Graduate Certificates
Application Deadlines
Fall Semester
Application Opens: August 1
Deadline: March 15
Spring Semester
Application Opens: August 1
Deadline: November 1
Nursing Leadership
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) students at the WSU College of Nursing take the required course work for this certificate as part of their studies; they may apply for the certificate at the same time they apply to graduate. Other graduate students or working nurses may apply to take part in the program. Please contact the Graduate Education program office for more information.
- Applicants are required to have:
- a bachelor’s degree in nursing, OR
- a bachelor’s degree in another field AND a master’s degree in nursing from an accredited program
- Minimum GPA of 3.0
- GRE is not required
- Successful completion of a general statistics course
- Favorable recommendations regarding practice and potential for graduate work in nursing
- Students must hold a current, unencumbered RN license in each state or United States territory where practice or clinical experiences occur.
- Written goal statement congruent with program’s philosophy and focus
- Completion of a written interview
- Minimum of 1 year of nursing practice preferred
Before you apply, update/gather all necessary application materials and documents
- You’ll need an updated professional curriculum vitae or resume.
- Determine three references willing to provide a letter of recommendation for you that discusses your leadership, academic standards, and skills as they pertain to your primary interest area. You will need to provide names, addresses, emails, and positions of your references on your application. We recommend (but do not require) your references include a current or past faculty member in a nursing program you attended and two professionals from a work setting (head nurse, provider, NP/PA etc.). They will be contacted directly by WSU via email after you have submitted your application. Each reference will receive instructions for submitting their recommendation through an evaluation form. Ask them to fill out the form and submit it within one week of receiving it.
Apply to the WSU Graduate School online
After you prepare/gather your required application materials and list of references, you are ready to apply. The application fee is $75 and non-refundable.
- Create your online CollegeNET applicant profile.
- When you get to the “Enrollment Plans” page, type “nursing” into the search box.
- Select your PROGRAM based on the CAMPUS NAME (select one) you are applying to.
- Submit your statement of purpose. It must be well written, organized, and include your long- and short-term professional goals and how they fit with the health care needs of your community.
- Provide information about your three references who will submit letters of recommendation for you. Make sure you read the “before you apply” section above so you are clear on what your references need to do.
- Submit your application.
- You will receive an email from the College of Nursing Graduate Programs Office acknowledging application submission and what other application materials are outstanding.
Submit Your Transcripts
Transcripts are required for the application review process. A copy of unofficial transcripts from every college and university that you attended is acceptable for the application review process; official transcripts are required if admitted. Please refer to the Graduate School application requirements.
Complete the Online Interview Questions
Please respond in depth to the following interview questions. Faculty review your answers and evaluate your writing skills, as well as your answers.
Application Review Process
- You will be notified via email by the College of Nursing Graduate Programs Office that your application was received and if there are any additional documents needed.
- We begin reviewing completed applications upon submission.
- You will be notified via email if you are accepted, wait-listed, or denied.
- Admission questions? Email nursing.grad.apps@wsu.edu or phone 509-324-7334.
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| NURS 553* | Practicum in Organizational Systems and Leadership | 3 |
| NURS 565 | Information Management for Clinical Practice | 3 |
| NURS 576 | Organizational Systems and Leadership | 3 |
| NURS 591 | Mixed Methods for Program Planning, Implementation and Outcome Evaluation | 3 |
| Total | 12 |
- Students will be able to recognize the need to address ethics, diversity & inclusiveness through community engagement.
- Students will be able to develop collaborative community relationships to address resource scarcity.
- Students will be able to apply change theory and data informatics systems to policy development and best practices.
- Students will develop a philosophy of leadership that guides the foundation for leadership skill applications across the health care systems.
- Students will demonstrate an understanding of how to incorporate steps for strategic, long-term success in an ever-changing healthcare environment.
Nursing Education
Master of Nursing (MN) students at the WSU College of Nursing take the required course work for this certificate as part of their studies; they may apply for the certificate at the same time they apply to graduate. Other graduate students or working nurses may apply to take part in the program. Please contact the Graduate Education program office for more information.
