Family Nurse Practitioner, Post-Master's Certificate

Family nurse practitioners work in a variety of settings and are also well-suited to rural populations, where specialty care may not always be available.  

The family nurse practitioner program at Saint Louis University prepares students to provide primary health care to patients of all ages. Students will help prevent disease, assess and manage acute and chronic health problems, and consult and refer patients within the health care system. This program emphasizes quality relationships with patients, families and communities, as well as education and coordination of services aimed at specific health outcomes.

The Valentine School of Nursing is renowned for excellence in nursing education. In 2021, Niche ranked Saint Louis University’s Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing as the No. 8 best college in the country for nursing. Additionally, U.S. News and World Report consistently ranks our MSN-NP program as a top 50 program in their Best Graduate Schools survey.

Curriculum Overview

Saint Louis University's post-master's nurse practitioner certificate programs are conducted almost completely online, requiring only two visits to the St. Louis campus.

A minimum of 15 credits is required for completion of a post-master's nurse practitioner certificate program. The total number of credits varies, depending on the particular certificate pursued.

At the Valentine School of Nursing’s discretion, students may transfer three to six credits of graduate-level coursework to be applied toward their post-master's certificate program of study.

Student files are individually reviewed. Students may be able to petition for advanced standing in courses such as “Advanced Health Assessment,” “Advanced Pathophysiology” and “Advanced Pharmacology.”

Careers

Upon completion of the post-master's N.P. certificate program, you will qualify to take certification exams through the American Nurses Credentialing Center, Pediatric Nursing Certification Board or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

Admission Requirements

• A master's degree in a nursing specialty, preferably from a program accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency
• A college cumulative grade point of 3.20 or higher
• Completion of a graduate-level physiology or pathophysiology course and a beginning health assessment course, or the equivalent thereof
• Experience in an advanced practice role in nursing is preferred
• Proof of completion of an American heart care provider course is required after acceptance.

The Saint Louis University Valentine School of Nursing adheres to the principles of a holistic admission process in which selection criteria are broad-based and linked to our University’s and school’s mission and goals. While we do consider academic metrics we also look at applicant experiences, attributes, potential for success, and how applicants may contribute to the school’s learning environment and to the profession.

The curriculum for this program meets the educational requirements for licensure as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in the State of Missouri. Note that the Missouri Board of Nursing may impose additional requirements on candidates prior to granting a license; we encourage you to investigate these requirements.

The Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing has not determined whether the curriculum for this program meets the educational requirements for nursing licensure in any other states or territories. However, graduates of our APRN programs are eligible to sit for National Board Certification Exams in all states and territories. We encourage you to investigate the requirements in your state or territory prior to accepting an offer of admission.

The Saint Louis University Valentine School of Nursing accepts applications to its Master of Science in Nursing program from students living in the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Application Requirements

Please follow the six steps outlined below to apply:

• Step 1 - Application: Submit the application form and fee through either the SLU graduate application or NursingCAS. Students only need to submit one application option. Submitting the application directly through SLU is preferred but not required.

• Step 2 - Transcripts
  • Option A: If you are completing the application through SLU please submit your official e-transcripts from all colleges/universities to graduate@slu.edu.
  • Option B: If you are completing the application through NursingCAS please submit your official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended directly to NursingCAS. They will provide details when the application is initiated.
• Step 3 - Reference: Submit one reference (preferably master's or doctorally prepared nurses not related to you) who can speak to your potential for success in a master's-level nursing program of study.
  • Option A: If you are completing the application through SLU you will enter your references email address within the online application. Your reference will receive an email with a recommendation form to complete and email back to Saint Louis University.
  • Option B: If you are completing the application through NursingCAS they will provide details when the application is initiated.
• Step 4 - Resume or Curriculum Vitae: Attach your CV/résumé documenting your education, clinical nursing experience, and service to the nursing profession/community within the SLU or NursingCAS application.
• Step 5 - Professional Goal Statement: Attach your professional goal statement within the SLU or NursingCAS application. The goal statement should outline your short- and long-term goals as a nurse practitioner and include an explanation of why you've decided on that path. The statement should be one-to-two pages and double-spaced.
• Step 6 - RN License: Attach a copy of your unencumbered registered nurse license in the state in which clinical experience will be done within the SLU or NursingCAS application.

Requirements for International Students

International students on F1 or J1 student visas are not eligible for admission, as these programs are conducted entirely online. For additional information, contact the Office of International Services.

Application Deadlines

Application for admission and all supporting documents must be received by May 1 for the fall semester and August 1 for the spring semester.  If the application deadline has passed for your semester of interest, please contact slunurse@slu.edu to determine if the application deadline has been extended.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Financing for this program may be available through grants, scholarships, loans (federal and private) and institutional financing plans. 

The Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing at Saint Louis University offers scholarship and graduate research assistantship opportunities to eligible graduate students. Additionally, most nursing students will participate in a tuition assistance program provided through their employer.

For more information, visit the student financial services office online at https://www.slu.edu/financial-aid.

1. Graduates will be able to implement collaborative strategies to provide ethical, high quality, safe, effective, patient-centered care. 

2. Graduates will be able to use scholarly inquiry including evidence-based practice and research application to improve decision-making and health outcomes.

3. Graduates will be able to integrate advanced competencies, skills, theories, and cultural sensitivity in relationships with patients and professionals.

4. Graduates will be able to design culturally sensitive patient care that includes health promotion and disease prevention.

5. Graduates will be able to facilitate the improvement of health care through leadership within health care systems and communities.

6. Graduates will be able to demonstrate competence in a specialized area of advanced practice nursing that builds on foundational nursing knowledge.

7. Graduates will be able to utilize health care informatics and technologies to support practice.

8. Graduates will be able to advocate for policies that improve the health of the public and the profession of nursing.

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.

Apply for Admission

For additional admission questions please contact:
Scott Ragsdale
Recruitment Specialist
SLU Valentine School of Nursing
314-977-8995
slunurse@slu.edu