For admission to the Graduate School, an applicant must hold either (1) a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or (2) a tertiary (postsecondary) degree that is deemed comparable to a four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution. This degree must be from an officially recognized degree-granting institution in the country in which it operates.

Prior to admission to the program, your transcripts will be evaluated by the Clinical Nurse Specialist option coordinator in collaboration with the admissions committee.

Professional experience will be taken into consideration for admission, and exceptions to the GPA requirement (3.0 GPA preferred, on a 4.0 scale) may be made for students with special backgrounds, abilities, and interests.

How to Apply
 

Applying for this certificate is a multiple-step process. You must complete all steps in order to be considered for the program.

Individuals seeking admission to this program must complete and submit the Penn State Graduate School online application. Be sure to read the admissions requirements carefully, as each program has unique requirements.

1. On the "Admissions and Program Information Portal" page, choose "Apply Now"
2. Select "Certificate Admission"
3. When you get to the "Campus, Major, Degree, and Semester" page:
   1. Choose "WORLD CAMPUS" as the campus
   2. Choose "GERIATRIC NURSING EDUCATION" as the certificate
   3. Choose the appropriate semester