Mar 28, 2024  
2007-2008 Graduate Catalog 
    
2007-2008 Graduate Catalog [NOTE!!!! THIS IS AN ARCHIVED CATALOG. FOR THE CURRENT CATALOG, GO TO CATALOG.NIU.EDU]

Family Nurse Practitioner (29)


Certificate of Graduate Study

Two Certificate of Graduate Study programs are offered in the School of Nursing. The curriculum for each program is configured for part-time students and takes a minimum of four semesters to complete. Students may choose to complete the program more slowly or enroll full time if they have prerequisites to complete.  Students who have deficiencies in prerequisite courses may be able to take them at the same time they are taking the series of courses. Students must receive a minimum grade of B in all classes taken for the certificate and their prerequisites and maintain a minimum graduate GPA of 3.00 to remain in the course of study.

Admission to pursue the certificate of graduate study program requires compliance with the following standards of the School of Nursing. 

  • Current licensure as a registered nurse in Illinois with no encumbrances.
  • Completion of an NLN or CCNE accredited nursing master’s degree program.
  • Two letters of recommendation from persons who are familiar with the individual’s clinical expertise, ability to function in an independent role, and motivation to complete a certificate of graduate study program of study.

    An interview may be requested by the Graduate Admissions Committee.

    The Family Nurse Practitioner certificate requires 29 semester hours of post-master’s study which includes class lectures, simulated laboratory experiences, and 659 hours of clinical experiences with designated preceptors. The purpose of the course of study is to provide the course work and clinical experience to become family nurse practitioners upon the successful completion of the nationally administered Family Nurse Practitioner Certification Examination.

    Prerequisites for admission into the course of study leading toward the certificate include a master’s degree in nursing from a program accredited by the National League of Nursing (NLN) Accrediting Commission or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), an introductory health assessment course (equivalent to NURS 306 and NURS 306A), a graduate-level pathophysiology course within the last ten years, and an advanced community health nursing analysis and application course (equivalent to NURS 515 or NURS 571). Courses included in master’s degrees other than NIU’s will be evaluated on an individual basis.