Post-Master's Certificates for MSNs
Would you like to expand or change your advance practice nursing role? Are you interested in an area that is not the specialization obtained for your MSN degree? Our certificate programs offer opportunities for you to build upon your clinical skills and knowledge, allowing you to explore new professional directions.
The purpose of the post-master’s study program is to provide, for nurses who already hold a master’s degree in nursing, an educational route to specialization in an area other than that obtained in their master’s program. The program is designed to strengthen or broaden the clinical, or management capabilities of master’s-prepared nurses who are planning a role expansion or role change.
Post-master’s study programs are available in each of the following specialties: acute care nurse practitioner, adult nurse practitioner, clinical management, clinical research management, family nurse practitioner, gerontological nurse practitioner, health systems management, informatics, neonatal nurse practitioner, nurse-midwifery, pediatric nurse practitioner, psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner, and women’s health nurse practitioner. Please refer to the specific advanced practice specialty overview for a sample curriculum plan.
Post-master’s students must submit a portfolio of their credentials to the Program Director in order to facilitate planning their program of studies. The applicant portfolio should include an updated resume, copies of any national nursing certifications, and official transcript documenting conferral of prior master's degree in nursing. In addition, the regular application materials are required except post-master's applicants are not usually required to retake the Graduate Record Exam.
For further information, please email the admissions office at VUSN-Admissions@vanderbilt.edu.