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Nursing Education Graduate Certificate Program

Admissions Deadlines

For the best possible admission, enrollment and orientation experience, we recommend that you complete your application by these dates, which are approximately 60 days before the start of each term:

  • Summer term: March 15
  • Fall term: June 15
  • Spring term: Nov. 15

You can still apply after these dates, but if the date has passed please contact the Admissions Coach for support to apply and begin classes in the upcoming term. View the UNC Academic Calendar for the start dates for upcoming terms.

To apply to this certificate program you must possess both a BSN degree and an MSN degree from accredited (NLN/ACEN or CCNE) programs in nursing.


Admission Requirements: NursingCAS

Applicants must apply to the program through the Nursing Centralized Application Service (NursingCAS).  Please submit all required materials by the application deadline to avoid a delay in the evaluation and screening of your application.  All official transcripts are submitted to NursingCAS, and do not need to be resubmitted UNC. 

The UNC School of Nursing will review applications following the application deadline. Official admission notifications will be sent in the 2-4 weeks that follow.

Admission Requirements: Graduate School

Applicants must apply to the program through the Nursing Centralized Application Service (NursingCAS) before the program area reviews the applicant’s request for admission. Failure to submit all required materials will delay the evaluation and screening of your application.

Each applicant must:

  • Possess a master’s degree from a Institutionally Accredited college or university or a comparable degree from a foreign institution.
  • Have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or better (on a 4.00 scale) for the most recent degree earned or current degree in progress.

    • If you are still completing your master's degree at the time you apply, admission will be based on your current cumulative GPA, and you will need to re-submit your official transcript (showing your conferred degree and final GPA) during your first semester. If your final GPA fell below 3.00, you will be given additional requirements as defined by the academic program that must be met within one calendar year to remain enrolled at UNC.

Take the following steps to be considered for admission:

Step 1: Complete the Application

Complete the NursingCAS application.

  • Answer the application questions.
  • Send to NursingCAS an official transcript from each college or university where courses were taken including documentation of a bachelor's degree or higher was earned (or is in progress).  Help with Transcripts – NursingCAS

Step 2: Request Transcripts

Please Note: As all official transcripts are submitted to NursingCAS, they do not need to be resubmitted to the Office of Admissions.

Applicants with academic credentials from outside the U.S. will need to follow the requirements for submission of foreign transcripts. Click on the Transcripts tab for information about international transcripts.

Step 3: Note About the GRE

This program does not require GRE scores.

Step 4: Supplemental Items

You will need to submit the following in NursingCAS:

  • Personal Statement of future goals/interest in nursing education (two page maximum, 12 point font, one inch paper margins)
  • Current Vita or Resume
  • Copy of current RN license (if you have one)

International Applicants

International applicants (non-U.S. citizen/non-U.S. Permanent Resident) please refer to the International Admissions Requirements page for further information about submitting transcripts, English proficiency scores, passport copy and financial documentation.

For More Information 
For more information about the admission process, please email the Office of Admissions at grad.admissions@unco.edu or call 970-351-2881.