PG Nursing Certificates Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission into the Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate program, a candidate must submit an online application, which includes the following:

• A Master of Science in Nursing or Doctor of Nursing Practice with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Official transcripts from all schools from which the student earned a masters degree or higher. Additional transcripts are required only when transfer credit was utilized to award the degree.
  • Psychiatric Mental Health NP (APRN-entry): Evidence of current, national certification in an existing NP role specialty. Evidence of past program adherence to the APRN Consensus Model requirements of three distinct courses in Advanced Pharmacology, Advanced Pathophysiology, and Advanced Health Assessment completed 2013 or later. Candidate may be required to provide original course syllabi for required gap analysis completion.
• Verified professional nursing license; licensure status must be maintained throughout the entire program.
  • FNP, Nurse Educator, and Nurse Executive: Evidence of an unrestricted/unencumbered registered nurse (RN) license.
  • Psychiatric Mental Health NP: Evidence of an unrestricted/unencumbered RN license (MSN-entry) or APRN license (DNP-entry).
  • Evidence of a current RN/APRN license must be in the state where currently practicing with no restriction, encumbrance, or probationary limitations imposed by the applicable Board of Nursing, Council of Nursing, or any judicial entity associated with the applicant, the applicant’s license, or the applicant’s practice. The RN/APRN license must be current when the application is submitted and remain current throughout the program. RN/APRN licenses that expire before classes begin must be renewed and current before starting the program. Nurses working in a federal facility, such as a Veterans Administration Medical Center, and completing their practica in that facility must hold an RN/APRN license deemed appropriate by that facility.
• Professional resume or curriculum vitae showing an equivalent of one full-time year of experience (2,000 hours) as a registered nurse by the start of the first practicum.
• Essay demonstrating scholarly writing of approximately 500 words describing the applicant’s short- and long-term career goals and plans to achieve those goals.
• Two professional references submitted electronically; one should be from a nurse educator familiar with your ability to do academic work and one should be from an immediate supervisor (e.g., nurse manager), preceptor, or mentor familiar with your clinical skills. Professional references from peers or personal relationships are not acceptable when applying to our post-graduate certificate programs in nursing online.
• A comprehensive background check requiring fingerprints and drug screen to be administered after acceptance into our online nursing certificate programs and at the applicant’s expense. A felony charge and or conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the certification examination or to attain state licensure.
• Transcripts (original and a translated version, if applicable) and a credentialing evaluation from an agency recognized by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) that provide evidence of training at a level equivalent to that of a bachelor’s degree in the United States.
• Official TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score report if their education was completed in a language other than English or they reside in a non-English speaking country. A minimum score of 550 (paper-based testing), 210 (computer-based testing) or 89 (IBT – Internet based testing) is required.

Prospective students who already hold a valid, non-F-1 student visa may be eligible for admission to the PG Cert program, provided a copy of an unexpired visa and passport reflecting non-F1 student visa status is provided prior to admission and that the individual meets all other admission requirements. Students must keep their non-F-1 student visa in good standing throughout the duration of their studies with USAHS, as the University cannot sponsor those students for study now or at any point in the future for the PG Cert program. Students holding a visa that is renewed during their course of study must provide a copy of the updated visa reflecting current eligibility to the Admissions office. Further, all programs that require an in-person clinical component require the student to reside in the United States while completing the program. Students are also required to provide proof of residency (e.g., current lease agreement in the student’s name). There may be additional requirements for students seeking federal financial aid. Students should contact the Office of Financial Aid prior to enrolling and provide any required documents.

PG-C Program Page