Nursing, Post-Master’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate

A post-master’s psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner certificate is available to RNs who have completed a master’s degree in Nursing from an accredited university. A gap analysis will be performed to determine required courses. Advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, and advanced physical assessment courses are required for all nurse practitioners. Specific psychiatric mental health courses include assessment and diagnosis of mental health conditions, neuropsychopharmacology, and three clinical courses.

The post-graduate APRN certificate at the University of Saint Joseph is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202.887.6791.

IMPORTANT!

Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialists or Nurse Practitioners in other specialties who have not completed the courses below, also called the 3Ps, must complete them before taking a clinical course. This will add 10 additional credits to the plan of study.

NURS 507 - Advanced Physical Assessment  (3 credits)

NURS 507L - Advanced Physical Assessment Lab  (1 credit)

NURS 519 - Advanced Pathophysiology  (3 credits)

NURS 535 - Advanced Pharmacology   (3 credits)

Admission Requirements:

1. Acceptance into this program is highly competitive
2. Applications are reviewed twice a year. All application materials should be received by the Graduate Admissions Office by October 1 for application review the following spring, and March 1 for application review for admission for the following fall.
3. Admission application and nonrefundable admission fee
4. A current resume
5. A sealed official transcript showing a master’s degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher from a regionally and nationally accredited Nursing institution, as well as transcripts from all undergraduate coursework
6. A current Registered Nurse license from the state in which clinical work will be completed and a current APRN license if applicable
7. Essay: Discuss a practice problem in your field that, in your experience has a broad impact on patient care and outcomes; state professional goals for the next 5-10 years and explain how this certificate will help you reach your goals
8. Two letters from professionals attesting to the candidate’s intellectual, clinical and leadership abilities to pursue graduate work at the University of Saint Joseph. Letters should be from clinical supervisors or managers, and academic faculty
9. An interview with the graduate faculty prior to acceptance into the program
10. All immunization records as required by the University and Department of Nursing
11. Upon formal admission, a certified background check is required
12. Malpractice insurance: Students are required to purchase their own malpractice insurance, at the APRN level, prior to the start of clinical coursework