Certificate requirements
The Post-Master’s Graduate Certificate: Family Nurse Practitioner is awarded upon satisfactory completion of 15 to 32 credits in an approved program of study. The program of study will be developed after evaluation of course content taken to fulfill requirements of the applicant’s prior master’s program.
Post-MSN Adult/Gerontological nurse practitioners who seek certification as Family Nurse Practitioners are required by national certification boards to complete coursework in women’s health and pediatric content.
General core requirements (19 credits)
Satisfactory academic progress
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is the term used to denote a student’s successful completion of coursework toward a certificate or degree. Federal regulations require the Office of Financial Aid to monitor Satisfactory Academic Progress for all financial aid recipients each semester.
Students who fall behind in their coursework, or fail to achieve minimum standards for grade point average and completion of classes, may lose their eligibility for all types of federal, state and university aid. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for additional details.
Good academic standing
All graduate students are expected to remain in good academic standing throughout the entire course of their graduate program. To be in good academic standing, a graduate student must make satisfactory progress toward fulfilling degree requirements, including the completion of critical degree milestones as set forth by the academic program. The student must also maintain a minimum semester and overall GPA of 3.0.
Good academic standing is a requirement for:
- Holding a Graduate Assistantship
- Receiving a fellowship or scholarship
- Advancing to candidacy for a graduate degree
- Going on a leave of absence
- Obtaining a graduate certificate or degree from Oakland University.
Additionally, graduate students must meet all department academic standards which may be more stringent than the minimum set forth by the University.
Program requirements: Students are required to follow the university policies and procedures for graduate students, as described in the Oakland University Graduate Catalog. In addition to the university requirements, specific School of Nursing policies and procedures are outlined in the School of Nursing Graduate Student Handbook.
Students are expected to earn a grade of 3.0 or above in each course in the MSN program. In courses graded Satisfactory/ Unsatisfactory (S/U), students are expected to earn a course grade of satisfactory. Students who are not making satisfactory progress in the program may be placed on probation with conditions imposed for retention in the program or may be recommended for dismissal from the program.
Students are required to keep health requirements current and must maintain an RN license that is current and free of any complaint or restriction throughout the program. See the School of Nursing Web site for health requirements. Students are also required to meet any requirements of the health care facilities where they have clinical learning experiences.
Graduate students who are not in good academic standing for any reason are subject to probation and/or dismissal from further graduate study.
Related program information
Plan of study
All accepted applicants, in consultation with their assigned faculty program adviser, must develop a plan of study that details specific courses the students will use to satisfy their degree requirements. The plan of study must be approved by the faculty program adviser and submitted by the student to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning. The plan of study must be signed by the program director and student prior to submission to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning.
Master’s and graduate certificate students must submit a department-approved plan of study by the end of their first semester of graduate coursework. Doctoral students must submit an approved plan of study prior to completion of the first year of coursework. (See the Graduate Student Responsibility section of this catalog.)
Note: Credit granted for successful completion of a course toward an undergraduate degree program may not be repeated for a graduate degree. If a substitution is approved, the minimum number of program-approved graduate credits will be required. A Petition of Exception - OU Course Waiver/ Substitution requesting the substitution must be approved.
Leave of Absence
Students may maintain leave of absence status in the Family Nursing Practitioner (FNP) program for up to one year. Before assuming leave of absence status, the student is required to fill out the Request for Leave of Absence form and meet with the SON Graduate Academic Adviser. Return to the program is contingent upon availability of space in the program following return. The following requirements must be met by returning students:
- Notify SON Graduate Academic Adviser of intention to return no later than three months prior to the requested return semester.
- Develop a revised plan of study with the SON Graduate Academic Adviser prior to registering for courses in the FNP tracks.
- Comply with all SON policies and requirements in effect at the time of return.
Note: Submitting a leave of absence form does not guarantee approval. If the form is approved, the student will be required to complete a new plan of study and will be placed in a new cohort as space is available. This will delay the completion of the program by at least one year. If the student does not return to the program by the Anticipated Return From Leave date indicated on the form, the student must reapply to the program. If the student plans to be out two semesters or more, the student will be required to reapply to the program.
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