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.
Post-Graduate Family Nurse Practitioner Advanced Certificate Program
| Semester I (Fall) | Credits |
| NURS 502* Concepts in Health Assessment for Nurses in Advanced Clinical Practice | 3 |
| NURS 518* Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| Total | 6 |
| Semester II (Spring) | Credits |
| NURS 519* Advanced Pharmacology for Clinical Practice | 3 |
| NURS 521 Nursing in Family Practice I | 3 |
| NURS 553 Family Nurse Practitioner Role I | 4 |
| Total | 10 |
| Semester III (Fall) | Credits |
| NURS 522 Nursing in Family Practice II | 3 |
|
NURS 554 Family/Adult-Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Role II *Courses may be waived based on results of gap analysis |
4 |
| Total | 7 |
| Semester IV (Spring) | Credits |
| NURS 596 Nursing in Family Practice III | 3 |
| NURS 555 Family/Adult-Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Role III | 4 |
| Total | 7 |
| Total Credits | 30 |
Post-Graduate Community Health Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Advanced Certificate Program
| Semester I (Fall) | Credits |
| NURS 502* Concepts in Health Assessment for Nurses in Advanced Clinical Practice | 3 |
| NURS 518* Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| NURS 540 Elements of Biostatistics and Epidemiology | 3 |
| Total | 9 |
| Semester II (Spring) | Credits |
| NURS 519* Advanced Pharmacology for Clinical Practice | 3 |
| NURS 541 Community Health Nursing Practice I | 3 |
|
NURS 515 Functional Role I: Community Health Primary Care Nurse Practitioner **Courses may be waived based on results of gap analysis |
4 |
| Total | 10 |
| Semester III (Fall) | Credits |
| NURS 542 Community Health Nursing Practice II | 3 |
| NURS 516 Functional Role II: Community Health Primary Care Nurse Practitioner | 4 |
| Total | 7 |
| Semester IV (Spring) | Credits |
| NURS 543 Community Health Nursing Practice III | 4 |
| NURS 517 Functional Role III: Community Health Primary Care Nurse Practitioner | 3 |
| Total | 7 |
| Total Credits | 33 |
Post-Graduate Adult-Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Advanced Certificate Program
| Semester I (Fall) | Credits |
| NURS 502* Concepts in Health Assessment for Nurses in Advanced Clinical Practice | 3 |
| NURS 518* Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| Total | 6 |
| Semester II (Spring) | Credits |
| NURS 519* Advanced Pharmacology for Clinical Practice | 3 |
| NURS 511 Adult-Gerontological Nursing I | 3 |
| NURS 514 Adult-Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Role I | 4 |
|
Total *Courses may be waived based on results of gap analysis |
10 |
| Semester III (Fall) | Credits |
| NURS 512 Adult-Gerontological Nursing Practice II | 3 |
| NURS 554 Family/Adult-Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Role II | 4 |
| Total | 7 |
| Semester IV (Spring) | Credits |
| NURS 513 Adult-Gerontological Nursing III | 3 |
| NURS 555 Family/Adult-Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Role III | 4 |
| Total | 7 |
| Total Credits | 30 |
Post-Graduate Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Advanced Certificate Program
| Semester I (Fall) | Credits |
| NURS 502* Concepts on Health Assessment for Nurses in Advanced Clinical Practice | 3 |
| NURS 518* Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| Total | 6 |
| Semester II (Spring) | Credits |
| NURS 519* Advanced Pharmacology for Clinical Practice | 3 |
| NURS 565 Family Psychiatric Mental Health NP Role I: Assessment & Diagnosis | 4 |
| Total | 7 |
| Semester III (Fall) | Credits |
| NURS 562 Psychopharmacology | 2 |
| NURS 563 Family Psychiatric Mental Health Specialization I: Acute Illnesses | 4 |
| NURS 566 Family Psychiatric Mental Health NP Role II: Individual Psychotherapies | 4 |
| Total | 10 |
| Semester IV (Spring) | Credits |
| NURS 564 Family Psychiatric Mental Health Specialization II: Chronic Illnesses | 4 |
|
NURS 567 Family Psychiatric Mental Health NP Role III: Family & Group Psychotherapies *Courses may be waived based on results of gap analysis |
4 |
| Total | 8 |
| Total Credits | 31 |
Advanced Certificate in Nursing Education
The Advanced Certificate in Nursing Education encompasses current technological trends while preparing students for the role of nurse educator to teach at both the undergraduate and graduate nursing degree levels. Nurse educator role courses must be taken in sequence, with the exception of NURS 558. Currently enrolled master's in nursing students completing the nurse educator functional role may choose to complete the Advanced Certificate in Nursing Education by completing one additional four-credit course (NURS 558) in addition to the three required role courses (NURS 556, NURS 557 and NURS 590).
