Program Eligibility

Overview
Student Admission
  • Students will be admitted to the Stanislaus State Graduate School as non-degree-seeking
  • Current, unrestricted, California RN license with no disciplinary action pending or imposed
  • One year of full-time nursing or APRN experience
  • Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions, including any programs in which you are currently enrolled 
  • Goal statement 
  • Minimum of two letters of recommendation 
  • Résumé with a cover letter indicating professional goals
  • International Students: Proficiency in spoken and written English with the following minimum TOEFL scores: 550 for the paper-based examination, 80 for the Internet-based examination. 
  • Hold a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing from a program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) (formerly NLNAC | National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission)
  • Required prerequisite coursework 
    1. Advanced (Lifespan) Physical Health Assessment 
    2. Advanced Pharmacology 
    3. Advanced Pathophysiology 
    4. Statistics
    5. Completion of advanced courses/content in evidence-based practice, theory, policy, and health disparities. 
  • Course pre-requisites: Must hold a master’s degree in nursing from an accredited school of nursing and completion of all required prerequisite coursework
  • Students are required to be admitted to the Post Graduate Psychiatric APRN certificate
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA in last 60 units taken

Before entering the first clinical lab, students must have University liability insurance, a satisfactory background check, drug screening, a current American Heart Association CPR card, a satisfactory annual physical examination, proof of immunity to specified infectious diseases, an initial 2-step Mantoux skin test and a chest X-ray if there is evidence of a positive TB skin test. 

Requirements for Continuation in the Program: 

  1. Students in the Post Graduate Psychiatric APRN Certificate Program must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in courses taken to satisfy the requirements of the certificate. No grade lower than a “B-” (82) will be accepted in courses taken to satisfy certificate requirements. Students who fail to maintain a GPA of 3.0 or receive a course grade lower than 82 will step out of the program and will be notified of the conditions required for potential re-entry.  
  2. Successful completion of all courses in the previous session is required to move into the successive session.  

Licensure/Credentialing Requirements: 

Admission into programs leading to licensure or credentialing does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or credential. Licensure or credential requirements are set by agencies that are not controlled by or affiliated with the CSU and requirements can change at any time. For example, licensure requirements can include evidence of the right to work in the United States (e.g., social security number or taxpayer identification number) and successfully passing a criminal background check. Students are responsible for determining whether they can meet licensure or credentialing requirements. The CSU will not refund tuition, fees, or any associated costs, to students who determine after admission that they cannot meet licensure or credentialing requirements. 

Board of Nursing Approval and Accreditation

Graduates from our program qualify to apply for California and National Nurse Practitioner certification:

California BRN for nurse practitioner certification (NP) and furnishing number (NPF)

National certification examination as a Family Nurse Practitioner through:

  • American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the
  • American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)

Our PMHNP program is an approved academic program by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN). We are physically located in California and offer a graduate degree in nursing to qualified students.

Definitions of Terms – Calif. Board of Registered Nursing
Term Definition
Nurse practitioner An advanced practice registered nurse who meets board education and certification requirements and possesses additional advanced practice educational preparation and skills in physical diagnosis, psycho-social assessment, and management of health-illness needs in primary care, and/or acute care.
Primary care Comprehensive and continuous care provided to patients, families, and the community. Primary care focuses on basic preventative care, health promotion, disease prevention, health maintenance, patient education and the diagnoses and treatment of acute and chronic illnesses.
Clinically competent Individual possesses and exercises the degree of learning, skill, care and experience ordinarily possessed and exercised by a certified nurse practitioner providing healthcare in the same nurse practitioner category. The clinical experience must be such that the nurse received intensive experience in performing the diagnostic and treatment procedures essential to the provision of primary care.
Clinical practice experience Supervised direct patient care in the clinical setting that provides for the acquisition and application of advanced practice nursing knowledge, skills, and competencies.
Direct supervision of students A clinical preceptor or a faculty member is physically present at the practice site. The clinical preceptor or faculty member retains the responsibility for patient care while overseeing the student.