The post-master’s program at USI is for nurses currently holding an MSN who want to add a specialty.
The online program works with preceptors in numerous states throughout the U.S. to provide you with experiences to prepare you for proficiency upon graduation. The program focuses on legal, socioeconomic, political, cultural and ethical considerations of the population.
We offer admission into the program once a year and work with our students to provide a Plan of Study that allows for timely graduation and achievement of their goals. Fall and spring courses are 16 weeks in length; summer course offerings are 10 weeks long.
There are no campus visits required. Additional information about the University may be found on the About USI web page.
Choose Your Specialty Track
Post MSN APRN Certificate Program Deadlines:
| Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Classes Begin |
| July 1 | July 15 | August |
- A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from a nationally-accredited nursing program and a regionally-accredited college or university.
- ALL APPLICANTS MUST HAVE a minimum cumulative MSN grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
- An unencumbered U.S. RN license in all states of practice.
- Recommended but not required: One year full-time or 2,000 hours of clinical practice as an RN within the last five years.
- Complete application file as of the application deadline.
- Non-native speakers of English must meet English proficiency requirements as established by the USI Center for International Programs.
How to Apply
- Submit an online application, a $40 application fee, and three references with contact information.
- Upload a current professional resume or curriculum vitae to your application account.
- Submit official transcripts to Graduate Studies.
- Official electronic transcripts are preferred and can be emailed from the previous institution to Graduate.Studies@usi.edu.
- Mailed transcripts can be sent to this address:
Graduate Studies
University of Southern Indiana
8600 University Blvd.
Evansville, IN 47712
- International applicants may be required to submit additional information.
To be eligible for graduate study at USI, you must meet the minimum Graduate Studies criteria.
Are you an out-of-state student interested in pursuing the master’s in nursing online degree at USI or determining if the graduate nursing programs meet individual state requirements for employment? Check your eligibility.
The online MSN and Post MSN Certificate programs are limited to working with certain states in the U.S. only. Moving into a state not recognized by the graduate nursing program will lead to inability to continue in MSN coursework. The exception to this is active military status.
Requirements
Requirements for Post MSN Certificate Program include a minimum of 3 to 5 actual hours of study per week for each one credit hour (example: if you are taking a 3 hour course, you will need to study at a minimum of 9 to 15 hours weekly). This is in addition to listening to online lectures.
Clinical courses include clinical hours in addition to the study requirements above. The range of clinical hours required in APN courses is between 8 to 24 hours weekly.
There are no campus visits required for this program.
Transfer Course Information
You may transfer in up to 9 credit hours in the Post MSN Certificate program. These courses include graduate-level pathophysiology, pharmacology, and advanced health assessment.
To be considered for transfer credit, the course syllabus for the course taken must be submitted to Dr. Bailey Rankin, Graduate Nursing Chair, at bprankin@usi.edu.
To consider transfer credits please consider the following questions:
- Do I have a 3-credit hour pathophysiology, pharmacology, and advanced health assessment course?
- Is my course grade a B or higher?
- Was the course taken within the last 5 years?
These questions will be used to evaluate transfer credits in the Post MSN Certificate Program. Evaluation of previous course work will determine your semester start date.
Note: Applicants of the Post MSN Certificate Program are eligible for course transfer for courses greater than 5 years if they are actively practicing in the APRN role. Students wishing to transfer credits greater than 5 years should complete the APRN Hour Verification form, signed by their current employer, and return to the Graduate Chair for consideration of course transfer credit.
3 P's Transfer Policy
For consideration of transfer credit for Advanced Pathophysiology, Pharmacology and Physical Assessment, the student may provide the following:
- Documentation of successful completion of a graduate level Pathophysiology course within the past 5 years and/or pending approval from admission and progression committee based on current practice experience.
- Documentation of successful completion of a graduate level Pharmacology course within the past 5 years and/or pending approval from admission and progression committee based on current practice experience.
- Documentation of successful completion of a graduate level Advanced Health Assessment course within the past 5 years and/or pending approval from the graduate admissions and progression committee based on current practice experience.
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program and Post-Master's APRN Certificate program at the University of Southern Indiana are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).