈥痑dmitted to MSN program or graduate certificate programs must have and maintain while in the program:
-
- An unrestricted license to practice as a registered nurse in Tennessee or license to practice in an approved state in which clinical assignments are to be completed.
- Current BLS/CPR certification through American Heart Association.
- Evidence of hepatitis B; measles, mumps, rubella (MMR); tetanus, diptheria, pertussis (Tdap), varicella, and annual influenza vaccinations and/or titers if available.
- Freedom from tuberculosis as evidenced by a negative PPD or health provider examination.
- Current professional malpractice insurance in the amount of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $6,000,000 in the aggregate, which is obtained and maintained by LCON.
- Fall semester applications are received between September 1st and July 1st
- Spring semester applications are received between May 1st and December 1st
- Applications are reviewed by a panel of graduate directors and faculty on an ongoing basis (rolling admission). The LCON aims to notify applicants of their acceptance status in a timely fashion. Applicants are encouraged to apply early in the application period.
Graduate Curriculum
- Students in the Loewenberg College of Nursing graduate program must comply with all retention standards of the University of 蜜桃导航 Graduate School.
- Students must earn a grade of 鈥淏鈥� or better in all courses.
- Academic disqualification from the graduate nursing major will occur when the student:
- fails to maintain a 3.0 GPA in graduate school.
- fails to earn a grade of 鈥淏鈥� (3.0) or better when repeating a course.
- willfully misrepresents patient data or clinical practice.
- willfully places any patient in physical or emotional jeopardy.
- fails to maintain an active, unencumbered license to practice as a registered nurse in Tennessee or license to practice in an approved state in which clinical assignments are to be completed.
- fails to disclose a felony conviction.
- fails to disclose disciplinary action or diversion by any board of nursing (or equivalent).
- fails to complete all degree requirements within five years of entering graduate nursing coursework.
Programmatic Cumulative Evaluation (PCE) for MSN & GC Students
Each MSN or graduate certificate student in their final semester of study will be cumulatively evaluated within their respective Roles & Transition to Practice Residency course.
Applicants to online and hybrid nursing programs must be residents of a state in which the Loewenberg College of Nursing is authorized to provide distance education. The Loewenberg College of Nursing is NOT authorized to offer distance education in California. Students who reside outside of Tennessee and plan to enroll in an online program of study that leads to advanced nursing licensure are individually responsible for verifying that the program meets the requirements for advanced licensure in their state. Online nursing students should contact the state licensing body from which they will be seeking licensure to ensure eligibility requirements.
Students who relocate to California, in which LCON is not authorized to offer distance education, will be required to fulfill their remaining course requirements in Tennessee or another authorized state, or to withdraw from the program.
- National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements ().
Tuition and Fees
For the most current information regarding tuition, visit the University & Student Business Services.
蜜桃导航
 Jason Sasser MSN Program Director jsasser@memphis.edu 901.678.2003 |
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AG-ACNP Track Coordinator taugusta@memphis.edu 901.678.2003 |
Marissa Gray |
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Brenda Stanton-Deener |
Leila Schroeder |
