nursing students in brick red taking blood pressure of another student with their instructor guiding them

Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Certificate

Earn a Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Certificate at Azusa Pacific University

You’ll advance your post-master’s nursing career and graduate prepared for California state licensure and national certification as a Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS). Build firsthand experience in clinicals and gain the skills needed to work in acute, primary, or long-term care settings. We’ll make it possible to further your education as a working professional with evening lectures, customizable clinicals, and part-time options.

Program at a Glance

The nationally ranked School of Nursing prepares nurses to lead the way in healthcare by providing a deeper level of compassionate care in clinics, hospitals, schools, and beyond.

Application Deadline

  • Priority deadline April 1st with a final deadline June 15th (for Fall start)
  • Priority deadline July 15th with a final deadline Sept 30th (for Spring start)

Apply Now

Program Units
34

Cost per unit:
$860

Base Cost
$29,240*

Location

  • Azusa (Main Campus), Inland Empire, San Diego
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Yellow Ribbon and Military Friendly School

Nursing students smiling

Gain Hands-on Experience

  • Attain the skills and knowledge needed to achieve certification as a Pediatric CNS.
  • Receive personalized attention in a supportive Christian environment.
  • Learn from faculty experienced as clinical nurse specialists or nurse practitioners.
  • Provide health care services for diverse cultural/ethnic groups, the poor, the underserved, and the homeless.

By the Numbers

1 of 126 Best Western Colleges according to Princeton Review's 2023 Best Colleges Guide
13 :1 Student-to-faculty ratio
Top 25 Best Schools for Nursing according to Niche.com

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Tony and Michelle

Kingdom Couple: APU Graduates Make a Difference as Nurses

Tony and Michelle Rosas ’15 met as they pursued their Master’s in Nursing at APU as adults, opening the door to their God-given calling in the healthcare field.

Program Details

The Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Certificate program is a non degree course credit option for nurses with a master’s degree in nursing. Pediatric clinical nurse specialists influence best-practice care of pediatric populations across the care continuum through direct care and as consultants and educators.

Browse the tabs below—if you have questions, visit the Student Services Center page, and we’ll make sure you get the info you need.

Prerequisites

  • Master’s degree in nursing
  • Completion of courses in health assessment, pathophysiology, nursing research, statistics, nursing leadership, and community health nursing equivalent to those offered in the APU undergraduate nursing program
  • Completion of an undergraduate health assessment course (see Additional Requirements below)

Please contact the School of Nursing at (626) 815-5391 for information on prerequisite courses.

Admission Requirements—Domestic Applicants

The university graduate and program admission requirements below must be met before an application is considered complete.

  • Graduate application for admission
  • $45 nonrefundable application fee
  • Official transcripts from all institutions leading to and awarding the applicant’s bachelor’s and master’s degrees from a regionally accredited institution and all postbaccalaureate study

    An official transcript is one that Azusa Pacific University receives unopened in an envelope sealed by the former institution and that bears the official seal of the college or university. A cumulative minimum 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) grade-point average on the posted degree is required for regular admission status. Provisional admittance may be granted to individuals with a lower GPA if competency can be shown through multiple measures.
  • Official transcripts should include all study leading up to and including posted BSN and MSN degrees from NLN- or CCNE-accredited programs. Transcripts should indicate completion of the following prerequisite courses: health assessment, pathophysiology, nursing research, statistics, nursing leadership, and community health nursing.Written statement, one to two pages in length:
  • Describe your professional nursing goals
  • Articulate your personal definition of nursing and concept of career opportunities in this field
  • Copy of RN license status, including your name (find status on CA.gov's Breeze system)
  • Current résumé, including the following:
  • Employment and educational experience
  • Professional or academic honors
  • Volunteer activities
  • Two recommendations from professional references who have the ability to evaluate your performance (e.g. managers, supervisors, and academic faculty; not coworkers)
  • See additional requirements for program-specific requirements

Send official transcripts to:

Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions
Azusa Pacific University
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000
[email protected]

Admission Requirements—International Applicants

Azusa Pacific University is authorized under federal law by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services and the U.S. Department of State to enroll nonimmigrant, alien undergraduate and graduate students. APU issues and administers both the I-20 and DS 2019 (F-1 and J-1 status documents respectively).

To apply for a graduate program at APU, the following requirements must be fulfilled in addition to meeting the domestic applicant and program-specific admission requirements specified above.

International applicants must also:

  • Demonstrate proficiency in English through a placement test with the Academic Success Center, or through a TOEFL/IELTS score that meets program-specific requirements. Refer to APU’s English proficiency requirements to learn more. Request that official test scores be sent to APU. All other forms of proof indicated in the English proficiency requirements must be submitted directly to International Services.
  • Provide a Graduate Affidavit of Financial Support (PDF) and a bank statement from within the last six months proving financial ability to pay for education costs through personal, family, or sponsor resources.
  • Submit a copy of a valid passport showing biographical data, including your name, country of citizenship, date of birth, and other legal information.
  • Get foreign transcripts evaluated. International credentials (transcripts, certificates, diplomas, and degrees) must be evaluated by a foreign transcript evaluation agency. View our policy and a list of approved Foreign Transcript Evaluation Agencies.

