Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Certificate

Application Deadlines

• Priority deadline April 1st with a final deadline June 15th (for Fall start)
• Priority deadline July 15th with a final deadline Sept 30th (for Spring start)

Prerequisites

• Master’s degree in nursing
• Completion of courses in health assessment, pathophysiology, nursing research, statistics, nursing leadership, and community health nursing equivalent to those offered in the APU undergraduate nursing program
• Completion of an undergraduate health assessment course (see Additional Requirements below)

Please contact the School of Nursing at (626) 815-5391 for information on prerequisite courses.

Admission Requirements—Domestic Applicants

The university graduate and program admission requirements below must be met before an application is considered complete.

• Graduate application for admission
• $45 nonrefundable application fee
• Official transcripts from all institutions leading to and awarding the applicant’s bachelor’s and master’s degrees from a regionally accredited institution and all postbaccalaureate study
  An official transcript is one that Azusa Pacific University receives unopened in an envelope sealed by the former institution and that bears the official seal of the college or university. A cumulative minimum 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) grade-point average on the posted degree is required for regular admission status. Provisional admittance may be granted to individuals with a lower GPA if competency can be shown through multiple measures.
• Official transcripts should include all study leading up to and including posted BSN and MSN degrees from NLN- or CCNE-accredited programs. Transcripts should indicate completion of the following prerequisite courses: health assessment, pathophysiology, nursing research, statistics, nursing leadership, and community health nursing.Written statement, one to two pages in length:
• Describe your professional nursing goals
• Articulate your personal definition of nursing and concept of career opportunities in this field
• Copy of RN license status, including your name (find status on CA.gov's Breeze system)
• Current résumé, including the following:
• Employment and educational experience
• Professional or academic honors
• Volunteer activities
• Two recommendations from professional references who have the ability to evaluate your performance (e.g. managers, supervisors, and academic faculty; not coworkers)
• See additional requirements for program-specific requirements

Admission Requirements—International Applicants

Azusa Pacific University is authorized under federal law by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services and the U.S. Department of State to enroll nonimmigrant, alien undergraduate and graduate students. APU issues and administers both the I-20 and DS 2019 (F-1 and J-1 status documents respectively).

To apply for a graduate program at APU, the following requirements must be fulfilled in addition to meeting the domestic applicant and program-specific admission requirements specified above.

International applicants must also:

• Demonstrate proficiency in English through a placement test with the Academic Success Center, or through a TOEFL/IELTS score that meets program-specific requirements. Refer to APU’s English proficiency requirements to learn more. Request that official test scores be sent to APU. All other forms of proof indicated in the English proficiency requirements must be submitted directly to International Services.
• Provide a Graduate Affidavit of Financial Support (PDF) and a bank statement from within the last six months proving financial ability to pay for education costs through personal, family, or sponsor resources.
• Submit a copy of a valid passport showing biographical data, including your name, country of citizenship, date of birth, and other legal information.
• Get foreign transcripts evaluated. International credentials (transcripts, certificates, diplomas, and degrees) must be evaluated by a foreign transcript evaluation agency. View our policy and a list of approved Foreign Transcript Evaluation Agencies.

Send official transcripts to:

Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions
Azusa Pacific University
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000
[email protected]

What to Expect

After all admission materials have been received by the Student Services Center, the faculty or department chair reviews the applicant’s file. The applicant is notified in writing of the admission decision.

Additional Requirements

Clinical Nurse Specialist students who have not had an undergraduate health assessment course within the last five (5) years must successfully complete or petition APU’s undergraduate UNRS 220 Health Assessment course. Students also have the option to take a comparable health assessment course prior to enrolling in GNRS 511 Advanced Pediatric Health Assessment and Health Promotion or GNRS 512 Advanced Health Assessment and Health Promotion.

At the beginning of clinical coursework, including health assessment labs, the student is required to provide documentation concerning CPR certification, malpractice insurance, TB screening, and immunizations appropriate to the clinical setting.

The student’s health status must permit him/her to safely undertake and complete clinical experience required for the degree.

As a fully prepared health professional, the student is expected to take responsibility for self-evaluation of her/his own health status, including an assessment of the safety and appropriateness of practice in the clinical context, both for the student and the patient. An individual faculty member may require documentation of the student’s health status.

The Joint Commission, contracted facilities, and the School of Nursing require that all graduate students undergo a background check prior to their placement at clinical sites. The cost of the background check is the responsibility of the student. International students will have additional fees based on the cost of a background check in their country.

Financial Aid

Several types of financial aid are available to graduate students. The resources range from federal loans and state grants to, for some graduate programs, fellowships and scholarships. For details about financial aid available for your program, please contact the Student Services Center at (626) 815-2020.

Military Benefits

Military members—and in some cases their spouses and dependents—qualify for financial assistance covering tuition, housing, and books. Azusa Pacific is a Yellow Ribbon University and Military Friendly School, so you can be confident that you’ll receive the benefits and flexibility you need to complete your education.

Program-Specific Aid

For more details on these scholarships and funding opportunities, as well as other possible resources, please contact the School of Nursing at (626) 815-5386.

Nurse Faculty Loan Program

The Nurse Faculty Loan Program is a government loan program set up to increase the number of qualified nursing faculty by providing loans to students in advanced nursing education programs. Students must be pursuing a MSN or doctoral nursing degree. The NFLP loans will be forgiven—up to 85 percent of the amount received—over a consecutive four-year period if the student commits to serve as full-time faculty at a school of nursing following graduation. Faculty at private universities, state schools, and community colleges are eligible. Students receiving these loans must also complete the nursing education courses prior to graduation.

To view specific requirements and coursework information, visit the current academic catalog:

Program Requirements

If you have questions, we’re here to help! Connect with a representative who can walk you through the program details and application process.

Contact Your Admissions Representative

Student Services Center

Contact (626) 812-3016 or [email protected], and visit apu.edu/ssc for details on the admissions process, financial aid, and class registration.

International Services

International students should contact +1-626-812-3055 or [email protected], and visit apu.edu/international/.

• WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).  

• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 

• California Board of Registered Nursing.