Programs

This 12 or 21 credit certificate program is designed to assist RNs who have Master's degrees in nursing to acquire the knowledge and clinical experience that will prepare them to sit for a gerontological, adult, or family nurse practitioner certification examination.

Applicants who have not yet completed the required prerequisites can search for course availability here.

Program Highlights:

• Prepare RNs with MS degrees to sit for national certification exams as gero, adult, or family nurse practitioners.
• The 21-credit option can be completed in two semesters (full-time), or four semesters (part-time)

Learn more about this program:
To receive more information and connect with the program manager, please click on inquire now to the right.

Sample a Course

Click here for more information on the Post Master's Nurse Practitioner Certificate Program.

Registration is administered through Division of Corporate, Continuing, and Distance Education at UMass Boston. Payment is due upon registration. Please see Fee Schedule below.

Type of Fee	Amount
Fee per credit	$463.33
Late Reg. Fee per semester*	$25
Returned Check Fee per semester**	$25
Total for course***	$1390 (463.33x3 credits= 1390)

Click here to browse our course listings.

*applicable when you register after deadline; non-refundable unless course has been cancelled

** applicable when checks returned unpaid

*** Courses can vary from one to six credits; this total represents a standard 3 credit course

Please note that the lab fee for all graduate courses is $55.00 per course

The University of Massachusetts is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).

Did you know?

University of Massachusetts has earned several awards for its distance learning programs, faculty and technology including:

• UMassOnline Awarded ‘Public Sector of the Year’ by Mass Technology Leadership Council , 2008
  
• Most Outstanding Online Teaching and Learning Program, UMass Lowell’s Online Graduate Behavioral Intervention in Autism Program, Sloan Consortium Excellence Awards, 2008
  
• ‘Excellence in Online Teaching’ Award, Dr. Jeannette E. Riley, Sloan Consortium Excellence Awards, 2008
  
• 21st Century Best Practices Award, United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA)
  
• Program of Excellence, University Continuing Education Association (UCEA)-Journalism Certificate
  
• Excellence in Faculty Development, Sloan-C Excellence Awards
  
• Excellence in Online Programming, Sloan-C Excellence Awards
  
• Excellence in Online Teaching, Sloan-C Excellence Awards
  
• UMass Amherst Isenberg MBA, Top 10 national rankings, #4 Best Professors (2005, 2006, 2007 Princeton Review: Best Business Schools rankings)
  
• 4th in Primary Care Education, U.S. World Reports
  
• Ranked 45th Best University System in the World - London Times
  
• Excellence in Distance Teaching Education - United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) 

Nurses holding current nurse practitioner certification may apply for the 12-credit option. Nurse Practitioner's who have an Master's in nursing from an accredited institution may apply for the 21-credit certificate program. Prerequisites include evidence of graduate course work in advanced health assessment, advanced pathophysiology and advanced pharmacology.

Prerequisites

Prerequisites for either program includes evidence of graduate course work in advanced health assessment, advanced pathophysiology and advanced pharmacology. Interested applicants who do show evidence of these pre-requisite courses should consult the College of Nursing and Health Sciences course schedule.

Clinical Experiences

All students in the 21-credit option must complete 560 hours of documented clinical experience. Students in the 12-credit option must complete 280 hours of clinical experience in the in the chosen specialty. All practicum experiences are subject to the approval of the certificate program coordinator and the agency providing must be under contract with the UMass Boston College of Nursing. Students are advised that preceptors must be either Master's prepared NPs, or MDs with current licensure.

Students need to contact the program director in order to arrange their practicum. Prior to beginning the clinical practicum all students are subject to clinical clearance required of all students in the generic master's program.

Admission Requirements

Applicants should indicate in their statement of interests and intent whether they are applying to the Family or Gerontology/Adult Nurse program of study 12 or 21 credit options. Only currently certified NPs can be considered for acceptance into the 12-credit option. A personal interview may be required; the Chair of the Graduate Admissions Committee will inform applicants of their admission to the program.

In addition to the general admission requirements for all graduate studies programs listed in the "Admissions" section of the Graduate Admission Application (pdf), prospective students applying to the post-master's nurse certificate programs must also meet the following requirements:

1. A master's degree in nursing from an NLNAC or CCNE approved graduate program in nursing.
2. A minimum cumulative grade point average in undergraduate work of 2.75.
3. A minimum cumulative grade point average in graduate work of 3.0.
4. Evidence of passing grades of B or better in graduate level courses in Advanced Health Assessment, Advanced Pharmacology and Advanced Health Assessment within the past 7 years.
5. A current unrestricted Massachusetts license in nursing or a current license in another state in which the student lives or is doing their clinical practicum.
6. Evidence of at least two years of strong professional nursing experience.
7. Evidence of clinical placement commitments (necessary to fulfill the clinical objectives of the certificate) for master's-prepared nurse practitioners.
8. Evidence of national certifications in advanced practice nursing specialty.
9. Applicants are not required to submit Graduate Record Examination Scores.
10. If you are applying for Financial Aid, please fill out the FAFSA form at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Availability of financial aid varies depending on matriculation and course status. Please check with your program manager or advisor to determine your eligibility. Generally, if you are matriculated in a degree program and are enrolled in a minimum of 6 credits each semester, you may qualify for financial aid. Please review our Financial Aid Checklist below.

1. Fill out the FAFSA form at www.fafsa.ed.gov. It is important to list the University of Massachusetts Boston school code number 002222.
2. Next, download your required Financial Aid Forms here.
3. Check your financial aid status using WISER.
4. For more information or if you have further questions, please contact Financial Aid Services at 617.287.6300 or at finaid@umb.edu

Tips:

• Please renew your FAFSA form every year.
• When you register for classes, please contact the Division of Corporate, Continuing, and Distance Education at UMass Boston (617) 287-7916) to let them know you that you have applied/are applying for financial aid. Also, it is in your best interest to register for your classes either by phone or fax ((617) 287-7916 ph; (617) 287-7902). You can download the registration form here. If you do not intend to apply for financial aid, you can register online.

Contact:

For more information or if you have further questions, please contact Financial Aid Services at 617.287.6300 or at finaid@umb.edu.