Adult/Gerontology and Family Nurse Practitioner (NP) Post Master’s

Prerequisites
Prerequisites for either program includes evidence of graduate course work in advanced health assessment, advanced pathophysiology and advanced pharmacology. Interested applicants who do show evidence of these pre-requisite courses should consult the College of Nursing and Health Sciences course schedule. If the applicant’s coursework in advanced pharmacology took place more than 5 years ago, they will need to repeat the course.
Clinical Experiences
All students in the 21-credit option must complete 600 hours of documented clinical experience. Students in the 12-credit option must complete 300 hours of clinical experience in the in the chosen specialty. All practicum experiences are subject to the approval of the certificate program director. The agency must be under contract agreement with the UMass Boston College of Nursing and Health Sciences which will be facilitated by the program assistant. Students are advised that preceptors must be either Master’s prepared NPs, or MDs with current licensure.
Students need to arrange their own practicum. Students should download the appropriate sample letter and working agreement to present to potential clinical sites (Letter for In-MA Clinical Site; Letter for Out-of-MA Clinical Site). The practicum site must sign the agreement before students can participate in class.

Admission Requirements

Applicants should indicate in their statement of interests and intent whether they are applying to the Family or Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (NP) Post Master’s Certificate program of study 12- or 21-credit options. Only Master’s prepared currently certified adult, pediatric, or gerontology NPs can be considered for acceptance into the 12-credit option. A personal telephone interview may be required. The UMass Boston Graduate Admissions Director will inform applicants of their admission to the program. Following admission, students should contact the Director of the Post Master’s Certificate program by email.

In addition to the general admission requirements for all graduate studies programs listed in the "Admissions" section of the Graduate Admission Application (pdf), prospective students applying to the post master’s nurse practitioner certificate programs must meet the following requirements:

  1. A master’s degree in nursing from an NLNAC or CCNE approved graduate program in nursing.
  2. A minimum cumulative grade point average in undergraduate work of 2.75.
  3. A minimum cumulative grade point average in graduate work of 3.0.
  4. A GPA of B 3.0 in undergraduate and or graduate level science courses.
  5. Evidence of passing grades of B or better in graduate level courses in Advanced Pharmacology (within 5 years), Advanced Health Assessment, and Advanced Health Assessment within the past 7 years for non NPs or non certified NPs.
  6. Evidence of B or better in Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse or evidence of integration within the prior master’s in nursing program.
  7. A current unrestricted Massachusetts license in nursing or a current license in another state in which the student lives or is doing their clinical practicum.
  8. References: Two professional references describing your clinical practice skills, ethics, and reliability for the most recent two years of your clinical practice experience; one academic reference describing your academic performance, and reliability as a student.
  9. Written essay of 500 words describing the nature of your professional goals and time frame for the completing the program of study; evidence supporting the nature of the clinical placement commitments (necessary to fulfill the clinical objectives of the specialty certificate desired).
  10. Current professional resume indicating all higher education institutions attended and professional work experience.
  11. Evidence of national certification in advanced practice nursing specialty if applying to the 12 credit option.
  12. Applicants are not required to submit Graduate Record Examination Scores.
Applications may also be obtained from:
Graduate Admissions Office
University of Massachusetts Boston
100 Morrissey Boulevard
Boston, MA 02125-3393
Tel 617.287.6400