Students who are currently enrolled must complete an Application for Add-On Graduate Certification Form to add the certificate code to the academic record. Students must submit the Certificate Processing Fees form in the semester in which they plan to graduate.
Students who are not currently enrolled in a degree program must complete a Stand-Alone Certificate Program Application through the Graduate School and pay an application fee.
The following four courses are required to earn the certificate:
| Courses Required for Certificate Award | Credits |
| NURS 556 Functional Role I: Nurse Educator, Educational Philosophy and Curriculum Development | 4 |
| NURS 557 Functional Role II: Nurse Educator, Teaching Methods and Strategies | 4 |
| NURS 590 Functional Role III: Nurse Educator, Educational Issues and Roles | 4 |
| NURS 558 Information and Educational Technology in Nursing Education | 4 |
| Total Credits | 16 |
Advanced Certificate in Disaster Management
Graduates of the Disaster Management Certificate program are prepared to develop and implement educational programs for first responders, community-based organizations, voluntary organizations and academic institutions. Interested students need not be nursing majors but are required to apply to matriculate into the Disaster Management Certificate program. This program is open to both matriculated graduate and post-master's graduate students in the Decker School of Nursing who are interested in disaster management. Because public health agencies are often located in rural areas and many of the employees of these agencies are unable to attend three-hour, on-campus classes on a weekly basis, the Disaster Management Certificate program is offered in an online hybrid format. Each course meets several times per semester on campus. This allows students and faculty to meet in person; provides time for instruction on use of "Brightspace" (formerly myCourses); allows for hazmat demonstrations, drills and tabletops; and allows students to present their projects. The certificate in disaster management requires the successful completion of four graduate courses for a total of 12 credits.
Students who are currently enrolled must complete an Application for Add-On Graduate Certification Form to add the certificate code to the academic record, and students must submit the Certificate Processing Fees form in the semester in which they plan to graduate.
Students who are not currently enrolled in a degree program must complete a Stand-Alone Certificate Program Application through the Graduate School and pay an application fee.
| Courses Required for Certificate Award | Credits |
| NURS 540 Elements of Epidemiology and Biostatistics | 3 |
| NURS 546 Community Response to Emerging Health Threats | 3 |
| NURS 547 Community Response to Disaster Preparedness | 3 |
| NURS 549 Community Response to Chemical and Radiological Incidents | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 |
Advanced Certificate in Forensic Health
The Forensic Health Certificate program is open to all students who have a baccalaureate degree and who are interested in forensics. Interested students need not be nursing majors but are required to apply to matriculate into the forensics certificate program. The graduate certificate in forensic health requires the successful completion of three graduate forensics courses for a total of nine credits; each course is three credits. There are six forensic health courses available for enrollment at the graduate level. Students are required to complete NURS 581G, Forensic Health of Victims, as one of the three courses completed to be eligible for award of certificate. Course titles previously completed at the undergraduate level may not be repeated at the graduate level. Note that not all courses are offered in every semester.
Students who are currently enrolled must complete an Application for Add-On Graduate Certfication Form to add the certificate code to the academic record, and students must submit the Certificate Processing Fees form in the semester in which they plan to graduate.
Students who are not currently enrolled in a degree program must complete a Stand-Alone Certificate Program application through the Graduate School and pay an application fee.
| Courses Available for Certificate Award** | Credits |
| NURS 581B Forensic Health Essentials | 3 |
| NURS 581E Medicolegal Death Investigation | 3 |
| NURS 581F Forensic Health of Offenders | 3 |
| NURS 581G Forensic Health of Victims | 3 |
| NURS 581J Forensic Pediatrics | 3 |
| NURS 581P Forensic Health: Sexual Offending and Victimization | 3 |
| Total Credits | 9 |
**Three courses required for award of certificate; one of three courses completed must be: NURS 581G, Forensic Health of Victims