Nursing in School Health Services Certificate
Make an impact and become an expert in K-12 school health services.
Program overview
Are you a Registered Nurse (RN) working in a hospital, clinic, or school setting and ready to update your understanding of contemporary school health issues? This online certificate expands your knowledge and skills, preparing you to effectively promote health and wellness for K-12 students and strengthen the delivery of school health services.
In this program, you will explore the of health professionals in planning, implementing and evaluating school health programs. Coursework focuses on prioritizing student needs while integrating professional, ethical and legal standards to create a healthy school environment.
Through instruction from expert faculty and a curriculum focused on real-world application, this certificate prepares you to become a driving force in providing competent, compassionate care and promoting a healthy learning environment for students across K-12 schools.
For Ohio RNs looking to complete a certificate program that leads to the Ohio Department of Education School Nurse Professional Pupil Services License should pursue the School Nurse Professional Pupil Services Licensure certificate. RNs outside of the state of Ohio should consult their state’s Department of Education to determine if this certificate program could lead to licensure in their state.
Application deadline
Spring 2027
Application is closed.
Application opens on June 22.
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Online
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12 credit hours
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1 year
You must meet the following criteria to qualify for admission to the Nursing in School Health Services certificate:
Your nursing education must have been completed through a degree program accredited through ACEN or CNEA. Note: You may apply to the certificate before completing your nursing program, but you must complete it prior to beginning enrollment in certificate coursework.
You must have an active, unencumbered license as a registered nurse in the state of Ohio. Note: You may apply before receiving your license, but you must have it prior to beginning enrollment in certificate coursework.
Cumulative GPAs include all undergraduate coursework attempted and are calculated by Ohio State’s Graduate and Professional Admissions office.
State authorization provides information on state authorization requirements and disclosures related to online programs and state licensing board contact information.
Time to certificate completion: Three to four semesters
Number of credit hours: 12
Educational delivery format: This certificate is offered primarily online with mostly asynchronous modules, allowing for maximum flexibility. Some courses may include occasional live synchronous sessions for guest lectures or meetings. Most students complete the certificate by taking one class per semester, but you may need to take two classes in one semester depending on course availability. Some elective course options are only offered in an on-campus format.
Required courses (9 Credits)
You must complete the following three courses:
- School Health Roles and Responsibilities (3 credits)
- Management of School Health Services (3 credits)
- Children with Special Needs in Schools (3 credits)
Elective coursework options
Select one course (3 credits):
- Health Assessment Across the Lifespan (3 credits)
- Optimizing Personal Health, Happiness & Well-being (3 credits)
- Psychological Perspectives on Education (3 credits)
- Family Development (3 credits)
- Child Development (3 credits)
- Minority Perspectives: Race, Ethnicity, and Gender (3 credits)
Note: This certificate prepares you to administer school health services but does not lead to the Ohio School Nurse Professional Pupil Services Licensure. If you are an Ohio RN seeking the state license, please consider our Licensure Certificate program.
This timeline outlines what you can expect throughout the application process.
Spring: November 3
Summer: February 2
The application and all required materials must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. ET.
Within a month after the deadline
You can track the status of your application through your applicant center. The application status will show as “pending” until a decision is posted.
Most applicants will have a decision posted to their applicant center and will be notified of their application decision via an email from Graduate and Professional Admissions.
Four weeks post decision
Admission cannot be deferred. If you are unable to begin your studies in the term to which you applied, you will be required to reapply in 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 this website for 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. You may also upload a copy of an official transcript at the time of application or after by way of 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.
Failure to complete all required steps by the deadline (11:59 p.m. ET) will result in your application not being considered for admission.
Contact
FAQ
The core courses (Nursing 3116, Nursing 3116, and Nursing 3117) are 100% online, and there are no on-campus requirements. However, some electives are only offered in an on-campus format.
Yes, fee waivers are accepted. Please direct any specific questions regarding fee waivers to your district.
Students are expected to follow their plan of study. Any changes to that plan should be discussed with your academic advisor.
No, the required courses are only offered during certain terms each year. Your plan of study is therefore based on this course availability.
As non-degree students, most traditional financial aid and scholarship opportunities are not available to students enrolling in certificate programs. However, full-time employees at Ohio State may be eligible for tuition assistance, which can aid in the costs of this certificate.
A breakdown of the estimated costs for the total program can be found here. Students in the certificate program pay instructional fees, general fees, distance learning fees, and nursing distance learning fees each term of enrollment.
This program admits students twice per year (spring and summer semesters).