Online Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate

• An individual with a Masters or Doctoral degree in Nursing from a college or university accredited by an agency recognized by both the ED and CHEA and national nursing programmatic accreditation (CCNE, ACEN, CNEA):
  • May apply to complete a post graduate certificate in a Masters Nursing major for which they do not already hold a degree.
  • Must submit an official transcript showing completion of a masters or doctoral degree in Nursing.
• Must meet Masters Nursing admission requirements for the major program (below).
  • Admission to all Masters Nursing majors begins with submission of required application forms, letters of recommendation, and official transcripts of previous college and university studies. Acceptance into any Masters Nursing program will remain valid for a period of 18 months.
  • To assist in the decision-making process, the Division of Masters Nursing reserves the right to require the applicant to interview and/or take the GRE.
  • Proof that all nursing licenses – whether current or inactive – are unencumbered. Potential students with encumbered nursing licenses will not be considered eligible for enrollment at Indiana Wesleyan University.
  • Original transcript from the undergraduate degree granting institution and institution where graduate courses have been taken.
  • A criminal history background check (at the student's expense) must be completed before registration for any track of the Masters Nursing program. Letters of acceptance from the Division of Masters Nursing will include instructions for completing the criminal background check. The criminal background check must be completed no earlier than two weeks before the beginning of the first course.
  • Students applying for admission to the Nurse Practitioner programs must have at least 500 hours of RN direct patient contact and/or care for patients within the year prior to admission.
• Criteria for regular admission are:
  • B.S.N. or B.S. degree with a major in nursing from a college or university accredited by an agency recognized by both the ED and CHEA and national nursing programmatic accreditation (CCNE, ACEN, CNEA). Registered Nurse applicants who have a non-nursing bachelor's degree and a minimum of ten years of recent experience in nursing practice may also be considered for admission by Portfolio. These candidates may submit a Portfolio which includes a current CV/resume including evidence of accomplishments in nursing based on The Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice.
  • Undergraduate grade-point average of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale from the baccalaureate degree granting institution at which at least a minimum of 30 hours was completed.
  • OR: Gradate grade-point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from a regionally accredited school at least nine credit were completed.
• Criteria for conditional admission are:
  • Applicants who do not meet the GPA listed in the criteria for regular admission and have at least a 2.75 undergraduate GPA may be conditionally admitted and allowed to take 9- credit hours of masters nursing courses to establish a graduate GPA.
  • Students who have earned a 3.0 GPA by the completion of 9-credit hours in master nursing courses, will meet the criteria for regular admission.
  • An unsatisfactory grade (C- or lower in any GNUR course) while conditionally admitted will result in administrative withdrawal from the program and denial of regular admission.
  • Students who do not earn a 3.0 GPA by the completion of 9-credit hours in master nursing courses will be denied regular admission.

*Note: The Division of Doctoral Nursing may request letters of recommendation and an interview with an applicant once all the admission criteria listed above have been met.

• All 30 credits required in the curriculum sequence with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and a minimum grade of "C" in each course. A grade of "C-" or below will require the course to be repeated.
• Overall GPA of 3.0 in all IWU graduate work.

• PGC Admission Requirements

  • Must meet graduate nursing admission requirements for the major program. 
  • Prerequisites required to enter the post-graduate certificate with a specialization in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner are: completion of a graduate level Pathophysiology and Pharmacology course with a grade of B or higher. Students who do not meet one or more prerequisite are eligible to take the course(s) at IWU prior to beginning the program. 
  • If more than 6 months have passed since the completion of a program specific Pharmacology or Pathophysiology course, the applicant must provide proof of 500 hours of current APRN practice in the last year and current NP certification or achieve a passing score on the IWU provided competency exam. 
  • Applicants must pass the IWU provided competency exam within two attempts or be required to take the pertinent courses(s) before being allowed to enroll in a nurse practitioner post-graduate certificate program. 
  • A fee will be assessed for each competency exam. 

  Practicum

  Practice is an essential component of the graduate nursing programs. Practicum courses offer students the opportunity to develop and integrate the knowledge and skills necessary for evidence-based advanced practice. If required by the facility, cost for placement is the responsibility of the student. 

  • Students must complete the minimum of 525 practicum hours included in the plan of study. The PMHNP program includes an onsite residency at the end of the certificate program. 
  • Students must maintain an active license in the state where practicum requirements are completed. 
  • All RN licenses must remain unencumbered throughout the program. 

  Note: Students must meet all practicum and agency requirements. Students in any nursing major may be required to undergo drug testing in order to successfully complete practicum requirements. 

  Completion Requirements

  • Successful completion of the specific curriculum as described below.
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above in all graduate work and a minimum grade of "B" in each course.
  • Payment of all tuition and fees is required to receive a certificate.

Indiana Wesleyan University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), www.hlcommission.org, 312-263-0456. Other accreditations and associations of Indiana Wesleyan University are available at www.indwes.edu/about/iwu-profile/accreditation.