About This Program
The Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist graduate certificate provides nurses who already have a graduate nursing degree the additional specialized knowledge for the adult gerontology clinical nurse specialist role. The certificate meets the educational requirements for the national certification examination.
Contact Information
- Teresa Adams | tadams27@kent.edu |
330-672-8761
- Connect with an Admissions Counselor: U.S. Student | International Student
Program Delivery
- Delivery:
- Fully online
For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.
Admission Requirements
- Master's degree in nursing or a doctorate in nursing practice from an accredited nursing program
- Minimum 3.000 graduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
- Official transcript(s) of all previous graduate coursework1
- Active, unrestricted registered nurse license in the state in which practicum hours will be completed
- Curriculum vitae
- Goal statement (no more than 250 words) describing reasons for seeking the certificate in the identified specialty and professional goals (starting with spring 2026 admission term, goal statement is no longer required)
- Admission essay is required starting with spring 2026 admission term responding to the following questions (two pages, double spaced, 500 words):
- How do you plan to contribute to the nursing profession and healthcare community after earning your M.S.N. degree?
- How has your experience, professional development and service within the profession contributed to your readiness for graduate education?
- What experience do you have working as a nurse caring for the underserved, high-risk or vulnerable populations?
- Syllabi of all courses to considered for transfer in the gap analysis
- Three professional letters of reference from healthcare professionals, either a supervisor and/or an advanced practice nurse who can speak to the applicant's professional capabilities
- English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:2
- Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
- Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
- Minimum 58 PTE score
- Minimum 110 DET score
- 1
For applicants who have not practiced as an advanced practice registered nurse within the two-year period preceding application to the certificate, completion of graduate-level courses in advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology and advanced health assessment must not be greater than five years old at the time of the student's first semester of course registration in the certificate.
- 2
International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.
Application Deadlines
- Fall Semester
- Priority deadline: March 1
- Spring Semester
- Priority deadline: October 1
- Summer Term
- Priority deadline: March 1
All application materials (including applicable fee, transcripts, recommendation letters, etc.) submitted by these deadlines will receive the strongest consideration for admission.
Program Requirements
Certificate Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate Requirements | ||
| NURS 60015 | ADVANCED HEALTH ASSESSMENT 1 | 3 |
| NURS 60045 | PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FOR THE ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE 1 | 3 |
| NURS 60441 | PHARMACOLOGY FOR THE ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE 1 | 3 |
| NURS 60506 | CLINICAL DIAGNOSTICS FOR ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSES | 3 |
| NURS 60110 | ADULT GERONTOLOGY CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALIST I | 3 |
| NURS 60210 | ADULT GERONTOLOGY CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALIST II | 3 |
| NURS 60310 | ADULT GERONTOLOGY CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALIST III | 3 |
| NURS 61192 | ADULT GERONTOLOGY CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALIST I PRACTICUM | 2 |
| NURS 62192 | ADULT GERONTOLOGY CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALIST II PRACTICUM | 2-3 |
| NURS 63192 | ADULT GERONTOLOGY CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALIST III PRACTICUM | 2-3 |
| Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 28 | |
- 1
This course may be waived or transferred if it was previously completed with a grade of B or better. Please refer to the Transfer of Graduate Credit Policy for more information.
Graduation Requirements
| Minimum Certificate GPA | Minimum Overall GPA |
|---|---|
| 3.000 | 3.000 |
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Meet standards for advanced practice certification or other advanced professional distinction.
- Demonstrate competencies based on professional standards to assume advanced roles in nursing and for leadership and career advancement, including doctoral study.
- Communicate, integrate and apply advanced nursing knowledge and skills to provide equitable, evidence-based and inclusive nursing care and to promote quality outcomes in nursing and health care.
Program Policies
Clinical Compliance Policy
This policy applies to all students enrolled in B.S.N., M.S.N., D.N.P. degree programs and postmaster's certificates. Students must provide documentation of the following items to a third-party vendor that is approved to track and maintain student health and other compliance documents. Students are responsible for all costs incurred in meeting the requirements for clinical compliance and for establishing and maintaining their third party account profile. Students in the B.S.N., M.S.N. and D.N.P. degree programs and College of Nursing post-master's certificates must be fully compliant with this policy prior to registering for their first practicum course.
