In other instances, depending on the student's background and goals, some undergraduate or foundational graduate coursework may be required prior to enrolling in selected graduate courses. Such requirements may be fulfilled while completing other graduate courses. All students complete the same Nursing Leadership Core. All students choosing the Family Nurse Practitioner Practice Core complete the same requirements through structured class and clinical practice experiences. Graduates are qualified to take the national certification examinations for family nurse practitioners offered by the American Nurses' Credentialing Center and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.
National certification is a credential required by many states for advanced practice licensure.
All students choosing an Individualized Practice Core complete programs tailored for them within parameters established by the nursing faculty. The primary goal is to prepare nurses to respond to the demands of multiple roles and the disparate clinical specialties which are needed for advanced nursing practice today and in the future and to meet the health care needs of individuals, families, communities, and society in a variety of settings. A thorough assessment of each student's background and experiences in nursing and advanced practice goals is completed by a faculty committee and the student. Based on this total assessment, a nursing practice program is outlined. The specific theoretical content and clinical practice experiences in each course are achieved through individual learning contracts between the student and a faculty member.