PG Nursing Certificates Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission into one of our Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate programs, 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 each college or university previously attended. An official transcript is one that is sent directly to the Admissions Office by the Registrar of the issuing institution or one forwarded in a sealed envelope from the issuing institution.
• 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)
• 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.

Applicants located in the United States on a non-F-1 student visa can be considered for admission. Prospective students who already hold a non-F-1 student visa allowing for study in the U.S., including clinical placements, are eligible for admission to the PG Cert program, provided a copy of a valid, unexpired passport reflecting visa status is provided prior to admission and that the individual meets 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 them 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 their updated passport reflecting visa status to the Admissions office. Further, 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.
 
PGNC Program Page