*This cost is for illustrative purposes only. Your hours and costs will differ, depending on your transfer hours, your course choices and your academic progress. See more about tuition and financial aid.
Request Information
Loading...
Overview
The pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP) role provides family-centered and culturally respectful care for pediatric patients birth to 21 years of age. Advanced practice nurses (APRNs) provide high-quality health care services to address a wide-range of problems from acute, chronic, complex and wellness care to health promotion, disease prevention, health education and counseling. Core courses provide a solid foundation in the use of evidence-based practice guidelines and theory as a basis for the diagnosis and treatment of illness and the promotion of wellness. Clinical experiences are conducted with preceptors in community inpatient and outpatient settings.
The post-master’s certificate in acute pediatric care nurse practitioner (ACPNP) focuses on restorative care that is characterized by rapidly changing clinical conditions and is designed to help acute pediatric care nurse practitioners provide care for patients with unstable chronic, complex, acute and critical conditions.
Career Prospects
Graduates take the national PNCB certification exam, allowing them to practice in an acute care pediatric setting anywhere within the United States, following state guidelines.
13.27%
Employment growth
$97,000
Median salary
Program Structure
Delivery of this program is blended. You will complete course work online, both synchronously and asynchronously, with a required residency. Courses are semester-based. Students typically take one or two courses each semester and finish in 18 months to two years. This certificate provides a seamless transition to the DNP program.
Course work includes:
Primary care of children foundation
Pediatric acute care
Specialty pharmacology
Accreditation
The University of Missouri-Kansas City is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States.
On-campus residencies are required for the online programs. Faculty will provide more information prior to each scheduled on-campus residency, which occurs during your clinical course work. Online course work may require synchronous online class times. These dates are scheduled in advance and communicated on the schedule for the semester.
The number of required credit hours for the post-master’s certificate depends upon the student's previous course work. Please contact the program director for more information.
Course planner
The chart below shows the courses offered in this program. Courses are 3 credit hours each, unless stated otherwise. The university reserves the right to change or cancel courses as needed.
NURSE 5532 Acute Care of Pediatrics Clinical I
(7 credit hours)
NURSE 5533 Acute Care of Pediatrics Clinical II
(7 credit hours)
NURSE 5564C Primary Care of Children I
(5 credit hours)
Nondegree-Seeking Enrollment
Prior to acceptance into the program, you may enroll in up to 6 credit hours as a nondegree-seeking (in some cases, post-baccalaureate) student. Enrollment does not guarantee acceptance. Learn more about nondegree-seeking university student admissions.
State Authorization
States require that the University of Missouri-Kansas City be authorized to deliver university-level distance/online education to their residents. Each state handles this process differently.
Students residing in some states are not eligible to enroll in this program. See our state authorization page for a full list of states in which this program is not authorized.
Authorized with stipulations
Students residing in some states may be eligible to enroll in this program, but certain stipulations exist. See our state authorization page for a full list of states in which certain stipulations exists for this program.
How to Apply
Fulfill the admission requirements
Minimum of two years, full-time equivalent clinical experience within the past three years
MSN or DNP from a college or university nationally recognized by a nursing accrediting agency (CCNE or AACN)
Minimum GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale
Current unencumbered Missouri licensure or unencumbered licensure in the state in which the student completes clinical requirements
The following are the common prerequisite graduate level coursework to be completed prior to or as part of the certificate program of study. These courses may be from your MSN/DNP graduate program or completed at UMKC with your certificate hours:
Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan
Advanced Pharmacology/Applied Pharmacology Across the Lifespan
Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan
Diagnostic Reasoning for the APRN
Health Promotion
A personal interview is required.
Application Dates
To start classes in spring Apply by: Oct. 18 (Classes begin in January)
To start classes in summer Apply by: March 7 (Classes begin in June)
To start classes in fall Apply by: March 7 (Classes begin in August)
Required documents
Transcripts from each institution attended. Upload your official transcripts to the UMKC Office of Admissions ONLY. Please DO NOT submit official transcripts via NursingCAS.
Three evaluation forms are required from:
Immediate supervisor
Faculty professor from your MSN program.
Professional reference able to assess your professional characteristics (charge nurse, medical doctor, nurse practitioner, unit director)
Please note: No reference from co-workers, patients, friends or family members will be accepted.
Current résumé reflecting all experiences as an RN
Proof of RN licensure
Personal Statement of your professional goals (specific to the role/track to which you are applying) and how this program will help you achieve them (required length: one page maximum)
Complete an interview.
Complete the online application
The application is a two-step process, applicants must:
1. Submit the online UMKC Application and submit official transcripts from each institution attended to the UMKC Office of Admissions ONLY. Please DO NOT submit official transcripts via NursingCAS.
2. Submit program application and materials through NursingCAS to UMKC’s School of Nursing and Health Studies by deadline stated above. Please review the NursingCAS website for the list of programs offered at UMKC’s School of Nursing and Health Studies.
Domestic application fee: $45.00 International application fee: $75.00
Note: If you were ever enrolled at UMKC as a degree-seeking student, you do not need to resubmit the general UMKC application fee.
Application fee waiver questions: Contact the UMKC Office of Admissions with questions via 816-235-8652 or 1-800-775-8652 or admissions@umkc.edu.
