To be considered for the post-master's certificate, applicants must:
Submit a completed application
Possess an active state license and certification to practice as an advanced practice registered nurse at program start
Have a master's degree in nursing from a nationally accredited school (CCNE or ACEN)
Have completed three separate comprehensive graduate-level courses in: advanced physiology/pathophysiology, advanced health assessment, and advanced pharmacology
Hold an unencumbered RN license in the US at the time of application. All matriculating students who are not active-duty military nurses must have a Virginia RN license before the first day of classes
Have at least one year of full-time RN experience (previous mental health experience is helpful)
Submit three satisfactory recommendations (academic, professional, and clinical), one of which should be from an APRN
Submit a resume or CV
Be available for an interview, if requested

The minimum internet-based (iBT) TOEFL score requirement is 90 (including sectional minimums of 22 in speaking, 22 in writing, 23 in reading and 23 in listening). The minimum paper-based TOEFL score requirement is 600. Applicants may submit scores from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) as an alternative to the TOEFL exam. The minimum IELTS score requirement is 7.0 in each section