Send official transcripts to:

Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions
Azusa Pacific University
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000
[email protected]

What to Expect

After all admission materials have been received by the Student Services Center, the faculty or department chair reviews the applicant’s file. The applicant is notified in writing of the admission decision.

Additional Requirements

CNS certification students who have not had an undergraduate health assessment course within the last five (5) years must successfully complete or petition APU’s undergraduate UNRS 220 Health Assessment course. Students also have the option to take a comparable health assessment course prior to enrolling in GNRS 511 Advanced Pediatric Health Assessment and Health Promotion or GNRS 512 Advanced Health Assessment and Health Promotion.

At the beginning of clinical coursework, including health assessment labs, the student is required to provide documentation concerning CPR certification, malpractice insurance, TB screening, and immunizations appropriate to the clinical setting.

The student’s health status must permit him/her to safely undertake and complete clinical experience required for the degree.

As a fully prepared health professional, the student is expected to take responsibility for self-evaluation of her/his own health status, including an assessment of the safety and appropriateness of practice in the clinical context, both for the student and the patient. An individual faculty member may require documentation of the student’s health status.

The Joint Commission, contracted facilities, and the School of Nursing require that all graduate students undergo a background check prior to their placement at clinical sites. The cost of the background check is the responsibility of the student. International students will have additional fees based on the cost of a background check in their country.

Delivering high quality graduate programs takes a comprehensive support system. Your investment in an advanced degree includes those services and personnel that partner with you in pursuit of higher education. Below is a detailed breakdown of the fees associated with the benefits and services included in your degree program.

School of Nursing Fees

Tuition and Fees
Cost
Nursing Master’s Degree, Credential, and Most Certificate Programs (per unit) $860
PhD in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)(per unit) $1,160
Oncology Nurse Practitioner Certificate (per unit) $1,160
Audit (per unit) half-price tuition
Nursing Clinical Fee (per semester; includes malpractice insurance) $600
Graduate Nursing Advanced Practice Lab Fee (per course) $275

Nursing courses may require additional fees. View a complete list of university fees.

All stated financial information is subject to change. Contact Student Services Center at (626) 815-2020 for more information.

Financial Aid

Several types of financial aid are available to graduate students. The resources range from federal loans and state grants to, for some graduate programs, fellowships and scholarships. For details about financial aid available for your program, please contact the Student Services Center at (626) 815-2020.

Military Benefits

Military members—and in some cases their spouses and dependents—qualify for financial assistance covering tuition, housing, and books. Azusa Pacific is a Yellow Ribbon University and Military Friendly School, so you can be confident that you’ll receive the benefits and flexibility you need to complete your education.

Program-Specific Aid

For more details on these scholarships and funding opportunities, as well as other possible resources, please contact the School of Nursing at (626) 815-5386.

Nurse Faculty Loan Program

The Nurse Faculty Loan Program is a government loan program set up to increase the number of qualified nursing faculty by providing loans to students in advanced nursing education programs. Students must be pursuing a MSN or doctoral nursing degree. The NFLP loans will be forgiven—up to 85 percent of the amount received—over a consecutive four-year period if the student commits to serve as full-time faculty at a school of nursing following graduation. Faculty at private universities, state schools, and community colleges are eligible. Students receiving these loans must also complete the nursing education courses prior to graduation.

To view specific requirements and coursework information, visit the current academic catalog:

If you have questions, we’re here to help! Connect with a representative who can walk you through the program details and application process.

Contact Your Admissions Representative

School of Nursing

Phone

(626) 815-5386

Mail

School of Nursing
Azusa Pacific University
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000

Hours

Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
(voicemail messages left will be addressed on the next business day)

Student Services Center

Contact (626) 812-3016 or [email protected], and visit apu.edu/ssc for details on the admissions process, financial aid, and class registration.

International Services

International students should contact +1-626-812-3055 or [email protected], and visit apu.edu/international/.

  • Azusa Pacific University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). 
  • The baccalaureate degree in nursing, master’s degree in nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice at Azusa Pacific University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
  • The traditional baccalaureate nursing program, upper-division transfer (2+2/LVN to BSN) programs, entry-level master’s program, and the nurse practitioner program are approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing.

Featured Faculty

Renee Pozza

Renee Pozza

Dean and Professor

Career Outlooks and Outcomes

Azusa Pacific campus

APU School of Nursing Receives $4.4 Million in Grants from HRSA

APU’s School of Nursing, the third largest producer of nurses in the state of California, received two grants totalling $4,396,200 from the Health Resources and Services Administration to help students afford a nursing education.

Note: This information is current for the 2023-24 academic year; however, all stated academic information is subject to change. Refer to the current Academic Catalog for more information.
 
*Base Cost (cost per unit x program units) is provided to aid in program comparison only.
All stated financial information is subject to change. View Tuition tab above.

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