- Applicants are required to have:
- a bachelor’s degree in nursing, OR
- a bachelor’s degree in another field AND a master’s degree in nursing from an accredited program
- Minimum GPA of 3.0
- GRE is not required
- Successful completion of a general statistics course
- Favorable recommendations regarding practice and potential for graduate work in nursing
- Students must hold a current, unencumbered RN license in each state or United States territory where practice or clinical experiences occur.
- Written goal statement congruent with program’s philosophy and focus
- Completion of a written interview
- Minimum of 1 year of nursing practice preferred
Before you apply, update/gather all necessary application materials and documents
- You’ll need an updated professional curriculum vitae or resume.
- Determine three references willing to provide a letter of recommendation for you that discusses your leadership, academic standards, and skills as they pertain to your primary interest area. You will need to provide names, addresses, emails, and positions of your references on your application. We recommend (but do not require) your references include a current or past faculty member in a nursing program you attended and two professionals from a work setting (head nurse, provider, NP/PA etc.). They will be contacted directly by WSU via email after you have submitted your application. Each reference will receive instructions for submitting their recommendation through an evaluation form. Ask them to fill out the form and submit it within one week of receiving it.
Apply to the WSU Graduate School online
After you prepare/gather your required application materials and list of references, you are ready to apply. The application fee is $75 and non-refundable.
- Create your online CollegeNET applicant profile.
- When you get to the “Enrollment Plans” page, type “nursing” into the search box.
- Select your PROGRAM based on the CAMPUS NAME (select one) you are applying to.
- Submit your statement of purpose. It must be well written, organized, and include your long- and short-term professional goals and how they fit with the health care needs of your community.
- Provide information about your three references who will submit letters of recommendation for you. Make sure you read the “before you apply” section above so you are clear on what your references need to do.
- Submit your application.
- You will receive an email from the College of Nursing Graduate Programs Office acknowledging application submission and what other application materials are outstanding.
Submit Your Transcripts
Transcripts are required for the application review process. A copy of unofficial transcripts from every college and university that you attended is acceptable for the application review process; official transcripts are required if admitted. Please refer to the Graduate School application requirements.
Complete the Online Interview Questions
Please respond in depth to the following interview questions. Faculty review your answers and evaluate your writing skills, as well as your answers.
Application Review Process
- You will be notified via email by the College of Nursing Graduate Programs Office that your application was received and if there are any additional documents needed.
- We begin reviewing completed applications upon submission.
- You will be notified via email if you are accepted, wait-listed, or denied.
- Admission questions? Email nursing.grad.apps@wsu.edu or phone 509-324-7334.
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| NURS 521* | Teaching, Learning, and Evaluation in Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 523* | Educational Issues and Curriculum Analysis | 3 |
| NURS 533* | Issues and Trends in Healthcare Education: Workforce Diversity & Delivery Methods | 3 |
| NURS 542 | Advanced Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, and Assessment for Population Healthcare Professionals | 4 |
| NURS 583** | Advanced Population Practicum -OR- Internship | 2 |
| Total | 12 |
*All students must complete 2 graded courses (6 credits) from menu of 3 Nurse Ed courses – NURS 521, NURS 523, or NURS 533.
**Practicum courses require the completion of a minimum of 2 credits (120 hours) of experience with a preceptor who has completed a master’s degree in nursing or a related field.
- Students will have gained an overall perspective on course development and learning evaluation strategies.
- Students will develop skills in the use of educational tools and learning management systems.
- Students will be able to apply pedagogical and educational theories to course and curriculum development that are in line with diverse cultural backgrounds and learning needs.
- Student will be able to integrate program and course competencies with processes that are required by accreditation agencies and state regulatory requirements.
Public Health
The Graduate Certificate in Public Health provides advanced education in skills and topics relevant to the growing field of public health. Trained public health professionals, including nurses, are needed to serve diverse populations in our state and region, particularly in rural and resource-poor areas. The Certificate in Public Health addresses this growing demand.