Requirements
- Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Provider certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or American Red Cross CPR/AED. Ph.D. students must have CPR certification within the first semester of enrollment.
- Background Check: Students are required to submit federal and state criminal background checks and incur the related costs. International students must meet university policy for admission.
- Healthcare Insurance: Students must provide proof of health insurance. Students can submit either (a) a copy of an insurance card with the student's name on the card or (b) a copy of the health insurance statement coverage that indicates that the student is covered.
- Immunizations/Immune Status Testing: Evidence of the required immunizations/tests must be provided on the Immunization and Physical Compliance Form available from the Office of Student Services. The form must be completed, dated and signed by a licensed health care provider then uploaded to the third party vendor's portal.
- Physical examination: A physical examination is required within one year prior to admission to a clinical site. For students admitted into the B.S.N., M.S.N. and D.N.P. degrees or post-master's certificates, the provider conducting the physical must indicate that the student can perform activities in the nursing student's clinical and practicum courses, or can do so with reasonable accommodations, and is free of all communicable diseases. Students should request accommodations from the Office Student Accessibility Services. Failure to obtain the physical examination or the provider assurance may prevent the university from placing the student in a clinical setting.
Students who have allergic reactions, medical waivers, refuse vaccinations or other physiological conditions that preclude them from receiving vaccinations are required to contact the Office of Student Services upon admission to their academic program. Such conditions may prevent students from completing clinical/practical coursework at some partner agencies which may result in a delay of graduation.
Registered Nurse (RN) Licensure
Students enrolled in the B.S.N. (Nursing for Registered Nurses major), M.S.N., and D.N.P. degrees or post-master's certificates must have an active, unrestricted RN license in either (1) the state of Ohio for students taking on-campus courses or who will be completing practica in Ohio or (2) the state of residence and practice for applicants residing and completing practicum outside Ohio. They must obtain proof of the appropriate licensure within the first semester of their program or before starting their practicum hours, whichever comes first.
Students in the Ph.D. degree must have an active unrestricted Ohio RN license—or for international students, proof of legal ability to practice as a RN in country of origin. They must show proof of license at the time of admission into the Ph.D. degree.
Time Limit for Graduate Nursing Courses
Certain courses are critical to be completed within a timely manner for patient safety as well as student success in the program. This policy ensures that clinical skills and critical knowledge learned in specific courses taken three or more years ago are refreshed before moving to more advanced levels of practice.
Students who have stopped out of the clinical sequence of courses for a period of time must repeat the following practicum and corequisite lecture courses if they are three of more years old:
- NURS 60110 and NURS 61192
- NURS 60120 and NURS 61292
- NURS 60125 and NURS 61892
- NURS 60126 and NURS 61392
- NURS 60126 and NURS 61892
- NURS 60129 and NURS 61092
- NURS 60151 and NURS 61592
- NURS 60160 and NURS 61692
- NURS 60170 and NURS 61792
- NURS 60210 and NURS 62192
- NURS 60220 and NURS 62292
- NURS 60230 and NURS 62392
- NURS 60251 and NURS 63592
- NURS 60270 and NURS 62792
- NURS 60310 and NURS 63192
- NURS 60320 and NURS 63692
- NURS 60325 and NURS 63292
- NURS 60330 and NURS 63392
- NURS 60353 and NURS 64592
- NURS 60370 and NURS 63792
- NURS 60372 and NURS 63992
- NURS 60470 and NURS 64792
- NURS 62592
- NURS 66100 and NURS 66192
- NURS 66200 and NURS 66292
- NURS 66300 and NURS 66392
- NURS 66400 and NURS 66492
Certifying agencies and state licensing requirements for advanced practice registered nurses have time limits for critical courses. Courses completed outside of this time frame may need to be repeated prior to seeking national certification. Students are advised to check with certifying agencies and state licensing agencies upon admission to determine if the age of their prior courses will meet requirements.
Professional Licensure Disclosure
This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards at Kent State's website for professional licensure disclosure.