How to Apply to an Advanced Certificate Program

How to apply to the Advanced Certificate Programs at the University of Rochester.

The University of Rochester School of Nursing uses a comprehensive, holistic review process during which each application receives individual consideration. For this program, we seek applicants who:

• clearly understand the specialty role to which they are seeking admission
• are highly motivated
• demonstrate intellectual curiosity
• are committed to upholding the values of the school and advanced practice role

Program Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following requirements to be eligible for the Advanced Certificate programs:

• Bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited school or equivalent master’s RN license-qualifying degree in nursing (e.g., direct master’s entry [DME])
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 from master’s degree
• Completion of the following courses* with a grade of C or above:
  • Advanced Pharmacology
  • Advanced Pathophysiology
  • Advanced Physical Assessment
• RN licensure from New York State
• English language proficiency

Depending on chosen Advanced Certificate program, there may be additional requirements for master's degree and experience. These are:

• NP Advanced Certificates – completion of a master’s degree as an advanced practice nurse (Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, CRNA, or Certified Nurse Midwife) from an accredited school of nursing.
  • Neonatal NP Advanced Certificate – completion of a master’s degree in maternal-infant or maternal-child health or pediatrics
  • Acute Care NP Advanced Certificate – completion of a master’s degree as a pediatric nurse practitioner from an accredited school and one year experience in a pediatric acute care setting.
• CNL Advanced Certificate: Completion of a baccalaureate degree in nursing and a master’s degree in leadership (e.g. MBA, MHA, MSL, MEDL, MSOL)
• Nursing Education (Clinical) Advanced Certificate: Completion of a baccalaureate degree in nursing and a master’s degree in education (e.g. MEd, M.A.Ed, MSE, MAE)
• Nursing Education (Education) Advanced Certificate: Completion of a master’s degree as an advanced practice nurse (Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, CRNA, or Certified Nurse Midwife) from an accredited school of nursing

*Students may require advanced health assessment credits (variable) based on selected specialty population focus in the Advanced Certificate program if their previous graduate coursework did not cover the new population (e.g., a PNP pursuing an FNP advanced certificate would need advanced adult health assessment content if the PNP program only covered children).

Application Requirements

To complete an application for the Advanced Certificate programs, you will need to create an account and complete all sections of the application. All applicants are required to submit the following materials at the time of application:

• Official transcripts from all schools attended
• Two letters of recommendation from academic or professional references
• Current resume or CV
• TOEFL, IELTS, or DET scores for applicants who are non-native English speakers

Learn more about how to upload these materials.

Short Answer Responses & Essay Prompts

As part of the application for an Advanced Certificate Program, you will answer five questions (each with a 200-word limit). Questions will vary depending on chosen Advanced Certificate program.

All Nurse Practitioner Advanced Certificate applicants will also be required to submit a 500-word essay.

Once you complete your application, you may receive a follow-up email to schedule an interview with members of our Admissions Review Committee. We look forward to reviewing your application!

Start your application