Post-Master’s Graduate Certificate: Clinical Nurse Specialist - Adult Health

Program description

The Master of Science in Nursing degree program prepares professional nurses for advanced nursing practice, leadership in the nursing profession and future doctoral study.

 The plan of study for the Clinical Nurse Specialist – Adult Health program prepares the advanced practice nurse as an acute care provider for adult, older adult and frail elder clients in a variety of settings. The curriculum focuses on culturally sensitive care, incorporating health promotion and management of acute and chronic health problems. The graduate is prepared to apply nursing theory, principles of advanced practice nursing and the research process in the design and delivery of acute care. Knowledge for advanced nursing practice is synthesized from concepts in nursing as well as the biological and social sciences. Graduates of the clinical nurse specialist program will be prepared to take the certification exam through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

Admission terms and application deadlines

Before an applicant’s file can be reviewed for full program admission, all application documents must be received in Graduate Admissions by the semester deadlines listed below.

• November 15, 2011 for the Winter 2012 semester
• March 15, 2012 for the Summer 2012 semester
• July 15, 2012 for the Fall 2012 semester
• November 15, 2012 for the Winter 2013 semester
• March 15, 2013 for the Summer 2013 semester
• July 15, 2013 for the Fall 2013 semester

International applicants:  International applications are reviewed for fall and winter admission only. To ensure adequate time for review, international applications must be completed at least six months before the desired date of intended enrollment to the University. All international application materials must be submitted by May 1 for fall admission and by September 1 for winter admission.

Special Graduate classification:  Applicants who are seeking a graduate degree or graduate certificate, but are unable to meet the deadline for filing all required application materials or credentials for graduate admission, may contact the department and request Special Graduate temporary admission.  The applicant must submit an Application for Admission to Graduate Study, plus a copy of a transcript providing evidence of a bachelor’s degree awarded and any specific evidence concerning their qualifications for graduate study as required by the department.  Up to 12 credits may be earned in the Special Graduate classification. Admission as a special graduate student in no way assures subsequent admission to a degree or graduate certificate program.

Application requirements

To be considered for graduate admission, applicants must submit all of the following university and program application documents by the published application deadlines.

University graduate application requirements

• Application for Admission to Graduate Study    
• Official transcripts providing evidence of an earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited U.S. institution, OR a degree equivalent to a four-year U.S. baccalaureate degree from a college or university of government-recognized standing.
• Official transcripts for all post-secondary educational institutions from which the applicant earned a degree (beginning with the first baccalaureate) and for all enrollment in graduate-level coursework beyond the bachelor’s degree. International university transcripts must be evaluated by a professional credential evaluation service.
  • As part of the admission requirements, graduate programs may require official transcripts from post-secondary educational institutions from which the applicant earned an associate’s degree and all enrollment in coursework both pre- and post-bachelor’s degree.
• Two official and original Recommendation for Graduate Admission forms.
• Proof of English language proficiency
• International supplemental application and supporting documentation  must be submitted before international applicants can be issued the Certification of Eligibility (I-20). This certificate is required to apply for a student visa from the U.S. embassy or consulate.

Program application requirements

• School of Nursing Supplemental Application 
• MSN degree from an accredited institution.
• Completion of a master’s degree in nursing from an institution accredited by the National League for Nursing or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education with an undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above.
• Eligible of a current Registered Nurse license in their state of practice.
• 500 to 1,000 word professional goal statement. The goal statement should focus on recent clinical experience, how a post-master’s certificate will enhance professional development, and career goals after completion of the program. The goal statement will be evaluated on content and appropriate use of grammar, style, spelling and rhetoric.
• The recommendation forms must inclue at least one from a faculty member familiar with the student’s graduate work.
• Provide evidence of an undergraduate physical assessment course.
• Students must meet the same admission requirements as those students entering the CNS-MSN program except the GRE requirement is waived.
• Individual interview with a School of Nursing faculty will be scheduled after all admission materials have been submitted.
  

Admission review and assessment

Admission to graduate study at Oakland University is selective. In making admission recommendations to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning, each department assesses the potential of applicants for success in the program by examining their undergraduate records, goal statement, letters of recommendation, prerequisite courses and any other admission requirements established by the academic department.