Post-Master’s Certificate in Nursing Education

16 hours

The University of North Georgia (UNG) offers a Post-Master’s certificate in Nursing Education (Post-Master’s Cert in Nursing Ed). To receive the Post-Master’s Cert in Nursing Ed, the student must complete 16 semester hours of nursing education course work.

Graduate Studies’ Admission Procedures

Application materials may be obtained from Graduate Studies or from the Certificate website. Applicants must pay a non-refundable application fee. When all application materials have been received by Graduate Studies, the applicant will be notified and a copy of all materials will be forwarded to the program. After the posted application deadline and upon review, a letter from the MS degree program will be mailed to the applicant verifying acceptance or denial. In some instances, the applicant may be requested to come to Dahlonega for an interview or testing.

Students who are admitted to UNG but do not enroll within three semesters of acceptance must reapply to the program by submitting to Graduate Studies a new application for readmission. Students who were previously enrolled but have not been in attendance within three semesters must also reapply to the program by submitting to Graduate Studies a new application for readmission. All documents and materials submitted to fulfill the application requirements for entry to a program at UNG become the property of the university and will not be returned. Materials are kept for one year for incomplete application files and for three years for complete application files.

Post-Master’s Cert in Nursing Ed General Admission Eligibility

1. Master of Science in Nursing from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) with a nationally accredited school of nursing program.
2. One year post-licensure clinical work experience in the United States.
3. Current unencumbered Georgia registered nurse license.

Post-Master’s Cert in Nursing Ed Admission Requirements

The following documents must be received prior to admission:

1. Graduate Studies application.
2. Non-refundable application fee.
3. Official transcripts documenting an earned master’s degree from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) with a professionally accredited nursing program. Official international transcripts must have a foreign course-by-course credential evaluation by an independent evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE). Evaluations must include certification that the applicant has received a master’s degree from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) and state a calculated cumulative grade point average.
4. Current professional resume or vitae.
5. Proof of lawful presence in the United States, if applying for in-state tuition.
6. UNG Certificate of Immunization showing proof of immunizations as required by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia should be submitted to Graduate Studies, grads@ung.edu, before registration.

The following documents must be received prior to the first day of the initial term for which the student is enrolled:

1. Copy of Georgia registered nurse (RN) license.
2. Proof of RN student liability insurance.
3. Completed accident/illness waiver form
4. Evidence of current CPR certification.
5. Criminal background check.
6. Completed Department of Nursing medical form. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure all requirements are up to date.

Students enrolled in clinical courses who have not submitted all of the above documentation prior to the first day of the semester will not be allowed to attend until all documentation has been received.

Students are responsible for all course material and for all announcements and assignments. The decision to permit students to make up work that is required in any missed class resides with the instructor.

Transfer Residency Requirement

To be awarded a Post-Master’s Cert in Nursing Ed, a student must earn a minimum of nine semester hours of graduate degree requirements in residence. The Nursing graduate coordinator and the Dean of the College of Health Sciences & Professions must approve all transfer credit. Transfer credit will not be given for any course in which a grade of C or lower was earned.

Post-Master’s Cert in Nursing Ed Academic Policies

Incomplete Grades

The Nursing Ed program adheres to the uniform grading system in the Academic Information  section of the Graduate Catalog. No student carrying two Incomplete grades may enroll in additional course work without the written consent of the Nursing graduate coordinator. No degree will be conferred on a student who has an unresolved Incomplete grade remaining on his/her transcript.

Academic Progression

Graduate nursing students progress through the program of study as long as a minimum of a B is earned in each graduate course. Some course grades are comprised of a theory or didactic component as well as a preceptorship component. A satisfactory (S) in preceptorship must be achieved for the student to earn a course grade of B or higher. Also, exams must average a minimum of 75 prior to other grades being added or averaged into the course grade. If less than a 75 average on exams is earned, the student will receive a grade of C or lower for the course and must repeat the course, if eligible to do so.

Academic Standing Policy

Graduate nursing students whose academic performance is unsatisfactory will be subject to the following:

1. Probation – A student will be placed on probation for any of the following reasons:
   a. Student’s cumulative grade point average falls below 3.0.
   b. Student earns a U or any other grade of C or lower.
   
   No student may be a candidate for the degree or sit for the comprehensive examination while on probation due to a grade point average below a 3.0. Probation will be removed when the student’s grade point average reaches 3.0 or higher. In cases where the student is placed on probation due to grade(s), probation will be removed when the course(s) is/are repeated and the grade is S or B or higher, and the overall grade point average is 3.0 or greater. Students who are on probation may not register until advised.
    
2. Suspension – A student will be placed on suspension for any of the following reasons:
   a. Student earns two grades of C or lower (including U’s).
   b. Student has already served three consecutive semesters on academic probation.

The period of suspension will consist of three semesters. No student may enroll in graduate courses at UNG while on suspension. Courses taken at another institution during the period of suspension will not be recognized for transfer credit. If suspended, a student may reapply to the program after a period of three semesters from the date the student was suspended by submitting to Graduate Studies a letter addressed to the Dean of the College of Health Sciences & Professions presenting a rationale for readmission and a new application for readmission. The student will be readmitted only upon approval of the Dean of the College of Health Sciences & Professions and the Nursing graduate coordinator.

Students who believe that their academic progress was affected by extenuating circumstances may appeal such suspensions to the Nursing Progression and Retention committee.

Academic and Professional Integrity Policy

At the end of each semester, the program faculty or program coordinator may intervene to establish a plan of action for any student in the program whose competency is in question for reasons including unprofessional, disruptive, or unethical behavior in the classroom or applied setting. The plan should be signed by the student and the program coordinator with copies forwarded to the Dean of the School of the College of Health Sciences & Professions.

Academic Integrity

The University of North Georgia recognizes honesty and integrity as being necessary to the academic functioning of the university. UNG graduate students are expected to uphold the university regulations addressed in the Student Code of Conduct, Article 3, Rule 2.

Professional Integrity

The Post-Master’s Certificate in Nursing Education program adheres to the university’s definition of professional integrity as described in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog.

Post-Master’s Cert in Nursing Ed Completion Requirements

1. Completion of 16 designated semester hours of study.
2. Cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher with no grade of C or lower.
3. Satisfactory preceptorship in an academic setting.
4. Completion of at least nine semester hours in residence.
5. Completion of all certificate-related course requirements, including any transfer credit, within a six-year period.