Post-Master’s Certificate Programs for Nurse Practitioners

The School of Nursing offers post-master’s Certificate Programs for nurses who have a master’s degree in Nursing and who would like to take existing courses within the Master of Science degree in Nursing. At the completion of the course work, individuals who complete one of the Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialist certificates will qualify to apply to the California Board of Registered Nursing for state certification as nurse practitioners or clinical nurse specialists and are eligible to sit for a National Certification Examination so they can function as nurse practitioners in other states.

Admission Requirements for all Post-Master’s Certificate Programs:

• Current California Registered Nurse License
• Master’s degree in Nursing (MSN or MN)
• Completion of a second application to the School of Nursing including 2 references and an essay
• Completion of a basic recent physical assessment course
• Satisfactory background check

Prior to entering the first clinical lab, students must have University liability insurance, a satisfactory background check, a current American Heart Association CPR card, a satisfactory annual physical examination, proof of immunity to specified infectious diseases, an initial 2 step Mantoux skin test and a chest X-ray if there is evidence of a positive TB skin test. Drug screening may be requested depending on agency requirements.

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Specialty Certificate

The post-master’s Pediatric Nurse Practitioner certificate program is offered for nurses who have a master’s degree in nursing and who would like to take the existing courses within the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner option, a specialty within the Master of Science degree in Nursing.

Requirements for the Certificate (51 units)

Students qualify for the post-master’s certificate after they have successfully completed the specialty program courses with a 3.0 higher GPA. This program consists of 51 units of theory and clinical practice in the following two areas: 1) seminar courses 32 units; and 2) clinical practice courses, 19 units. They will be qualified to sit for the National Professional Pediatric Nurse Practitioner certification examination and to apply for nurse practitioner certification from the California Board of Registered Nursing.