Post Master’s Certificate Programs

Post Master’s Certification in Nursing

ASU’s Master of Science in Nursing programs are offered online through Blackboard, a course delivery system. On-campus attendance requirements are kept to a minimum and are dependent upon the educational track to which you are accepted. Clinical requirements can usually be completed in the student’s city of residence (within Texas) or at the nearest approved clinical site(s), provided course objectives are met. Preceptors at approved clinical site(s) are subject to approval per course requirements and expected course objectives.

Graduate education in nursing prepares nurses to assume leadership roles in nursing practice, education and administration. Whereas all advanced practice nurses share professional characteristics of graduate nursing preparation, roles differ in clinical application.

Students have the option of choosing one of these areas of specialization:

• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) – Provides direct care to families and individuals across the lifespan and interfaces with other provider team members to supply broad-based comprehensive health care
• Nurse Educator – Gives graduates with advanced nursing knowledge an additional nursing education focus. Graduates are prepared to teach in a variety of nursing programs, including at the vocational, associate and baccalaureate level.
• Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) – Designed for certified advanced practice nurses with little or no perioperative nursing experience who wish to become an RN First Assistant during operative and other invasive procedures.

Post Master’s Certification in Nursing

Application Information
Applicants must submit:

• Post Master’s Certificate in Nursing Program Application
• Register Nurse First Assistant program: proof of current unencumbered licensure or eligibility for unencumbered licensure as a registered professional nurse in the state where the clinical practicum requirements will be completed.
• Family Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Educator program: proof of current unencumbered license to practice as a Registered Nurse in Texas is required. MSN Core Curriculum and Advanced Practice Practicums are required to be completed in Texas.
• Three professional letters of recommendation.
• Copy of CPR card
• A completed Student Immunization Record Form
• A completed Criminal Background Check through the agency contracted by the nursing program

Prerequisites

These programs are available to individuals who already have a master’s degree:

• Family Nurse Practitioner: To enter the program and be eligible for national certification, individuals must hold a master’s degree with a major in nursing.
• Nurse Educator: This program benefits registered nurses with a non-nursing master’s degree or M.S.N. graduates who want to develop expertise in curriculum development, teaching strategies (including online strategies) and evaluation.
• Registered Nurse First Assistant: Prerequisites are certification as an advanced practice nurse, BCLS (ACLS preferred) and basic computer skills.

Preferred Application Deadlines

Fall Enrollment: July 1
Spring Enrollment: Oct. 1

Certificate Plans

  Family Nurse Practitioner Courses (25 semester credit hours)

• NUR 6324* Advanced Pathophysiology
• NUR 6318* Pharmacotherapeutics
• NUR 6331* Advanced Health Assessment
• NUR 6105 Advanced Skills for Advanced Practice Nurses
• NUR 6325 Family Primary Care I
• NUR 6327 Family Care I Practicum
• NUR 6326 Family Primary Care II
• NUR 6336 Family Care II Practicum
• NUR 6337 Integrated Clinical Practice
• NUR 6351 Mental Health Concepts for Advanced Practice Nurses
• NUR 6335 Role Development: The Advanced Practice Nurse
• NUR 6350 Foundations of Health Promotion for Individuals and Communities

*May be waived if student has successfully completed equivalent courses in the last five years.

Nurse Educator Courses (12 semester credit hours)

• NUR 6319 Curriculum and Instruction in Nursing Education
• NUR 6306 Teaching Strategies in Nursing Education
• NUR 6307 Evaluation in Nursing Education
• NUR 6308 Practicum in Nursing Education

Registered Nurse First Assistant Courses (7 semester credit hours)

• NUR 6309 Role of the RNFA
• NUR 6401 RNFA Practicum