Certificate Programs

Post-Master’s Advanced Practice Certificate applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

• Master of Science (MS) in a nursing focus, Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), or Master of Nursing (MN) from a nursing education program accredited through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), or American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB). Applicants may apply pending completion of the master's degree; conferral must be received prior to the selected term of application.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from a nursing education program accredited through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), or NLN Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA).
• Minimum grade point average of a 3.0 on a 4-point scale (or equivalent measures of performance if a graduate of an institution with no grading system) in both graduate and undergraduate nursing programs. 

Prior to their first term of enrollment, all admitted students must have an active and unencumbered RN license in the state where they will be completing their clinical experiences.

The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is not required for admission consideration to any of the University of Michigan School of Nursing post-master's certificate programs.

The non-refundable application fee is $85 payable through the NursingCAS application platform. For information on application fee waivers, visit the NursingCAS website.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to check their NursingCAS application account frequently to make sure documents have been received and processed by the deadline. 

NursingCAS Applications Sections:

Academic History

U.S. Institution Transcripts:

Send all official transcripts from each college/university attended.

• Please note that transcripts are required regardless of the number of credits taken or if the credits were transferred to another school.
• Transcripts should not be sent to the U-M School of Nursing. All transcripts must be processed through NursingCAS.
• Current or previous University of Michigan students are required to request transcripts to be sent to NursingCAS through the Office of the Registrar.

For additional information, refer to the NursingCAS Section on Sending Official Transcripts to NursingCAS.

Non-U.S. Institution Transcripts: 

We require all applicants who have completed, or are completing, undergraduate and/or graduate degrees at institutions outside of the United States—including those from Canada—to provide a course-by-course evaluation of their transcripts.

The course-by-course evaluation helps us understand how your grades compare to grades in the U.S. education system as well as what the equivalent U.S. degree is. Translations must be literal and complete versions of the original records.

We have two approved agencies that can prepare your required course-by-course evaluation:

• World Education Service, Inc.
• Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. 

*Evaluations from other foreign evaluation vendors will not be accepted by the University of Michigan School of Nursing. 

Program Materials Section:

Personal Statement

Provide an answer to the following question: What are your professional and educational goals as they relate to the graduate program to which you are applying? (700 words maximum). 

References 

Three letters of recommendation are required for admission consideration to the post-master's certificate programs. Recommendations must be sent directly to NursingCAS. Please review the NursingCAS Program Materials and refer to the section labeled “References” for more information. It is recommended that references have a master's level nursing degree or higher.

Resume

The submission of a well-written one to two page resume is required for your NursingCAS application. The resume should be formatted appropriately and easy to read. While practice experience is encouraged, we do not require specific work experience prior to applying for a program.

Video Assessment

Applicants will be required to complete a one-way, asynchronous video assessment via Kira Talent prior to submitting their application. Access to this assessment is available through the NursingCAS application. 

We recommend taking the first steps on your application at least five-six weeks before the application deadline. All application materials must be received by NursingCAS by the deadline in order to be considered for admission.

Applicants  to the University of Michigan School of Nursing may only apply to one program and one term at a time.

Academic History

Transcripts:

• Official transcripts are required from all institutions regardless of the number of credits taken or if the credits were transferred to another school.
• Late receipt of transcripts is the primary reason why applications are considered incomplete. Transcript processing can take upwards of 4-6 weeks
• Transcripts sent to the U-M School of Nursing will not be accepted. All transcripts must be processed through NursingCAS.

Program Materials Section:

Personal Statement

The answer should state your reason for pursuing the program. It is most effective when you have researched the program and can communicate an understanding of the scope of practice. You should elaborate on how the degree and specialty best fit your professional, personal, and academic goals.

• Personal statements are a perfect place to relay information to the admission committee that was not included in other parts of your application.
• You should  incorporate information about the experiences that lead you to pursuing this specialty.
• Utilize your personal statement to clarify any aspects of your academic or professional background that may require further explanation.

References (Post-Master’s Certificates only)

As part of your NursingCAS application, you will be required to submit three electronic Letters of Reference (LOR).

• All references must be completed using NursingCAS’s Recommender Portal called Liaison Letters.
• Reference request will come from the following email address: [email protected]
• For technical requirements and accessibility information, please review Liaison Letters Help Center for Troubleshooting.

