Program Overview

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Program Overview

The graduate certificates in Advanced Nursing Practice I and II are designed to provide advanced nursing practice knowledge and practical experience for registered nurses who wish to acquire specialized skills. The certificates will strengthen nursing professionals’ knowledge and skills that are specific to their area of practice, and will support them to integrate role dimensions that include advanced clinical skills, organizational leadership, research, education, professional development, and consultation to impact patient, provider, and health system outcomes.

Completing the Program

• Courses: One graduate certificate in Advanced Nursing Practice is part-time and takes one year to complete. This involves taking one course each semester over the four standard semesters (Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer). All students will complete a specialized practice demonstration in the fourth and final course of each of the certificate programs.

Specializations

• Addiction and Mental Health
• Contemporary Topics in Aging
• Innovations in Teaching and Learning
• Leadership for Health System Transformation
• Healthcare Innovation and Design
• Palliative and End of Life Care
• Professional Practice Entrepreneurship
• Oncology Nursing
• Rural and Remote Nursing

Students must choose a different specialization in each of the two certificates.

Outcomes

The certificates will appeal to nursing professionals and other professionals from health-related disciplines who want to advance their careers in their current direct practice area, who want to transition into a new direct practice area, or who want to enter more senior education, leadership, or management positions.

Laddered Certificate Pathway to the Master of Nursing

To be eligible to apply for the Master of Nursing (course-based) degree, students must successfully complete the Certificate in Advanced Nursing I and the Certificate in Advanced Nursing Practice II. Students must complete different specializations in each of the Certificates and meet the additional admission requirements to apply to the Master of Nursing (course-based) program. Once admitted, students will receive laddering credit for the 24 units of coursework completed in the Certificates. Applications must be received within two years of completion of the Certificate in Advanced Nursing Practice II.

Course-Based Program

Each certificate consists of 12 units (four courses).

Online Delivery

The program is delivered online.

Time Commitment

12 months per certificate, part-time.

Supervisor

No supervisor is required.

Fees and Funding

See the Graduate Calendar for information on fees and fee regulations, and for information on awards and financial assistance.

Admission Requirements

GPA

A minimum of 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 point system, over the past two years of full-time study (a minimum of 10 full-course equivalents or 60 units) of the undergraduate degree.

Minimum Education

A four-year baccalaureate degree in nursing, or an equivalent degree from a recognized institution. Applicants who hold a baccalaureate degree in another health profession may be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis.

Documents

• Transcripts from ALL post-secondary: This includes transcripts from the institutions where the degree was awarded, from any institution where any transfer credit was received towards a program of study, or from where any independent coursework was taken.

Work Samples

None.

Reference Letter

None.

Test Scores

None.

English Language Proficiency

An applicant whose primary language is not English may fulfill the English language proficiency requirement in one of the following ways:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL ibt) score of 97 (Internet-based, with no section less than 20).
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 7.0 (minimum of 6.0 in each section).
• Pearson Test of English (PTE) score of 68, or higher (Academic version).
• Canadian Academic English Language test (CAEL) score of 70 (70 in some sections – up to the program, 60 in all other).
• Academic Communication Certificate (ACC) score of A- in one or two courses (up to the program), “B+” on all other courses.
• Cambridge C1 Advanced or Cambridge C2 Proficiency minimum score of 191.

Deadlines

Advanced Nursing Practice I Deadlines

• For admission on September 1:
  • Canadians and permanent residents: Applications open March 1. June 30 application deadline.
  • International students: June 30 application deadline.

Advanced Nursing Practice II Deadlines

• For admission on September 1:
  • Canadians and permanent residents: Applications open Feb. 1. June 30 application deadline.
  • International students: June 30 application deadline.

To request a change in specialization:

One week prior to students starting the Graduate Certificate in Advanced Nursing Practice I or Graduate Certificate in Advanced Nursing Practice II.