Online Post Graduate Certificate
The Post-graduate certificate pathway is designed for registered nurses with a graduate degree in nursing who seek academic preparation in a new specialty or subspecialty area of advanced practice nursing.
Post-graduate students can select any of the specialty options offered by the program. Each certificate pathway is designed to be in compliance with national certification requirements including required support courses, didactic specialty courses, and clinical hours.
All courses are offered completely in the on-line format, for the convenience of working nurses. Students log on anytime and anywhere to complete web-based courses that are expertly designed and highly interactive. Students complete the clinical requirements for the degree in their home communities.
Requirements for Admission to the Online Post Graduate Certificate Tracks
- Graduate of an approved master's or doctoral program with a major in nursing.
- Current registered nurse licensure with no restrictions. Nurses with any restrictions on their license, including participation in a voluntary disciplinary alternative program, cannot be admitted.
- A minimal grade point average of 3.0 on all MSN work (A=4.0). Enrollment in selective courses may not be available to non-degree students due to class size or required prerequisite.
- Submission of a resume which documents clinical experience. (Note: Prior to enrolling in nurse practitioner clinical course, students are required to have at least 2 years of experience in an area appropriate to the specialty track.)
- After acceptance into the program, admission is contingent upon a negative drug screen, results of an acceptable background check, submission of Health Data Forms, evidence of Health Insurance, and completion of Certified Profile Medical Records Manager. Instructions provided in acceptance letter.
Progression Requirements
Students follow the progression policies for the MSN Pathway for BSN prepared RN's.
Program Completion Requirements for the Online Post Graduate Certificate Tracks
Students are required to complete all specialty courses and any support courses not previously completed. Post-MSN certificate students are not required to complete graduate core or research courses (see the previous section on MSN Curriculum for the BSN prepared RN for a listing of courses for each specialty area).