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Section VIII: Post Graduate Certificate Specific Program Option Information

Program Purpose

The purpose of the Post Graduate Certificate Option is to prepare nurses for advanced practice in leadership, education and clinical practice (APRN-C).

Program Outcomes

  1. Apply knowledge of evidence-based practice.
  2. Engage in life-long learning.
  3. Serve South Dakota, the region, the nation and the world in urban, rural and frontier health care settings.

Student Learning outcomes

  1. Display competence within the legal scope of practice for chosen specialization.
  2. Evaluate and utilize research within advanced nursing practice.
  3. Integrate cultural learning into nursing practice to effectively tailor health care to the diverse lifeways of clients.

Academic Advisor

Each student admitted to the M.S. or postgraduate certificate program is assigned to the academic advisor for academic guidance. The student and advisor should meet (in person, by telephone or by e-mail) at least once each semester.

Faculty Advisor

Each student will also receive guidance from the Masters' Specialization Coordinator. The Coordinator will assist with student inquiries specific to the area of specialty.

Program Options and Graduation Requirements

The postgraduate certificate specializations include four options, clinical nurse leader, nurse educator, family nurse practitioner (APRN-C) and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (APRN-C).

Requirements for each specialization differ – contact your Academic Advisor for more information.

Program Length and Course Requirements

Post Graduate Certificate programs are usually completed in two to three years depending on credit load.

For Clinical Nurse Leader and Nurse Educator Certificate applicants:

Prerequisite coursework or equivalent courses (NURS 631/L - Advanced Physical Assessment, NURS 623 - Advanced Pathophysiology and PHA 645 - Advanced Pharmacology) must have been completed within five years prior to admission to the program or the applicant will be required to complete prior to beginning the certificate program coursework.

For Family Nurse Practitioner, PMHNP and AGACNP Certificate applicants:

Students who have not previously completed either NURS 623 (Pathophysiology-Lifespan), PHA 645 (Pharmacotherapeutics - Lifespan) or NURS 631 (Advanced Assessment - Lifespan) will be required to complete those courses as part of this program (Graduate Nursing policy G4380).

All previous coursework taken at SDSU or non-SDSU institutions will be reviewed and evaluated for equivalency by the Graduate Nursing Program in accordance with the SDSU Graduate School and Graduate Nursing Program guidelines/policies. Only courses approved by the Associate Dean for Graduate Nursing will be allowed on the student’s Plan of Study.

Plan of Study Requirements

The nursing graduate student will work with the academic and faculty advisors to review and complete the Plan of Study. The Post

Graduate Certificate Plan of Study will be individualized based on the student’s prior Masters' Degree program completion.

The Plan of Study should be submitted to the student’s academic advisor at the start of the second year of the program or sooner, if applicable. Upon approval by the academic advisor, the Plan of Study is sent to the Graduate School for approval.

Students who have filed an official Plan of Study with the SDSU Graduate School are bound by the approved plan. Any changes to the Plan of Study must be approved.

Plan of Study Changes

If a student has not filed a Plan of Study and changes are made to the program and/or specialization curriculum plan, the student must file a Plan of Study that adheres to the new requirements. Students who have already filed a Plan of Study may choose to adhere to the existing approved Plan of Study or may choose to file a Change of Plan of Study that reflects the program and/or specialization curriculum plan.