Return to: School of Nursing: Programs/Courses
Specialty Certificate options provide MSN-prepared nurses with additional knowledge and skills in a defined specialty area. To be eligible for the specialty certificate programs, applicants must have a master’s degree in nursing or be currently enrolled in a graduate nursing program. Students who complete these tracks are eligible to apply for national certification examinations. The following specialty tracks are offered: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Nursing Practitioner - Primary Care, Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, and Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist.
Admission
Applicants must submit a completed application for admission and:
- Have completed a master’s degree in nursing from a nationally accredited (CCNE or NLN ACEN) school of nursing or be currently enrolled in a nationally accredited graduate nursing program
- Possess an unencumbered RN license in the US and be eligible for RN licensure in Virginia
- Have at least one year of full-time RN experience
- Submit three satisfactory academic and professional recommendations (www.nursing.virginia.edu/admissions/recs/)
- Submit a statement of educational and professional goals
- Submit a CV or resume
- Submit official transcripts from prior colleges/universities attended
- Be available for an interview if requested
- Send official TOEFL or IELTS scores (within the past 2 years), required of applicants whose first or native language is not English, unless the applicant completed his/her entire undergraduate degree at an institution where English is the primary language of instruction
Application Deadlines The completed application and the application fee must be received by December 1. Applications received after the deadlines may be considered if space is available.
All correspondence concerning admission should be addressed to the Assistant Director for Graduate Admissions and Financial Aid, Office of Admissions and Student Services, School of Nursing, P.O. Box 800826, Charlottesville, VA 22908 or gradnursing@virginia.edu.
Program Course Work The ratio of clinical hours to credits is 56:1. Courses are taught only if there are a sufficient number of students registering for them.
Financial Aid Certificate programs are not eligible for federal financial aid.
