Students enrolled in family, community health, family psychiatric mental health or adult-gerontological primary care nursing graduate degree programs may choose to complete an add-on certificate. Students choosing this option will be required to complete additional credits and should make an appointment to meet with their faculty advisor prior to beginning coursework to develop a plan of study. Students must apply to add-on a graduate certificate program by submitting the Application for Add-On Graduate Certificate Program. Upon completion of the add-on certificate requirements, the student must complete and submit the Certificate Processing Fees Form and pay the $75 (USD) certificate processing fee by the certificate processing fee deadline in the semester in which they plan to graduate.

Admissions Criteria for the Post Graduate Nurse Practitioner Program Stand-Alone Certificate

Students who are not currently enrolled in a graduate degree program must complete a Stand-Alone Advanced Certificate Program Application through the Graduate School and pay an application fee.

Although each applicant is considered on an individual basis, the general admissions criteria are:

• A master’s degree in nursing from an ACEN-, CNEA-, or CCNE-accredited school of nursing program
• A bachelor’s degree in nursing from an ACEN-, CNEA-, or CCNE-accredited school of nursing program
• A current, unencumbered license to practice as a registered professional nurse in the United States
  • Prior to beginning clinical experiences in a New York state clinical facility, students must submit a copy of their current, unencumbered license to practice as a registered nurse in New York state; this is required by the New York State Department of Education Office of the Professions.
• Two satisfactory academic or professional references are required; letters of recommendation from professional referents may not be personal friends and/or family members of the applicant. It is expected that a professional referent is a current or former supervisor to the applicant.
• Submission of a 500-word personal statement
• Résumé or curriculum vitae
• Copies of course syllabi and official academic transcript(s) reflective of successful course completion with a grade of B or better are required of any applicant who seeks a waiver of previously completed non-clinical graduate nursing coursework such as the “3 Ps” (i.e., Concepts in Health Assessment for Nurses in Advanced Clinical Practice; Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan; Advanced Pharmacology for Clinical Practice).

Gap Analysis Process for All Post-graduate Certificate Nurse Practitioner Students

Students with a completed master’s degree in nursing who desire preparation as a nurse practitioner (NP) or practicing NPs who wish to expand their scope of practice in an additional specialty area may seek admission to the post-graduate nurse practitioner advanced certificate program. Prior to registration, a gap analysis will be performed for students holding a graduate degree in nursing and enrolling in a post-graduate nurse practitioner program. Prior MS coursework will be evaluated for consideration for waiver by the appropriate program coordinator. This gap analysis will require the post-graduate student submit previous course syllabi and official transcripts reflecting successful completion of coursework completed during the graduate nursing program. A grade of B or higher is required in courses considered for waiver. The results of the gap analysis will provide specific courses and clinical experiences that must be completed to earn the advanced certificate. Clinical courses from a prior program will not be considered for transfer or waiver. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are not required for admission to this program.