Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist
Post-Graduate Certificate
Online
Course Delivery
27
Total Credits
$867
Credit Hour
1.5 years
Minimum Duration
Program Details
The post-graduate certificate is designed for certified Advanced Practice Registered Nurses who want to extend their scope of practice to provide broader care for patients outside their original area of practice that they studied previously in graduate school. Through five courses, the Michigan State University online nursing program prepares professionals to work as Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialists and provide patient care for adults across the lifespan and possess the knowledge required to effectively educate others. The courses are fully online with clinicals arranged where you live.
Program Outcomes
Students who complete the post-graduate certificate will be eligible to sit for certification as an Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist.
Career Outlook
Students will be prepared to earn certification as an Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist. The program gives Advanced Practice Registered Nurses knowledge and skills to advance the quality of care by leading practice change innovations, integrating evidence-based practice guidelines, and collaborating across disciplines to improve patient outcomes and achieve sustainable healthcare outcomes.
A Top-Ranked Education
- #143 Best Online Master's Nursing Programs — U.S. News & World Report, 2025
- 63rd among Best Public Universities in America — U.S. News & World Report, 2025
Dr. Jackeline Iseler
Assistant Professor and Director of Clinical Nurse Specialist Program
Course Information
NUR 931 - Wellness Promotion for Diverse Populations (3 Credits)NUR 932 - Clinical Decision Making and Management of Acute Chronic Complex Conditions (6 Credits)
NUR 933 - Clinical Nurse Specialist Advanced Practice Role Development I (6 Credits)
NUR 934 - Clinical Nurse Specialist Advanced Practice Role Development II (6 Credits)
NUR 935 - Clinical Nurse Specialist Advanced Practice Role Development III (6 Credits)
Admissions Requirements
To be accepted to this program, you must have:
- A master's degree
- Hold a master’s degree in nursing from an accredited college or university.
- 3.0 GPA or above on a 4.0 scale
- A license/certificate required
- Possess a current unrestricted license to practice nursing as a registered nurse in the applicant's state or country and specialty certification. Possess current certification from a U.S. National Certifying Board as an NP, CNS, CRNA or CNM.
- Curriculum Vitae or Résumé
- A written personal statement
- Submit a written essay that addresses the applicant’s career goals and motivations for additional graduate study in the selected area of specialty nursing practice; nurse practitioner, or adult-gerontology clinical nurse.
- 3 letters of recommendation
- The reference letters must be from a source that has direct knowledge of the applicant’s work and educational experience. Provide contact information for your recommenders and the MSU application system will provide instructions to them.
- Official transcripts from all previous schools
To apply to this program:
- Submit a university application and pay the application fee.
- Submit all required materials to the application portal.
- Complete an admission interview with the college of Nursing faculty. Recommendations for admission are made by the faculty committee to the Dean of the College based on the requirements for admission and the personal interview.
- If the applicant’s native language is not English, the applicant must complete the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum average score of 550, no subscore below 52 on the paper-based test (PBT). If the applicant completes the Internet-based test (iBT), no subscore below 19 for reading, listening, and speaking; no writing subscore below 22 and a minimum average score of 80. Applicants should have all test scores sent from the testing agency directly to the Michigan State University Office of Admissions.
Key Dates
Spring
Application Deadline
October 1st
Tuition & Fees per credit
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
$867
$1,111
Cost of Attendance
The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible. In addition to tuition and fees, there are other expenses associated with your Cost of Attendance. A breakdown of a graduate student budget can be found here.
Program Details
The post-graduate certificate is designed for certified Advanced Practice Registered Nurses who want to extend their scope of practice to provide broader care for patients outside their original area of practice that they studied previously in graduate school. Through five courses, the Michigan State University online nursing program prepares professionals to work as Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialists and provide patient care for adults across the lifespan and possess the knowledge required to effectively educate others. The courses are fully online with clinicals arranged where you live.
Program Outcomes
Students who complete the post-graduate certificate will be eligible to sit for certification as an Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist.
Career Outlook
Students will be prepared to earn certification as an Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist. The program gives Advanced Practice Registered Nurses knowledge and skills to advance the quality of care by leading practice change innovations, integrating evidence-based practice guidelines, and collaborating across disciplines to improve patient outcomes and achieve sustainable healthcare outcomes.
A Top-Ranked Education
- #143 Best Online Master's Nursing Programs — U.S. News & World Report, 2025
- 63rd among Best Public Universities in America — U.S. News & World Report, 2025
Dr. Jackeline Iseler
Assistant Professor and Director of Clinical Nurse Specialist Program
Course Information
NUR 931 - Wellness Promotion for Diverse Populations (3 Credits)NUR 932 - Clinical Decision Making and Management of Acute Chronic Complex Conditions (6 Credits)
NUR 933 - Clinical Nurse Specialist Advanced Practice Role Development I (6 Credits)
NUR 934 - Clinical Nurse Specialist Advanced Practice Role Development II (6 Credits)
NUR 935 - Clinical Nurse Specialist Advanced Practice Role Development III (6 Credits)
Admissions Requirements
To be accepted to this program, you must have:
- A master's degree
- Hold a master’s degree in nursing from an accredited college or university.
- 3.0 GPA or above on a 4.0 scale
- A license/certificate required
- Possess a current unrestricted license to practice nursing as a registered nurse in the applicant's state or country and specialty certification. Possess current certification from a U.S. National Certifying Board as an NP, CNS, CRNA or CNM.
- Curriculum Vitae or Résumé
- A written personal statement
- Submit a written essay that addresses the applicant’s career goals and motivations for additional graduate study in the selected area of specialty nursing practice; nurse practitioner, or adult-gerontology clinical nurse.
- 3 letters of recommendation
- The reference letters must be from a source that has direct knowledge of the applicant’s work and educational experience. Provide contact information for your recommenders and the MSU application system will provide instructions to them.
- Official transcripts from all previous schools
To apply to this program:
- Submit a university application and pay the application fee.
- Submit all required materials to the application portal.
- Complete an admission interview with the college of Nursing faculty. Recommendations for admission are made by the faculty committee to the Dean of the College based on the requirements for admission and the personal interview.
- If the applicant’s native language is not English, the applicant must complete the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum average score of 550, no subscore below 52 on the paper-based test (PBT). If the applicant completes the Internet-based test (iBT), no subscore below 19 for reading, listening, and speaking; no writing subscore below 22 and a minimum average score of 80. Applicants should have all test scores sent from the testing agency directly to the Michigan State University Office of Admissions.
Key Dates
Spring
Application Deadline
October 1st
Tuition & Fees per credit
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
$867
$1,111
Cost of Attendance
The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible. In addition to tuition and fees, there are other expenses associated with your Cost of Attendance. A breakdown of a graduate student budget can be found here.
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MSU’s nationally recognized online programs foster student growth and well-being throughout their academic career. We will expand inclusive mentoring practices and accelerate improvement across units to implement evidence-based practices to ensure our students complete successfully.
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