Post-Master's Study Option
Expand your career by developing specialized clinical and leadership skills that elevate patient care and strengthen healthcare practice.
Program details
The Post-Master's Study option is designed for practicing nurses who already hold a master’s degree in nursing and wish to pursue advanced specialty certification or add a second specialty. This option does not lead to an additional degree from Ohio State. If admitted, you will work with a faculty advisor to develop a personalized curriculum plan that meets certification requirements. You will complete any Ohio State coursework not covered in your prior graduate program, along with the required specialty courses and precepted clinical experiences. To waive previously completed coursework, you must submit a transcript and the syllabus from the term in which the course was taken.
Eligibility requirements
- Status as one of the following types of student:
- Hold a Master of Science in Nursing degree from a CCNE-, ACEN- or CNEA-accredited institution and be currently certified as an APRN.
- Currently enrolled in the Post-Master’s (Traditional) DNP program at The Ohio State University.
- Applicants who are in the process of completing their Master of Science in Nursing degree and/or APRN certification may still apply; however, conferral of the degree and APRN certification must be finalized by August 1 prior to program enrollment.
- If your Master of Science in Nursing degree did not lead to APRN certification, you may still pursue advanced nursing certification through the Traditional Master of Science or BSN-to-DNP pathways. Benefits of these degree-seeking options include eligibility for financial aid. Upon admission, students may submit their previously completed graduate nursing coursework for faculty review to determine whether it meets the criteria for course waivers within the chosen specialty.
- International applicants must hold the equivalent Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution. All transcripts must undergo a course-by-course credential evaluation by an approved evaluation agency to verify program equivalency and calculate a Grade Point Average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale.
- Active RN license
- Hold an active, unencumbered RN license in the state where they practice. Candidates may apply prior to obtaining licensure but must have a valid RN license by August 1 before beginning the program.
- Minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale in the last degree earned that is relevant to the program of study
- GPAs are reviewed by Ohio State's Graduate and Professional Admissions Office. If your GPA falls below 3.0, you may still apply and be considered through a holistic admissions review.
We offer nine specialty tracks in the the Post-Master's program, and one specialty must be selected when you submit your application. Core classes will be completed online for all students, regardless of specialty track.
Online only
On-campus only
- Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse-Midwifery
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
Online or on-campus
- Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Online program availability varies by state. State authorization provides information on state authorization requirements and disclosures related to online programs and state licensing board contact information.
After admission, the specialty director and academic dean will review the coursework from your previous master’s degree. You will need to submit all relevant syllabi within a short timeframe for this evaluation. Some specialty course requirements may be waived based on prior coursework, and Post-Master’s students will complete the remaining required courses at Ohio State. As a result, the length of the program varies depending on your individualized curriculum plan.
All students may complete their core coursework online. Specialty coursework varies by track: on-campus specialties require in-person participation in Columbus, while online specialties are delivered through synchronous online classes and include scheduled on-campus sessions during clinical courses for skills training and simulation-based learning. Clinical experiences are arranged in settings local to the student when possible.
A list of the courses required for each specialty certification can be found by visiting each of the specialty pages linked in the specialties tab.
There are two rounds of applications for an autumn enrollment. Allow up to five business days for the status of materials to be updated on your application status. You can track the status of your application through your applicant center. Direct questions about application materials to gpadmissions@osu.edu.
- Deadline
- Your application and all materials must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. ET.
- Decision
- Round 1: Late December
- Round 2: Late April
- If you are currently or have previously enrolled in a degree-granting graduate program at Ohio State for any length of time, you are considered a Graduate Intra-University Transfer and can contact nursing@osu.edu to review your application status.
- You will be notified of your application decision via email.
- Accept
- Round 1: Four weeks post decision
Round 2: Two weeks post decision - If you do not respond to your offer of admission by the deadline your offer will be cancelled.
- You cannot defer admittance. If you are unable to begin your studies in the term to which you applied, you will be required to reapply in the future.
- Round 1: Four weeks post decision
How to apply
Complete online application at Ohio State’s Graduate and Professional Admissions Office. A $60 fee is required at the time of submission of the application.
The application will require you to select your specialization for the program, if you will attend full-time or part-time, and if you will attend on-campus or online, if that option is available for your chosen specialty.
Internationally educated applicants can find additional information on Ohio State's Graduate and Professional Admissions website.
You must submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities that you have previously attended at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. This includes transcripts for any post-secondary courses taken during high school or of coursework that appears as transfer credit on another transcript. Transcripts from The Ohio State University do not need to be submitted.
Transcripts should be submitted directly by the sending institution by mail or electronic transfer to be considered official. Request that your transcripts be sent early so they arrive before the deadline. Transcripts can be sent to gpadocs@osu.edu or by mail to:
The Ohio State University
Graduate Admissions Office
P.O. Box 182004
Columbus, OH 43218-2004
You may upload a copy of an official transcript at the time of application or afterward on the admissions uploader. Documents submitted in this manner are considered unofficial but will suffice for the purposes of your application. Web based documents, online grade reports and related materials are not acceptable. If you are admitted, you will be required to supply official transcripts sent directly from your previous institution(s).
For details regarding these methods of submitting transcripts, visit The Ohio State University Graduate and Professional Admissions and direct all transcript related questions to their office at 614-292-9444 or to gpadmissions@osu.edu.
Your resume or curriculum vitae (CV) should be in a similar format as a job application. Include your previous education, professional experiences, community service, volunteer activities, publications, research and leadership experiences. Submit this document at the time of application or afterward on the admissions uploader.
The purpose and goals statement is an opportunity to introduce yourself, to express your interest in advanced nursing practice and to demonstrate your writing skills. Here are some recommended questions to consider and to address when composing your statement:
- What specifically are your academic and career goals?
