Primary Care Academic Certificate
Prepare for your career in primary care.
Program overview
Ready to practice the full scope of your license in community-based primary care? This certificate is designed for currently enrolled Ohio State Bachelor of Science in Nursing students who want to step into an expanded role addressing the needs of patients, especially in rural and inner-city underserved areas.
This certificate enhances your skills in high-demand areas, including chronic disease management (mental health and substance use disorders), evidence-based health coaching, triage, and seamless hospital transition management. You will gain the expertise to act as a formal and informal leader in interprofessional teams, providing vital care coordination and leading quality improvement initiatives.
With instruction from expert faculty and a curriculum focused on real-world application, you will be prepared to lead patient-centered care and work on the front lines of prevention, setting you apart as you begin your RN career.
Application deadline
Admits students every semester.
Deadline: ongoing
Complete the Primary Care Academic Certificate enrollment form through Beacon.
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Online
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12 credit hours
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1 year
You must meet the following criteria to qualify for admission to the Primary Care Academic Certificate:
- Accepted to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) offered through The Ohio State University's College of Nursing.
For RN to BSN, see the Registered Nurses in Primary Care Certificate.
Time to certificate completion: Three to four semesters
Number of credit hours: 12
Educational delivery format: This certificate program is delivered primarily online with mostly asynchronous modules. This means you can often complete coursework on your own schedule. Most students finish the certificate by taking one class per semester, though you may need to take two classes in a semester depending on course availability.
Required courses (6 credits)
You must complete the following two courses:
- RN Practice in Primary Care (3 credits)
- Care Coordination and Transition in Care (3 credits)
Elective coursework (6 Credits)
Select two courses totaling 6 credits from the list below:
- RN Practice in Primary Care and Substance Use Disorder (3 credits)
- Evidence-based Health Coaching in Interprofessional Practice (3 credits)
- Telehealth Assessment and Management in Primary Care (3 credits)
FAQ
This unique certificate offers specialized course content that is not currently embedded in the BSN curriculum. You'll gain a competitive edge by mastering high-demand topics, including:
- Care Coordination and Transition in Care
- Substance Use Disorder
- Evidence-based Health Coaching
- Telehealth Assessment and Management
Yes, you can complete the certificate after graduating with their BSN; however, you must begin the coursework prior to graduation.
You should discuss the optimal course sequencing for incorporating this additional coursework with your academic advisor.
The courses in this certificate are offered in both synchronous (meeting online at specific times) and asynchronous (flexible timing) formats. Be sure to speak with an advisor if you have questions about specific course meeting times.