The certificate uses distance delivery and a flexible curriculum, and includes course work that can be applied to future graduate studies at WSU.
- Applicants are required to have:
- a bachelor’s degree in nursing, OR
- a bachelor’s degree in another field AND a master’s degree in nursing from an accredited program
- Minimum GPA of 3.0
- GRE is not required
- Successful completion of a general statistics course
- Favorable recommendations regarding practice and potential for graduate work in nursing
- Students must hold a current, unencumbered RN license in each state or United States territory where practice or clinical experiences occur.
- Written goal statement congruent with program’s philosophy and focus
- Completion of a written interview
- Minimum of 1 year of nursing practice preferred
Before you apply, update/gather all necessary application materials and documents
- You’ll need an updated professional curriculum vitae or resume.
- Determine three references willing to provide a letter of recommendation for you that discusses your leadership, academic standards, and skills as they pertain to your primary interest area. You will need to provide names, addresses, emails, and positions of your references on your application. We recommend (but do not require) your references include a current or past faculty member in a nursing program you attended and two professionals from a work setting (head nurse, provider, NP/PA etc.). They will be contacted directly by WSU via email after you have submitted your application. Each reference will receive instructions for submitting their recommendation through an evaluation form. Ask them to fill out the form and submit it within one week of receiving it.
Apply to the WSU Graduate School online
After you prepare/gather your required application materials and list of references, you are ready to apply. The application fee is $75 and non-refundable.
- Create your online CollegeNET applicant profile.
- When you get to the “Enrollment Plans” page, type “nursing” into the search box.
- Select your PROGRAM based on the CAMPUS NAME (select one) you are applying to.
- Submit your statement of purpose. It must be well written, organized, and include your long- and short-term professional goals and how they fit with the health care needs of your community.
- Provide information about your three references who will submit letters of recommendation for you. Make sure you read the “before you apply” section above so you are clear on what your references need to do.
- Submit your application.
- You will receive an email from the College of Nursing Graduate Programs Office acknowledging application submission and what other application materials are outstanding.
Submit Your Transcripts
Transcripts are required for the application review process. A copy of unofficial transcripts from every college and university that you attended is acceptable for the application review process; official transcripts are required if admitted. Please refer to the Graduate School application requirements.
Complete the Online Interview Questions
Please respond in depth to the following interview questions. Faculty review your answers and evaluate your writing skills, as well as your answers.
Application Review Process
- You will be notified via email by the College of Nursing Graduate Programs Office that your application was received and if there are any additional documents needed.
- We begin reviewing completed applications upon submission.
- You will be notified via email if you are accepted, wait-listed, or denied.
- Admission questions? Email nursing.grad.apps@wsu.edu or phone 509-324-7334.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| NURS 584 | Health Care Law, Policy and Analysis | 3 |
| NURS 554 | Epidemiology and Biostatistics for Health Professions | 3 |
| NURS 471 or NURS 492 | Foundations of Occupational and Environmental Health Practice Note: NURS 492 Disaster Preparedness for Health Professions may substitute for NURS 471 | 3 |
| NURS 564 or NURS 566 | Health Promotion or Community Analysis & Grant Development Note: Other WSU graduate (500-level) courses can be considered based on student interests (e.g., health management, advanced biostatistics) | 3 or 2 |
| NURS 597 Capstone | Advanced Topics in Nursing (includes 60 hours of practicum) | 1 |
| Total Credits | 12-13 |
- Student will apply appropriate analytic techniques to manage, interpret, and communicate data for evidence-based population health.
- Students will be able to demonstrate systems thinking in population health program development and oversight.
- Students will be able to demonstrate how epidemiology contributes to the identification, assessment, evaluation, and prevention of disease at the population level.
- Student will apply basic public health principles (mitigation, primary prevention) guided by social determinants of health and health policy processes across a diverse field of public health settings.
Currently, there is no certification specific to public health nursing at the generalist level. However, nurses with a baccalaureate degree and at least five years of public health experience can obtain the Certification in Public Health (CPH). See more information on the CPH.