Post-Graduate Certificates in Nursing
Certificate Program
| ACADEMIC PROGRAM INFORMATION | APPLICATION | APPLICATION DEADLINE |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse-Midwifery Information Sheet  |
| Start term – Fall 2025 (August): Priority: February 15 Final: April 15 After our deadlines, we will accept applications on a space-available basis. Please begin your application and contact our graduate admissions team with questions. |
| Family Nurse Practitioner Information Sheet | Application will open in October. | Start term – Summer I 2026 (May): Priority: February 15 Final: April 15 After our deadlines, we will accept applications on a space-available basis. Please begin your application and contact our graduate admissions team with questions. |
| Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Information Sheet | Application will open in October. | Start term – Summer I 2026 (May): Priority: February 15 Final: April 15 After our deadlines, we will accept applications on a space-available basis. Please begin your application and contact our graduate admissions team with questions. |
Courses are offered in a synchronous online format. An immersion experience may be required for students during the fall and spring semesters at the Winchester Main Campus.
Admission Requirements
- Graduate Application for Admission and $30 Application Fee
- Unofficial or official transcripts
- Applicants can choose to submit unofficial transcripts for initial review. If admitted, the applicant must submit an official transcript for each unofficial transcript upload. See our full policy for more details.
- Applicants must have earned an MSN degree from a CCNE, ACEN, or CNEA accredited institution. Recommended 3.0 cumulative GPA.
- If you are admitted, the School of Nursing will complete a transcript (gap) analysis for all students whose entry level nursing degree(s) and/or applied credits are received from a non-CCNE accredited nursing program to determine any gaps in meeting the Essentials of Entry Level Professional Nursing Education.
- Active nurse practitioners should have completed Advanced Health Assessment, Advanced Pathophysiology, and Advanced Pharmacology courses. Recommended grade of “B” or better.
- Applicants with an MSN in a non-NP area:
- These applicants will be required to take Advanced Health Assessment, Advanced Pharmacology, and Advanced Pathophysiology at Shenandoah before progressing to specialty courses and should apply for a fall semester start.
- All transcripts from non-U.S. based institutions must be course-by-course evaluated by a NACES or AICE academic credential evaluation company to obtain equivalency information on courses, grades, and degrees earned. Upload a copy of this course-by-course evaluation to serve as your unofficial transcript from that institution. Please note: If choosing to upload an unofficial evaluation, please contact the evaluating agency to ensure the same official version can be sent at a later date. Unofficial and official evaluations must be conducted by the same evaluation company to ensure consistency. See full international documentation requirements here.
- Because academic programs vary among countries, students who complete degree programs outside of the United States must document that they have earned prior nursing degrees from accredited universities.
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- If the applicant attended school within the last five years, at least one from a previous faculty member at most recent institution. At least one from an individual who can attest to clinical experience. It is recommended that one of the references be from a doctorally-prepared nurse.
- References will be sent a link to an electronic form to complete once you save their email address into the application form
- Professional current Resume/C.V.
- Essay (250-500 words) answering the following question:
- Why are you choosing to pursue the FNP, PMHNP, or Nurse Midwife role?
- Unencumbered RN license – Multi-state or individual state (must obtain licensure in the state in which you do clinical rotations)
- Copy of Advanced Practice Nursing certification, as applicable. Applicants without national certification will be individually evaluated and must submit evidence of their specialty expertise.
- Completion of 2,080 documented RN or APRN (direct patient care) hours
Applicants to the PGC Nurse-Midwifery program are recommended to have experience in birth settings.
- Language Proficiency Requirement must be met. Submission of TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo English Test (DET) may be required. See our policy for full details.
- Videointerview submission. Please record and answer required questions (see application submission form for more instructions).
- Describe your nursing experience including any leadership roles (committees, precepting, charge, etc).
- Discuss one life experience that has influenced your decision to return to graduate school or become an APRN.
- What is the role of the specialty you plan to pursue: Family Nurse Practitioner, Psych Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, or Nurse-Midwife?
- Why did you choose Shenandoah University?
- What do you see as the challenges of fitting graduate school into your current life?
- If we asked a colleague or family member, what would they say is a strength for you? What would they say is a weakness?
F-1, I-20 visas are not issued for these programs due to their online and part-time nature.
State Licensure Regulations
Shenandoah University is a participating institution in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). While Shenandoah offers reciprocity, some states have additional regulatory requirements from their state nursing board that may make it difficult to obtain NP or CNM licensure in that state after completing Shenandoah’s program even though we are a participating NC-SARA institution. Shenandoah University’s School of Nursing regularly reviews regulatory requirements. Please visit the School of Nursing’s accreditation website to review the list of states where our nurse practitioner (NP) and/or certified nurse-midwifery (CNM) programs are currently not approved.