Post-Master's Certificate in Nursing

The Post-Master's Certificate in Nursing program is designed to build upon the master's degree. The student may select one of the following concentrations:

Post-Master’s Certificate in Nursing: Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner: This concentration focuses on the outpatient care of adolescents and adults. The program's total credits range from 26 to 35 and can be completed in 3-7 semesters.

Post-Master’s Certificate in Nursing: Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner: This concentration focuses on the outpatient care of children from birth to early adulthood. The program's total credits range from 26 to 35 and can be completed in 3-7 semesters.

Post-Master’s Certificate in Nursing: Nurse Educator: This concentration focuses on the education of nurses in various settings (i.e., academic, acute care and outpatient facilities). The program's total credits range from 15 to 23 and can be completed in 3-5 semesters.

The objectives of the Post-Master’s Certificate program are:

Objective 1: Integrate advanced knowledge from nursing science and other disciplines to deliver person-centered, community-based care for diverse populations across the lifespan and in varied healthcare settings.

Objective 2: Demonstrate professional competence in the role of advanced practice nurse or nurse educator through the application of evidence-based practice, clinical judgment, ethical and legal principles, leadership and interprofessional collaboration.

Objective 3: Evaluate, apply and contribute to nursing and related research by identifying research priorities, applying research methods and integrating findings to improve outcomes.

Objective 4: Participate as a systems-level leader by applying systems thinking, informatics, health policy advocacy and resource stewardship to improve healthcare outcomes and ensure equitable, high-quality care.

Objective 5: Engage in lifelong learning, reflective practice and ethical reasoning to support professional growth and cultural accountability in delivering safe, compassionate and equitable care.

The following requirements need to be met for an admission application to be considered:

• Completion of the online application at Online Application.

• Master's Degree in nursing or equivalent from an accredited nursing program.

• Official transcripts from all previous programs.

• Cumulative (All college credits) GPA of 3.25 or higher - applicants who attended a program with mostly or all pass/fail grades will not be considered competitive.

• Official TOEFL/IELTS scores for International Students. TOEFL score may be required by applicants for whom English is not their first language.

• Three letters of Recommendation addressing academic ability and practical knowledge/skills from master's- or doctoral-prepared individuals (supervisors, MDs, NPs, etc.).

  • Prefer one from a nursing faculty from your undergraduate program, one from a supervisor, and one from a health care professional who is familiar with your clinical skills.

• Professional Resume or Curriculum Vitae.

• Unencumbered, active South Carolina license as APRN (NP or EDU programs) or RN (EDU program).

• Clinical practice experience:

  • For nurse practitioner tracks: minimum of 400 hours in the previous 12 months. Clinical Practice Form. Applicants with a lapse of clinical practice of greater than 12 months may be required to take additional courses.
  • For education tracks: no minimum clinical experience required.

• Submit a personal statement addressing the following:

  • NP applicants: Describe the advanced practice role you are seeking and the scope for which you are seeking certification. Describe how this program will advance your professional goals.
  • Education applicants: What interests you in nursing education, and why do you want to pursue an advanced role? How will the Clemson University program advance your professional goals?

• Copy of APRN specialty board certification (if applicable). For any of the nurse practitioner post-master’s certificates, applicants must currently hold national certification in one of the following advance practice registered nurse specialties: Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, Adult Nurse Practitioner, Certified Nurse Midwife, Family Nurse Practitioner, Geriatric Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health nurse Practitioner, Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist applicants are acceptable for the EDU certificate).

  Post-Admission Requirements 

  • • • Background Check. Negative results from a background check may preclude students from completing the clinical requirements thus preventing completion of the program.

      • Professional liability insurance.

      • Upon acceptance, students will be notified of additional requirements, including but not limited to BLS, a drug screen, and vaccine history.

  The Post-Master’s Certificate tracks applications for a Summer or Fall start (May or August). The start date and plan of study will be based on an evaluation of prior academic work and a GAP analysis of the courses/experiences needed for advanced practice certification. Each plan of study will be developed individually, and some required courses may be waived upon completion of equivalent coursework and clinical experience. Please see the Graduate School page for deadlines and application details. The deadline for applications is February 15th each year.

Nursing Scholarships

Nursing scholarships are available through Clemson University and the School of Nursing.

Please visit the Financial Aid website for Clemson University scholarship information.

Additional scholarships and awards are available in the Spring semester through the School of Nursing. Details and application forms are emailed directly to students in the spring. Please see the list below and contact Mrs. Angie Newton for more information. 

External nursing scholarships can be found on the AACN website.

If you are an international student, please review this information carefully as it will tell you how to have your information evaluated and also how to obtain the proper licensure:

As you know, in order to apply for CUSON graduate nursing programs, an applicant must hold an earned bachelor's/baccalaureate degree in nursing and an unrestricted Registered Nurse license in South Carolina and the states where students will be completing clinical hours.    We also need the verification of clinical hours form completed.

Earned Bachelor's/Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing:  You will submit your transcripts as the Graduate School will affirm that foreign nurse graduates have graduated from a bachelor's degree program in nursing in their home country. 

Licensed as a Registered Nurse in the United States: 

The Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools was established to support graduates of foreign nursing programs in their pursuit of lawful credentialing as Registered Nurses in the United States.  

Below is a brief description and links that provide detailed information, you will work with CGFNS to provide us with the information needed.  

About CGFNS International, Inc.

Founded in 1977 by the American Nurses Association (ANA) and the National League for Nursing (NLN) and based in Philadelphia, the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) International is an immigration-neutral not-for-profit organization proudly serving as the world’s largest credentials evaluation organization for the nursing and allied health professions. CGFNS International is an NGO in Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and is a member of the Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations (CoNGO). For more information, visit https://www.cgfns.org and https://www.cgfns.org/professions/registered-nurses/

CGFNS International is an immigration neutral nonprofit organization that helps foreign educated healthcare professionals live and work in their country of choice by assessing and validating their academic and professional credentials.  We provide foreign students and healthcare professionals with a comprehensive assessment of their academic records to facilitate their successful admission to schools in the US and other countries.  We help protect migrating healthcare professionals by advocating for ethical recruitment practices and continuously monitoring the global landscape for developing trends in employment recruitment and workplace norms.  CGFNS International is an NGO in Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), which serves as the central forum for international and social issues.

Once you have obtained the information from CGFNS for evaluation, authentication and verification, please include with your application for review.

The Master of Science nursing program is offered exclusively at our satellite office in Greenville, South Carolina on the campus of Greenville Memorial Hospital.

Ellen Chiles
Graduate Student Services Coordinator
The Clemson University Nursing building
(864) 720-2052
achiles@clemson.edu