- How do you see yourself as a leader and advocate for patients in your future practice setting?
- How have your life experiences prepared you for a master’s degree and/or to be an advanced practice nurse in your selected specialty?
- How did you decide to seek graduate education in this specialty area?
Your statement should not exceed three pages and use a standard format of single-spaced, 12-point font, with one-inch margins. You may submit this document at the time of application or after by way of the admissions uploader.
You are required to complete an interview through an online portal called HireVue. You will answer a few questions and your responses will be recorded. This interview can be completed at any time during the application window, however, we ask that you do so only after you have completed and submitted your application. You must complete the recorded online video interview before the application deadline. Video details and instructions.
It is suggested that at least one of your letters of recommendation come from an academic source from your Master of Science program. Supervisors are also a good source for recommendations. We suggest providing your recommenders with information on the degree and specialty to which you are applying and with a copy of your purpose and goals statement. Ask that they address your potential for success in a rigorous graduate program and what attributes and experiences they feel will allow you to excel as an advanced practice nurse in your chosen specialty. Your recommenders will supply their letters to you and you will upload them to the Post-Master’s application prior to submission as an MS Word or PDF document.
If you completed the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree or higher at an institution outside of the United States, you must submit a course-by-course credential evaluation that verifies U.S. degree equivalency and includes a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale.
The evaluation must be completed by an approved credential evaluation agency and sent directly to the university by the agency. Our preferred agency is TruMerit (formerly CGFNS International) as TruMerit credential evaluations are also required by the Ohio Board of Nursing for RN licensure.
You can find additional information on Ohio State's Graduate and Professional Admissions website.
We will also accept evaluations from the following approved agencies:
- World Education Services (WES)
- SpanTran (The Evaluation Company)
- Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)
- International Education Evaluations (IEE)
- Josef Silny & Associates (JS&A)
- International Education Research Foundation (IERF)
- International Consultants of Delaware (ICD)
The course-by-course credential evaluation must include:
- Verification of U.S. degree equivalency
- A list of completed coursework with credit hours and grades
- Calculation of a cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale
If you are currently or have been previously enrolled in a degree granting graduate program at The Ohio State University for any length of time, you would be considered a Graduate Intra-University Transfer Student. Choose the appropriate application for "current or former" Ohio State students after clicking apply now. In addition to the online application, you must complete a Supplemental Application. This separate application must be submitted to the College of Nursing directly at CON-gradrecords@osu.edu.
Choose any of the following options to access this application:
- MS Word Document: Supplemental Post-Master's Application (To download, select "Save")
- PDF: Supplemental Post-Master's Application
Applicants must submit all application materials by 11:59 p.m. ET on the deadline to be considered for admission.
FAQ
Your application will receive a holistic review, meaning all aspects of who you are as an applicant will be considered including your academic preparedness, professional background, formative life experiences and your unique strengths and attributes. The following list of applicant attributes and experiences is not all encompassing but is meant to help guide you in highlighting your strengths as you prepare your application.
- A clear understanding of the role of the advanced practice nurse in your chosen specialty and how it aligns with your future career goals
- Previous personal or professional experience with the population of your chosen specialty
- Leadership, and/or ability for teamwork and collaboration
- Community engagement (local or global)
- Diversity of thought, perspective, and experiences
- Evidence of the ability to think critically
- Organization of ideas and written and oral communication skills
- Examples of key personal attributes such as humility, professionalism, compassion, etc.
- Overall commitment to the nursing profession
Yes, students in our master’s-level programs do work both part-time and full-time. However, due to the rigorous nature of the programs and the time commitments required, it is strongly recommended that you pursue the part-time study for the Post-Master’s option if you intend to maintain a substantial employment schedule outside of school. The final year or clinical course portion of your curriculum is full-time and typically requires three-to-four days per week commitment during clinical courses.
No, the coursework of your master's degree will only be reviewed after being admitted. We recommend reviewing the list of course requirements of your chosen specialty to get an idea of which requirements you will likely have completed and would then need to complete with Ohio State.
No, Nurse-Midwifery and Women's Health are two distinct and separate specialty tracks.
No, however, you can still pursue APRN certification at The Ohio State University. You would do so by applying to the Traditional Master of Science in Nursing or BSN to DNP. Upon admission, students may submit their previously completed graduate nursing coursework for faculty review to determine whether it meets the criteria for course waivers within the chosen specialty.
Students in the Post-Master’s Study option are considered non-degree seeking and are not eligible for many types of financial aid. If you completed your MSN at another institution and wish to receive as much financial aid as possible while pursuing APRN certification Post-Master’s at Ohio State, you can do so by applying to the Traditional Master of Science in Nursing or BSN to DNP. Upon admission, your previously completed graduate nursing coursework will still be reviewed to determine what could apply to the curriculum of your new specialty.
The exact length of the program will vary depending on your previous master's coursework and how much of it satisfies the requirements of your new specialty. Upon admission, your previously completed graduate nursing coursework will be reviewed to make this determination.
Possibly. Ohio State offers a tuition assistance program for employees, which you can learn more about. Eligibility is based on your employment status. You should consult with your Human Resources representative if you have questions about the Employee Tuition Assistance Program.
Students with international degrees are eligible to apply provided they meet all program admissions requirements, including holding a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from a Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing or National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation program. Additional requirements for international applicants:
- Review The Ohio State University’s English Proficiency Policy and other important information.
- For immigration documents and international student requirements, contact Graduate and Professional Admissions Office at gpadmissions@osu.edu or 614-292-9444.
Students are admitted twice-per-year for autumn semester.