The post-master’s Certificate of Graduate Study in Advanced Practice Nursing (nurse practitioner) is restricted to students who hold a master’s degree in nursing. The program of study is designed to augment the student’s prior graduate study through advanced practice preparation in one of three emphasis areas: Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Students who complete the program of study are eligible to apply to take a national certification examination in the applicable nurse practitioner specialty area.

Learning Outcomes

• Apply knowledge from core courses in the assessment of clients.
• Integrate core and clinical course content in the diagnosis and treatment of clients.
• To use core and clinical course content within the context of the community and to understand community as client.
• To apply theory to practice problems, to analyze practice guidelines, and to conduct an evidence based practice project
• To understand laws governing advanced practice, to understand scope of practice, and to apply evidence based practice knowledge in treatment planning.

Admission

Requirements include:

1. Master’s degree from a nursing program that is nationally accredited;
2. Transcripts of all previous college studies with a minimal GPA requirement of 3.0 (cumulative);
3. Completed application to The Graduate School with the College of Nursing supplement;
4. Three letters of recommendation written by master’s or doctorally prepared nurses that address advanced nursing practice potential;
5. Current authorization to practice as SC Registered Nurse or possession of an unencumbered license in the state in which clinical practice will occur.
6. Resume or CV.

Certificate Requirements (Minimum 18 Hours for students already certified for advanced practice nursing who need to obtain additional certification)

Students pursuing the Certificate of Graduate Study in Advanced Practice Nursing who are not certified as Advanced Practice Nurses must: