Graduate Programs

The Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

The Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Program prepares nurses for advanced practice nursing in primary care. Examples of settings include clinics, medical practice offices, home care, correctional facilities, and long-term care. The program involves a rigorous course of study, including summer sessions and clinical hours that prepare the registered nurse to assume the role of primary care provider.

The Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist Program

Clinical Nurse Specialists are experts in nursing practice within a specialty area. They are able to manage complex conditions of individual patients and populations. Their expert knowledge competence allows for expanded practice in achieving quality, cost-effective patient outcomes, and, provide leadership in designing creative solutions to problems effecting patients or health systems.

Graduates of both programs are eligible for licensure in New York State and to take the certification examinations offered by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and American Nurses Credentialing Center.
 

Program Degree Requirements:

Both the AGPCNP and CNS program require 42 credits and include a graduate core of 15 credits, an advanced practice core of 9 credits. The Adult Gerontology Primary Care track  will soon require 750 supervised hours toward development of clinical competencies for primary care of the adult-gerontological population, and three credits of elective courses.

The CNS includes a minimum of 500 supervised hours toward the development of clinical competencies for Adult Gerontology Clinical Specialization.

PMC-AGPCNP Certificate Requirements vary with each applicant and are determined after a full gap analysis.

Students who apply to the program must meet the following criteria:

• A Bachelors of Science in Nursing from an accredited program, with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0-point scale.
• Evidence of successful completion of baccalaureate undergraduate courses (or comparable learning experiences approved by the Admissions Committee) in nursing research, statistics, health assessment/physical examination, and pharmacology.
• Two letters of recommendation that attest to the applicant’s potential for completing graduate studies. Letters must be from current nursing administrators, recent professors, or academic advisors, who can address the applicant’s clinical performance and ability to be successful in advanced practice study.
• Recent Curriculum Vitae.
• Registered Nursing license to practice in New York State. License must be unencumbered.
• One year of relevant clinical nursing practice experience as determined by the admissions committee; three years of relevant clinical nursing practice is required before progressing into the Primary Care courses for students in the Nurse Practitioner specialization.
• Interview with admissions committee
• Personal Statement:

The personal statement is heavily weighted in considering all applications.
All Master’s Degree applicants must answer questions below. Your personal statement should be at least 300 words, 2 to 4 pages in length total, double-spaced with one-inch margins, in 12-point font.

• We want to know more about you – your life and goals, your challenges and strengths, and the clinical path that has led you to this point in your career. Imagine that you are writing your autobiography and you are describing your greatest nursing career achievement.
• Share specific experiences from your nursing career where your leadership efforts and caring intentions fostered the success of patients from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Describe how/where you intend to practice in this new role. What contributions do you envision making to the professions?  

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Students who hold a Graduate Degree in Nursing who wish to receive a Post Masters Certificate as an Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner can apply to the Post Masters Certificate (PMC) program.
Students who apply to the program must meet the following criteria:

• Graduate from an accredited program with a Masters Degree in Nursing. Must have achieved an overall GPA of 3.0 with at least a grade of B in all Nursing courses.
• Graduate Courses completed will be reviewed individually through a full Gap Analysis conducted by members of the Admissions Committee. Courses that have been taken more than 5 years ago may not be accepted for transfer.  
• Three professional letters of reference from a supervisor who has had the opportunity to evaluate the applicant’s clinical practice.
• Three years of clinical practice as determined by the admissions committee.
• Well written Personal Statement  

Instructions: All post master’s certificate  applicants must answer questions below.
The  personal statement should be 300 words, 2 to 4 pages in length total, double-spaced with one-inch margins, in 12-point font.

• We want to know more about you – your life and goals, your challenges and strengths, and the clinical path that you have chosen that has led you to this point in your career. Imagine that you are writing your autobiography and you are describing your greatest nursing career achievement.
• Share specific experiences from your nursing career where your leadership efforts and caring intentions fostered the success of patients from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Describe why you want to advance your career by becoming an advanced practice nurse.

• Interview with graduate admissions committee

Application deadline: April 18th for September Admission

Applications are reviewed upon completion, no applications will be considered after March 15th

Apply Now

Advanced Practice Program Outcomes

Adult Gerontology Primary Care and Adult Gerontology Clinical Specialist 

1. Use theories of nursing, other sciences, and humanities to provide the highest level of culturally competent advanced nursing practice in population health.

2. Engage effective organizational and systems leadership principles for safety and quality initiatives through a through a variety of care delivery approaches.

3. Implement evidenced-based clinical scholarship to improve health outcomes in diverse populations.

4. Demonstrate skills to improve and transform culturally competent healthcare for diverse populations through use of information systems and technology

5. Propose policy changes related to advocacy, quality healthcare, and the elimination of health disparities in the local, state, national and/or global arena

6. Employ effective communication skills to establish interprofessional and intra- professional collaboration and scholarly projects aimed at improving patient and population health outcomes

7. Develop broad evidenced-based practice and organization plans (when indicated)  for population health, promotion and disease prevention for diverse populations.

