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.

Nurse Practitioner: Psychiatric/Mental Health Certificate Program

The School of Nursing offers a post-master’s Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certificate. This program is for nurses who have a master’s degree in nursing and who would like to take courses in the Nurse Practitioner: Psychiatric/Mental Health Option within the Master of Science degree in nursing.

Requirements for Award of the Certificate (61 units)

Students will qualify for the award of the post-master’s certificate after they have successfully completed the required certificate program course with a 3.0 or higher GPA. This program consists of common core course (3 units), advanced practice core courses (23 units) and required option courses (35 units) for a total of 61 units. This will enable the graduate of this program to obtain State certification from the BRN as both a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) and a nurse practitioner (NP) and to sit for national certification examinations.