Distance Education (DE) programs in the College of Nursing that lead to professional licensure or that require clinical placements or clinical coursework must abide by board and state regulations in the state where the student resides and/or will be completing the clinical experiences.
Students who reside outside of Tennessee who plan to complete a clinical placement in a state other than Tennessee, will need to take additional steps to comply with the requirements of that state. Before applying to and beginning a program, you should become familiar with your state’s licensing and professional requirements and that of the state in which you plan to reside as a practitioner. You may also reach out to the College of Nursing and speak to an advisor by calling (865) 974-7606. The university cannot guarantee that its DE programs in the College of Nursing will meet all the requirements for licensure in any particular state. If the student moves from the state of Tennessee after admission to the program, continuation in the program will depend on the availability of the program within the new state where the student physically resides. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the UTK College of Nursing of a change in physical residence.
Distance Education programs at the University of Tennessee cannot currently admit students from the state of California.
You can find additional information about pre-licensure distance education requirements in individual states, visit the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN): https://www.ncsbn.org/671.htm.
The College of Nursing offers certificates for nurses who need additional training. A master’s degree in nursing is required for admission. This graduate certificate prepares the advanced practice nurse for a career as a pediatric acute care nurse practitioner. Students enrolling in the PNP Acute Care graduate certificate must have completed a primary care PNP program and must have demonstrated experience working in an acute care setting before beginning course work in the acute care courses.
Advanced practice nursing involves the delivery of care, management of resources, interdisciplinary collaboration, and application of technology, information systems, knowledge, and critical thinking.
The total graduate credit hours will vary depending on the student’s academic record, clinical experience, and objectives. Students must complete a minimum of 12 graduate credit hours. Certificate coursework must be completed within 2 years of admission. Contact the Assistant Dean, Graduate Studies for more information.
Campus Code
Distance Education
Graduate Certificate Type
Stand-Alone
Add-On (concurrently with another degree in rare cases)
Admissions Standards/Procedures
- A master’s degree in nursing is required for admission.
- Apply for the certificate by submitting an online application through the Office of Graduate Admissions.
Academic Standards
The College of Nursing will observe the following grading scale:
| A = 92 – 100 |
4 quality points |
| B+ = 88 – 91 |
3.3 quality points |
| B = 83 – 87 |
3 quality points |
| C+ = 78 – 82 |
2.3 quality points |
| C = 75 – 77 |
2 quality points |
| D = 67 – 74 |
1 quality point |
| F = 66 or below |
0 quality points |
Credit Hours Required
Minimum of 12 graduate credit hours
Required Courses
- NURS 670
- NURS 671
- NURS 672
- Elective(s) – 4 credit hours minimum (must be selected in consultation with assigned certificate program advisor)
- Plus additional credit hours as determined by the college.
Additional Course Requirements
- Students can actually ONLY do the acute care certificate only after they have completed the pediatric primary care nurse practitioner degree. If they do not have the Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner credential, they must also take:
- NURS 650 (4 credit hours)
- NURS 651 (3 credit hours)
- NURS 652 (3 credit hours)
- NURS 653 (1 to 5 credit hours)
- Plus additional credit hours as determined by the college and chosen in consultation with the certificate advisor.
Non-Course Requirements
- A minimum of one year of work in an acute care setting (usually a hospital) is required before beginning coursework in the acute care track.
To receive the certificate, students must:
1) complete the Graduate Certificate Course Verification Form (located on the Graduate School webpage under the Forms Central tab) and
2) through MyUTK, apply to graduate from the certificate program.