Choosing a recommender: 

• Recommenders should be updated on your personal goals to be able to comment on your potential success as a graduate student and as an advanced practice nurse in the area for which you are applying.
• Applicants should send their evaluation requests early in the application process to ensure recommenders have adequate time to complete their request.

Hard copy or electronic versions of recommendations sent directly to the school will not be accepted.

Resume

Highlight important educational and professional experiences, including volunteering, professional associations, leadership, research, job shadowing and awards. 

• Example of Nursing Resume
• Resumes should be current and no longer than two pages.
• Applicants should keep information relevant to nursing-specific experiences and leadership activities.
• For individuals with limited to no work experience as an RN, it is recommended that applicants job shadowing and/or volunteer work relates to their chosen program of study.
• Involvement in extracurricular leadership activities are a good item to have on your resume. Examples include involvement in Student Nurses Associations or student groups while in school or participating in unit committees while working.
• Achievements and awards can also be included in your resume, such as Daisy awards or departmental recognition.

All application materials must be received by NursingCAS by the deadline to be considered for admission.

Graduate applicants qualify for an exemption from taking an English proficiency examination if one of the following criteria are met:

• You are a native speaker of English.
• You are an applicant from Puerto Rico.
• You completed all of your undergraduate education and earned an undergraduate degree at an institution where the language of instruction is English only. Undergraduate degree requirements must be completed before the start of classes at U-M.
• You completed all of your graduate education and earned a graduate degree at an institution where the language of instruction is English only. Graduate degree requirements must be completed before the start of classes at U-M.
• You are a current U-M student.

Does not meet English proficiency exemption:

• A one year graduate degree does not meet an English exemption.
• If you completed a Master’s degree that was strictly research and no academic classes, that degree does not meet the exemption. This type of Master’s degree is generally awarded at a non-U.S. institution.

If you have questions about qualifying for an exemption from taking an English proficiency examination, please contact the Office of Admissions and Records at [email protected].

English Proficiency Exemption Documentation

If you think you qualify for an exemption based on receiving a degree from an institution where the language of instruction is English only, you must have your previous institution submit a letter directly to the School of Nursing following these guidelines:

• The letter must state that the language of instruction for all courses taken at the institution was English only.
• The letter must be signed, stamped, dated and sent in a sealed envelope directly from a school official to the School of Nursing.
• Documentation sent directly from students will not be considered for an exemption. *
• Letters may be sent to the following address:

Admissions & Records
400 N. Ingalls St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5482

• Exemptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis and are not guaranteed.

English Language Test Information

Scores must be sent directly to the University of Michigan

• Test scores are valid for two years after the test date.
• Official score reports must be received from the testing agency no later than the program application deadline.
• Tests accepted are the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) for graduate applicants.
• Only the highest total score from one test date will be considered in the admissions process.
• Photocopies and/or faxes of English proficiency scores will not be accepted.

TOEFL (Preferred)

• For TOEFL exams taken before January 21, 2026, total score must be 94 or higher
• For TOEFL exams taken on or after January 21, 2026, total score must be 5 or higher
• We accept TOEFL internet-based-test
• Official scores should be sent directly to the University of Michigan, School Code 1839.
• For  testing information, please view: https://www.ets.org/toefl

IELTS 

• Total score must be 7.0 or higher
• We accept IELTS, IELTS indicator exam
• Official scores should be sent directly to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor or have them mailed to the following address:

Admissions & Records
400 N. Ingalls St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5482

• For testing information, please view: https://www.ielts.org/en-us

Kira Talent Assessment

• Kira Talent allows for an unlimited number of practice questions before beginning the assessment.
• Applicants will have 45 seconds for preparation before each question, and 120 seconds to respond - you do not have to use the entire 120 seconds.
• Applicants will have access to technical support through Kira Talent support 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
• Please read this Kira Talent help article for what to expect from the Kira Talent video assessment.

Live Interview

• Some candidates may be invited to a live interview with U-M School of Nursing faculty. All live interviews will be conducted in a virtual format.
• Applicants selected for a live interview will be notified via email. 

• Fall 2026 decisions will be sent beginning mid-February for those who submitted a complete application by the Priority Deadline (December 1, 2025). All applicants will receive a decision by the end of April.
• All admission decisions are sent via email to the email address provided by the applicant on their NursingCAS application.

The School of Nursing remains committed to welcoming prospective applicants and connecting with you! We offer a number of information sessions and live webinars featuring our distinguished faculty members. For more information and to register for an event, see the U-M School of Nursing visitor information page.