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 nurse practitioner in the primary or the acute care role. 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 credit hours will vary depending on the student’s academic record, clinical experience, and objectives. Students must complete a minimum of 12 credit hours. Certificate coursework must be completed within 2 years of admission. Contact the College of Nursing Assistant Dean, Graduate Studies for more information.
Students enrolling in the PNP Acute Care track must have completed a primary care PNP program and must have a minimum of one year of work in an acute care setting before beginning course work in the acute care courses.
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 |
Specialization
Primary Care
Credit Hours Required
Minimum of 12 graduate credit hours; usually, around 20 credit hours will be completed.
Required Courses
- 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.
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.
