Program Overview

Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Graduate Certificate

The Clinical Nurse Specialist Post Graduate Certificate is designed to provide advanced practice nurses with preparation as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) for nurses with a Master's or Doctoral in Nursing prepared for other roles or population groups. The student will choose one of the following populations: adult/gerontology, pediatric, or maternal/infant/women's Health.

Admission Requirements

• Application deadlines vary by program.
• Admission requirements are consistent with those specified by the Graduate School of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
• Additional requirements for the College of Nursing include:
  • A master's or doctoral degree in Nursing from an accredited program.
  • Certification in their current advanced practice registered nurse specialty as applicable.
  • Completion with a grade of B or better of a graduate-level course in advanced physiology/pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, and advanced health assessment.
  • Current registration as a Registered Nurse in the state of Wisconsin.
  • Three letters of recommendation.
  • Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV).
  • Personal statement that includes rationale for certificate study and career goals.
  • Personal interview with a faculty member may be requested.
  • One year of clinical experience relevant to the chosen specialty.

Credits and Courses

The CNS Post Graduate Certificate consists of 18 credit hours of coursework. All courses are 3 credits each and are offered in a 3-semester sequence so the program can be completed in 12 months.

Adult/Gerontology Track

• NURS 832: Clinical Nurse Specialist Practicum I-Adult/Gerontology
• NURS 833: Clinical Nurse Specialist Practicum II-Adult/Gerontology
• NURS 834: Clinical Nurse Specialist Practicum III-Adult/Gerontology
• NURS 702: Advanced Practice Nursing Adult-Gerontology Chronic Illness
• NURS 703: Advanced Practice Nursing Adult-Gerontology Acute Illness
• Select one of the following two courses:
  • NURS 704: Advanced Practice Nursing Adult-Gerontology Critical Illness
  • NURS 760: Processes of Aging

Pediatric Track

• NURS 817: Clinical Nurse Specialist Practicum I-Pediatric
• NURS 818: Clinical Nurse Specialist Practicum II-Pediatric
• NURS 819: Clinical Nurse Specialist Practicum III-Pediatric
• ED PSY 640: Human Development: Theory and Research
• SOC WRK 771: Development of the Family Over the Life Span
• NURS 766: Advanced Practice Nursing: Care of the Child and Family

Maternal/Infant Track

• NURS 814: Clinical Nurse Specialist Practicum I-Maternal/Infant
• NURS 815: Clinical Nurse Specialist Practicum II-Maternal/Infant
• NURS 816: Clinical Nurse Specialist Practicum III-Maternal/Infant
• NURS 708: Global Maternal and Child Health: From Evidence to Action
• NURS 763: Issues in Women's Health and Development
• NURS 772: Advanced Practice Nursing: Maternal-Infant and Women's Health

Psychiatric/Mental Health Track

• NURS 811: Clinical Nurse Specialist Practicum I-Psychiatric/Mental Health
• NURS 812: Clinical Nurse Specialist Practicum II-Psychiatric/Mental Health
• NURS 813: Clinical Nurse Specialist Practicum III-Psychiatric/Mental Health
• COUNS 715: Multicultural Counseling
• NURS 774: Trauma Counseling I: Theory and Research
• NURS 775: Trauma Counseling II: Diagnosis and Treatment
• ED PSY 752: Developmental Psychopathology
• SOC WRK 753: Adult Psychopathology

Additional Requirements

• Allowance for Transfer Credit: One 3-credit course from an institution other than UWM may be transferred to meet requirements of the certificate program.
• Completion Requirements: Students must complete all courses with at least a B- or better and a cumulative GPA of a 3.00 or greater in order to progress in the program.
• Time limit: It is expected that students will complete the certificate within one year from the time of enrollment.
• Certificate Conferral: The certificate will be awarded upon successful completion of the requirements.
• Transfer Credit: No more than 20% of the required credits may be taken at an institution other than UWM.
• Grade Point Average Requirement: A minimum cumulative 3.00 grade point average in certificate courses taken at UWM is required.
• Articulation with Degree Programs: Credits and courses required for a certificate may double count toward meeting UWM graduate degree requirements subject to certain restrictions.
• Certification and Licensing: On completion of the CNS Certificate program, graduates with a population focus on adult/gerontology or pediatrics will be eligible to take the national CNS certification exams.