School Nurse Professional Pupil Services Licensure Certificate
Advance your career and become licensed as an Ohio school nurse.
Are you an Ohio Registered Nurse (RN) with a bachelor's degree ready to take the next step in your career? Our online certificate prepares you for the Ohio Department of Education school nurse license and provides the knowledge and skills to support student health and wellness in grades K-12.
This certificate equips you with the competencies needed to excel as a school nurse leader. You'll gain practical expertise in planning, implementing and evaluating a school health service program, and provide specialized healthcare to children with diverse and complex health needs in the school setting. Coursework emphasizes the integration of professional, ethical and legal standards alongside leadership and decision-making skills to support a healthy and safe learning environment.
Through instruction from expert faculty and a curriculum focused on real-world application, this program prepares you to become a driving force in providing competent, compassionate care and promoting a healthy learning environment for students across the K-12 spectrum.
Application deadlines
Spring 2027
Opens: June 22, 2026
Deadline: Nov. 2, 2026
Applications for summer 2027 will open on Nov. 3, 2026.
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Online
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12 credit hours
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1 year
Admission requirements
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited program
- Bachelor's degree must be conferred before beginning the program
- A baccalaureate degree in nursing is not required; it can be in a non-nursing field
- Active unencumbered RN license in the state of Ohio
- Must receive license before beginning program
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale for all undergraduate coursework attempted
- GPAs are calculated by Ohio State’s Graduate and Professional Admissions Office
- Residence in an authorized state
Program length
- Three to four semesters
- Most students take one class per semester, but may take two depending on course offerings.
Credit hours
- 12
Delivery format
- Online
Practicum experience
- 93.75 practicum hours
- Practicum hours can be completed at the place of employment if currently employed as a school nurse.
- For those not currently employed as a school nurse, faculty will assist with placement.
Required Courses (12 Credits)
- School Health Roles and Responsibilities (3 credits)
- Management of School Health Services (3 credits)
- Children with Special Needs in Schools (3 credits)
- Practicum in School Nursing (3 credits)
Applicants can track their application status through their Applicant Center. Allow up to five business days for material status updates to be reflected.
Direct questions about application materials to gpadmissions@osu.edu.
- Deadline
- The application and all required materials must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. ET on the due date.
- Decision
- Within a month after the deadline
- The application status will show as “pending” until a decision is posted. Applicants will be notified through their Applicant Center and by email from Graduate and Professional Admissions.
- Accept
- Four weeks post decision
- Admission cannot be deferred. Students unable to start in the admitted term must reapply for a future term.
How to apply
Complete online application through Ohio State’s Graduate and Professional Admissions. A $60 application fee is required at the time of submission.
We require the state board license verification document from the website in the state where you hold your license. This document must clearly indicate that your license is unencumbered no board action. Submit this summary as a PDF file using the Admissions Uploader at the time of application submission. The document must contain the following information:
- Your Full Name
- License Number
- Expiration Date
- State of Authorization
- Board Action Status
Documents missing any of this required information will not be accepted.
You must submit official transcripts from all previously attended undergraduate and graduate colleges. This includes transcripts for any post-secondary courses taken during high school or of coursework that appears as transfer credit on another transcript. You do not need to submit Ohio State transcripts.
Transcripts should be sent directly by the sending institution by mail or electronic transfer to be considered official. Refer to instructions on how to submit your transcripts. Direct all transcript related questions to the Graduate and Professional Admissions office at 614-292-9444 or to gpadmissions@osu.edu. Upload a copy of official transcript(s) at the time of application or after on the Admissions Uploader.
- Initial Submission: You may upload an unofficial copy (not a web-based document) for application review purposes.
- Official Requirement: If admitted, you must submit official transcripts sent directly from your previous institutions. Request these early to meet the deadline.
Refer to Graduate and Professional Admissions for acceptable tests, score requirements and submission instructions.
Applicants must submit all application materials by 11:59 p.m. ET on the deadline to be considered for admission.
FAQ
This certificate is typically completed in four semesters. This timeframe may vary slightly depending on the course offerings and your individual plan of study.
No. Coursework is online, meaning there are no on-campus requirements. There is an in-person practicum requirement for this program.
Yes. If you are currently employed as a school nurse, you may complete your required practicum hours at your place of employment. If you are not currently employed as a school nurse, our faculty will aid in securing an approved placement for you.
A total of 93.75 hours are required for the practicum experience in school nursing.
Yes, fee waivers are accepted. Please direct questions regarding fee waivers to your school district.
Students are expected to follow their assigned plan of study. Because the required courses are only offered during certain terms each year, your plan is built around this availability. Any changes to your plan must be discussed with your academic advisor.
A professional license or certification may be required to practice in the field of this academic program, or to advance or specialize in that field. This program meets licensure requirements in the State of Ohio and is approved by the Ohio Department of Higher Education.
If you are planning to seek a professional license or certification in a state other than Ohio, it is highly recommended that you contact the appropriate state licensing agency to seek information and guidance before beginning the program. In addition, online program availability may vary by state. Please visit the state authorization website to find out if your state of residence is authorized.
Students are admitted for each semester (spring, summer and autumn).