Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate (Post-Master's)

Required Courses

NUR-631Advanced Health Assessment3
NUR-631LAdvanced Health Assessment Lab1
NUR-632Advanced Pharmacology3
NUR-633Advanced Physiology & Pathophysiology3
NUR-634Health Promotion-Children & Families3
NUR-635Health Promotion-Women3
NUR-637Health Promotion Adults Aging Population3
NUR-638Fnp Practicum in Pediatrics In Pediatrics3
NUR-639FNP Practicum-Women Health Care3
NUR-640Clinical Practicum in Adult Health I1
NUR-641Clinical Practicum in Adult Health II4
Total Credits30

Total required for Post-Masters Certificate in Family Nurse Practitioner: 301

1

An individual gap analysis assessment will be made of each applicant's transcripts to determine what additional courses or clinical hours may be needed to satisfy the program requirements.

Admissions Requirements

In addition to the general admission requirements for the graduate programs at D'Youville University, applicants to the post-master's certificate must present the following:

1. Completed online graduate application for admissions (no application fee).

2. Completed masters of science degree in nursing from a CCNE accredited institution.

3. Evidence of capability to succeed in a graduate program based on an overall GPA of at least a 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). 

4. All official graduate transcripts. 

5. GPA for admissions decisions:

     A. GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or greater is required for unconditional admission to master’s programs

     B. GPA of 2.75-2.99 is eligible for provisional admission status. Students must successfully complete two faculty determined graduate courses with a grade of B or better in the first semester to attain full admission in the second semester of study.  Students who earn a grade less than B will not be permitted to repeat the course and will be ineligible to continue in the program.

     C. Applicants with a GPA of 2.70-2.74 and a baccalaureate degree in nursing earned more than five years ago and who have achieved significant professional success as documented on curricula vitae are eligible for consideration of provisional admission.

6. Active, unencumbered licensure as a registered nurse in New York state or Ontario if Canadian.

7. Current CPR Certification with psychomotor component.

8. At least one year of experience as a registered nurse.

9. A descriptive statistics course or equivalent with a grade of C or better. 

10. Optional: Applicants who wish to strengthen their submission packet are encouraged to submit two references on clinical performance with one reference from a professional with an advanced degree attesting to the clinical knowledge, skills, leadership and the ability to be a good applicant. Other acceptable references include supervisor, manager or former professor. 

11. Optional: Applicants who wish to strengthen their submission packet are encouraged to submit a writing assignment on their philosophy of nursing, 2 pages in length, double space and 12-point font that includes philosophy of nursing focused on past experience, what influencing nursing has had on your career, why you chose to pursue this degree, how you see this degree enhancing your career and how you will utilize this degree to advance patient care and health care outcomes.

12. A student who meets the entry requirements and is currently enrolled or previously enrolled in the Nurse Practitioner program or Doctor of Nursing Practice program at another college or university, must obtain a letter from that School of Nursing stating that the student is in good standing, not on probation, and able to register for classes. Students who were dismissed from a graduate or doctoral program will not be considered for admission.

Academic Regulations

In addition to the general academic regulations, all matriculated students in the nurse practitioner program must fulfill these requirements:

  1. Completion of 40 credit-hours (Master of Science) or 30 credit-hours (Post-Master’s certificate) as required.
  2. Students on academic probation are limited to six credits per semester while on probation.
    1. Students in Graduate Nursing Programs are expected to maintain a cumulative and semester GPA of 3.0. Students who do not maintain this GPA will be reviewed by the Progression and Retention Committee for academic consequences. A student who has less than a 3.0 GPA in either semester or cumulative, at any time will be placed on academic probation for the next semester or summer session. At the end of the probation period, the student’s file will be reviewed by the program Graduate Progression and Retention committee. If the student’s cumulative or semester GPA is a minimum of 3.0, the student will be removed from probation.
    2.  If the student does not achieve the 3.0 cumulative or semester GPA after a first probation, the graduate progression and retention committee may consider a second semester of probation. If a minimum of 3.0 GPA (cumulative or semester) is not achieved after a second probation, the student will automatically be ineligible to continue in their program.
    3. A student will be allowed probationary status for no more than two semesters during the entire graduate program. The student will automatically be ineligible to continue in their program if in excess of two semesters.
  3. Students cannot register for clinical courses in the N.P. program until formally accepted into the program.
  4. Family Nurse Practitioner certificate students are required to receive at least a B in all courses required for the FNP degree. Students who receive less than a B, including a B-, C+, C or lower in these courses, will have to repeat that course, will be placed on probation and cannot take any of the clinical practicum courses until they raise their grade in the applicable course to at least a B. They are also limited to six credits while on probation.
  5. Student responsibilities: The nurse practitioner program is a demanding program in coursework, time, commitment and financial obligation. Due to these responsibilities for the program, students should seriously evaluate the impact that employment may have on their clinical performance and academic progress.