8. Implement the highest level of advanced practice through a personal philosophy that includes professional values, lifelong learning, advocacy, and mentorship to optimize population health interventions and outcomes.

The Department of Nursing offers the Post-Masters Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree programs which has two options: Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) and Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS). 

The current Post-Masters Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree program admits Advanced Practice Nurses who are Masters prepared and are ANCC or AANP certified as Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioners or Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialists.

The DNP program is designed to meet health care workforce needs and to provide education at the highest level of clinical nursing practice. 

The MS and Post-masters MS Certificate program requirements are consistent with the Advanced Practice MS competencies published by the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties and the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists.

Students who apply to any graduate program must meet the following criteria:

• Official baccalaureate and master's degree transcript(s) documenting a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0-point scale.
• Two recommendation letters supporting the applicant’s potential for completing graduate studies; one must be from a current nursing supervisor or recent professor who can address the applicant’s clinical performance and ability to succeed in graduate study
• Recent Curriculum Vitae.
• Current and unencumbered RN and APRN license to practice in New York State
• One year of relevant clinical nursing practice experience as determined by the admissions committee.
• Interview with admissions committee
• A well written personal statement that serves as an illustration of the applicant's ability to write as a professional.

Instructions: Your personal statement should be 300 words, 2 to 4 pages in length total, double-spaced with one-inch margins, in 12-point font.

• We want to know more about you – your life and goals, your challenges and strengths, and the clinical path that you have chosen that has led you to this point in your career. Describe an example from your nursing career where your clinical leadership fostered a successful outcome for one or more patient.
• Share specific experiences from your nursing career where your leadership efforts and caring intentions fostered the success of patients from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Describe why you selected this course of study.
• How has advanced practice nursing impacted health care delivery in the USA?
• What are your personal goals as a Doctor of Nursing Practice?

 
Advanced Standing Status for DNP Admission

Applicants who have a Master’s degree in Nursing but are not Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioners or Clinical Specialist, or applicants with a non-clinical Master’s degree will have prior credits evaluated through a full gap analysis by the admissions committee, but must complete the role specialization (Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Specialist) courses before entering the DNP course sequence.

Apply Now:

Applications will be evaluated on an individual basis when all official transcripts and supporting documents have been received. 
Application deadline: April 18th for September Admission. 

MS Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialist

• Is this program online?
• How often do I have to come to the campus?
• How long will it take me to complete the program?
• How many clinical hours will I need for the Master of Science Degree?
• Are summer classes offered?
• Can I transfer credits
• What if I have a Master’s degree in Nursing from another college and want to become an Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner?
• How much does the program cost?
• What are the admission requirements?

Q: Is this program online?

A: The program is in-person with some online courses.

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Q: How often do I have to come to the campus?

A: Courses are offered so that the student can take the required courses one evening a week.

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Q: How long will it take me to complete the program?

A: That depends on you, but most students finish within a three year time frame.

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Q: How many clinical hours will I need for the Master of Science Degree?

A: The Nurse Practitioner program will soon require 750 clinical hours done over three semesters

The Clinical Nurse Specialist program requires 500 clinical hours

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Q: Are summer classes offered?

A: Yes. Some courses are offered in the summer, and there are also some courses offered over the winter break.

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Q: Can I transfer credits?

A: Select courses can be transferred in, if they have been taken within 5 years. Every application is evaluated individually by the Admissions Committee. For courses to be considered for transfer, you must complete the transfer form that is available through the Graduate Studies Office and submit the course syllabus. 

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Q: What if I have a Master’s degree in Nursing from another college and want to become an Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner?

A: Your transcript and course work will be evaluated for entry into the Post-Masters certificate program. Upon completion you will receive a certificate. More information about the Post Masters Certificate program can be found at [LINK]

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Q: How much does the program cost?

A: You can find all of the financial information on – Tuition and Fees

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Q:  What are the admission requirements?

A: Admissions requirements can be found at Graduate Programs and Requirements

Counseling Center

Students in the graduate program are often working and caring for family. Students who encounter significant problems or struggle with any issues have access to free counseling services. The Counseling Center is staffed by Licensed Counselors. Learn more about the Counseling Center.

Library Services

Nursing has a dedicated librarian and students have access to all academic resources available to any large University.View the Nursing Library.

Health and Wellness Services

Students have access to health services with no out of pocket cost. Many clinical services virtually, using safe and secure telehealth services. More information about the Student Health Services.

Paying For College

At CSI, we make it easy for you to fulfill your dreams by supplementing our affordable tuition with a number of financial aid options. More information.

Parking

There is ample parking for students on campus. Learn more aboutTransportation & Parking

ACEN Accreditation
The Master’s/Post-Master’s Certificate Nursing Program of the College of Staten Island located in Staten Island, New York is accredited by the: 

• Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 
• 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
• Atlanta, GA  30326
• (404) 975-5000

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Master’s/Post-Master’s Certificate Nursing Program is Continuing Accreditation.
View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program.