Continue expanding your nursing skills with a Post-Master's Certificate in the specialty area of your choice.
New admissions to the Master of Science and Post-Master's Certificate programs are closed.
The UCSF School of Nursing will be expanding its doctoral programming to meet the growing demand for doctorally prepared nurses who will lead innovative change in an increasingly complex health care environment.
The school plans to launch a new Post-Baccalaureate Pathway to the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, pending approval of the curriculum by the California Board of Registered Nursing. This new pathway will enable nurses with a BSN to pursue an advanced practice specialty and DNP degree. Applications are expected to open in mid-late summer 2023 for admission in 2024. Please check back soon for information about the pathway and how to apply.
(Posted June 2, 2023)
Our Post-Master’s Certificate Program enables nurses with a master's degree in nursing to pursue state certification in an additional specialty area, or seek a program of study that may lead to a change in role (e.g., a CNL or CNS seeking an NP specialization certificate). You'll receive a certificate upon completion and will be eligible to apply for national certification examinations.
Choosing A Specialty Area
We offer Post-Master's options for specialized study as a clinical nurse specialist, nurse practitioner or health policy specialist.
Nurse Practitioner Specialities
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner †
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner - Occupational/Environmental Health
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner †
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Acute Care †
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Primary Care
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Nurse-Midwifery Specialty
Clinical Nurse Specialist Specialties
Population Health and Health Policy
Curriculum and Time Needed to Earn a Certificate
The Post-Master's program does not have a single separate curriculum. Each MS specialty's webpage carries information about specific courses and curricula requirements. The specialty coordinator and/or specialty advisor will work with each student on a gap analysis to determine what specific curricular requirements are required for successful completion of the individual program.
The average time commitment is 4 to 8 quarters, depending on the specialty area selected. Students are typically required to attend classes at UCSF an average of 2 days each week and attend clinical a minimum of 1 to 2 days each week. Post-Master's students need to be enrolled in a minimum of 3 quarters to fulfill the residency requirement to receive a Post-Master's certificate. Students are not required to find their own clinical placements.
Tuition
The in-state and out-of-state tuition and fees for the Post-Master's Certificate Program are posted on the UCSF Student Financial Services website.
Scholarships and other financial support opportunities are available to Post-Master's students. The fee reduction policy for UCSF employees is not applicable to the Post-Master’s Certificate Program.