Post-Master’s Certificate Admissions

​​Application Deadline

October 15th
for Summer admission

Fall Deadlines: March 1 and July 1

Priority Fall (September) Start – Application Deadline: March 1 – Apply by this date for priority consideration and to receive your admission decision sooner.
Final Fall (September) Start – Application Deadline: July 1 – Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until this date, with full consideration for all applicants.

Admission Criteria

• Bachelor’s degree in nursing and advanced practice degree (MSN or DNP) from nationally accredited programs
• GPA of 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale
• Current unencumbered RN license. A NJ or Compact State RN license will be required after acceptance to the program and within the first semester of study. Students are required to maintain current licensure throughout the program.
• Successful completion of an undergraduate descriptive/inferential statistics course and physical assessment course

• Personal and Goal statements ‐ Applicants are expected to submit a concise essay (no more than 2 pages) addressing the following:
  • How have your personal qualities and experiences influenced your career choice and how will they contribute to attaining this certificate?
  • Discuss your reasons for choosing this specialty in relation to your career goals. How will this certificate impact your care of the population you expect to serve after graduation?

• Two letters of reference that attest to the applicant’s academic ability, professional competency, and personal character. The letters should be provided by a former faculty or a professional colleague and at least one letter should be from an individual in a supervisory role.
• Resume/CV
• Official transcript(s) of all prior college work
• Fully submitted online application including paid application fee
• If necessary, an interview may be offered to qualified applicants.
• Newly admitted students must submit updated official transcripts/documents verifying completion of all “in progress” degrees, coursework, or licensure before starting the program. Failure to comply will result in admission being rescinded.

*Please note that GRE testing is not required.

Requirements for Certain Specialties

• Post-Master’s Certificate Nurse Practitioner students who did not complete Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacology, and/or Advanced Physical Assessment during their previous graduate studies or prior to admission will be required to take these courses. A gap analysis to determine what/if any additional courses are required for the respective program will be completed by the Specialty/Program Director upon admission.
• The Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate requires current certification as an PNP/FNP from PNCB or ANCC as well as a current APRN license in NJ. Applicants should already have an MSN or DNP degree as a Pediatric or Family Nurse Practitioner.
• For the Nurse Midwifery application, a Personal Statement, limited to one page which includes the following:
  • Describe your personal experiences and qualities that demonstrate your interest in and dedication to working in midwifery.
  • What are your professional goals as a midwife and how will the Rutgers program further your achievement of those goals?

Application Tips

• Applicants can view their most current admissions status through the online application system.
• The online application contains an admissions checklist which must be completed in order to be considered for admission to the program.
• Applicants are required to submit admission documents through the online application system (the applicant checklist).
• Applicants are required to submit official transcripts for all previous college work.
  • Electronic transcripts (recommended) can be sent to transcripts_nursing@gradadm.rutgers.edu
  • Paper transcripts can be sent to Office of Admissions & Recruitment – School of Nursing, 65 Bergen St. (Room 601), Newark, NJ 07107
• For Rutgers Graduates Only: The School of Nursing Admissions Office will automatically obtain your Rutgers academic transcript after you submit your online application. You do not need to provide it yourself. However, you must still submit transcripts from any non-Rutgers schools you attended.

Once the admissions process begins, applicants with fully completed applications (all supporting documentation received) generally receive their admissions decision within 2-3 weeks.

Gap Analysis

Upon admission to the program, a gap analysis will occur to determine the proper plan of study based on previous credits/degrees earned. In some cases, prospective post-master’s certificate students may be advised to pursue an alternate path, such as an MSN or DNP program at Rutgers SON, to reach their certification goals.

International Applicants

In addition to the criteria and requirements above, applicants must submit an official review of transcripts by either World Education Services or CGFNS International, Inc., as well as TOEFL or IELTS results. 

Scores for TOEFL or IELTS

A TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) test score is required if an applicant’s undergraduate education was completed in a non-English speaking country.

• Scores must be current within two years of the semester to which applicants are applying.
• Applicants are exempt from submitting TOEFL or IELTS scores if they are a Permanent Resident, US citizen, or an international applicant with a minimum of three years of undergraduate studies or a master’s degree with the mode of instruction being English.*
• Applicants missing required test scores will not be reviewed by the graduate admissions committee.
• The minimum IBT (internet-based) TOEFL scores are as follows: Writing 22, Speaking 23, Reading 21, Listening 17.
• An acceptable IELTS score is a minimum bandwidth of 7.
• Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in the reading, writing, and speaking English to effectively communicate with graduate faculty and university administrators.

Learn more about your application process.

Licensure & Clinical Compliance for Nursing Programs

• Post-Master’s Certificate Curriculum