Certificate Programs
The School of Nursing offers five certificate programs: the post-masters certificate in Administration, Education, Family Nurse Practitioner, or Pscyhiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and the post-baccalaureate Informatics, Quality, & Safety.
The Nursing Administration Certificate program prepares the master’s-prepared nurse to apply leadership and management skills to become the essential link between the vision and mission of the larger health care organization and the unit-based system of patient care. Resource allocation expertise, using professional skills in assessing and analyzing health care needs in the practice setting, is developed.
The Nursing Education Certificate program prepares the master's-prepared nurse to apply teaching-learning theory, principles of curriculum development, evaluation methodology, and role socialization as a nurse educator in a variety of settings. The program is designed to provide essential knowledge and skills required by nurse educators and facilitate the transition of the nurse from the clinical setting into the role of nurse educator.
The Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate program prepares the master’s-prepared nurse for advanced clinical practice roles across the lifespan in various settings. The nurse develops expertise as a primary care provider with advanced practice skills in the assessment and management of health needs as well as in patient education, consultant and researcher roles.
The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certificate program prepares the master’s prepared nurse for advanced mental health practice roles across the lifespan in various settings. The nurse develops expertise as a psychiatric mental health provider with advance practice skills in the assessment and management of mental health needs as well as in patient education, consultant and researcher roles.
The Nursing Informatics, Quality & Safety Certificate program prepares baccalaureate or higher degree prepared nurses as informatics nurses. The nurse develops skills to serve as the essential link among health care information systems, health care providers, and consumers.
Completion of a certificate curriculum will be noted on a student's transcript. No diploma is awarded for completing a certificate.
Admission Requirements
Students applying for admission to a certificate program are expected to submit a portfolio for evaluation consisting of the following:
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A Master of Science in Nursing degree from an accredited college. (An exception is made for applicants to the Nursing Informatics certificate who are required to have a Baccalaureate in Nursing or higher degree.)
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Current unencumbered licensure as a Registered Nurse in the state where practicum will occur.
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Applicants to one of the Advanced Practice certificate programs must submit a 2-page essay and video describing reasons for seeking a particular certificate and plans for the future.
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Applicants to all other certificate programs must submit a 2-page essay describing reasons for seeking a particular certificate and plans for the future.
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Three academic and/or professional references.
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For applicants to the APRN post-masters certificate programs: in the last four years, one year of full-time work experience as a nurse prior to application is needed. This experience should be direct patient care involving patient assessment and medication administration.
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APRN Certificate applicants musts submit a CV or resume.
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Consideration for admission is also given to one or more of the following: the applicant’s demonstrated commitment to his or her chosen field of study; socioeconomic background; and involvement and level of responsibility related to other factors, including extracurricular activities, employment, community service, first generation of family to graduate from an undergraduate program, family responsibility for raising children, multilingual proficiency, or geographic region of residence.
Academic Standing
Students in each certificate program must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or greater. All other graduate degree regulations and policies are applicable to the certificate program.